While the holes are relatively open off the tee, Barony's greatest challenge is presented around its small greens, which are heavily protected by deep bunkers, lagoons and Bermuda rough. Accuracy, not length, is paramount, and a deft touch is required with medium and short irons. The back nine offers a fine mix of long holes. Course card
Port Royal Plantation Planters Row - Par 72 - Architect Willard Byrd - Red 5126 yds White 6009 yds Blue 6520 yds
The Willard Byrd design reflects the architect's philosophy that golf is a game of accuracy. Tree-lined parallel fairways are doffed with treacherous bunkers and water hazards, and the large greens are severely undulating. Water comes into play often in the park-like setting, which puts additional emphasis on keeping the ball in play. A prime example is the 552 yards par five 18th, where the second shot must find a narrow landing area flanked by water to the right and deep woods to the left, followed by a short pitch to an elevated, well-bunkered green. Course card
Port Royal Plantation Robbers Row - Par 72 - Architects Pete Dye & George Cobb - Ladies 5000 yds Men 6145 yds Champ 6642 yds
Located on the marsh side of Port Royal Resort, atop what were once Civil War grounds and the historic town of Port Royal, winding through beautiful Magnolia and Live Oak trees. Although tee-shot landing areas are generous, approach shots require accuracy to the well-bunkered, undulating greens. The course is one of the original 18 hole layouts built in the early 1950's at Port Royal and has recently undergone a major renovation under the direction of Pete Dye. Throughout the front nine, a total of 43 bunkers were either added, moved or reshaped. The second hole has been lengthened to a par 5 and the 10th hole has been shortened to a par 4, the eighth hole is now a 171 yard par 3 through the addition of a lake that guards the front and left sides of the hole and a pot bunker to the left side of the green. Course card
Shipyard Golf Club at Shipyard Plantation - Par 72 Architects George Cobb & Willard Byrd
Galleon - Red 2658 yds White 3035 yds Blue 3364 yds Brigantine - Red 2457 yds White 2959 yds Blue 3352 yds Clipper - Red 2733 yds White 3132 yds Blue 3466 yds
27 challenging holes where the well protected pins call for accurate short and medium irons and the large, but tricky, greens call for a skilled putter. The course wanders through tall Pines, Magnolias, and moss-draped Oaks with many lagoons to add to the challenge and is designed to reward the longer, accurate shots of the low handicapper, but does not unfairly penalize the higher handicapper.
Oyster Reef - Par 72 Architect Rees Jones - Green 5288 yds White 6071 yds Blue 6440 yds Gold 7005
Carved out of 190 acres of low country terrain the 18 hole championship course is surrounded by winding lagoons, lush vegetation, and scenic views of the Island. Rees Jones used the natural landscape to create an inspiring course that combines challenge with a sense of fair play.
Golden Bear at Indigo Run - Par 72 Architect Jack Nicklaus - Koala 4974 yds Polar 5677 yds Golden Bear 6184 yds Kodiac 6693 Grizzly 7014 yds
This Nicklaus-designed course is well known for its Low Country beauty & its wide variety of shot-making requirements. At present is the only course on the island to offer ParView GPS Electronic Caddy System on every cart. This system aids the golfer with full color features, such as overviews of each hole, pro tips on how to best play the hole and live scoring for groups.
Crescent Pointe - Par 72 Architect Arnold Palmer - Red 5219 yds White 5987 yds Blue 6399 yds Palmer 6772 yds
The only public course in Hilton Head with Arnie's name on it offering spectacular marsh views, magnificent century-old oaks, pines and blossoming magnolias. Dramatic white-sand "beach bunkers" that cascade down the the water's edge. A unique feature of this world-class course is elevated greens and tees not usually found on the other Lowcountry courses. It's a shot maker's delight. Photo gallery
Eagles Pointe - Par 71 Architect Davis Love III - Red 5210 yds White 6026 yds Blue 6399 yds Love III 6782 yds
A true and fair test of golf for players of all ability levels, featuring wide, well-defined fairways, dramatic bunkering and magnificent undulating greens all surrounded by the area's native grasses and towering pines. Photo gallery
Palmetto Hall - Arthur Hills - Par 72 Architect Arthur Hills - Forward 5006 yds White 6257 yds Blue 6582 yds Gold 6918 yds
Opened in 1991 the course was instantly dubbed a classic by Golf Magazine rating it one of America's Top 10 new courses. Heavily wooded with towering pines and moss-draped oaks, the lush fairways roll past crystalline lakes. Protected greens, many edged with bunkers, provide a constant challenge and the signature hole par 4 18th, offers a daunting finish. Course card
Palmetto Hall - Robert Cupp - Par 72 Architect Robert Cupp - Forward 5220 yds White 6042 yds Blue 6524 yds Gold 7079 yds
The course tests the better player, but accommodates higher handicappers as well and continues to draw high praise for its flexibility, sound shot values and impeccable year-round conditioning. Course card
Palmetto Dunes - Robert Trent Jones & Roger Rulewich - Par 72 Architect Robert Trent Jones - Short course 2625 yds Green 5035 yds White 6122 yds Gold 7005 yds
The Jones offers well-trapped greens and generous landing areas with a lagoon system winding its way through 11 of the 18 holes. The signature hole par 5 10th brings you to a spectacular view of the Atlantic.
Palmetto Dunes - George Fazio - Par 72 Architect George Fazio - Green 5273 yds White 6239 yds Blue 6534 yds Gold 6873 yds
The Fazio offers a series of long par 4s beset with bunkers and water hazards demanding a combination of length and precision play. From the 432 yard 1st hole to the 462 yard 18th this is regarded by many as the Island's truest championship challenge.
Palmetto Dunes - Arthur Hills - Par 72 Architect Arthur Hills - Green 4999 yds White 6122 yds Gold 6651 yds
Designed into its natural surroundings, the Hills is a blend of beauty and challenge. The scenery is outstanding with thick stands of palmettos line the graceful course which is built on a series of rolling dunes. However, off-balance lies and ocean breezes will remind you to keep your eye on the ball.
Sea Pines - Harbour Town - Par 71 Architect Pete Dye - Green 5208 yds White 6040 yds Champ 6603 yds Heritage 6973 yds
Every year, PGA pros take to the fairways to vie for the champion’s tartan jacket at the Verizon Heritage. Ranked as the #1 course in South Carolina by Golf Magazine, this is the most sought after course to play on Hilton Head Island. Reminiscent of a Scottish course of old it is deceptively short by today's standards and requires perfectly positioned shots, arrow-straight accuracy and unwavering consistency.
Sea Pines - Ocean Course - Par 71 Architect Mark McCumber - Green 5235 yds White 6172 yds Champ 6493 yds McCumber 6906 yds
The first golf course on Hilton Head Island, the course was rebuilt in 1995 by Mark McCumber and features the signature oceanfront 15th hole with panoramic water views. Lagoons and bunkers add challenge to the traditionally designed course. Ocean is one of two Certified Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary courses at The Sea Pines Resort. Course card and photos
Sea Pines - Sea Marsh - Par 71 Architect George Cobb - Ladies 5054 yds Men 6169 yds Champ 6515 yds
Meandering fairways alongside tidal marshes and through lush oak and price woods are the focal point of George Cobb's 1967 course, revitalized by Clyde Johnston in 1990. While length is not a factor and fairways are wide, the greens are well bunkered, requiring exacting approach shots. Sea Marsh is one of two Certified Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary courses at The Sea Pines Resort. Course card and photos
