The 15 Best Public Golf Courses On Hilton Head Island South Carolina

Arguably the most popular place in South Carolina to play golf, Hilton Head Island has it all. Miles upon miles of magnificent beaches, weather ideal for golf, and a landscape jam packed with top-class golf courses.

A fair amount of these golf courses are private. But Hilton Head Island is blessed with a substantial number of public golf courses. And this isn’t any old run-of-the-mill collection of public courses. We are talking about top quality layouts. Many of these challenging courses have been sculpted by notable architects and playing greats like Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Pete Dye. Those seeking to sharpen their skills will also find top-flight golf schools with professional instructors providing helpful tips coupled with state-of-the-art resources.

Understandably, with so many choices, it can be hard to choose where to play. To help you with that decision, we’ve listed the best public golf courses on Hilton Head Island that we believe will make your next golf vacation all that more special.

 

Harbour Town Golf Links

The embodiment of golf on Hilton Head Island, Harbour Town Golf Links is significant to American golf. Since 1969, it has been a regular on the PGA Tour schedule as the host to the RBC Heritage Tournament.

Designed by Pete Dye, with consultation from Jack Nicklaus, the golf course demands extreme accuracy as postage stamp greens, multiple water hazards, and many well placed overhanging branches are found throughout. The 18th is world famous, a par-4 played with the Calibogue Sound waterway on the left-hand side and the iconic, red and white hooped Harbour Town lighthouse as the backdrop to the green. A bucket-list golf course for everyone who enjoys the game

Harbour Town Golf Links
11 Lighthouse Lane
Hilton Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-1477
https://www.seapines.com/golf/courses/harbour-town-golf-links

Atlantic Dunes 

The first course built on the island was George Cobb’s Ocean Course at Sea Pines in 1962. It underwent a modern transformation at the hands of Davis Love III in 2016, and reemerged as Atlantic Dunes.

This Lowcountry track features water on most every hole, beautiful Spanish draped oaks, and lurking alligators. It’s alluring closing stretch, which includes the beachfront par-three 15th, a lion’s mouth green (a large bunker that sits up against the green), and back-to-back water-lined holes in 17 and 18….it's one of the favorite layouts on the island.

Atlantic Dunes

100 North Sea Pines Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-1477
https://www.seapines.com/golf/courses/atlantic-dunes-by-davis-love

Heron Point 

Heron Point, formerly known as the Sea Marsh course, was Pete Dye’s first contribution to Sea Pines in 1964.

With the goal of making the course more playable for an average golfer, the late architect returned in 2007 to completely rehaul Heron Point. However, the course still maintains a tough test with its risk-reward holes, Dye-signature mounding, and water-guarded greens.

You’re able to choose from seven tee options including juniors, which makes Heron Point very enjoyable for a family round of golf.

Additionally, the Sea Pines resort course conserves and protects its natural landscape, which led to its certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Heron Point

100 N. Sea Pines Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 842-1477
https://www.seapines.com/golf/courses/heron-point-by-pete-dye

Palmetto Dunes Resort – Robert Trent Jones Course

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in the 1960s, the Jones course was the first of the three at Palmetto Dune Resort.

This Palmetto Dunes favorite features wide fairways, expansive greens, and subtle elevation changes, all embellished with lakes and bunkers.

Though most holes play inland, winding through lagoons and palmetto trees, the par-5 10th plays directly toward the Atlantic Ocean, with the green set against the beach.

Before your round, make sure to check out the Top Tracer driving range, which tracks your ball flight and gives you some key metrics.

Palmetto Dunes Resort, Robert Trent Jones Course

7 Trent Jones Lane
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 785-1138
https://www.palmettodunes.com/golf/robert-trent-jones-course

Palmetto Dunes Resort – George Fazio Course

Palmetto Dunes Resort’s George Fazio Course is the only par-70 on Hilton Head Island, and it provides one of the most interesting layouts that you’ll face. It is often regarded as the island’s toughest test due to a series of lengthy par fours and par threes.

The modern Diamond Zoysia greens make putting a difficult yet rewarding experience, and the layout was designed to be a stern test without compromising on fairness.

Palmetto Dunes Resort, George Fazio Course

2 Carnoustie Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 686-9139
https://www.palmettodunes.com/golf/george-fazio-course

Palmetto Dunes Resort – Arthur Hills Course  

When the Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes Resort opened in the mid-1980s, there was no rough. Instead the holes were protected by the natural moundings and contouring of the land areas. They have since added rough, but with less than 20 bunkers in play on the entire course, the prominent mounding remains the distinctive feature

A shot maker's course, 10 different holes challenge you with a lagoon system that winds through the property. Accuracy and precision reign over distance. It is difficult to find a more creative layout throughout the island and it provides a formidable test for even the best golfers.

Hilton Head’s only true lighthouse is prominently featured in the backdrop of both the 5th and 16th holes.

Palmetto Dunes Resort, Arthur Hills Course

2 Leamington Lane
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 686-9138
https://www.palmettodunes.com/golf/arthur-hills-course

Oyster Reef Golf Club 

Oyster Reef Club is part of the Heritage Golf Collection which operates several great courses on Hilton Head. The Rees Jones design opened in 1982 and immediately made its way onto every top-course listing in the U.S. Built on 190 acres of Lowcountry terrain, the 18-hole championship course is surrounded by lush vegetation, twisting lagoons, and panoramic views of the island. 

The course also boasts one of the most stunning holes on the entirety of Hilton Head Island, the par-3 6th which is set against the backdrop of the Port Royal Sound.

Oyster Reef Golf Club

155 High Bluff Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-1764
https://hiltonheadgolf.net/clubs/oyster-reef

Hilton Head National Golf Club 

Hilton Head National is one mile from the bridge that leads you onto Hilton Head Island and is an excellent place for a round of golf on your arrival or departure day, but also not a long drive on any day of your vacation. Gay Player worked alongside award winning architect Bobby Weed to create this demanding yet fair layout in 1989.

There is much risk-reward to consider, which is best highlighted by the signature 6th, a par 4 that is protected by a perilous lagoon on the right and deep pot bunkers to the left.

Unlike many of the courses in the area, there are no homes overlooking the layout, which has helped the wildlife and natural vegetation flourish.

Hilton Head National Golf Club

60 Hilton Head National Drive
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 842-5900
https://hiltonheadnational.com/

Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run 

Many people associate Hilton Head Island golf with ocean views, but one of the best courses you can play in the area is located smack in the middle of the island

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus 11 on a gorgeous landscape of gently rolling terrain, thick woodlands and a chain of beautiful lagoon, Golden Bear Golf Club is all about finesse and strategy

The course is part of the Indigo Run community but given the layout is lined with dense stands of oaks, pines and cypress trees, many of the homes are set well back from the fairways 

Golden Bear Golf Course at Indigo Run
72 Golden Bear Way
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 689-2200
https://www.invitedclubs.com/clubs/golden-bear-golf-club-at-indigo-run

Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club – Barony Course 

Port Royal Golf Course was designed by George W. Cobb in the 1960’s and it was one of the first established on the island. The layout is the definition of target golf and the risk-reward approach shots will have you jumping for joy or unhappily playing a provisional ball

The small greens are protected by thick rough and merciless bunkers, and it quickly becomes apparent that your short game will be the key to a good score. This course is not about muscle; an intelligent game plan is crucial as landing zones are slim and the hazards are awaiting any balls that veer from their intended line

 Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, Barony Course

10 Clubhouse Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 681-7100
https://hiltonheadgolf.net/clubs/port-royal/golf-courses/barony-course

Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, Robber’s Row 

Robber’s Row was designed by George W. Cobb and William C. Byrd in 1967, before being beautifully remastered by Pete Dye in 1994

The best holes are back-to back-a semi blind tee shot over marsh on the short par-five 14th, a sand-surrounded green at the par three 15th and a par four 16th that plays just 265 yards from the tips. Historical markers around the course detail events on what was former Civil War grounds 

Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club-Robber’s Row
10 Clubhouse Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 681 1700
https://hiltonheadgolf.net/clubs/port-royal/golf-courses/robber-s-row-course

Bear Creek Golf Club  

Bear Creek Golf Club is another Rees Jones championship design on Hilton Head Island. The setting is sublime as the course weaves and doglegs its way through a large pine forest. Any housing that surrounds the course is set back enough not to be an eye-sore and is well hidden by foliage.

Bear Creek is located just west of the Hilton Head Island airport and is a nice challenge without being unfair. Winding doglegs can be cut by long hitters, but tall pines line the fairway to force you to stay accurate. You’ll run into a lot of natural wildlife areas throughout the course, which is part of the reason why Bear Creek is a certified Audubon golf course.

Bear Creek Golf Club

237 Whooping Crane Way
Hilton Head Island, SC 29920
(843) 681-9510
https://www.bearcreekhhi.com/

Shipyard Golf Club – Clipper, Galleon, Brigantine 

Located on the lower half of the island, Shipyard is part of the Heritage Golf Collection which also manages Oyster Reef Golf club. Shipyard Golf Club offers three nines; the original Clipper and Galleon courses were designed by George W. Cobb in 1970, and the Brigantine course was added by William C. Byrd in 1982.

Shipyard has kept itself in tiptop shape and feels more like a private club than 27 holes of resort golf. The optimal layout is to play the Clipper and Galleon courses.

The Clipper is arguably the most challenging nine and requires a decent long game. The Galleon is a little more open but requires accurate approach play to well-defended green complexes.

If you can’t get on one of these nines, the Brigantine is still worth playing. This layout weaves its way through lagoons with water, an ever present obstacle. Needless to say, mind the massive alligators too! 

Shipyard Golf Club, Clipper/Galleon/Brigantine
45 Shipyard and Drive
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 686-8802
https://hiltonheadgolf.net/clubs/shipyard

Final Thoughts 

Hilton Head Island offers a unique environment for a truly memorable vacation. While golf deservedly takes the limelight, the beaches, restaurants, night life, resorts, and daily activities also play a huge part. With so much to do and enjoy, Hilton Head Island really does have something for everyone, especially those who love the game of golf.