Harbour Town Golf Links
Pete Dye
Home of the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event. A precision-first round framed by pines and Calibogue Sound — the lighthouse finishing hole is one of the most photographed in golf.
Course guideHilton Head golf
Golf on Hilton Head Island
26 courses, live oak canopies, and salt marsh backdrops. Hilton Head has been a golf destination since Pete Dye designed Harbour Town in 1969 — the tradition runs deep across 10 communities and every level of access.
All 26 courses, organized by community
Every course on the island and in Bluffton — resort, semi-private, private, and public. Use this guide to find the right fit before you book. Private community courses are listed for reference — confirm access directly with each club.
26
Total courses
11
Communities
1969
Est. Harbour Town
01
Sea Pines
Resort — open to visitorsThe island's marquee golf address, anchored by a celebrated Harbour Town experience and two distinctive resort layouts. Home of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.
Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III
Davis Love III
A restored resort course with native sandscapes, wide visual lines, and a coastal Lowcountry feel.
Course guideHeron Point by Pete Dye
Pete Dye
A strategic, modernized Dye layout with angular bunkering and plenty of visual decision-making.
Course guideSea Pines Country Club
George W. Cobb
George W. Cobb’s private club design within Sea Pines Resort — classic Lowcountry tree-lined fairways in a quiet, members-only setting.
Course guide02
Palmetto Dunes
Resort — open to visitorsA versatile resort rotation where three established designs make it easy to build a multi-round stay without leaving the community. All three courses are open to resort guests and the public.
Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course
Robert Trent Jones
A broad, resort-friendly layout known for its ocean-view par 5 finishing hole.
Course guideArthur Hills Course
Arthur Hills
A demanding design with rolling terrain, lagoons, and a more secluded interior character.
Course guideGeorge Fazio Course
George Fazio
The island's only par-70 public layout, with bold bunkering and a more exacting test from the tee.
Course guide03
Port Royal
Resort — open to visitorsThis north-island club offers two classic 18-hole courses through mature trees and quiet, established resort surroundings. Both courses are open to outside visitors.
Barony Course
George W. Cobb
A traditional design with tree-lined corridors and a classic Lowcountry rhythm.
Course guideRobber's Row Course
William Byrd / Pete Dye
A historic William Byrd design refreshed by Pete Dye, with strategic shaping and coastal scenery.
Course guide04
Shipyard
Resort — open to visitorsShipyard pairs central-island convenience with three 9-hole courses — Galleon, Brigantine, and Clipper — combined into 18-hole resort rounds. Open to outside visitors.
Galleon Course
Shipyard Golf Club
Wide fairways, lagoons, and mature trees that reward smart position play.
Course guideBrigantine Course
Shipyard Golf Club
A scenic nine with water in play and a classic resort-course pace.
Course guideClipper Course
Shipyard Golf Club
A strategic nine defined by water hazards and a few tighter, more technical approaches.
Course guide05
Hilton Head Plantation
Semi-private — public play availableA private residential community on the north end of the island. Oyster Reef and Dolphin Head are semi-private and welcome public tee times. Bear Creek is also accessible to outside players.
Oyster Reef Golf Club
Rees Jones
A Rees Jones design with marsh views and a demanding layout that rewards accurate iron play.
Course guideDolphin Head Golf Club
A shorter, more forgiving layout with mature trees and a relaxed north-island setting.
Course guideBear Creek Golf Club
A semi-private course open to public play, with a traditional Lowcountry character.
Course guideCountry Club of Hilton Head
Rees Jones
Rees Jones’s strategic north-island layout in Hilton Head Plantation. Semi-private with limited public tee times — wooded corridors and marsh-edge holes throughout.
Course guide06
Indigo Run
Private — members and guestsA private residential community with two highly regarded courses — a Jack Nicklaus design and a Tom Fazio design. Access is generally limited to members and sponsored guests.
Golden Bear Golf Club
Jack Nicklaus
Wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and a classic Lowcountry feel from the Golden Bear himself.
Course guideThe Golf Club at Indigo Run
Tom Fazio
A Tom Fazio design considered one of the island's most demanding private layouts.
Course guide07
Palmetto Hall
Private — members and guestsA private mid-island community with two courses — an Arthur Hills design and a Robert Cupp design. Both are reserved for members and their guests.
Arthur Hills at Palmetto Hall
Arthur Hills
A rolling, tree-lined layout with elevation changes uncommon for the Lowcountry.
Course guideRobert Cupp Course at Palmetto Hall
Robert Cupp
A bold, angular design with dramatic bunkering and one of the island's longer championship yardages.
Course guide08
Long Cove
Private — members and guestsA private mid-island community centered on a single Pete Dye course widely regarded as one of the finest on Hilton Head Island. Access is limited to members and sponsored guests.
Long Cove Club
Pete Dye
Dramatic bunkering, water, and a reputation as one of the island's best private courses. A Pete Dye masterwork.
Course guide09
Spanish Wells
Private — members and guestsA private north-island community with a single 18-hole course. Access is reserved for members and their guests.
Spanish Wells Club
A private north-island course with a traditional character and a quieter setting away from resort traffic.
Course guide10
Wexford Plantation
Private — members and guestsA private mid-island community with a harbor, marina, and a single 18-hole course. Access is reserved for members and their guests.
Wexford Golf Club
A private mid-island course set within a harbor community, with water in play on several holes.
Course guide11
Bluffton / Lowcountry
Public — open to allThree public-access courses on the mainland, a short drive from Hilton Head Island. All three are worth adding to a multi-day trip for variety and value.
Hilton Head National Golf Club
Gary Player / Bobby Weed
A Gary Player–Bobby Weed design in nearby Bluffton with a memorable, more open Lowcountry routing.
Course guideOld South Golf Links
Clyde Johnston
A Bluffton-area course playing through marsh, forest, and wetlands beside the Intracoastal Waterway.
Course guideCrescent Pointe Golf Club
Arnold Palmer
An Arnold Palmer design in Bluffton with broad landing areas, water, and a welcoming public-play setup.
Course guideAccess key
ResortSemi-privatePrivatePublic
Course access, maintenance schedules, and rates change. Private community courses are listed for reference — confirm access directly with each club before booking.
Seasonal conditions
Aerification windows
Most courses on Hilton Head aerify their greens in late summer — typically August through early October. During the recovery period, greens play slower and with more bounce than usual. If you're planning a fall trip, check with your target courses about their aerification schedule before booking. Spring (March–May) and late fall (October–November) offer the best green conditions.
Peak season
March – May & Oct – Nov
Aerification window
Aug – early Oct (varies by course)
More golf on Hilton Head
Golf Lessons & InstructionResort academies, golf schools, junior programs, and private-club instruction — organized by access type.View guide Golf SimulatorsThree indoor simulator venues for rain days, practice sessions, and social outings.View guide Miniature GolfThree mini golf courses — pirate ships, live volcanoes, and arcade games for the whole family.View guide
Frequently asked questions
How many golf courses are on Hilton Head Island?
There are 26 golf courses on and around Hilton Head Island, spread across 11 communities. These include resort courses open to all visitors (Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Shipyard), semi-private courses with public tee times (Hilton Head Plantation), private member-only clubs (Indigo Run, Palmetto Hall, Long Cove, Spanish Wells, Wexford), and three public courses in nearby Bluffton.
What is the best golf course on Hilton Head Island?
Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort is widely considered the best golf course on Hilton Head Island. Designed by Pete Dye in 1969, it hosts the annual RBC Heritage PGA Tour event each April. Long Cove Club is often cited as the finest private course on the island. Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III are also excellent resort options.
Which Hilton Head golf courses are open to the public?
Resort courses at Sea Pines (Harbour Town, Atlantic Dunes, Heron Point), Palmetto Dunes (Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills, George Fazio), Port Royal (Barony, Robber's Row), and Shipyard (Galleon, Brigantine, Clipper) are all open to outside visitors. Semi-private courses at Hilton Head Plantation — Oyster Reef, Dolphin Head, and Bear Creek — also welcome public tee times. In Bluffton, Hilton Head National, Old South Golf Links, and Crescent Pointe are fully public.
When is the best time to play golf on Hilton Head?
The best times to play golf on Hilton Head Island are spring (March–May) and fall (September–November), when temperatures are mild and the courses are in peak condition. Summer (June–August) is hot and humid but offers better availability and lower rates. The island's mild climate means golf is playable year-round.
How far in advance should I book tee times on Hilton Head?
Book tee times at resort courses like Harbour Town, Heron Point, and Palmetto Dunes 30–60 days in advance during peak season (March–May and October). Twilight rates after 2 PM can reduce green fees by 30–40%. Public courses like Hilton Head National and Old South Golf Links typically have better availability with shorter advance booking windows.
What is the RBC Heritage golf tournament on Hilton Head?
The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing is an annual PGA Tour event held at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort each April, the week after the Masters. It is one of the most beloved events on the PGA Tour calendar, known for its intimate atmosphere, the iconic lighthouse backdrop, and the challenging Pete Dye course design.
Plan your round
More island activities
Golf is one piece of the island. Explore everything else Hilton Head has to offer — on the water, on the trails, and at the table.