Every golfer I know either has been to Hilton Head (and raved about it) or wants to go to Hilton Head. It is America’s premier golf island, a lowcountry paradise with over 26 championship courses, framed by pristine beaches, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, marshes, lagoons, and endless Atlantic views. From iconic PGA TOUR hosts like Harbour Town to oceanfront gems and strategic parkland layouts, it’s year-round golf heaven with mild temps, Southern hospitality, fresh seafood, and that relaxed island vibe.

Quick Facts

  • Over 26 championship courses, designed by legends like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr./Jr., Rees Jones, Davis Love III, and more
  • Lowcountry style: Tree-lined corridors, water hazards, marsh views, wind, and strategic shot-making
  • Year-round play: Mild winters (60s-70s F), warm summers; best in spring/fall for prime conditions and fewer crowds
  • Price variety: Greens fees $100-$400+ (peak season premium); stay-and-play packages offer big savings
  • Home to the RBC Heritage PGA TOUR event at Harbour Town Golf Links

Seriously, Hilton Head is one of the most popular golf destinations in the country, and it deserves to be. It offers something for everyone. Whether it’s a trip with the buds or a vacation for the family, Hilton Head won’t disappoint.

Perfect For…

  • Guys’ Trips: Multi-course days (easy to hit 36 holes), post-round cocktails with ocean views, friendly bets on signature holes, and island nightlife or beach bonfires
  • Families: Resort beaches, pools, spas, kids’ programs; forgiving options and short courses; non-golfers enjoy biking, kayaking, or exploring the island

Top Standout Courses

Hilton Head golf course

Harbour Town Golf Links (Sea Pines Resort)

The icon! A Pete Dye masterpiece with Jack Nicklaus input, host of the RBC Heritage. Tight fairways, tiny greens, bulkheads, overhanging branches, and the famous red-and-white lighthouse on 18. Precision over power; pure strategy and history.

Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III (Sea Pines Resort)

Seaside stunner, rebuilt from the island’s original Ocean Course with coquina shells, native grasses, dunes, and Lowcountry charm. Beachfront par-3s, dramatic closing stretch; NGCOA National Course of the Year winner.

Heron Point by Pete Dye (Sea Pines Resort)

Risk-reward classic with mounding, swales, fairways shifting toward and away from hazards. Challenging yet fun with multiple tees; Audubon Sanctuary certified for natural beauty.

Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course (Palmetto Dunes)

Oceanfront drama with shifting winds and an elevated par-5 10th green right on the Atlantic. Memorable views, challenging yet rewarding; consistently top-ranked in South Carolina.

Arthur Hills Course (Palmetto Dunes)

Unique and strategic, with rolling terrain, water, and bunkers; one of South Carolina’s top public layouts with great conditions and variety.

Great Stay-and-Play Resorts & Spots

  • The Sea Pines Resort: Harbour Town, Atlantic Dunes, Heron Point; villas, Inn & Club luxury, beaches
  • Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort: RTJ, Arthur Hills, George Fazio courses; oceanfront villas, pools, tennis
  • Other highlights: Port Royal (Barony/Robber’s Row), Oyster Reef (Rees Jones), Hilton Head National

All Key Hilton Head Golf Courses at a Glance

  • Harbour Town Golf Links (Pete Dye, PGA TOUR host)
  • Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III (seaside Lowcountry gem)
  • Heron Point by Pete Dye (risk-reward beauty)
  • Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront (Palmetto Dunes, Atlantic views)
  • Arthur Hills (Palmetto Dunes, unique strategic test)
  • George Fazio (Palmetto Dunes, toughest par-70 on island)
  • Oyster Reef (Rees Jones, lagoon/marsh drama)
  • Plus off-island value like Old South Golf Links

Pro Tips

  • Book stay-and-play packages early via resort sites (seapines.com, palmettodunes.com) or specialists like Golfbreaks; includes priority tees and multi-round deals
  • Fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV), 45-minute drive
  • Pair golf with Hilton Head musts: fresh seafood, shrimp and grits, biking trails, beaches, or the RBC Heritage if timing aligns (April)
  • Play mornings to beat winds; use carts; forward tees for fun; caddies add strategy on Dye classics

If Hilton Head isn’t golf mecca, we don’t know what is. Head down to South Carolina and enjoy all it has to offer.

The Caddy Shanks Team

Life moves slower on the island, and this is your perfect time to get down there and reset. Kiawah Island is a world-class golf paradise off South Carolina’s coast, a private barrier island with 10 miles of pristine beaches, maritime forests, marshes, and five championship resort courses at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Designed by legends like Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Clyde Johnston. It’s bucket-list territory: oceanfront drama, wind-swept links-style play, wildlife (alligators included\!), and that perfect Lowcountry mix of challenge and beauty. Home to the 1991 Ryder Cup (“War by the Shore”) and multiple PGA Championships. It’s a place of Legends

Quick Facts

  • Five championship courses, all public/resort-accessible, recently renovated with Paspalum greens for superior play
  • Coastal challenge: Wind, water, bunkers, and ocean views on many holes; elevation subtle but strategic
  • Year-round play: Mild winters (great escape), best shoulder seasons (spring/fall) for calmer winds and temps (60s-80s°F); summer mornings beat the heat
  • Luxury access: Stay-and-play packages at The Sanctuary Hotel or villas/cottages; priority tees, caddies available
  • Top-ranked: Ocean Course consistently \#1 in SC (Golf Digest/Golfweek); others in top resort/public list

This is a good time to remind everyone that Alligators are dinosaurs. Dinosaurs that live among us. Apex predators in our backyard\! Terrifying and beautiful. Don’t get too close.

Perfect For…

  • Guys’ Trips: Epic multi-course days (Ocean for bragging rights, others for variety), post-round cocktails at the clubhouse or Sanctuary, beach bonfires, and Charleston nightlife nearby
  • Families: Resort beaches, pools, spa, kids’ programs; more playable courses like Cougar/Osprey; non-golfers enjoy biking, kayaking, or wildlife tours

Top Standout Courses

The Ocean Course (Pete Dye)

The undisputed legend, host of Ryder Cup 1991, PGA Championships 2012 & 2021. Seaside links masterpiece with 10 holes along the Atlantic (most in Northern Hemisphere), massive waste areas, wind as a major factor, and diabolical greens. Often called one of America’s toughest and most beautiful.

Turtle Point (Jack Nicklaus)

Nicklaus redesign (2016) with narrow corridors, strategic water, and a thrilling three-hole ocean stretch (14-16) through dunes along the Atlantic. Challenging accuracy test with hidden hazards; beautiful finishing holes and ocean breezes make it memorable.

Osprey Point (Tom Fazio)

A Fazio masterpiece, blending natural lakes, marshes, and maritime forest, playable variety with stunning landscapes, large greens, and wildlife sightings (ospreys, alligators). Ranked highly for women and groups; serene yet engaging.

Cougar Point (Gary Player, renovated)

Dramatic marshland layout along the Kiawah River, generous fairways, risk-reward par-5s, vast greens, and water everywhere. Playable for all levels with gator sightings and scenic river views; great for confidence-building rounds.

Oak Point (Clyde Johnston)

Lowcountry gem meandering through ancient oaks, undulating fairways, and river/creek views, strategic and scenic, demanding thoughtful play over power. Underrated beauty with 4.5-star acclaim.

Great Stay-and-Play Resorts & Spots

  • The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort: Forbes Five-Star luxury oceanfront hotel with spa, pools, dining
  • Villas & Cottages: Spacious private options (including Ocean Course Cottages); ideal for groups
  • Packages bundle lodging, rounds (Ocean upgrades), breakfast, carts. Book direct for best access

All Key Kiawah Island Golf Highlights at a Glance

  • The Ocean Course (Pete Dye, iconic seaside beast)
  • Turtle Point (Jack Nicklaus, ocean stretch drama)
  • Osprey Point (Tom Fazio, marsh & forest beauty)
  • Cougar Point (Gary Player, river marsh playability)
  • Oak Point (Clyde Johnston, Lowcountry classic)

Pro Tips

  • Book stay-and-play packages early via kiawahresort.com, or specialists (Premier Golf, etc.) Ocean Course tee times competitive, especially peak seasons
  • Fly into Charleston (CHS), 45-minute drive; easy access
  • Pair golf with Lowcountry classics: fresh seafood, Charleston historic tours, beaches, or wildlife spotting
  • Respect the wind (play mornings); use caddies for local tips; forward tees make Ocean manageable for mortals

Get yourself a slice of that Southern charm on Kiawah Island,