Best Golf Courses in the Hilton Head Area

[JNC Lyon]

My family is headed down to Hilton Head in mid-March, and my Dad and I will be playing some golf while down there, naturally.  Since I've never played golf in the area, what are some of the courses in the area that people on here would recommend?

[Eric Strulowitz]

My family is headed down to Hilton Head in mid-March, and my Dad and I will be playing some golf while down there, naturally.  Since I've never played golf in the area, what are some of the courses in the area that people on here would recommend?

My personal favorite is Callawassie Island if you can get on.  The nature and the natural surroundings make it my personal favorite. Not on the Island, just a short drive away.

Have a great trip

[Cory Lewis]

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35745.0.html

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41321.0.html

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,3183.0.html

[Anthony_Nysse]

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45454.0.html

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41321.0.html

Take away Harbor Town, the quality of really good public golf courses on Hilton Head does not match the private. That time of year, you can expect to pay top $$, as well.

[jeffwarne]

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45454.0.html

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41321.0.html

Take away Harbor Town, the quality of really good public golf courses on Hilton Head does not match the private. That time of year, you can expect to pay top $$, as well.

Actually you can include Harbour Town in that statement(if you're including value-particularly in March)

[Jeff_Mingay]

It's a bit of a drive, and I'm not sure about access, but Chechessee Creek Club is a great option.

[JNC Lyon]

From reading this and the other posted threads, it seems like Chechessee Creek is the best option on the private side, and Harbor Town is the best (although maybe a slightly overrated) option on the public side.  I've always liked the look of Chechessee Creek from posts on here, though, as some people point out, access might be a bit of a problem.

What are other public courses that people would recommend besides Harbor Town?

Also, what do you all think of Long Cove and Secession?

[PThomas]

i think Long Cove is one of Dye's finest courses...just great hole after great hole

[Mike Cirba]

Heading there myself soon...what's the scoop on Heron Point?

[JC Jones]

Heron Point was recently re-done and is supposed to be very difficult.

On the public side, besides the courses at Sea Pines (Harbour Town and Heron Point), I recommend Old South Golf Links.

[Anthony_Nysse]

From reading this and the other posted threads, it seems like Chechessee Creek is the best option on the private side, and Harbor Town is the best (although maybe a slightly overrated) option on the public side.  I've always liked the look of Chechessee Creek from posts on here, though, as some people point out, access might be a bit of a problem.

I wouldn't go quite that far. If given the chance, I'd rather play LCC, not just because it's near and dear, but because it is as good as any of Dye's courses. It's lowcountry at it's best and doesnt have any of his silly mounding of the past 15 years. Also, Colleton River boast 2 VERY good courses, as does Belfair and Berkeley Hall. May River is one of the first Nicklaus courses after his time with Doak at Sebonack. Not the typical Nicklaus bunkering, greens, etc...VERY GOOD

[Jeff Loh]

Mike C
No Pinehurst this year?? 
Jeff L

[Mike Cirba]

Jeff,

Nope...perhaps next year after the restoration.   Thought we needed a different holiday trip this year and we've never been to Hilton Head.

[Jeff Loh]

Mike
Cool...have fun. We will be there if you want to hit Tobacco on the way home!

[Mike Cirba]

Jeff,

Didn't realize you did an annual thing there...most definitely will keep that in mind for future.

Enjoy your time there!   I'm going to HH with reasonably low expectations, but with winter so far here in the NE any golf will be great golf! 

[Jeff Loh]

Mike
Well said! Send me an email at KingLP@aol.com
Thanks
Jeff

[JNC Lyon]

Are Bloody Point and Melrose on Daufuskie Island still open?  They both look like interesting courses, but I read that one or both has been bankrupt for some time.  Also, how accessible are these courses with Daufuskie Island being ferry access only?

[Matt_Ward]

JNC:

I've been to Hilton Head plenty of times over the years and while the spring time can be majestic -- I find the golf there to be a step above what you get in FL. There are a few exceptions but don't go there expecting your top 25 list to have any new members.

Better bet for golf -- value and for the all-around offerings -- is head to the Charleston area

[Anthony_Nysse]

JNC:

I've been to Hilton Head plenty of times over the years and while the spring time can be majestic -- I find the golf there to be a step above what you get in FL. There are a few exceptions but don't go there expecting your top 25 list to have any new members.

Better bet for golf -- value and for the all-around offerings -- is head to the Charleston area

If you have not played Harbor Town or Long Cove, they MIGHT break into your top 25. I don't think that better value is a good choice of words as the golf is even more expensive and other than TOC, there isn't much for public access worth writing home about. At least on Hilton Head you have Old South, Palmetto Dunes, Sea Pines, Hilton Head National, Cresent Point, Eagles Point and they are all resonably priced.
  If you can access private golf in Charleston, there are a ton of options-Briar's Creek, Cassique, Daniels Island, Cherokee Plantation, CC of Charleston, Yeamans Hall and Bulls Bay.

[Michael Whitaker]

John - Anthony is correct... with the exception of The Sea Pines Resort HHI area is all about private golf. Check your IMs. I sent you my mobile number. Give me a call and we'll work something out.

[Wade Whitehead]

Play Old Tabby Links at Spring Island.  It's a fantastic place.

Access is difficult but possible.

WW

[Ben Stephens]

Are Bloody Point and Melrose on Daufuskie Island still open?  They both look like interesting courses, but I read that one or both has been bankrupt for some time.  Also, how accessible are these courses with Daufuskie Island being ferry access only?

JNC,

The ferry is very accessible and transport/green fees is included in the trip. Melrose is probably my favourite Nicklaus designed course I have played on some holes are very 'un-Nicklaus'. The 18th is a stunning finish hole with loads of options. Bloody Point is more of a straightforward + strong course designed by Weiskopf and Morrish - I agree with Shivas about Bloody Point. I last played there 5 yrs ago in 40deg celsius and my dad said after the round 'Whats the Bloody Point of playing Bloody Point!! 

There are others - I have played all Port Royal courses, Harbour Town, Shipyard, Golden Bear at Indigo Run. I felt that Harbour Town was a bit overrated. The one that impressed me more than what was written was Oyster Reef - a Rees Jones course stroing from 1 to 18.

Cheers
Ben

Has anyone played Hampton Hall?

[Ben Kodadek]

Are Bloody Point and Melrose on Daufuskie Island still open?  They both look like interesting courses, but I read that one or both has been bankrupt for some time.  Also, how accessible are these courses with Daufuskie Island being ferry access only?

John,

I did the trip last April.  It was a pretty fun experience.  Instead of taking the ferry, we rented a Zodiac (with driver) as it was quicker and on our own schedule.  At the time, only Melrose was open.   We were picked up by the head pro (Pat Ford) and shuttled to the course.  They have no food and beverage on the property so he encouraged us to bring our own cooler (when's the last time you heard that!) with beer and lunch.  We checked in and headed out.  We played 36 and saw no one else the whole day.  Entire resort to ourselves.  I actually couldn't believe how good the condition of the course was as Pat mentioned they only had 3 employees on the property.   It was a really great day and worth looking into.

The last few holes are right on the water and make for a great finish.  The inland holes are awfully solid as well.

Ben

[John Foley]

John - I liked Berkley Hall a lot - great practice area and some very good Fazio. - If you can get to Spring Island it is a very very cool place - the golf is good, not great - but the laid back lay of the land old south feel is very good.

Did not play but from what I've seen Colleton River looks really cool.

On the Public side Old South just over the bridge was pretty good.

[Joel Zuckerman]

Has anyone played Hampton Hall?

It is a highly unusual Dye GC in that it is mostly wide, wide open between green and tee...only a hole or two has any real tightness to the landing area.  The greens are roller-coasters though, so the point is to be on the proper side of the fairway to have the best angle to get at the flag.

Colleton, Long Cove, & Harbour Town are all much much better Dye GC's in the area, and it's not even a close call.