Planning Makes Perfect on Hilton Head Golf Island by Shane Sharp

Planning Makes Perfect on Hilton Head Golf Island

by Shane Sharp

2022 Vacation Planner Available for Summer, Fall Trip Inspiration

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC – Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI), comprising 26 courses across Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper counties, awaits with a host of unforgettable golf vacation options ranging from buddy trips to family getaways. Detailed itineraries to provide inspiration and ideas are available in the 2022 Golf Vacation Planner, which can also be downloaded at www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com.

A sampling to whet the golf appetite:

On-Island Buddies Trip

Focusing specifically on Hilton Head Island, the “On-Island Buddies Trip” features golf at famed Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III at The Sea Pines Resort. It also includes the redoubtable Robert Trent Jones and George Fazio courses at Palmetto Dunes, and Rees Jones’ Heritage Golf Collection masterpiece, Oyster Reef. On-Island lodging is highlighted by Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes rental homes and villas, fully appointed with all the amenities of home, including flat-screen TVs, washers and dryers, wireless internet and fully-equipped kitchens. Dining and nightlife options abound, with more than 250 bars and restaurants to choose from.

Off-Island Buddies Trip

Centered on Bluffton, the Off-Island Buddies Trip starts at Old South Golf Links, a long-time local favorite. Designed by Hilton Head-based architect Clyde Johnston, Old South plays along the Intracoastal Waterway with front and back nine views that are among the best in the region. Holes are hemmed by oak forests and pastures and marked with several tidal marshes. Next up in the off-island course lineup is neighboring Hilton Head National, designed by Gary Player and Bobby Weed. Both facilities offer golf packages with the Hilton Garden Inn, located less than a mile from either venue. Old Town Bluffton, situated on the shores on the May River, is the place to grab a warm meal, a cold drink and relax with friends.

Golf Couples Getaway

With its array of award-winning restaurants, boutique accommodations and women-friendly courses, Golf Island is the perfect getaway for couples who love the game. So, grab your favorite playing partner, clubs and sunscreen, and enjoy this getaway for two. Rest and revitalize at the Inn and Club at Harbour Town (ranked as one of the top 10 hotels in the country by U.S. News World Report) or at the charming Old Town Bluffton Inn, a 14-room boutique property in the heart of

the action. Play on a compelling mix of courses – including Harbour Town and Oyster Reef – with multiple tees rated for women. Dining highlights include the island’s charming Main Street Village, home to award-winning restaurants and several specialty shops.

A record number of juniors took up the game in 2020 and 2021, and the uptick in youth participation continues to surge in 2022. Golf Island is primed for an extraordinary features family trip, with various camps, activities and other programming offered throughout the year for golfers of all ages and skill levels. Options range from the FUNdamentals Camp at The Sea Pines Resort and late afternoon “family play” nine-hole rates, including a cart throughout the summer at Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club to the new Toptracer Range at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

Getting to Golf Island

Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) on the island’s north end offers non-stop and one-stop service from multiple hub cities and connections via American Airlines, Delta and United. American offers daily non-stop flights from Charlotte and seasonal service from Dallas / Ft. Worth, Philadelphia and Washington National (DCA). Delta has daily flights to Atlanta and United provides daily non-stop service to Newark (EWR) and Washington Dulles (IAD). Golfers can also utilize Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), with direct flights from numerous East Coast, Midwest and Texas airports on several major and discount airlines. For those who prefer to hit the open road, major metro areas in the Carolinas, Georgia and north Florida are under a half-day’s drive, while several Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern cities are seven to nine hours away.

About Hilton Head Golf Island

Hilton Head Golf Island is a marketing collective of 26 member courses across Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper counties in South Carolina’s stunning Lowcountry region. Golf enthusiasts relish the region’s Southern hospitality and world-class venues sculpted by vaunted architects Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, George Fazio, Arthur Hills, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones, Willard Byrd, Davis Love III and Clyde Johnston. Home to the world-renowned Sea Pines Resort, the PGA TOUR makes its only South Carolina stop each April at Harbour Town Golf Links for the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. In conjunction with the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Visitor and Conventions Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association launched Hilton Head Golf Island to support the island’s thriving golf market through the promotion of golf rounds and packages.