Golf: History in the Playing

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Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse and 425-year-old oak tree at Palmetto Dunes

HISTORY IN THE PLAYING

Island golf courses share a rich legacy.

By Linda Lanier

Golf is, of course, a game of skill and numbers — scores and yards, rankings and ratings. On Hilton Head Island, the figures go beyond pencil marks on a scorecard. Here, statistics signify a sense of history, woven into the fabric of some of America’s most historic courses.

Like the 425-year-old oak tree — perhaps the oldest on the island — observing putts from the 15th green of the Arthur Hills course in Palmetto Dunes. Or the 92-foottall Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Before it stood watch over Palmetto Dunes golfers, it guided ships into Port Royal Sound and served as the site for Camp McDougal, a World War II Marine training station for anti-aircraft units.

Two decades earlier during the Civil War, Port Royal housed about 30,000 Union troops and tradespeople. Today, the site is home to two courses that wind their way through lush palmettoes and oaks of the old Civil War garrison. On the ninth and 10th holes of the Robbers Row course, golfers play on the site of the village’s main street, where saloons, restaurants and stores served the town.

One of the island’s original courses, the Barony Course opened for play in 1969 — more than 200 years after the first golf balls and clubs arrived in South Carolina. In 1739, the equipment was shipped from Leith in Scotland to Scottish merchants and planters in Charleston. These early golfers played with a “featherie ball” handcrafted of cowhide and stuffed with goose feathers, which would occasionally explode on impact.

“There are so many things that make this a special place,” says Davis Love III, a fivetime winner of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. The elevated PGA TOUR event is played each April at Harbour Town in The Sea Pines Resort.

One of the crown jewels of Hilton Head Island golf, the Pete Dye and Jack Nicklausdesigned Harbour Town Golf Links has played host to most of the game’s greats, from the first winner, Arnold Palmer in 1969 to Jordan Spieth in 2022.

Harbour Town Golf Links is carved out of the sandy soil, through the palmettoes, pines and oaks, with the famous 18th running along the Calibogue Sound. The public links course offers a challenge to scratch — and the not-so-scratch — golfers.

Whether you’re a novice or a professional, the rich heritage of Hilton Head Island golf invites you to make your own history on these prestigious courses. With 23 courses on Hilton Head Island, rated among the “best of” American golf, there’s a great experience to match every skill level, and there’s an inviting clubhouse offering cold libations and good food at the end of your 18 holes.

YOURGolf

ITINERARY

Whether you’re playing golf with friends or family, Hilton Head Island has a golf course sure to suit your outing.

Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III

• The Sea Pines Resort: For groups intent on getting the full Hilton Head Island golf experience, play a round at the Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort, home of the PGA TOUR’s elevated annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. Don’t miss Harbour Town’s sister courses — Atlantic Dunes and the Pete Dye-designed

Heron Point. • Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort: Palmetto Dunes’ three courses are among the most popular collections on South Carolina’s golf-rich coast. The Robert Trent Jones course is annually ranked among the state’s top courses. The George Fazio course is a stern test, while the Arthur Hills course offers a true Lowcountry experience. • Heritage Golf Collection: If you’re looking for choice and variety, this is your answer.

With a total of 117 holes, you and your friends can choose between six courses across three clubs – Shipyard, Port Royal and Oyster Reef – not to mention relaxing dining options to start or end your game.

Bear Creek Golf Course

• Hilton Head National Golf Club: Just off the island in Bluffton, this is a longtime favorite among golfers, thanks to its player-friendly greens. • Old South Golf Links: Located in Bluffton, this course graces the Intracoastal

Waterway, offering striking views along with a fair, fun test. • Other courses worth a visit include Bear Creek, Dolphin Head, the Country Club of

Hilton Head and Golden Bear.

POWER UP WITH TOPTRACER

Toptracer Range, the same technology used on televised golf tournaments to track the shots of the game’s best players, is transforming the everyday driving range experience at the Robert Trent Jones course in Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Featuring 15 covered bays, Toptracer Range allows guests to compete against friends, play virtual courses and receive instant shot feedback on interactive game screens.

THE 19 TH HOLE

Looking for a way to celebrate a good round? Consider these local favorites.

• Brickyard Pub – At Shipyard Golf Club, don’t miss daily happy hour specials. Try the signature wings paired with a pint of Guinness. For heartier fare, consider fish and chips or a bowl of housemade chili.

• Fraser’s Tavern – At the Plantation Golf Clubhouse at The Sea Pines Resort, Fraser’s offers a selection of craft beers, a tavern-inspired menu and great golf views. • LagerHead Tavern – A seasonal menu features Southern food with a twist at this Oyster Reef Golf Club, Hilton Head Plantation spot. Try the grilled oysters, plucked from the nearby May River and shucked fresh for every order.

• Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza – At the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Palmetto Dunes, sit at an outdoor table overlooking the course and enjoy watching the day’s can’t miss games.

Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course 9th, 10th and 11th holes

Arthur Hills Golf Course 5th hole

Oyster Reef Golf Club 6th hole

Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, Barony Course 16th hole

Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club, Robert Cupp Course 11th hole Shipyard Golf Club, Brigantine Course 6th hole

Unforgettable Game

Home to 117 holes of award-winning, championship golf throughout eight courses and four distinctive and scenic clubs, The Heritage Golf Collection on Hilton Head Island offers something for avid golfers and beginners alike.

Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club is nestled along the coastline, with courses featuring newly resurfaced greens, multiple water hazards and Civil War battle history. Savvy locals have dubbed Oyster Reef Golf Club the “Dream 18” for its Rees Jones–designed course, and golfers of all skill levels enjoy the three nine-hole courses of Shipyard Golf Club. At the newly acquired Palmetto Hall, find considerable challenge and natural beauty on the Arthur Hills Course and Robert Cupp Course. Each club has its own pro shop with large selections of all the latest golf equipment, apparel and accessories needed to round out a first-rate golf experience. hiltonheadgolf.net • 843.681.1750 F hiltonheadgolf

A Joy to Play

“This course was a joy to play” is the common refrain from golfers finishing their round at Hilton Head National Golf Club. Located a mile west of the island bridges, this gem has been heralded for more than 30 years as the best consistently conditioned layout in the Lowcountry. Golf Advisor routinely lists it among the Top 15 courses in South Carolina.

Hall of Famer Gary Player and course architecture award winner Bobby Weed used their distinctive design philosophies in ways that make every club in your bag important. But, as golfers will tell you, it’s a course that’s challenging yet not punishing.

The course boasts immaculately groomed TifEagle Ultra greens that run fast and true. The opening holes by Weed offer several strategic risk-reward challenges. The Signature 6th, a par 4, has bordered its entire fairway by a treacherously close lagoon on the right with dangerous pot bunkers on the left. The back nine is tighter and rewards players with a good short game. Most memorable for many, however, is the abundance of wildlife, with no houses in sight. hiltonheadnational.com • 843.842.5900

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6th hole

18th hole

Old South was awarded the 2021 Lowcountry Golf Course of the Year by the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association.

7th hole

Lowcountry Links

Old South Golf Links is the only public course bordering the salt marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway and offers six holes with spectacular water views — especially at high tide. This unique location provides a scenic, challenging and well-maintained golf course that has become highly regarded as a 16th hole favorite of visitors and locals.

The long list of accolades is the best testament to what makes Old South Golf Links special. Chosen “Lowcountry Golf Course of the Year” by local golf course owners in 2021, Old South is one of only three courses in South Carolina to be GEO Certified. Old South has been named “Best in Bluffton” and voted the locals favorite place to play for the past 13 years by Hilton Head MonthlyReader’s Choice Awards.

Be sure to shop the fully stocked Pro Shop or book a lesson with one of their PGA Professionals. The on-site Southern Café offers light breakfast and every golfer’s lunch favorites. Enjoy dining inside, on the screened porch or outside in the Shark Lounge. All seating options overlook the beautiful landscaped lagoon and large practice green.

A quick trip over the bridge to the first traffic light on the mainland rewards you with Lowcountry golf at its finest, the friendliest staff in town and exceptional value. A great day of golf is waiting! oldsouthgolf.com • 843.785.5353 F oldsouthgolf d oldsouthgolfhhi