The Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Area of South Carolina should be a must-play American destination for passionate golfers. Currently ranked the No.9 destination in America. I was fortunate to play some of the best courses while there two weeks ago.


Harbour Town 0:00
May River 5:15
Atlantic Dunes 10:59
Heron Point 15:17

Harbour Town Golf Links, One of the earlier Pete Dye designs that put him on the map. Located in Hilton Head, SC this course has many of the famed features you either love or hate from the Dyebolical mind of Pete Dye. The course is a true gem and requires a thoughtful mind and well executed shots to score well. I am usually a fan of courses with elevation changes and sweeping expansive view, while this course does not offer much of either (excluding famed 17 and 18) I was more than impressed by the use of the land and the beauty of the course. While a respectable bailout area is present on most holes the corridors are tight and you can find yourself easily blocked by large trees. It also must be noted that the greens are fairly small and often with a hazard to one side but are very receptive. I had a great time throughout the course but the stretch from 13 to 18 is special, and 17 and 18 are a near perfect final two holes. The Tour will be playing the RBC Heritage this week, this course is often referred to as a shotmakers course and I truly understand why.


May River Golf Club in Bluffton, SC is my favorite course from this great trip to South Carolina Low Country golf experience. May River is a semi-private club allowing access to members and guests of the amazing Montage Palmetto Bluff. Designed by Jack Nicklaus this course has unending low country charm, outstanding routing, beautiful views and most importantly no one hole felt boring or as a means to get to the next hole. Full of challenges, the course runs alongside the May River which comes into play often, the rest of the course is routed through lagoons and marshes giving a player a true low county golf experience. May River is also not a push over resort course by any measure while almost not rough is present water comes into play on 11 of 18 holes and massive fairway bunkers, deep greenside bunkers and tree-lined fairways are everywhere else. The greens are generally domed with contours, making the overall course experience great for those with great short games and or solid irons. I would definitely try to make this a part of any Hilton Head/Bluffton golf trip, I considered it a can't miss.


Atlantic Dunes in Hilton Head, SC is a Davis Love III design/redesign. Atlantic Dunes is a pure fun experience. The course has an upbeat fun energy to it. The first hole gives you an overall idea of the experience on the course, a narrow strip of land flanked by water on both sides, this course has a fairly high number of water hazards (14 out of 18 Holes). The conditions were great the course was fun and challenging and not brutal.No. 15 gives you a beautiful view of the Atlantic and the hole is fun with almost an island green in sand feel. If in Hilton Head, make your way over to this course and have a fun experience and maybe bring an extra sleeve of balls.

Heron Point on Hilton Head Island is another Pete Dye design. Pete Dye is up to his normal tricks on some of these holes but this course offers a more tame experience compared to Harbour Town. Shot-making and smart decisions are still needed to score well. Heron Point shares the same pro shop as Atlantic Dunes but they play very differently which would make these courses a very good choice for 36 holes of golf. No one hole jumps out as a signature hole but 18 was a very nice hole to finish on with a nice dogleg around a lake which your second shot might have to clear the lake to reach the flag. The customer service was great the rangers and starters were very helpful and upbeat. If you are looking for an easy fun 36 hole day in Hilton Head, I highly recommend Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes (you also receive a discount from Sea Pines when you play multiple rounds on the same day).