Top 3 Hilton Head Courses you can play?

I'm headed there in July. Looking to play a twice. What two courses would you chose?

Heron Point, Atlantic Dunes, Harbor Town are all fantastic. If you're looking for something on the cheaper end Old South was nice but off the actual island. Wasn't so fond of the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes but others like it.

Harbour Town and Atlantic Dunes.

I played the courses (Fazio, Jones, Hills) at Palmetto Dunes a few years ago. They were all nice layouts in good condition and pace was quick. Alligator territory so be careful near the hazards.

I love Atlantic Dunes, that is my favorite of the courses I have played here. RTJ at Palmetto Dunes I really liked when I played last year. Heron point is a good course, but a little unspectacular IMO. I'm playing Hilton Head National today and the Arthur Hills at PD tomorrow and can report back on thoughts and conditions.

Harbour Town Golf LinksAtlantic Dunes By Davis Love IIIHeron Point by Pete Dye / Palmetto Dunes - Jones

Just played Harbour Town on Sunday and course was in fantastic shape. Also played Palmetto Dunes Fazio course which was in good shape also.

I just finished playing Arthur Hills at Palmetto Dunes and I loved it, for me I would play it over Heron point. It wasn't in perfect shape like the Sea Pines courses have been every time I have played, but the course was more interesting and much more fun to play than Heron.

1) Harbour Town

2) Atlantic Dunes

3) Palmetto Dunes - Arthur Hills (Jones course is also good)

Harbour Town

Hilton Head National

I really liked Hilton Head National, but the greens were rough this past Monday. I think they punched them maybe 3 or more weeks ago and they will still very sandy and had weird grooves in the greens in the direction the machine was moving. Many greens still rolled pretty true except when you were putting accross the grooves at a shallow angle. I'm guessing that with a few more weeks the greens would be fine

Old South can be sketchy condition wise but I love the layout. Last July they had about the worst greens I ever played but I played there at the beginning of May and they were okay. I'd check the forum here before I'd commit to playing in July.

All of my favorites have been mentioned except County Club of HH(unless I missed a comment). My five favorite on island are the 3 Sea Pines, Oyster, and cchh. Agree with the comments that Arthur Hills Palmetto Dunes is a more interesting layout than RTJ but RTJ has the great stretch going out to the ocean then on the intercoastal.

Playing Harbor Town on 7/19 and will report back!

Just came back from a few days at Sea Pines. It was not a golf trip specifically but I was able to get a round in at Atlantic Dunes. I have played both of the other Sea Pines courses multiple times, but this was my first round at Atlantic Dunes. I liked it but was not blown away by it. It seemed a little expensive to me - I think I paid right about $200. I guess that's sort of typical resort pricing, but in my opinion the upcharge to play Harbour Town is most definitely worth it.

Is Sea Pines significantly better than the Jones courses?

I would say yes as far as the upkeep. Also range balls are included at sea pines and extra at Jones. They even have someone standing out there to check your ticket before you can hit.

The service and conditions at Sea Pines are top notch. It's pricey but well worth it to me.

100% agree if I play at Hilton Head it will always be the Sea Pines courses. You can't beat them.

I played all 3 courses at Palmetto Dunes in June. I had been to Fazio and Jones many times before, but this was the first time playing Arthur Hills. I really enjoyed it. It's a bit polarizing but I don't really get the objections. It's agreat course in wonderful shape.

Harbour Town is the most beautiful golf course I think I've ever played. I've played in Hawaii, etc., but Harbour Town just looks to me what a golf course is supposed to be, and all those live oaks and spanish moss are something special.

I played about 15 holes or so of Old South before getting rained out. From what I experienced, it's perfect for your warmup round.

Hilton Head National or Oyster Reef for afternoon round this week? Harbour Town already on the agenda. 

Harbour Town and Old South are the most unique and fun to play public options.  A trip over to Daufuski Island to play is also fun (not sure what the private/public status of the courses is currently - the old now gone Nicklaus resort course was lots of fun).

IMO, the other courses are “typical” resort golf with the Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes  courses being the best resort type courses.

Have played them all and can now say that Old South is right up there with the Sea Pines courses for me.  I particularly enjoyed Heron Point over Atlantic Dunes but could do either any day.  Harbor Town is special but really demanding for us mortals.  If I am playing off island then I would choose Old South.

On 7/19/2021 at 8:57 AM, burnsniper said:

Harbour Town and Old South are the most unique and fun to play public options.  A trip over to Daufuski Island to play is also fun (not sure what the private/public status of the courses is currently - the old now gone Nicklaus resort course was lots of fun).

 

IMO, the other courses are “typical” resort golf with the Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes  courses being the best resort type courses.

I played Melrose at Dafuskie Island probably 20 years ago now.  I was surprised to see it’s now closed? Is there any public option on that island anymore?

5 hours ago, ilikegolf26 said:

I played Melrose at Dafuskie Island probably 20 years ago now.  I was surprised to see it’s now closed? Is there any public option on that island anymore?

Doesn’t seem like it both Melrose and Bloody Point seem to be closed.  My uncle who recently passed away had a place over there about 20 years ago and we loved going to visit.

Unfortunately both Melrose and Bloody Point closed down.  Melrose had been closed for awhile and Bloody Point followed.  It's a shame because both were great courses - especially Melrose.  It was one of the few Nicklaus Signature courses that I've played that was public.  It was a great layout and usually in good condition.
Haig Point is the only course left and it is Private.  If you get a chance to play it though, it's definitely worth the boat ride over there.  Terrific course.

Headed down 14-18 going to play Old South, Jones at PD and maybe Harbor Town. Was able to find Old South on hot deals for $45 with a early tee time. 

That's a great lineup right there.  

On 8/4/2021 at 6:47 PM, T-MAC said:

Unfortunately both Melrose and Bloody Point closed down.  Melrose had been closed for awhile and Bloody Point followed.  It's a shame because both were great courses - especially Melrose.  It was one of the few Nicklaus Signature courses that I've played that was public.  It was a great layout and usually in good condition.
Haig Point is the only course left and it is Private.  If you get a chance to play it though, it's definitely worth the boat ride over there.  Terrific course.

Just played it in June and it was god awful.

8 hours ago, TechBroker said:

Just played it in June and it was god awful.

Haig Point was awful?  Seriously??
I haven't played it in a couple of years but it was in excellent condition.  I've played it several times over the past 20 years and it was always in great shape and fun to play with some great holes.

10 hours ago, T-MAC said:

Haig Point was awful?  Seriously??
I haven't played it in a couple of years but it was in excellent condition.  I've played it several times over the past 20 years and it was always in great shape and fun to play with some great holes.

Yea it was my first time and I had high expectations. Fairways were chewed up and greens were some of the worst I’ve seen.  Maybe others will have better luck.