Hilton Head Trip Report

golf9999 · November 10, 2015

Starting November 1st, we were 36 players for 6 days (one round per day) in the great HH Island area for a friendly tournament. Price per round was in between $65 and $95, range balls, carts & tax included.

1) OLD SOUTH : Very impressed with the quality of the design. Large landing areas, good conditionning, 2nd nine with beautiful marsh views, good practice facility, etc. 90 degrees rule for carts. I give a 7 / 10, the group gave a 7.2

2) PALMETTO HALL, Hills course : For some, it was "The cream of the cream", gigantic tall pines create a strong secluded feel, some extra large greens, great design & very good conditionning from tee to green. Staffs were courtious (good feedbacks from everybody). I give a 9, the group gave a 7,8.

3) MELROSE : Took the ferry ride / Zodiak & boat from Harbour Town to Daufuskie Island (a 15 minutes boat ride). Then a 10 minutes mini-van ride to this prestigious golf club. Large clubhouse, we had the course to ourselves. 2 gruops were scheduled in front of us but they decided to start on the 10th hole ... Great design, my favorite, greens rolled true (2nd best of the week), despite being black in spots (doesn't altered their true roll). We started with cart path only on the 1st tee and par 3s, but it started to rain "cats & dogs" during 10 minutes on the 3rd hole & then it was mandatory to keep carts on paths only. The GPS system stopped the cart when we tried to get to the fairway. Good system allowing carts to back-up / reverse only when someone tried to drive the cart to the fairway. Anyway, as for cart paths, the cement has been cracked / broken by many tree roots on every holes, so we had to zigzag in between or ride near cart paths. Moreover, some tree branches / deadwood were laying in the clean woods area, showing some lack of maintenance. All in all, course conditions were near perfect because of not too many rounds playing there (fairways immaculate, tee boxes & greens in good shape (exception of # 18 hole with a temporary green + not much grass on the tee box, still playable). One of the best golf course in the HHI area, a fantastic golf track, give it a try as soon as you can ... I give it a 10, my group gave a 5.2.

4) BEAR CREEK : The best greens / putting surfaces of the week, a good 1980 Rees Jones design with lots of slight dogs legs left & right, could be annoying for some players but overall a very good players golf track. Houses not intrusives, large tall pines, sand bunkers in good shape, good conditions not reminescent of hurricaine Joaquim in September. Breakfast & lunch included in the daily fee, a nice touch. I give it 8.5, my group gave 7.9.

5) HILTON HEAD NATIONAL : Still the same good quality, conditionning & design. Good GPS, best scoring avarage for the group / easiest golf course of the week, good practice facility, fully stock Pro-Shop, I give it a 7.5, my group gave a 8.5.

6) OLDFIELD : The last but not the least, this private golf community has a fantastic / gorgeous golf course. This Greg Norman design is just pure golf. Large fairways & aesthetic bunkers make you think of your club selection and aim point at all time. All greens rolled true with the same speed. The risk-reward 12ve hole is a beauty. Give it a try if you have a chance ... I give it a 9.5, my group gave it a 9.5 too.

It has been a great week with a few minutes of rain on Tuesday at the Melrose course, we have stayed in the Palmetto Dunes community, a great relaxing area.

Fooooore !!!

CallTaylor · November 10, 2015

I live in the HH Area. I've played in Oldfield a number of times. It's just an all around great course with great facilities. It's one of my favorites too

golf9999 · November 11, 2015

OLDFIELD is a private course, but talk with the Mr Hundley, the Manager / Pro, he is a gentleman. I have seen 5 gators, some very large with the head above the ground, ready to attack ... Some advertisements show the prohibition of feeding / teasing them. The clubhouse & pro shop are really neat & the layout well manicured. Feel free to give me some more feedbacks !!!