Hilton Head Island Golf

There is a reason why residents and returning visitors to Hilton Head Island affectionately refer to the destination as "The Golf Island." In fact, the game of golf has been a Lowcountry tradition since the first Scottish immigrants to South Carolina organized America's first golf club in 1786. Today, there are more than 30 championship golf courses with 24 open to the public on Hilton Head Island and the surrounding Lowcountry. Seven of the area's courses have been ranked among the nation's Top 100 in key golf publications.

With its sub-tropical climate, sunny skies and lush green fairways, the destination boasts a year-round golf season. Golf enthusiasts will delight in the wide and scenic fairways of the Island's courses, created by golf's most preeminent architects. George and Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, George Cobb, Gary Player, Greg Norman and Willard Byrd have all left their distinctive mark on the championship courses, which see 700,000 rounds of golf annually and generate revenues for Beaufort County of nearly $123 million each year.

For years, golfers of all skill levels have found that Hilton Head Island is a great place to perfect their putts and improve their swings. In fact, all of the Island's public, resort and private clubs offer both group and individual lessons from certified golf-instruction professionals. Most clinics are offered on an hourly, daily or weekly basis and cover all aspects of the game, including warm-up, swing techniques, putting and other short-game skills and course strategy. Women golfers who are looking to improve their games can enroll in "For Women Only" golf school at Palmetto Dunes or LPGA pro Inez Long's clinic at Island West Golf Club.

Besides plenty of opportunities to play on Hilton Head Island, there are a number of prestigious tournaments and events held every year. Perhaps the most celebrated tournament is The Verizon Heritage Classic, featuring the biggest names on the PGA Tour circuit and a substantial purse of more than $5 million. The Players Amateur brings many of the country's top amateur golfers to the Lowcountry every summer and, over Labor Day weekend, the Island proudly holds the Celebrity Golf Tournament, a fun-filled event with celebrity players from the world of sports, television, movies and music.

To receive a copy of the GOLF PLANNER, a complete guide to golf and accommodations packages on Hilton Head Island, call 888-465-3475. For additional information on Island area golf, visit www.golfisland.com.

Area Courses

Arthur Hills Course
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Course Designer: Arthur Hills - 18 Holes
(866) 400-7931
www.palmettodunes.com

Heron Point by Pete Dye
The Sea Pines Resort
Course Designers: Pete Dye - 18 Holes
(843) 842-8484; (800) 955-8337
www.seapines.com

Hilton Head National
Course Designers: Gary Player/ Bob Weed - 27 Holes
(843) 842-5900
www.golfhiltonheadnational.com

Island West Golf Club
Course Designers: Fuzzy Zoeller/ Clyde Johnston - 18 Holes
(843) 689-6660
www.islandwestgolf.net

Ocean Course
The Sea Pines Resort
Course Designer: Mark McCumber - 18 Holes
(843) 363-4475; (800) 955-8337
www.seapines.com

Old South Golf Links
Course Designer: Clyde Johnston - 18 Holes
(843) 785-5353; (800) 257-8997
www.oldsouthgolf.com

Planter's Row Course
Port Royal Golf Club
Course Designer: Willard Byrd - 18 Holes
(843) 681-1750; (800) 234-6318
www.hiltonheadgolf.net

Robber's Row Course
Port Royal Golf Club
Course Designer: Pete Dye - 18 Holes
(843) 681-1750; (800) 234-6318
www.hiltonheadgolf.net

Robert Cupp Course
Course Designer: Robert Cupp - 18 Holes
Palmetto Hall Plantation
(843) 681-1750; (800) 234-6318
www.hiltonheadgolf.net

Robert Trent Jones
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Course Designer: Robert Trent Jones - 18 Holes
(843) 785-1138
www.palmettodunes.com

Rose Hill Golf Club
(843) 757-9030
www.golfrosehill.com

Shipyard Golf Club
Shipyard Plantation
Course Designers: George Cobb/ Willard Byrd - 27 Holes
(843) 681-1750; (800) 234-6318
www.hiltonheadgolf.net

Tradition National Golf Course
Course Designer: Tom Fazio -18 Holes
(866) 459-5353; (843) 208-5353
www.traditionhh.com