Earning a place on a top ten list is no easy task.  The fact that Golf Digest ranks Hilton Head Island as one of the top ten golf resorts in the nation should tell you a lot about just how good Hilton Head Island golf really is.  The island offers a variety of courses for golfers of all abilities and budgets, ranging from high-priced golf courses used by the pros all the way to lower-priced courses which still offer a great game of golf.  In short, Hilton Head Island golf offers something for everyone, from the golf enthusiast to the absolute beginner wondering what the fuss is all about.

One of the great advantages of golfing on Hilton Head Island is the natural beauty of the island itself.  Port Royal Plantation is home to a relatively inexpensive course which also happens to be among the island’s most scenic: Robber’s Row.  To get the best deals at this course, you can play at off-peak times, such as during the summer or in the evenings (this is true for most Hilton Head Island golf courses).  Robber’s Row is renowned for its oaks covered with Spanish moss and its beautiful marsh views—some of which become obstacles in the course itself.  The course offers a decent challenge while not being excessively difficult and is a good value compared to many of the more expensive Hilton Head Island golf courses. 

The most scenic Hilton Head Island golf course, however, is probably the Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes.  It makes good use of the island’s lagoon system and features spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from the course’s ninth and tenth holes.  It is a very player-friendly course, but can still be very challenging if you play from the back tees.  It should be the absolute first choice on the island for anyone who hasn’t played golf for awhile, as the challenge gradually ramps up rather than hitting you from the start. 

The single most famous Hilton Head Island golf course is the Harbour Town Golf Links Course located in the Sea Pines Resort.  It is home to the only South Carolina stop on the PGA Tour, the Verizon Heritage Classic.  It is among the most expensive golf courses on the island, but it is also one of the best the island has to offer.  You don’t have to be a professional to play this course, however.  The front tees are placed very favorably for those new to the game, while the back tees—the same ones used during the Classic—are quite challenging, requiring a great deal of accuracy instead of brute force.  The course can actually be somewhat deceptive, as some players don’t realize just how difficult it can be until they notice their scores ended up much higher than they expected.  This is the course to go to if you want to experience Hilton Head Island golf at its finest. 

There are just few of the many world-class golf courses to be found on Hilton Head Island.  Anyone remotely interested in the game of golf—beginner and enthusiast alike—should visit the island to find out just how special Hilton Head Island golf can be.