Trevor Ng
Harbour Town Golf Links is a public golf course located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is considered one of the best golf courses in the country and has been ranked as high as #13 in America by Golf Digest. The course is known for its challenging design, with a focus on finesse and shot-making rather than strength. It is also famous for its iconic 18th hole, which is recognised as one of the most distinctive holes in golf. The course is currently closed for restoration but is expected to reopen in November 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public access | Yes |
| Green fees | $195 to $470, depending on the season |
| Annual rounds played | 38,000 |
| Number of grass types | 7 |
| Course designer | Pete Dye |
| Design consultant | Jack Nicklaus |
| Course length | 7,099 yards (6,491 m) |
| Par | 71 |
| Hosted RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour | Yes |
| Ranked by Golf Digest in 2011-2012 | #21 public course in America |
| Ranked by Golf Magazine in 2012 | #12 public course in America |
| Ranked by Golf Magazine in 2010 | #14 in the country |
| Ranked by Golf Digest in 2010 | #13 in America |
| Closing dates for restoration | May 5 to November 10, 2025 (date subject to change) |
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What You'll Learn
Harbour Town Golf Links is a public course
The course was designed by Pete Dye, with design consultant Jack Nicklaus, and opened in late November 1969. It has since become a renowned golfing destination, hosting the annual RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour since 1969. The tournament is presented by Boeing and is the only PGA TOUR event in South Carolina. Harbour Town Golf Links has also been the site of several other notable tournaments, including the inaugural "Heritage Golf Classic" in 1969, won by Arnold Palmer.
The course features 18 holes, including some of the most recognisable in golf, such as the iconic 18th hole with the Harbour Town Lighthouse standing behind the green. The course is known for its challenging design, with a mix of tight fairways, water hazards, and bunkers. The holes consist of seven different types of grass, carefully maintained by the course superintendent, Jonathan Wright.
The Harbour Town Clubhouse offers a range of amenities, including the Harbour Town pro shop, Pete Dye Room, and Links, an American Grill, known for its exceptional customer service and culinary offerings. The Sea Pines Resort, where the course is located, also provides premier clubhouses, full-service locker rooms, and restaurants.
Harbour Town Golf Links is currently closed for restoration until November 10, 2025. However, the Harbour Town Clubhouse remains open, welcoming visitors to experience its renowned hospitality and golf-related attractions.
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It is ranked among the best golf courses in the US
Harbour Town Golf Links is ranked among the best golf courses in the US. It is located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and is accessible to the public. The course has been described as "legendary" and is considered a bucket list destination for avid golfers. It is known for its challenging design, which requires finesse, imagination, and shot-making skills rather than strength. The course is also renowned for its collection of par-threes, which are ranked among the world's finest, and its iconic 18th hole, recognised as one of the most famous holes in golf.
Harbour Town Golf Links is the creation of famed designer Pete Dye, with design consultant Jack Nicklaus. It debuted in the late 1960s and quickly rose to prominence, featuring on America's 100 Greatest as one of the Top 10 courses. The course has maintained its reputation over the years, with rankings from renowned golf publications and organisations reflecting its prestige.
Golf Digest, a leading golf publication, ranked Harbour Town Golf Links as the 21st best public course in America for 2011-2012, after it was ranked 13th in 2010. In a survey conducted by Golf Digest, PGA Tour professionals rated Harbour Town as the second-best golf course played on tour. Golf Magazine, another respected golf publication, ranked it as the 12th best public course in America in 2012 and 14th in the country in 2010.
The course has hosted the RBC Heritage tournament on the PGA Tour since 1969, attracting top golfers and enthusiasts alike. It is also part of the Sea Pines Resort, which offers a premier golfing experience with its championship courses and luxurious amenities. Harbour Town's clubhouse, pro shop, and Links, an American Grill, enhance the overall experience, providing exceptional service and maintaining the course's high standards.
With its unique design, rich history, and challenging yet rewarding play, Harbour Town Golf Links rightfully earns its place among the top golf courses in the US, offering an unforgettable experience for golfers of all levels.
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It is located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Harbour Town Golf Links is located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is a public golf course that has been described as one of the most revered courses in the world. The course is known for its challenging layout, which requires finesse, imagination, and shot-making skills rather than pure strength. It has hosted the RBC Heritage tournament on the PGA Tour every year since 1969, making it South Carolina's only PGA Tour event. The course was designed by Pete Dye, with design consultant Jack Nicklaus, and is known for its iconic 18th hole, which features the Harbour Town Lighthouse standing behind the green.
The golf course is part of The Sea Pines Resort, which offers a premier golfing experience with three championship courses, including Harbour Town Golf Links, Atlantic Dunes, and Heron Point. The resort hosts an annual four-day golf tournament called the Lighthouse Invitational, which includes play on all three courses.
The greens at Harbour Town Golf Links consist of TifEagle Bermuda grass, which is overseeded with Poa Trivialis in October to maintain its colour during the colder months. The course superintendent, Jonathan Wright, is in charge of maintaining the different grass types, which include seven varieties across the holes.
The Harbour Town Clubhouse features the Pete Dye Room, a pro shop, and Links, an American Grill, which are open to visitors even when the course is closed for restoration. Green fees for public play range from $195 to $470, depending on the season.
With its distinguished reputation, challenging design, and beautiful setting in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Harbour Town Golf Links continues to be a sought-after destination for golfers from around the world.
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The course was designed by Pete Dye
Harbour Town Golf Links is a public golf course designed by famed golf course architect Pete Dye with the help of professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, who served as a design consultant. The course first opened for play in 1969 for the inaugural Heritage Golf Classic (now known as the RBC Heritage). The course is considered Dye's "crowning achievement".
The par-71 course measures 7,099 yards (6,491 metres) from the back tees, which is relatively short for a PGA Tour event. The course has a unique character, reminiscent of some of the old Scottish courses, with strategically placed oaks, pines, and palmettos lining and overhanging the slim fairways. The greens feature slick and firm Bermuda grass and average around 3,700 square feet (340 square metres) in area, which is significantly smaller than the average tour green.
The course presents a different challenge compared to most other PGA Tour courses due to its short yardage and tight fairways. Golfers must place their tee shots on the ideal side of the fairway to have a direct shot at the green, as overhanging trees can block their path even when they are in the fairway. Several holes have a very small margin of error between greens and water hazards, adding to the course's difficulty.
The 18th hole is one of the most recognisable in golf, with the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse standing behind the green. The hole features a wide landing area jutting into Calibogue Sound, offering ample bailout room to the right. However, the seemingly innocuous mounding in this area has caused many golfers to lose a sought-after par.
The Harbour Town Clubhouse, which includes the Pete Dye Room, remains open to visitors even when the course is closed for restoration.
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Green fees range from $195 to $470
Harbour Town Golf Links is a public golf course located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is ranked as one of the best golf courses in the country and has been described as a "bucket list golf experience". The course is known for its challenging design, requiring finesse, imagination, and shot-making skills rather than strength.
The green fees for public play at Harbour Town Golf Links range from $195 to $470, depending on the season. This price range allows golfers of various budgets to experience the renowned course. The fees contribute to the maintenance of the course, which features seven different types of grass, each serving a specific purpose in withstanding heat or cold.
The course is accessible to both long and short hitters, offering a unique experience based on one's playing style and approach. It is particularly renowned for its collection of par-3 holes, which are considered among the world's finest. The par-4 18th hole is also iconic, recognised as one of the most famous holes in golf, with the Harbour Town Lighthouse standing behind the green.
In addition to the golf course, the Harbour Town Clubhouse offers a premium experience. It includes the Harbour Town pro shop, the Pete Dye Room, and Links, an American Grill, providing golfers and visitors with a range of services and dining options. The clubhouse has received high praise for its exceptional customer service, food, and beverage selections.
The Harbour Town Golf Links course is currently closed for restoration until November 10, 2025, with the clubhouse remaining open during this period. Visitors can still enjoy the clubhouse facilities and anticipate the reopening of the course, which promises an enhanced golfing experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Harbour Town Golf Links is a public golf course. Green fees for public play range from $195 to $470, depending on the season.
Harbour Town Golf Links is considered one of the most challenging golf courses in the world. It is known for its small greens and narrow fairways, with a high number of holes that have a small margin of error between greens and water hazards. The course is also renowned for its ability to test a player's finesse, imagination, and shot-making skills.
Harbour Town Golf Links is open year-round, but the best time to visit may depend on your preferences for weather and course conditions. The course is located in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which experiences warm summers and mild winters. The golf course uses different types of grass to maintain its quality during the different seasons.
