Hilton Head Island has a golf problem, and it is not the quality of the courses. It's the sheer number of them. There are 21 public courses between the island and nearby Bluffton, spread across multiple resorts, multiple booking platforms, and a price range that runs from $59 to $712. If you're planning a first golf trip here, that can feel overwhelming before you've even left the driveway.
Here's the thing: once you understand the layout of the market, it all makes sense. Hilton Head golf is genuinely world-class. The variety, from budget-friendly Bluffton tracks to the most famous finishing hole in American golf at Harbour Town, means there is a round for every type of golfer. You just need to know how to navigate it.
The first decision to make is not which course to play. It is which side of the bridge you want to be on.
Hilton Head Island courses sit on the island itself. Most are resort-adjacent, which means premium settings, premium conditions, and premium prices. You're playing alongside marshland, lagoons, and live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Harbour Town, Palmetto Dunes, Sea Pines, Port Royal: these are bucket-list courses and they're priced accordingly. Expect to pay $100–$700+ depending on the course and season.
Bluffton courses are just across the bridge on the mainland. They don't carry the island premium, and that's exactly the point. Old South Golf Links, Hilton Head National, Eagle's Pointe, and Crescent Pointe offer quality conditions, fully public access, and prices that sit mostly between $50–$133. For golfers who want to play multiple rounds without breaking the budget, Bluffton is where you start.
Harbour Town Golf Links is the answer. Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus designed it. It's hosted the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event every year since 1969. The 18th hole, a 478-yard par four that wraps around a saltwater marsh with the iconic red-and-white lighthouse as the backdrop, is as good as finishing holes get anywhere in the world. It runs $378–$712. Worth it for serious golfers. Book directly through Sea Pines to avoid third-party fees.
Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Heron Point by Pete Dye, both also at Sea Pines, offer the same resort setting as Harbour Town for considerably less ($154–$386). Both are excellent and often overlooked by visitors fixated on Harbour Town.
Bear Creek Golf Club ($74–$104) and Dolphin Head Golf Club ($73–$163) are the best-kept secrets on the island. Both are fully public, well-maintained, and significantly cheaper than their resort neighbors. These are the ones locals and repeat visitors gravitate toward.
Old South Golf Links ($101–$133) consistently earns strong reviews and gives you the Lowcountry marsh setting without the island price tag. Eagle's Pointe ($55–$70) is the best value in the entire market. Eighteen well-maintained holes at a price that's hard to beat anywhere in coastal South Carolina.
| Course | Location | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Harbour Town Golf Links | Hilton Head Island | $378 – $712 |
| Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III | Hilton Head Island | $226 – $386 |
| Heron Point by Pete Dye | Hilton Head Island | $154 – $363 |
| Palmetto Dunes — Robert Trent Jones | Hilton Head Island | $158 – $255 |
| Palmetto Dunes — Arthur Hills | Hilton Head Island | $150 – $224 |
| Palmetto Dunes — George Fazio | Hilton Head Island | $150 – $224 |
| Palmetto Hall — Arthur Hills | Hilton Head Island | $112 – $213 |
| Palmetto Hall — Robert Cupp | Hilton Head Island | $112 – $206 |
| Port Royal — Robber's Row | Hilton Head Island | $102 – $192 |
| Port Royal — Barony | Hilton Head Island | $102 – $192 |
| Shipyard Golf Club | Hilton Head Island | $102 – $192 |
| Oyster Reef Golf Club | Hilton Head Island | $112 – $213 |
| Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run | Hilton Head Island | $96 – $158 |
| Bear Creek Golf Club | Hilton Head Island | $74 – $104 |
| Dolphin Head Golf Club | Hilton Head Island | $73 – $163 |
| Hilton Head National | Bluffton | $115 – $180 |
| Old South Golf Links | Bluffton | $101 – $133 |
| Crescent Pointe Golf Club | Bluffton | $50 – $73 |
| Eagle's Pointe Golf Club | Bluffton | $55 – $70 |
| Rose Hill Golf Club | Bluffton | $65 |
| Hilton Head Lakes Golf Club | Bluffton | $59 |
This is where a lot of first-time visitors lose money without knowing it. GolfNow, Golfback, and similar platforms are convenient, but they add booking fees on top of what the course already charges, sometimes $3–$6 or more per round. Multiply that across a group of four playing four rounds and you've spent an extra $50–$100 on nothing.
Every course listed on SC Tee Times has a direct booking link straight to the course's own tee sheet. No platform fees, no service charges. You pay what the course charges and not a cent more. Use the Hilton Head tab on our home page, find your course, and click Book Now.
Browse all 21 Hilton Head public courses: verified pricing, direct booking links, no fees.
View Hilton Head courses →Spring and fall are the sweet spots. March through May and September through November offer the best combination of weather and pricing. Summer is hot and humid. Rounds are often discounted but the heat is real. Winter is mild and the best value, but some courses scale back operations.
Most courses don't require a resort stay. This is a common misconception about Hilton Head. The vast majority of courses on our list are publicly bookable by anyone. A handful have limited access policies (noted where applicable), but you do not need to be staying at Sea Pines to play Harbour Town.
Twilight rates are worth checking. Many courses offer significant discounts in the afternoon hours, typically 30 to 50 percent off morning rates. If you're flexible on tee time, ask about twilight availability when you book.
Hilton Head golf is genuinely one of the best public golf markets in the country. Go in informed, book direct, and you'll wonder why you waited this long. ⛳