Few destinations blend natural beauty, championship-level golf, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle as seamlessly as Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Revered as one of the top golf destinations in the United States, this Lowcountry enclave is home to more than two dozen exceptional golf courses, each offering its own character and challenge. For residents, seasonal visitors, and dedicated golf travelers alike, golfing on Hilton Head isn’t just a recreational activity—it’s a defining part of the island’s identity and a key draw for those investing in local real estate.
Hilton Head’s commitment to environmental preservation, thoughtful master planning, and community integration means that many of its premier golf courses are situated within luxury residential communities. Buyers looking to make the island their home often choose neighborhoods based on proximity to championship courses, membership opportunities, and club amenities. Karen Ryan, a leading real estate professional on Hilton Head Island, assists clients in finding homes that offer the ideal combination of golf access, coastal living, and long-term value. This article explores the depth and breadth of Hilton Head’s golf scene, offering insights into the courses, communities, and lifestyle benefits that make this destination a top-tier choice for golf enthusiasts.
A Nationally Recognized Golf Destination
Hilton Head Island’s golf legacy began in the 1960s with the development of Sea Pines Resort and its iconic Harbour Town Golf Links. Designed by Pete Dye with input from Jack Nicklaus, Harbour Town is now a fixture on the PGA TOUR, hosting the annual RBC Heritage each spring. This nationally televised event not only showcases the course’s strategic layout and iconic lighthouse views, but also reinforces Hilton Head’s place on the global golf map.
Beyond Harbour Town, the island boasts a total of 23 championship courses, many designed by legends of the game, including Robert Trent Jones Sr., Arthur Hills, George Fazio, and Davis Love III. These courses take full advantage of the island’s natural topography—marshes, lagoons, live oaks, and sandy dunes—offering scenic, challenging play for golfers of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for walkability, shot-making variety, or panoramic fairways, golfing on Hilton Head provides access to a rich and diverse array of experiences.
Beyond Harbour Town, the island boasts a total of 23 championship courses, many designed by legends of the game, including Robert Trent Jones Sr., Arthur Hills, George Fazio, and Davis Love III. These courses take full advantage of the island’s natural topography—marshes, lagoons, live oaks, and sandy dunes—offering scenic, challenging play for golfers of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for walkability, shot-making variety, or panoramic fairways, golfing on Hilton Head provides access to a rich and diverse array of experiences.
Sea Pines Resort: The Heart of Hilton Head Golf
No discussion of golfing on Hilton Head would be complete without focusing on Sea Pines. Spanning 5,000 acres on the island’s southern tip, Sea Pines is home to three highly regarded golf courses: Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Point by Pete Dye, and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III.
Harbour Town, with its narrow fairways, small greens, and water-lined finishing holes, remains a favorite among PGA professionals and amateurs alike. Heron Point offers a modern design with dramatic mounding and risk-reward holes, while Atlantic Dunes blends oceanfront aesthetics with classic Lowcountry elements.
Sea Pines is also a gated residential community, offering homes, villas, and custom estates, many with golf course views or direct access to club amenities. Residents enjoy access to golf memberships, tennis courts, a marina, and the world-famous Sea Pines Beach Club. For buyers who prioritize proximity to tournament-caliber golf and oceanfront living, Sea Pines delivers an unmatched lifestyle.
Harbour Town, with its narrow fairways, small greens, and water-lined finishing holes, remains a favorite among PGA professionals and amateurs alike. Heron Point offers a modern design with dramatic mounding and risk-reward holes, while Atlantic Dunes blends oceanfront aesthetics with classic Lowcountry elements.
Sea Pines is also a gated residential community, offering homes, villas, and custom estates, many with golf course views or direct access to club amenities. Residents enjoy access to golf memberships, tennis courts, a marina, and the world-famous Sea Pines Beach Club. For buyers who prioritize proximity to tournament-caliber golf and oceanfront living, Sea Pines delivers an unmatched lifestyle.
Palmetto Dunes and Long Cove: Private Luxury and Elite Play
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is another cornerstone of Hilton Head’s golf landscape. The community includes three championship courses: the Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, George Fazio Course, and Arthur Hills Course. Each is open to the public and offers unique playing characteristics. The Jones course is particularly notable for its sweeping ocean views on the 10th hole, one of the most photographed on the island.
Within Palmetto Dunes, real estate includes oceanfront homes, inland villas, and townhomes, many of which offer proximity to golf, the beach, and the resort’s award-winning tennis and pickleball centers.
For those seeking a private golf experience, Long Cove Club represents one of the island’s most exclusive communities. Designed by Pete Dye, the Long Cove course consistently ranks among the top private golf courses in South Carolina. The club limits membership to residents, ensuring year-round access, excellent pace of play, and meticulously maintained grounds. The community offers custom homes, many with views of Broad Creek or direct access to the course. Residents enjoy an intimate club environment, with fine dining, a marina, tennis complex, and social events enhancing the ownership experience.
Within Palmetto Dunes, real estate includes oceanfront homes, inland villas, and townhomes, many of which offer proximity to golf, the beach, and the resort’s award-winning tennis and pickleball centers.
For those seeking a private golf experience, Long Cove Club represents one of the island’s most exclusive communities. Designed by Pete Dye, the Long Cove course consistently ranks among the top private golf courses in South Carolina. The club limits membership to residents, ensuring year-round access, excellent pace of play, and meticulously maintained grounds. The community offers custom homes, many with views of Broad Creek or direct access to the course. Residents enjoy an intimate club environment, with fine dining, a marina, tennis complex, and social events enhancing the ownership experience.
Wexford, Berkeley Hall, and Colleton River: Ultra-Luxury Golf Living
High-net-worth buyers exploring golfing on Hilton Head often look beyond the resort courses to Hilton Head’s premier private golf clubs and gated luxury enclaves. Wexford Plantation, located near the island’s center, is a private residential community with an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Course. It is also one of the few communities with its own lock-controlled harbor and private yacht basin, appealing to golf enthusiasts who also value boating and waterfront living.
Just off the island, Berkeley Hall and Colleton River Club are two additional elite options. Berkeley Hall offers two Tom Fazio-designed courses and a 35,000-square-foot clubhouse, all set within a master-planned, private environment. Colleton River features a Jack Nicklaus Course and a Pete Dye Course, both of which offer exceptional scenery and have hosted national amateur championships.
These communities are known for their elevated service, extensive practice facilities, and resort-style amenities. Many homes are custom-built with views of fairways, marshland, or deepwater access. For buyers looking for privacy, sophistication, and year-round access to premier golf, these clubs provide an extraordinary living experience.
Just off the island, Berkeley Hall and Colleton River Club are two additional elite options. Berkeley Hall offers two Tom Fazio-designed courses and a 35,000-square-foot clubhouse, all set within a master-planned, private environment. Colleton River features a Jack Nicklaus Course and a Pete Dye Course, both of which offer exceptional scenery and have hosted national amateur championships.
These communities are known for their elevated service, extensive practice facilities, and resort-style amenities. Many homes are custom-built with views of fairways, marshland, or deepwater access. For buyers looking for privacy, sophistication, and year-round access to premier golf, these clubs provide an extraordinary living experience.
Family-Friendly and Public Access Options
While Hilton Head is well known for its luxury and exclusivity, the island also offers excellent golf experiences for families and casual players. Shipyard Golf Club, Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, and the Country Club of Hilton Head provide public access and are ideal for mixed-skill groups, juniors, and vacationing players.
Many of these courses offer clinics, junior programs, and seasonal memberships, making them suitable for full-time residents and second-home owners alike. The island’s golf community is welcoming and diverse, with opportunities for competition, instruction, and social connection available at every level.
Many of these courses offer clinics, junior programs, and seasonal memberships, making them suitable for full-time residents and second-home owners alike. The island’s golf community is welcoming and diverse, with opportunities for competition, instruction, and social connection available at every level.
Real Estate Demand Driven by Golf Lifestyle
As the popularity of golfing on Hilton Head continues to rise, so does demand for golf-focused real estate. Homes located within golf communities retain strong value, particularly those with upgraded features, course views, or club memberships. In 2025, according to data from the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors, demand for single-family homes within golf communities has increased year-over-year, with reduced inventory in premium areas such as Sea Pines, Long Cove, and Palmetto Dunes.
Many buyers are not just seeking proximity to the game, but also a lifestyle centered around wellness, recreation, and community engagement. The golf lifestyle on Hilton Head includes more than just the game—it incorporates spa access, fitness facilities, dining, and neighborhood events that foster strong community bonds. Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent is essential to navigating club membership requirements, architectural guidelines, and neighborhood dynamics.
Many buyers are not just seeking proximity to the game, but also a lifestyle centered around wellness, recreation, and community engagement. The golf lifestyle on Hilton Head includes more than just the game—it incorporates spa access, fitness facilities, dining, and neighborhood events that foster strong community bonds. Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent is essential to navigating club membership requirements, architectural guidelines, and neighborhood dynamics.
Golfing On Hilton Head With Karen Ryan
Whether you are relocating, purchasing a second home, or investing in a luxury golf property, golfing on Hilton Head offers a world-class experience from tee to green. The island’s premier courses, refined communities, and active lifestyle create an ideal environment for both serious players and those seeking the serenity and prestige of golf-centric living. Karen Ryan offers expert guidance to help clients discover the perfect golf property tailored to their vision. Reach out to Karen Ryan today to begin exploring the homes, neighborhoods, and opportunities that make Hilton Head a standout destination for luxury golf living.
