Palmetto Dunes is one of the most visited resort communities on the Island.  Travel and Leisure magazine has ranked it the “number one Family Resort in the Continental U.S. and Canada”.

    The 2000-acre,Mid-Island location is convenient to shopping and is close to the largest deep-water harbor on the Island.  The Dunes has three miles of beach, six miles of bike paths, an 11-mile lagoon system, and three championship golf courses.  Add to that a 25-court tennis center (Tennis magazine named it one of the “Top 50 Tennis Resorts”) and the area is a recreational heaven.

    Golf Digest rates Palmetto Dunes’ three courses as the highest combination of any on Hilton Head Island.  Golf Week picked the Dunes as the only resort with all of its golf courses rated in the top 50 in the southeast.  The three clubhouses feature dining facilities and fully staffed pro shops.

    For further information or reservations on any of these three courses, call 843-785-1138.

Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course

    The links-style Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course was the first of the three courses to open and was renovated in 2002.  At 6,707 yards with numerous traps, it is test for any player.  Golf Week readers ranked this treasure among the best in the Southeast.  From the 11th to the 18th holes, the course winds through seven of the resort’s eleven-mile long lagoon system.  The memorable, par-five 10th has an oceanfront view, one of only two oceanfront holes on the entire island.

    This year, on Labor Day Weekend, the second of three rounds of the 30th Annual Hilton Head Celebrity Golf Tournament (843-842-7711) will be played on this course to help raise funds for local children’s charities.  Over 38 celebrities are matched with amateur golfers to help raise money for 16 local children’s charities.  There is no admission charge.

George Fazio Course

    The par-70, 6707-yard George Fazio Course is ranked in Golf Digest’s list of “America’s Top 100 Courses.” Built in 1969, the course begins with a 432-yard first hole and ends with a 462-yard 18th hole.  The course is known for its abundance of long par-fours, bunkers and water hazards, as well as, its tree-lined fairways and small greens.  Many consider this course the Island’s truest championship challenge.

Arthur Hills Course

    The amazing seaside Arthur Hills Course is the newest of the three courses - originally opened in 1986 and was extensively renovated in 1995.  It is a par-72 course, playing 6651 yards.  Golf Digest has rated 4-1/2 stars. It is said to have one of the most distinctive layouts in the Lowcountry, this “must play” course has a tournament putting surface year-around and an extremely undulating line with significant elevation changes.  Lined by dunes that continue into the greens, a player quickly notices the absence of rough and fairway bunkers.  Gusty ocean breezes and numerous lagoons combine to make this course a challenge. 

Photo courtesy of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort