
Golden Bear Course
Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run

About this course
Golden Bear at Indigo Run is a celebration of Jack Nicklaus's enduring design philosophy in the heart of Hilton Head Island. Carved from the lowcountry's signature terrain, the course exemplifies a modern approach to playability while retaining a natural feel. Nicklaus's design favors strategic shot-making over sheer power. The layout is not particularly long or demanding off the tee, but the carefully placed bunkers and subtle green contours will challenge even the most seasoned players. The course meanders through a mix of pine and palmetto, creating a sense of both intimacy and openness. While Golden Bear at Indigo Run has never hosted a major championship, it remains a popular destination for golfers seeking a thoughtful and enjoyable round. Members appreciate the unpretentious atmosphere and the course's commitment to upholding classic golfing traditions. The club is known for its strong community of local players, who enjoy spirited games and good company on the course.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in SC
Quick facts
- Location
- Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1993
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Jack Nicklaus, Bruce Borland
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,014 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.9/142
- Course Vaults score
- 7.1
Getting there
The journey to Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run begins at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), a forty-minute drive north across the broad tidal marshes and lowcountry waterways that define this stretch of the South Carolina coast. The route carries you over the Intracoastal Waterway and onto Hilton Head Island itself, where the landscape softens into canopies of live oak and palmetto before turning inland toward the residential enclave of Indigo Run. As the island's resort corridor fades behind you, the approach becomes quieter and more secluded, delivering you to Nicklaus's thoughtfully routed design tucked within one of Hilton Head's most distinguished private communities.

FAQ
Common questions about Golden Bear
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Golden Bear has a Course Vaults score of 7.1 out of 10 based on 87 logged golfers.
Golden Bear was designed by Jack Nicklaus and Bruce Borland.
Yes. Golden Bear is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Golden Bear is 72.
Golden Bear plays 7,014 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Golden Bear is 142.




