SEA PINES RESORT
🇺🇸 Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye
Harbour Town Golf Links, carved into the low country of Sea Pines Resort, isn't just a course; it's a masterclass in strategic shot-making where Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus redefined coastal golf architecture. Its 1969 design bucks the trend of sheer length, instead demanding thoughtful placement and precise execution across tight, pine-lined fairways. The course plays shorter than its yardage suggests, with doglegs aplenty and small, undulating greens that reward creativity and punish the wayward.
The RBC Heritage, played annually at Harbour Town, has become synonymous with the course. Winners here cement their legacy, navigating the tricky coastal winds and pressure-packed finish. It's a course where a golfer's intelligence is tested as much as their power, fostering a loyal following among pros and amateurs alike.
Harbour Town is less about raw power and more about the art of scoring. A common saying amongst those who play Harbour Town frequently is that "you can't overpower this course." This underscores the enduring appeal of a course that challenges golfers to think their way around, embracing the inherent drama of the South Carolina coastline. It’s a test many aspire to, drawing visitors who seek to etch their names into the course's storied history, one meticulously planned shot at a time.
Reviews
such a fun course. challenges you to shape shots off the tee, in the fairway and stay sharp around the trees. the trees are majestic. massive, old, spanish moss hanging off each limb. i found myself staring at them in between shots trying to imagine everything they've lived through. dollar beer in the locker room after the round was a fantastic touch. 34 on the front 43 on the back and missed the fairway on 18. want to play again, just maybe not in july next time.
Unique. Narrow. Stuffy. The clubhouse is beautiful. The staff obviously works hard. However, we were not even greeted with a “Hello” when we checked in. Purely transactional. And that’s okay! Met our caddies and we were off. Caddies were disinterested in the same way the clubhouse staff was. Had to beg them to do the absolute minimum (reading putts, giving yardage, etc.). Course was fine and in good shape. Had to make some fun shots and enjoyed our playing partners. Have played a lot of destination golf (Pebble, Spyglass, Torrey South, Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, etc.) and this was by far my least favorite experience. May have just caught them on a bad day.
Beautiful, fun, challenging
I have played here a plenty of times and look forward to it each time. A Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus course that was the template for golf course resort and community complexes. A design that is more subtle than forceful. Angles or lines of play are the key to playing here. Finding the correct side of the fairway for best angle of approach to these small and guarded greens. The use of the trees as obstacles is what gives this course a challenge and yet, still fun to play. Routed amongst the homesites, but rarely are they seen or in play. The par 3’s are amongst the best Dye had built. The reveal out to the sound is spectacular, but many come expecting to see it more often. Look forward to seeing the restoration Rolf the green complexes by DLIII.
Great experience, but for what they charge it’s a one and done, however nothing wrong with that.
Great spot to test your game. A good caddie who understands your game is crucial to a successful round. Playing the proper tees and not being afraid to hit driver is a big key to scoring. Don’t think that because tour pros are laying back means you need to, the odds you miss hit a 4 iron off the tee are much higher than them and it will put you in a worse spot with higher chance and making double than missing further up. Clubhouse is top class. Men’s locker room upstairs might be top 5 hangs
Everything about this course lived up to the hype for me. Standing on the first tee box with the caddies and the clubhouse and putting green all around you gave the feel of a tour event. It got quiet and the nerves and adrenaline came out. So much so that I topped my two iron in the little stream of water right in front of the tee box. The first fairway is so narrow and so intimidating. That said, I played the day after it was aerated. So the grass wasn’t as green and pristine. The greens weren’t breaking much and were getting some weird bounces. Despite that, the aura that the course has is enough to play here and experience that feeling at least once. The halfway house dog in a brioche bun was life changing! The price tag is pretty steep and makes its value for money really lacks as a result. Overall, I would be happy to play here again and would pay the high price tag.
This place is unbelievable. From the moment you pull up to the bag drop, you know you’re somewhere special. The staff sets the tone immediately — friendly, professional, and genuinely proud of the place. The facilities are top-notch, with a great range, short game area, and putting green all right beside the clubhouse and first tee. The locker room is one of the coolest in golf — lined with player nameplates from decades of PGA Tour history. If you have the time, grab a drink in the men’s locker room bar; it’s a classic old-school spot that just oozes character. On the course, Harbour Town’s layout is as good as it gets. The collection of par 3s is world-class — each one unique, scenic, and demanding in its own way. The greens are small and fast, rewarding accuracy and punishing even slightly missed approaches. I love the 13–14 stretch on the back nine. The par-4 13th is one of my favorites — a tough hole surrounded by sand that demands a precise approach into a well-protected green. It’s immediately followed by the par-3 14th, another standout with an incredible visual and a shot that always keeps your attention. And of course, the 17–18 finish caps it all off perfectly, with the lighthouse view on 18 providing one of the most memorable closing scenes in golf. Simply put, Harbour Town lives up to the hype — world-class design, immaculate conditioning, and a timeless atmosphere that every golfer should experience at least once.
I played Harbour Town on Thursday, May 2, 2024, during my bachelor party weekend - and absolutely adored it. The course is pristine, testing every shot in the bag, and most importantly, it’s just flat-out fun. Forget the naysayers who call it overrated. When you get to the last three holes, you realize just how special it really is. The 16–18 stretch is a brilliant, unforgettable finish. Make sure to check out the locker room for a post-round beer, and if you have time, their restaurant is worth a stop before the round. The only knock is the number of homes lining the course on certain holes. They don’t really come into play, but personally I prefer a course that feels free of that. Still, it doesn’t take away from what is an iconic, bucket-list experience.
Great course but a lot of holes are forgettable. Very much positional golf, couple cool signature holes obviously.
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Harbour Town at Sea Pines Resort has a Course Vaults score of 8.7 out of 10 based on 232 explicit golfer ratings.
Harbour Town was designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye.
Yes. Harbour Town at Sea Pines Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Harbour Town is 71.
Harbour Town plays 7,099 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Harbour Town is 148.
