
Oyster Reef Course
Oyster Reef Golf Course


About this course
Oyster Reef Golf Club, sculpted along the tidal marshes of Hilton Head Island, possesses a Lowcountry charm that quietly defies the modern, splashy ambitions of some of its neighbors. Rees Jones, a second generation architect, crafted a layout that balances challenge with coastal beauty, opening in 1982. This Modern era design unfolds across gently rolling terrain, where strategic bunkering and subtly contoured greens place a premium on thoughtful shot making rather than brute power. Oyster Reef presents a fair test for golfers of all skill levels, demanding strategic positioning off the tee and a deft touch around the greens. While Oyster Reef has never hosted a major professional championship, its enduring appeal lies in its commitment to the traditions of the game and the spirit of camaraderie. The club is locally beloved, known for a unpretentious atmosphere that values genuine connection. It’s a course where the rhythm of the tides seems to influence the pace of play, encouraging a relaxed approach to the game. One enduring aspect of Oyster Reef is its commitment to the environment. The course actively maintains its ecological integrity, allowing native wildlife to thrive. Alligators sun themselves by the lagoons, herons patrol the fairways, and egrets perch atop the pines. Oyster Reef offers not only a round of golf but an immersion into the natural beauty of the South Carolina coast. And it may come as no surprise, one local favorite after their round is the classic Lowcountry boil.
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
- 1982
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Rees Jones
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,018 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.5/134
- Course Vaults score
- 7.0
Getting there
The journey to Oyster Reef Golf Course begins at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, roughly forty minutes south across the Georgia-South Carolina border. The drive north traces the coastal plain along US-278, crossing the iconic arching span of the James F. Byrnes Bridge onto Hilton Head Island proper, where the landscape shifts to canopied live oaks and glimpses of salt marsh. Oyster Reef sits tucked within the island's quieter northern reaches, its entrance marked by understated elegance befitting a club where Lowcountry tradition meets refined resort golf.

FAQ
Common questions about Oyster Reef
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Oyster Reef has a Course Vaults score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 69 logged golfers.
Oyster Reef was designed by Rees Jones.
Yes. Oyster Reef is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Oyster Reef is 72.
Oyster Reef plays 7,018 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Oyster Reef is 134.





