Harbour Town Golf Links
Target golf before target golf existed - and that lighthouse.
The Course
When Harbour Town opened in 1969, its tight, tree-lined, small-green design was a radical departure from the big-bombers courses of the era. Dye and Nicklaus proved that precision could be more interesting than power - an idea that reshaped golf architecture.
The RBC Heritage (formerly the Heritage Classic) has been contested here every year since 1969, the week after the Masters. The tartan jackets, the lighthouse backdrop, the small-town feel - it is the tour's most charming regular stop.
The course rewards shot-shaping and course management over raw distance, which is why shorter hitters like Davis Love III (five wins) have thrived here.
Signature Holes
Hole 18 - Par 4, 472 yards
The lighthouse hole. Water left, out of bounds right, and the red-and-white-striped lighthouse behind the green. Iconic.
Designer
Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus (1969)
Practical Info
Peak fees around $299 - excellent value for a course of this pedigree. Hilton Head is a full resort island, so build a long weekend around it. The Sea Pines Resort offers stay-and-play packages.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Green fee from | $299 |
| Fee notes | Peak season. Signature lighthouse finish. |
| Location | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina |
| Par / Yardage | 71 / 7099 yards |
| Slope / Rating | 149 / 75.6 |
Worth it?
Yes. It is the thinking golfer's course - you will use every club and every shot shape. And finishing in the shadow of that lighthouse, with Calibogue Sound behind you, is pure Lowcountry magic.