Off Island Golf

There are many great golf courses to play on Hilton Head Island, but if you want to experience some new challenges, you don’t have to look far. On the mainland just off Hilton Head Island, there are almost twenty golf courses that offer championship golf at competitive rates. Only a short drive from anywhere on Hilton Head, the surrounding links in Bluffton, Okatie, and Palmetto Bluff can surprise even the most seasoned golf veterans.

With world-class golf designers such as Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love III, Jack Nicklaus, and Pete Dye, there are courses right off the island for all ages and skill levels. Private clubs include amenities and memberships to those who decide to make this sub-tropical oasis a place to call home. Public courses on the mainland boast spectacular greens and rolling fairways, along with first class service to visitors from all walks of life. From 9-hole par 3 courses, 18-hole challenges, and iron man 27-hole escapes from the girls, golf over the bridge can be a quick lesson on the links or an all day adventure. Most of the area golf courses blend with the surrounding marshlands and tidal estuaries to create the ultimate experience in LowCountry golf.

Private instruction is available at several courses for half an hour or a full hour, and sometimes even includes video analysis of your swing.  If that isn’t enough to fix that consistent hook or slice, take a full-day or three-day golf school. Most full days with a PGA professional include three hours of instruction, video analysis with take home CD, and lunch followed by 9 holes with your instructor. Whether you want to learn the game as a novice or brush up that rusty swing, private instruction with a seasoned pro costs much less than throwing that brand new driver in the lagoon!

There are also many golf shops and discount outlets just off-island to buy some new golf accessories. Whether you need some new golf balls or a new shirt that won’t make you melt in the sun, Bluffton has many places to keep you looking sharp on the links. Make sure that you pack a collared shirt and some tailored Bermuda shorts because all area golf courses require them. No tee shirts, denim shorts, or athletic shorts are allowed. Always be prepared for a sudden sun shower with a windbreaker and an umbrella. If you hear thunder or lighting, be sure to seek shelter as quickly as possible.

Whether you’re visiting South Carolina for a few days or you’re among those who choose to call the Hilton Head area home, many public and private area golf courses offer the best of both worlds. If you are looking to save a few dollars or gain some new experiences, a trip right over the bridge to the mainland is sure to keep you coming back for another round.