Harbour Town Golf Links
Hilton Head Island, SC • Public
Panelists
221 Reviews
Courtesy of Rob Tipton
Courtesy of Rob Tipton
The Sea Pines Resort/Rob Tipton
The Sea Pines Resort/Rob Tipton
Courtesy of Rob Tipton
The Sea Pines Resort/Rob Tipton
Overview
In the late 1960s, Jack Nicklaus landed the design contract for Harbour Town, then turned it over to his new partner, Pete Dye, who was determined to distinguish his work from that of rival Robert Trent Jones. Soon after Harbour Town opened in late November 1969 (with a victory by Arnold Palmer in the Heritage Classic), the course debuted on America’s 100 Greatest as one of the Top 10. It was a total departure for golf at the time. No mounds, no elevated tees, no elevated greens—just low-profile and abrupt change. Tiny greens hung atop railroad ties directly over water hazards. Trees blocked direct shots. Harbour Town gave Pete Dye national attention and put Jack Nicklaus, who made more than 100 inspection trips in collaborating with Dye, in the design business. Pete’s wife, Alice, also contributed, instructing workers on the size and shape of the unique 13th green, a sinister one edged by cypress planks.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2015.
2023-'24 ranking: 160th.
Previous ranking: 142nd.
100 Greatest: Ranked from 1971-2014.
Highest ranking: No. 29, 1985-'86.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 2003.
Highest ranking: No. 10, 2003-'04.
2021-'22 ranking: No. 25.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top five 2011-2022.
Current ranking: 6th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Challenging Pete Dye design, well maintained considering the amount of play that it gets."
Read More2022
Review
“You've seen it on TV many times, tight fairways, perfect greens, epic finishing hole."
Read More2022
Review
“A classic Pete Dye in Hilton Head and annual PGA Tour host, Harbour Town is one of the best and most famous public courses in America. The conditioning was excellent and the course winds through neighborhoods with strong holes full of strategy and shotmaking. The course is very fair but I like how Dye gives the golfer plenty of risk-reward options on each hole. The closing few holes are arguably the most memorable on the water with a fantastic closer and its iconic lighthouse. Definitely worth a play at least once for avid golfers."
Read More2022
Review
“You will face a multitude of shot options both off the tee and on your approach shots, as you try to wind your way through Pete Dye’s Harbour Town Golf Links. Harbour Town Golf Links is one of the more narrow golf courses that a golfer will encounter. The round is capped off by two aesthetically pleasing holes on Calibogue sound. The view from the 18th tee with the lighthouse behind you provides a wonderful backdrop for a picture to close out your round."
Read More2022
Review
“HT is great - people either love it or don't get it. For me, it is the world class par 3's, and the thrill of playing a great PGA venue. The greens are relatively simple, but still provide plenty of strategy. People tend to say this is a narrow course, but it really isn't, you just can't hit driver without getting into some trouble. A Pete Dye classic!"
Read More2021
Review
“Harbour Town is an early Pete Dye design, where you can see elements that he built upon in some of his later and perhaps more iconic (and penal) courses. It helps immensely to be a straight hitter here; wind coupled with a draw/fade, and you will spend most of the day in the back yards of weekly rental condos. The greens are small and the greenside bunkering is tricky and fascinating; recovery shots are no bargains. The last six holes are all excellent, but ultimately it’s hard to overcome the tightness of the course with the resort housing that intrudes relentlessly on the enjoyment of a peaceful round of golf. Don't be enticed to play here just because you've seen the course on TV. There are better options just down the road."
Read More2021
Review
“Really nice Dye layout. One of the most difficult courses off the tee box, very narrow fairways and smaller greens make it challenging."
Read More2021
Review
“Course is always in excellent shape. A bit too tight for my liking with many layup shots off the tee. Trees are definitely in play on almost every shot."
Read More2021
Review
“Going into the round, I had heard a lot about how unfair the course is and how narrow some fairways are. I think incredibly fair test and a course that requires very high level shot making. Good shots are rewarded and bad ones punished."
Read More2021
Review
“One of Pete Dye's best. Everyone knows the last hole but thoroughly enjoy the strategy around the 17 prior to that. A bucket list destination every avid golfer should visit at least once."
Read More2019
Review
“Disappointing layout on the front nine, but back nine is stellar. Could always be in better condition."
Read More2018
Review
“It may not shine like it did at the height of its fame in the 70s and 80s, but this is such a unique layout that it deserves significant consideration. A real excersise on accuracy off the tee in order to ensure unobstructed angles in from the fairways. Still one of the best collections of par 3s. Lots a Pete Dye hallmarks, but nice how those features are more subtle than some of this later works. There are few better places to be than in the Low Country on Calibogue Sound, and Harbour Town puts you right there."
Read More2018
Review
“Highly recommend playing Harbour Town right after the RBC Heritage as the course is in its best shape and plays firm/fast. Service is great at the resort. Only downfall is the abundance of homes along the course. Make sure you a straight off the tee or else you will be chipping out from the trees all day."
Read More2018
Review
“5 great holes. Pending when you play, the conditioning can be subpar. Front 9 plays through a residential area. Over-priced."
Read More2018
Review
“Narrow fairways, great course if you are straight off the tee. Very interesting greens and sand traps. A great course to play occasionally, but if private I would not want to play everyday."
Read More2018
Review
“Play where the pros play and love it. Scenic and testing while still playable for all levels."
Read More2018
Review
“Best conditioning I have seen at a public course. Not as tight as you might think—very fair. Go on a Saturday or Sunday and they have all you can drink Bloody Mary's for $10 in the morning."
Read More2018
Review
“This is a highly enjoyable course in a golf-centric setting. The course has a varied number of long and short par 3's, 4's and 5's, as well as, doglegs in both directions protected by bunkers, trees, hazards and OB. The course puts a premium on shot values by having narrow fairways and small greens with strategic bunkering and hazards. Green contouring and slopes defend the course well if you are able to hit the fairway and get the ball on the greens. Getting the ball up and down is no guarantee due to tucked pins and undulation. The greens were receptive and rolled well but had a bit of grain, the fairways rolled out well and weren't over-watered or soft."
Read More2018
Review
“There's not much you can write about Harbour Town that hasn't been written before. The wall-to-wall green is very pleasing to the eye and the holes you've seen on TV look exactly as you expect them to but it's a tad tight and flat to really get your motor running. A must-play for the hardcore golf fan but considering the price, it's probably not the best value on the island."
Read More2018
Review
“Great place to play, even for $220."
Read More2018
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