The Sea Pines Resort/Bill Hornstein
The Sea Pines Resort/Bill Hornstein
The Sea Pines Resort/Bill Hornstein
The Sea Pines Resort/Bill Hornstein
The Sea Pines Resort/Bill Hornstein
Harbour Town Golf Links
Hilton Head Island, SC • Public
Harbour Town Golf Links
11 Lighthouse Ln
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-7271
United States
Telephone
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 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. Following the 2025 RBC Heritage, Harbour Town underwent an extensive restoration overseen by Davis Love III and his design company, working to restore and preserve Dye's original strategic intent. The project is completed, and the course reopened in November 2025.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2015.
Previous ranking: 160th.
2025-'26 ranking: 170th.
100 Greatest: Ranked from 1971-2014.
Highest ranking: Top 10, 1971-'72.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 2003.
Highest ranking: 10th, 2003-'04.
Previous ranking: 27th.
2025-'26 ranking: 28th.
Best in State: Ranked second, 1987-'91 and 1995. Ranked top 5, 1977-2022. Ranked top 10, 2023-'26.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 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
“I played Harbour Town about five years ago and like the small tweaks they made. Removing a few cart paths, moving a few bunkers, and making it all in all a better experience. Aestetics wise, the final two holes are fantastic but a lot of the round is in and out of housing developments. As far as playing a course the pro's play, it is great to be able to do so, but due to how much play it gets, I noticed some rough spots on the greens and fairways, and I feel like playing it once every 5 or so years is enough for me. Unique having such a tight course, but overall not a top 200 course I'd want to play consistently. Some very unique and fun holes like 9 the short par 4 and overall a place I'd recommend to others to play once and see how they feel after if it's worth playing more often."
Read More2026
Review
“Played one week after grand reopening for the recent renovation. They did an outstanding job with the recent renovations. I've played the course 60+ times and they made so many subtle adjustments that really enhances all aspects. See my notes below. Conditioning- Incredible conditions since it was only grown in for several months prior to my eval. It will always seem to suffer not being very firm due to the extensive watering practices and deluges the local weather provides. Challenge- remains relatively the same. The days you are able to really control it you can score but you don't need to be off by much to be out of position around the intricate green complexes. The green side bunker faces have been steepened so "not quite" balls lodge at the lip. Character- Given a flat site, each hole is unique. My understanding speaking with some of the pros there say a number of elements that Dye would have wanted to include were added this renovation. In spite of home lined hole corridors, they never intrude. The new synthetic stacked sod bunkers look and are menacing. Aesthetics- Bridges on the two front nine par 3's have been relocated to improve already beautiful holes. The dramatic live oak trees and tall pines are utilized so well in the strategy of many of the holes. Relocating the cart path on number 5 dramatically improves the look. Going to a sand cart path between numbers 10 and 16 was helpful to contain errant resort play."
Read More2026
Review
“The front nine starts off pretty benign, but from hole 13 on is where the magic and challenge really begins."
Read More2025
Review
“If you like shot shaping, then Harbour Town is a perfect course. It does a great job of allowing both long and short hitters to enjoy the same exact course from the fairway in. Even if you don't think it is long, some holes can play that way given the routing and approach options. This is such a classic course that rewards good iron play backed up by some good putts."
Read More2024
Review
“A challenging Pete Dye with narrow corridors and challenging golf shots required. An incredible and challenging collection of Par 3s. This is the epitome of a Pete Dye signature design!"
Read More2024
Review
“Harbor Town tops this list of places to play. With the rich history of the RBC Classic, the iconic lighthouse on 18 and the views of the sound, Harbor Town provides both challenge and the ability to score. It's a must play when in the Hilton Head, SC area."
Read More2024
Review
“This Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus designed course in the Sea Pines resort on Hilton Head Island provides a very challenging golf experience for all handicaps. The course is relatively flat and winds through a forest of pine trees. An emphasis on accurate driving will minimize landing in the mulch and pine straw areas which can be difficult to maneuver. There are a number of holes where water hazards come into play but there is generally plentiful landing areas away from the danger. Greens are relatively small and have subtle undulations that put a premium on putting accuracy. There are a number of unique holes which increase the overall challenge of the course. The ninth hole, while relatively short, puts a premium on driving accuracy due to the narrowing approach to the green because of overhaning tree branches. The heart shaped green is protected by sand both front and in back. The challenging par 3 seventeeth hole opens up to the marshland with wind, sand and water coming into play, which puts a premium on an accurate iron shot to the green. The iconic eighteenth hole with the lighthouse standing behind the green is a superb finishing hole with a great view of the Caribou sound. There is marshland on the left all the way up to the green, The drive is to a relatively wide landing area leading to the important second shot to a narrow green surrounded by marshland around the left side of the green."
Read More2023
Review
“Classis Dye course requiring your misses to be in the correct spots. Small greens bring a premium onto your shot selection off the tee. Good variety of holes. Mentally challenging course that was very enjoyable to walk."
Read More2023
Review
“A great public acess course that has elements, wind and trees, short with small greens, that gets progressively more challenging as the round continues like the culmination of a great symphony."
Read More2023
Review
“A classic pete dye golf course with a superb set of par 3 holes. Many different angles off the tee causes the player to think about club selection. Love the use of his railroad ties. Fantastic finish with 16-18 Love what they have done with the bunkering. They have truly become a hazaerd The removal of the bridges/cart paths def improves the aesthetics."
Read More2023
