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
“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
“It is fun to play because it does not require long tee balls on each hole. you can get to the greens but holding the small greens is difficult but you can get close and putt from off the greens"
Read More2023
Review
“17th Hole"
Read More2023
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 More2022
Review
“A great short making course with some unique features. No. 9's reverse horseshoe green is something I've never seen before. A wonderful set of unique but challenging par 3's!"
Read More2022
