March 06th, 2024

Signature Holes and Challenges: A Guide to Golfing Excellence at Palmetto Dunes Resort

Golf Travel Tips, Golf Travel Ideas, Golf Course Reviews, South Carolina

One of the premier golfing destinations in South Carolina, Palmetto Dunes Resort offers unparalleled experiences on each of its three golf courses. All three layouts are distinctively different and challenging yet accessible to all players. Each has been named "The South Carolina Golf Course of the Year," featuring high-quality putting surfaces year-round.

The Robert Trent Jones Course

The Robert Trent Jones course is a long-time favorite on Hilton Head Island. Its layout features an extensive lagoon system that winds through the course, affecting play on almost all holes. My favorite is the par-5 10th oceanfront hole, considered the course's signature hole. With breathtaking ocean views, it is regarded as one of the island's most rewarding spots. Another unique aspect of the course is that each hole plays differently whenever the breeze rolls in from the ocean.

The layout provides as many challenges as surprises during the entire round; here are some of our clients' top-rated holes on this golf course masterpiece:

The 2nd hole is a challenging par 4; the player's tee shot should be left of center, making possible the best second shot angle.
The 8th hole is a scenic par 3 that can be genuinely intimidating and requires a correct club selection.
The 13th hole is a par 4 that demands a proper strategy off the tee.

What makes this course one of my all-time favorites? It has so many pin positions, wind shifts, and options that you could play it every single day for a month, and every time, it would offer surprises.

The Arthur Hills Course

What about playing the course where golf legends like Tiger Woods and David Duval perfected their skills during their collegiate career?

The Arthur Hills Course is one of Hilton Head Island's most distinguished layouts. With its unique seaside character, boasting continuous lines of rolling dunes and beautifully manicured greens, the course promises challenging yet enjoyable rounds. The ocean breezes come into play on most holes, requiring accuracy and precision over distance, providing surprises at every turn.

This layout is second to none in terms of natural beauty. In addition to the immaculately manicured greens and rolling hills, it boasts an extensive network of lagoons stretching through 10 different holes.

As Arthur Hills said, the fun starts at the 12th hole. Water guards the right side of this gem, and the fairway narrows as you near the green. This is the spot where you'll remember why you love the game so much.
The 15th hole will test your judgment on pin placement, which can be tricky. The Hilton Head Island's oldest lighthouse provides a stunning backdrop to the game.
If you found the previous one tricky, the 16th, a short par 4, is definitely a troublesome hole, as pin placements on this deep green can vary by 20 yards.

The George Fazio Course

The only par 70 on Hilton Head Island, the George Fazio course is considered by many to be one of the island's must-play golf courses. It provides challenges at every hole, boasting a series of long par 4s flanked by bunkers and water hazards. The core of the course lies in a series of long par 4s, from the first hole to the last. The layout delivers an exhilarating golf experience you're sure to remember.

If the Trent Jones course is unbeaten due to its natural beauty, the Fazio course is the most challenging public course on the island. It can be intimidating, but it also offers many rewards. George Fazio designed it to be a tough but fully enjoyable test for golfers of all skill levels.

The 14th hole can be difficult for inexperienced players as it requires attention to wind direction and a proper club selection.
The 16th hole is the course's signature hole. Flanked by bunkers on the left and water on the right, it requires precision and accuracy. Choose your club properly and go for it.
What can beat the course's signature hole? Next is one of the finest par 3 holes on the island; wind is an important factor here. The only smart play is in the middle of the green because a short shot will find the water.

Stay and Play at Palmetto Dunes Resort

Call us if we've sparked your interest in playing golf at Palmetto Dunes Resort. Our team of golf vacation experts is ready to create the most rewarding golf package for a getaway you'll remember for years. In addition to world-class golf, the resort offers exceptional lodging and dining options and a wide range of outdoor activities. Palmetto Dunes Resort should be on every golfer's bucket list.

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