Oyster Reef Golf Club makes the best of its roots and parentage. The location provides the trees, Rees Jones provides the bunkers. Upon opening in 1982, Oyster Reef was dubbed one of the Top 25 new courses in America and continues to land on a variety of "best" lists. On this course, you'll know exactly what a Hilton Head course should be, and you'll see the deft hand of Jones while you're at it.
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No matter which of the three nines you play at Shipyard Golf Club, you'll enjoy them. Clipper and Brigantine are the bad cops, Galleon the nice, benevolent cop, so mix them up if you want, or go easy on yourself. It's a beautiful course, in great shape year round, thanks to the new greens, and an attentive staff. Try all three nines. You'll like all of them, for different reasons.
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The Ocean Course at Sea Pines Resort is the granddaddy of Hilton Head, the first course built on the island in 1960. It has aged extremely well, with a bevy of creative challenges. The Ocean is the golf course that people in Ohio play in their heads in February, recalling the salty breeze, sun, palm trees and peace.
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In Heron Point, legendary designer Pete Dye crafted a gem at Sea Pines Resort, complete with every hazard in the book and plenty of options. Despite the five sets of tees, don't expect to play the course on your terms. Attack Heron Point as Dye intended, or you'll pay the price.
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The Hills course at Hilton Head's Palmetto Hall Plantation Club is a steady-paced, traditional layout that does its trade in lots of little hazards. It's a thinking man's course that puts small spots of trouble on every hole, and your job is to find them, hopefully before you shoot. It's a delight to play, Lisa Allen writes. Even if in trouble, one can chuckle with the thought, "Yup, Arthur, I fell for it." Again and again.
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It's hard not to gush about the Cupp Course at Palmetto Hall Plantation because one wants to describe each unusual challenge it presents. You have to take notes to remember them all. The optical obstacle of a mound that hides a safe landing spot going into the third green, or the many offset greens which demand accuracy in location and distance. The Cupp is a course you won't stop thinking about and if your audience is gracious, talking about.
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