Hilton Head Island resorts and golf courses happily cater to women
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- The resorts on Hilton Head Island offer great golf and plenty of things to do, but they also pride themselves on one other aspect -– they're "women friendly."
We're not just talking about activities to keep women busy while their husbands or boyfriends are playing golf. No, we're talking about a weekend getaway for the girls, where they can be comfortable on and off the golf course, with plenty of activities that interest women, including golf. Hilton Head Island can provide the perfect getaway.
"Hilton Head Island is a very non-intimidating place to play golf," said Charlie Clark, vice president of communications for the Hilton Head Island Visitors and Convention Bureau. "Sometimes women are intimidated by the sport. Hilton Head Island is an ideal place to learn, to play and to enjoy golf with your girlfriends."
Start by flying into Hilton Head Island or Savannah, Ga., which is about 45 minutes south. Once on Hilton Head Island, there are several great accommodations options, and many offer packages especially designed for women.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, for example, offers the "Heaven and Heritage" package, which includes a choice of golf on courses such as Port Royal Golf Club's Barony, Planters Row and Robbers Row, and spa treatments.
Or you could try packages at Sea Pines Resort that include golf at courses such as Harbour Town Golf Links as well as accommodations and breakfast. And ResortQuest Hilton Head Island and Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort both are offering condo packages that are perfect for groups.
Here's a sample weekend itinerary:
A women's golf trip to Hilton Head Island: Friday
Afternoon: Arrive at Hilton Head Island and get settled into accommodations.
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. What better way to start a weekend getaway than a spa appointment? Here are a couple of options:
The Royal Tee Massage at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa's Heavenly Spa is the first of its kind in the continental United States. Instead of hot spa stones, your massage therapist uses heated golf balls for your one-hour sports massage to dig into your muscles and rub your tensions away.
Golf Widow's Revenge is a treatment offered by the award-winning FACES DaySpa on Hilton Head Island. Treatment includes a Signature Skin Facial, AroMassage, Patty's Peppermint Sugar Scrub and a Peppermint Pedi. Salon Today magazine named this one of the, "best day-spa signature services."
7 p.m. Drinks and dinner at the Skull Creek Boathouse. Check out the sunset dinner outside on the deck. This casual atmosphere offers upbeat live music.
Another option would be the Black Marlin with cocktails at the Hurricane Bar, located in Palmetto Bay Marina.
After dinner, finish with an evening drink at the EP Piano Bar at Park Plaza.
A women's golf trip to Hilton Head Island: Saturday
Breakfast at hotel or in condo, and here's a tip: If you're in a condo, pick up breakfast items at Piggly Wiggly stores at Shelter Cove Plaza shops.
8:30 a.m. Tee times either at Harbour Town Golf Links or Heron Point by Pete Dye, the newest of the Sea Pines Resort courses.
Those staying in Palmetto Dunes might want to check out the Robert Trent Jones Course there, or for those at the Westin, try Robber's Row in Port Royal.
12:30 p.m. Lunch at golf club.
Afternoon Free time. Check out the beach, shopping at boutique shops such as Shelter Cove Harbour Town or the Village at Wexford. You could also play tennis at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center or Sea Pines Racquet Club.
Another option is the Dolphin Tour with Outside Hilton Head at Shelter Cove or with H2O Sports at Harbour Town.
6:30 p.m. Drinks and dinner at Aqua Grille & Lounge or RedFish, a couple of upscale trendy restaurants with excellent wine selections.
After dinner, you could head to the Jazz Corner, a great spot for live entertainment and local jazz. Reservations are recommended.
A women's golf trip to Hilton Head Island: Sunday
8 a.m. Breakfast at the hotel or condo. Or you could try Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery & Cafe, a local favorite for more than 30 years. Another option is the Sunrise Cafe at Palmetto Bay Marina.
9:30 a.m. Tee times. Options could include Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Point, the Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes or two of the three nine-hole courses at Shipyard Golf Club, which is located mid-island and is very popular with women.
1:30 p.m. Lunch at golf club.
Afternoon There's always the beach again, of course, but how about a kayak tour from Marshgrass Adventures in Broad Creek? Another great option is a leisure bike ride with along Hilton Head Island’s bike paths or on the beach.
5 p.m. Airport departures.
July 12, 2010
Mike Bailey, Senior Staff Writer
Mike Bailey is a senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. Before accepting his current position in 2008, he was on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.