Course Review: Harbour Town Golf Links

This Harbour Town Golf Links course review is based on a round played on March 29, 2021.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a public course in Hilton Head Island, SC. The maximum green fee at the Harbour Town Golf Links is $515 per round, in peak season.

CR&J’s Final Score: 69/80 _{(Top 200 U.S.)}

Learn More: How We Rate Courses

I played Harbour Town about ten days before RBC Heritage week was scheduled to kickoff, so our group got to experience this Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus course in fantastic condition. I generally very much like Pete Dye Courses and probably lean more towards disliking Jack Nicklaus courses, so I did not know exactly what to expect of my overall experience at Harbour Town. I did know what to expect from the golf course to a certain extent, as I had seen Harbour Town played on TV many times and had done plenty of scouting on Google Earth.

What I did not expect was how grande the stage is at Harbour Town. The course is an older course and you can tell. The trees seem taller than most places, almost producing a stadium-like effect. I am a good golfer and I’ve played in all kinds of qualifiers and tournaments; I was still very nervous for the first hole or two, just because how grande the stage felt. The tight, small nature of Harbour Town and the dense, mature, tall foliage just make this place feel special.

The practice facilities are nice but leave a little to be desired. The driving range has a net at the end – I’m nitpicking, but a driving range net at a top-200 course feels out of place. Everything was in great shape. After a good warmup, our group was ready to tee off.

I’m not sure if it is regular policy or it was just due to the tournament, but they literally would not let us play the back tees. Now, I’m nowhere near professional level, but there’s few 7,000 yard golf courses that are too long for me. However, they didn’t even have the back tees available for play – the tee markers were not there. I understand that at the 7,800 yard Ocean Course – but that really is not necessary here.

The First Tee

The first hole at Harbour Town is bit of a rude way to start a round. Pete & Jack force your first tee shot to be very accurate should you’d like to have a realistic chance at hitting the green. It is a good introduction to Harbour Town as a whole though, as this will not be the first tree that you will need to hit a your ball around should you get out of position.

On the tee shot, the gap between the trees is merely 21 yards wide. Should you successfully navigate the first gap on this mid-length par-4, then the gap between the trees on the approach shot is only 14 yards wide. These are not small trees, they are tall trees that you cannot play over – you must play under or around them. Harbour Town often dictates exactly which shot you must play to succeed, and the first calls for a precise fade off the tee into the fatter, right-hand portion of the fairway, and then a slight draw into the green with shorter club.

If you get out of position on the left side of the fairway, a layup or big draw is required to find the putting surface. Once on this small green, another defining feature of Harbour Town, the contours of the first are pretty straight-forward. Play the hole how prescribed, and the player will have an excellent birdie chance, but getting out of position will leave a player scrambling for par at best.

The second hole is a genius short par-5, which gives the player two options from the tee. A player can choose driver and hit into the narrowing part of the fairway past the bunker; choosing this options opens up the angle and makes the green very reachable. A fade is required on both the tee shot and the approach to the green if going for it in two. A good drive should leave less than 200 to the front edge, but the shot plays around an overhanging tree. The second option would be the player choosing to go 3-wood off the tee, which brings the fairway bunker very much into play, and the angle to the green becomes much more difficult with the added length. To play as a two shot hole with two three woods, the second shot would need to be a big fade.

Ultimately, this is a birdie hole, like many on the front nine, and you should choose the strategy most likely to get to, or around, the green in two shots.

The third hole is not a birdie hole, as the long par-4 balances the opening act and now requires a draw off the tee, balancing the two fades required on the first and second. The hole is particularly difficult from the back tees that add nearly 60 yards onto the hole. Unless the perfect angle is accomplished, the approach on the third will also require a slight draw to a green angled to receive a fade.

The fourth hole is the first par-3 on the course, a longer par-3 that is the first of four incredible par-3s on this course. I’d argue that, at least on public courses in the U.S., Harbour Town has the greatest set of par-3s, and it would rank extremely highly if you included all U.S. courses. The fourth has a beautiful man-made pond that flanks the tee on the right and crosses the green left, separated from the course by a wooden retaining wall. The green is one of the largest on the course and plenty of bailout room exists to the right of the green, because left of the green is lost. The back middle of the green has a large whale’s back that will feed rolling balls to the edge.

The fifth, like the second, is another fun par-5 laden with options from the tee. From the furthest back tee, the first fairway bunker is around 300 yards to carry, but playing up a tee brings all three bunkers squarely into play should driver be chosen from the tee. Harbour Town is largely about angles: if you cut too much angle on this hole, your tee shot will find one of the left bunkers on the inner half of the dogleg. However, hidden under the trees on the right are two bunkers and an OB line that are very much in play if not enough angle is cut off.

The option of taking something less than driver off this hole exists, but it eliminates making this a two shot hole, and your layup will be forced to deal with the narrow round bunker on the right of the layup area.

The fifth green also received a substantial change back in the mid-2010s, moving it further to the left. The green is now more accessible on approach shots, but its almost comically small. At 28 yards deep and 13 yards wide, I have to think this is one of the smallest greens I have ever played. To the right of the green is a decent drop off, taking any balls that narrowly miss the small target away from the green.

The sixth hole is a mid length par-4 that again requires angles and shot shaping, as the narrow dogleg right can box you out of an unimpeded shot at the green if your tee shot does not travel the correct distance. Too long from the tee and you’ll be forced to hit a draw into the green; too short and a fade will be required.

The seventh hole may be the most perplexing on the course. The second par-3 faced, the seventh green is overgrown with trees that sit awkwardly close (too close) to the putting green.

From the tee box, it appears as if you are going to need a lucky bounce through through trees to stand a chance to hit this green with your mid-to-long iron. However, there is technically just enough room to squeeze a golf ball through and find the putting surface.

Unfortunately, no player in our group was able to figure out where that gap was, as we all smashed the right tree and ended up in a bunker. This also may be one of the few holes in the world that you can be in a greenside bunker about 15-yards from the pin and be stymied by a 50-foot tree; that could easily happen in no less than 3 different areas in this wraparound bunker. This is actually a pretty novel hole in hindsight – it was a bit frustrating to play, but it is extremely distinctive and fits the theme of Harbour Town. It would be out of character on most course, but at HTGL, it defines the character.

The eighth is one of the more challenging holes on the course, a long par-4 with a slight dogleg left. The long approach is played into a large green with a bunker and lake quartering the left.

This hole is also more than fair, as there is plenty of bailout room to the right of the green, away from the trouble. While it is not as easy to get blocked out by trees on your approach shot here, it is still completely possible to find edges of the fairway that are partially blocked out by the large trees that choke the middle of the hole. By the eighth hole, hopefully your mindset has changed, and being partially blocked out by a tree has become par for your round.

The ninth is a fun short par-4 that is almost driveable. Pete Dye never really believed in the driveable par-4, so this one is technically not that but-for the longest players, but you can get close to the green on a good drive. The wing shaped green on the ninth provides plenty of narrow, pin-able areas for the staff to make this short par-4 a difficult one. Realistically, this hole should serve as one of the best opportunities for birdie – as long as the pressure of the bustling clubhouse, driving range, and first & tenth tees don’t get to you, as they are all within earshot.

Making the Turn

After a short stop at the snack shop, Pete and Jack ask you to put the hot dog down for one of their toughest holes on the course. The tenth is a long par-4 with a lake flanking the entire left hand side of the fairway. Although this fairway is generous in the middle, its a trap, as the gap between the trees that lead to the green is merely 17 yards wide.

The part of this fairway that leaves a realistic approach shot into the tenth green is quite narrow. That is the best of the design though: the closer to the lake you are, the better your angle into the green through the narrow gap, but Pete (has to be Pete here, because it is too mean), shows you ALL of this bailout room to the right, with a wider fairway, rough, and another golf hole to the right. Should you choose to bailout away from the lake like a reasonable person, Pete Dye completely blocks you out from the green, almost saying “lol gotcha.”

The only saving grace here is that the tree on the right of the tenth is not the tallest tree on the course. While it is still big and tall, if you are far enough back, it is possible to cut over the top of some of it. Combined with some shot shaping, you at least have a chance – even if it is a slim one.

The eleventh hole begins a run of three straight mid-length par-4s that are all unique in their own way, except for the eleventh. The eleventh is a pretty straightforward, yet narrow par-4. A large tree short and right of the green complicates the approach on an otherwise uninteresting hole.

The twelfth hole is much like the seventh – a dogleg-right par-4 that proscribes that the player hit a relatively precise yardage off the tee to avoid being blocked out. It is all about matching the yardage to the target line here, as too short and right will block you out from your approach, but so will too long and left. A delicate balance, if played correctly, will result in a short-iron approach that may lead to birdie.

The thirteenth finishes off these mid length par-4 holes in the most interesting way with likely the most unique hole on the course. The green effectually functions as an island in the sand, built on top of a retaining walls and elevated around 6-8 feet below the sand trap.

It is not just visual intrigue this provides, as the punish missing the green in this bunker is inversely proportional to how good the shot was. A narrow miss here is devastating, as the ball can come to rest too close to the railroad ties, forcing a player to play sideways, backwards, or take an unplayable lie. However, a wide miss provides more space to play the next shot from the sand without hitting the railroad ties.

Hitting a good approach is hard enough on this hole, but getting a clean look may be even harder. Two options exist from the tee for the player to have a decent shot at not being completely blocked out from the green. Option A lays back into the wider part of the fairway, but width is an illusion here, because the left of the fairway may as well be in the trees – you’ll be totally blocked out from the green. Option B is driver from the tee, but plays into the narrowing area and requires a bit of luck to find.

Admittedly, I both love and hate this hole. It is really easy to make a six here, and I find the hole to be unfair as it is a touch too narrow off the tee given the complexities and challenges of dealing with this greenside bunker. Optically, however, this hole is a marvel; very memorable and I’ve never played another hole quite like it.

The fourteenth is another memorable hole, and can be played as a long or short par-3 depending on the tee placement. Wherever it plays, it is a tough shot – a near mirror of the fourth, but the water a touch more intrusive here. Anything played at a right pin is essentially all carry, with left hand pins being more accessible and forgiving. It is also easy to chip the ball in the water from left of the green (or on the wood, if you are Cantlay).

The fifteenth hole is a long par-5 that is relatively straight until the end, where it aggressively doglegs to the left. Sometimes the professionals will give this one a go in two shots, but for us amateurs, that really is not an option here, as the approach needs to go very long and simultaneously very high to clear the trees. Oh, and if you miss, there’s water short. This is a three-shot par-5 unless you’re two back and need an eagle.

The sixteenth begins a three-hole stretch in which Harbour Town’s character changes. No longer are we playing through narrow corridors of tall trees. Rather, we are headed to the intercoastal water way that separates Hilton Head Island from Daufuskie Island to play some water front golf. It happens suddenly, but before you know it, you’re digging your phone out of the cart to photograph the holes you came to play and post on Instagram.

There truly aren’t too many holes more aesthetically pleasing than the sixteenth at Harbour Town, a dogleg-left around a waste bunker. The tee shot (and possibly the approach) are complicated by the famous lone tree that stands in the middle of the sixteenth fairway.

Should you successfully leave yourself a shot at the green, it is slightly elevated, with a shaved run-off to the seventeenth tee behind the green. Long is the mistake you should try to avoid on this hole. The sixteenth wins the most underrated hole on the course award for me. Seventeen and eighteen get all the press, but sixteen has beauty and the anticipation of playing the next two holes still left in your gut.

After you step off the sixteenth green, the seventeenth tee immediately awaits: a varying length par-3 depending on the setup. The lone palm by the green frames the shot over a small lake perfectly, with the background of the marsh and water behind the green. A gorgeous hole made difficult by the bunker flanking left and unique woodwork surrounding the back of the bunker.

The seventeenth is a fantastic par-3 that finishes off a truly incredible set of par-3s at Harbour Town. Outside of the Monterey Peninsula, these par-3 holes are the best set that are publicly accessible.

Then, what you came for, the lighthouse-hole eighteenth, with one of the widest fairways in golf.

For some added pressure, make an embarrassing bet for if someone in your group misses this fairway. This is the widest fairway on the PGA Tour, and at one point, is significantly wider than a football field. This is a significant change in character for the course, which is ironic as the course’s most famous hole. Yet, someone in your group will miss it right, as there is significantly less room to the right (and way more left) than you can see. Aiming at the lighthouse feels right, but its not. Honestly, this hole isn’t about score or strategy – its about pictures and fun, and is one of the most photogenic holes in the world. I will never forget the eighteenth at Harbour Town, and it is undoubtedly one of the best 18 holes constructed in the U.S.

Before you know it, you’ve taken a picture with your group on the eighteenth, lighthouse in the background at all, you’ve shaken your forecaddie’s hand, and have begun the cart ride back to the clubhouse.

Final Thoughts

If you are like me, you’ll want another crack at this course. The first time around, its difficult. Learning the angles and distances required on each hole not to get blocked out is the recipe for a good score here. This is one of those courses that you look back on and say “that was not a hard golf course” but yet, you’ve shot a terrible score. It’s the genius of Pete and Alice Dye. It’s Nicklaus. It is the course setup. Harbour Town is hard, but it’s also easy. It all just depends on where your ball stops.

Now, let’s have a quick discussion about ranking. This course is currently ranked by Golf Digest as #160, down from #142. Harbour Town is different than modern courses that are being built and driving it down the ratings list. It is narrow, it requires shotmaking in a way that few courses do, it is public and it weaves through a residential community. Maybe this old style of golf (that requires skill rather than power) is not what interests the modern course rater.

It is the most underrated course that I’ve played.

I absolutely love Harbour Town. Failing to include it among the top-100 golf courses is a sin. It is a classic hit and should not be taken for granted because of its older styling. It was a hit in the past, it is a hit now, and should easily fall into the bottom of the top-100.

CR&J’s Final Rating

Shot Options: 8
Challenge: 6
Layout Variety: 8
Distinctiveness: 9
Aesthetics: 9
Conditioning: 10
Character: 10
Fun: 9

Total: 69/80

Read More: How We Rate Courses

Rating Scale Details

> 70: Top-50 U.S.
65-70: Top-200 U.S.,
60-65: Best-in-State List
57-60: Best-in-state List Contender
53-57: Very Good
48-53: Good
40-48: Average
< 40: Poor