Imagine yourself playing a round of golf with names like Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player. While you may never actually get to play a round with Jack, Arnie, and Gary, you can walk in their footsteps while you play a round or two on one of their championship golf courses on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

You may have heard of a few other golf course architects that have designed a course or two in the area. Names like Pete Dye, George Fazio, Fuzzy Zoeller, George Cobb, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, Robert Trent Jones, and Clyde Johnston. It doesnt matter if youre a duffer or a scratch golfer, there are a wide variety of courses with unique layouts and challenges for golfers of all skill levels.

The most recognized course on the Island is the Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines, home of the PGA Tours Heritage Classic tournament. While you may not recognize the course by name, photos of the 18th hole overlooking the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Marina are among the most popular travel photos in the U.S. Getting a tee time at Harbour Town can be difficult and expensive. Depending upon the time of day and season, an 18-hole round will set you back between $135 and $200.

If you cant get out to the Harbour Town Links, there are still plenty of championship golf options. Among other local favorites are the Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run, Oyster Reef at Hilton Head Plantation, and the Arthur Hills course at Palmetto Dunes.

Of course, you can find great golf off the Island. Hop on a ferry to Daufuskie Island and play another Jack Nicklaus design at the Melrose Club. Or you can take a quick drive over to the mainland and play one of Arnold Palmers best layouts at Crescent Pointe in nearby Bluffton, SC.

Beaches, Biking, and More

Beginning in the 1960s, developer Charles Fraser developed a master plan for Hilton Head Island in which all of the homes, structures, and facilities would blend in with their natural surroundings to preserve the beauty of the marshes, woodlands, and waterways. The guidelines and covenants that guided local development are now blueprints for eco-friendly communities worldwide.

Today, Hilton Head is a thriving resort community with over 12-miles of sandy beaches, hundreds of shops and restaurants, dozens of hotels, and over 50 golf courses in the greater South Carolina Low Country. The area also features plenty of activities for non-golfers including boating, sailing, day cruises, nature and bike trails, shopping outlet malls, day spas, and seasonal festivals.

Choosing where to stay for your Hilton Head vacation depends largely upon your traveling companions and just how much you want to be pampered during your stay. There are thousands of villas available in the area for those that want a home away from home and dont mind cooking and cleaning while on vacation.

Staying in one of the many hotels in the area may be a better option for most, especially if you are traveling with children or non-golfers. Many of the larger Hilton Head hotels offer season Kids Camps that allow you to break away for a day of golf or shopping. These larger hotels are all within close proximity to the beach, and all have on site food and entertainment. Some of these hotels also have day spa facilities on the hotel grounds.

But no matter where you choose to stay, youre only minutes away from the best golf vacation of your life! Visit Hilton Head Island South Carolinas Treasured Coast.