The 7 Best Hilton Head Golf Courses to Play This Fall

Hilton Head Island and the surrounding Lowcountry have more than 50 golf courses within a short drive of each other. That is a lot of options for a trip of any length, and the range of access types — public, semi-private, resort, and private — adds another layer of complexity. Fall simplifies the decision. Tee times open up, conditions improve, and the courses that are hardest to get on in summer become more accessible. The following seven courses represent a cross-section of what the area offers, from well-known resort layouts to a few that deserve more attention than they typically get. These are not ranked. They are selected because each one offers something distinct, and each plays particularly well in October and November. ## 1. Harbour Town Golf Links — Sea Pines Resort **Access:** Semi-private (Sea Pines Resort guests and members) **Designer:** Pete Dye with Jack Nicklaus **Par:** 71 Harbour Town is the most recognizable course on the island, home to the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage each April. The lighthouse on the 18th hole is one of the most photographed finishing holes in American golf. What makes it worth playing in fall specifically: the course plays firmer and faster as summer humidity drops, which rewards accurate ball-striking over power. The tree-lined fairways that can feel claustrophobic in summer heat are genuinely pleasant in October. And the pace of play, which can stretch in peak season, is noticeably better in fall. Access requires staying at Sea Pines Resort or booking through the resort's tee time system. Rates vary by season; fall typically offers better availability than summer. ## 2. Old South Golf Links — Bluffton **Access:** Public **Designer:** Clyde Johnston **Par:** 72 Old South is one of the few courses in the area that is both genuinely public and genuinely worth playing. Green fees are among the most reasonable on the island, and the course itself — with tidal marsh views on nearly every hole — punches well above its price point. Fall is the ideal time to play Old South. The marsh views are clearest when humidity drops, and the Bermuda grass fairways are typically in their best condition of the year in October. The course does not have the name recognition of the resort layouts, but experienced golfers who have played it tend to return. ## 3. Heron Point by Pete Dye — Sea Pines Resort **Access:** Semi-private (Sea Pines Resort guests and members) **Designer:** Pete Dye (redesign, 2007) **Par:** 72 Pete Dye's 2007 redesign of the original Sea Pines Country Club layout is a different experience from Harbour Town — longer, more exposed, and with bunkering that demands precise approach play. The marsh-edge holes on the back nine are among the more dramatic on the island. In fall, the wind patterns shift compared to summer, which changes how several holes play. Golfers who have played Heron Point in summer and found it manageable may be surprised by how differently it plays in October when the prevailing winds are lighter and more variable. ## 4. Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course — Palmetto Dunes **Access:** Semi-private (Palmetto Dunes resort guests) **Designer:** Robert Trent Jones Sr. **Par:** 72 One of three courses at Palmetto Dunes, the RTJ Oceanfront is the only layout in the Hilton Head area with genuine oceanfront holes. Several fairways run parallel to the Atlantic, and the combination of ocean views and fall light makes this one of the more visually memorable rounds on the island. The course plays differently in fall than in summer — the ocean breeze is less consistent, which can make club selection more interesting. It is a good course for golfers who want a classic resort experience with scenery that justifies the green fee. ## 5. George Fazio Course — Palmetto Dunes **Access:** Semi-private (Palmetto Dunes resort guests) **Designer:** Tom Fazio (original design by George Fazio) **Par:** 70 The George Fazio Course is the least-discussed of the three Palmetto Dunes layouts, which is part of its appeal. It is shorter than the RTJ Oceanfront and plays to a par 70, but the bunkering is more demanding and the course rewards strategic play over length. For golfers who want to play multiple rounds at Palmetto Dunes, the Fazio Course is a good complement to the RTJ Oceanfront — different in character and challenge, and typically easier to book. ## 6. Barony Course — Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club **Access:** Semi-private **Designer:** George Cobb **Par:** 72 Port Royal's three courses — Barony, Robbers Row, and Planter's Row — are among the most underrated on the island. The Barony Course is the most traditional of the three, with tree-lined fairways and a classic Lowcountry feel that predates the resort-era design aesthetic. Fall is a good time to play Port Royal because the courses are less crowded than the Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes layouts, and the rates reflect that. Golfers looking for a quality round without the resort premium will find good value here. ## 7. Robbers Row — Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club **Access:** Semi-private **Designer:** Pete Dye (redesign) **Par:** 72 Pete Dye's redesign of Robbers Row gave the course a more strategic character than its original layout. The bunkering is more aggressive, and the course demands more precise shot-making than the Barony Course next door. For golfers who want to play a Pete Dye design without the access requirements of Harbour Town or Heron Point, Robbers Row is the most accessible option on the island. Fall availability is generally good, and the course conditions in October are typically among the best of the year. --- ## How to Plan a Multi-Course Fall Trip The courses above represent a range of access types and price points. A practical fall itinerary might combine one or two resort-access courses (Harbour Town, Heron Point, or the Palmetto Dunes layouts) with a public or semi-private option like Old South or Port Royal. For full details on all 52 courses in the area — including scorecards, access type, booking links, and enriched operational data — browse the complete course guide library. And if you want help putting together a trip that fits your schedule and budget, [start planning your fall golf trip here](/lp/hilton-head-golf-fall-season?utm_source=blog-aab&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cmp_0cKVlP4XMac4fAy-AbnT2DWjV55Wxj5vhKucDLXVn4A&utm_content=act_2GnRfQJOG3UkBUjHaYjSvYZL7kEi5QVHcp9CAvtbck8&utm_term=topic_best-courses-fall).