A Pete Dye Masterpiece with PGA Tour Prestige
Introduction
Few courses in the world are as instantly recognizable and revered as Harbour Town Golf Links. Located in the heart of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, this iconic coastal course has been a PGA Tour staple for over five decades. Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, with input from Jack Nicklaus, Harbour Town is a shot-maker’s paradise, demanding precision and strategic play over brute power.
Best known for its picture-perfect 18th hole framed by the iconic red-and-white Harbour Town Lighthouse, this course is steeped in history and tradition, making it a bucket-list destination for golf enthusiasts worldwide.
General Information
Full Name: Harbour Town Golf Links
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA
Year Established: 1969
Course Designer: Pete Dye (with consultation from Jack Nicklaus)
Course Type: Links, Parkland
What Makes Harbour Town Golf Links Unique?
Course Layout & Unique Features
Unlike many modern courses designed for power hitters, Harbour Town Golf Links rewards finesse, accuracy, and strategic thinking. With its narrow fairways, small greens, and deep bunkers, this par-71 course (measuring 7,099 yards) places a premium on positioning off the tee and precise approach shots.
Signature Holes
- Hole 13 (Par 4, 373 Yards): A short but tricky hole with water looming along the right side, requiring an accurate approach to a well-guarded green.
- Hole 17 (Par 3, 174 Yards): A stunning par-3 over water, demanding a precise shot to avoid the deep bunkers and surrounding hazards.
- Hole 18 (Par 4, 472 Yards): One of the most iconic finishing holes in golf, playing along Calibogue Sound with the Harbour Town Lighthouse serving as a spectacular backdrop.
Tournaments & Legacy
Harbour Town Golf Links is best known as the host of the RBC Heritage, a PGA Tour event since 1969. Played the week after The Masters, the tournament attracts a world-class field and is one of the most beloved stops on the PGA Tour calendar.
Memorable Moments
- 1984: Fuzzy Zoeller won in a dramatic playoff against Tom Watson, solidifying his place in tournament history.
- 2003: Davis Love III captured his fifth RBC Heritage title, the most in tournament history.
- 2020: Webb Simpson set a tournament scoring record of -22, securing victory in a thrilling final round.
Champions of the Last Five Years
- 2024: TBA
- 2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
- 2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
- 2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
- 2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
World-Class Facilities & Membership
Harbour Town Golf Links is part of The Sea Pines Resort, offering luxury accommodations and world-class amenities.
Membership & Green Fees
- Daily Green Fees: Range from $300 to $500, depending on the season.
- Exclusive Membership: Includes access to all Sea Pines courses, premier practice facilities, and luxury clubhouse amenities.
- Guest Access: Open to the public, but advanced reservations are required.
Golfing Legends & Course Records
Harbour Town has been graced by some of the greatest golfers of all time, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods.
Course Record: 61 (-10)
Lowest Winning Score: -22 (Webb Simpson, 2020)
Fascinating Facts & Little-Known Secrets
- Harbour Town’s fairways are among the narrowest on the PGA Tour, demanding strategic shot placement.
- The Harbour Town Lighthouse was built in 1970 and has become one of the most photographed landmarks in golf.
- Arnold Palmer won the first-ever RBC Heritage in 1969, cementing the tournament’s legacy.
- The course has ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses in America for decades.
Why Every Golfer Should Play Here
Harbour Town Golf Links offers a blend of history, challenge, and breathtaking scenery unlike any other course in the world. With its storied past, demanding layout, and legendary finishing hole, it is a true test of precision golf.
Whether you’re looking to walk in the footsteps of golf’s greatest legends or take on one of the most beautiful and strategic courses in America, Harbour Town is a must-play for golfers of all skill levels.
