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3.2
69 Reviews (69)
5 Stars
32
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.0
Value
2.1
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
2.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
20.9%
Recommend this course
49 out of 69 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7005 yards
Slope 135
Rating 74.3

The oldest course at Palmetto Dunes and is a long-time favorite on the island. This facility features an extensive lagoon system which winds through the course impacting play on eleven holes. Add some of Jones' seemingly patented bunkers and large, well-bunkered greens and you've got plenty of good golf ahead of you here.

This Palmetto Dunes Resort course is well-known for its many views of the ocean. The finest is found at the 10th hole, a par-5 on the card of 540 yards. Its green is set out by the ocean, and it takes three good shots to reach it when the wind is blowing in your face

Course Details

Year Built 1970
Golf Season Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2020 #14)
  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in South Carolina (2017 #14) (2015 #3)

Reviews

3.2
69 Reviews (69)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 7
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 15
Water Hazards 14
Forced Carries 10
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 11
Advanced Golfers 10
A Weekend Splurge 8
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 14

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather

won't be back

This is the third time I have played this course in the past ten years. I was playing this past week as part of a timeshare package, guests of a friend. I was alarmed to find out that they would actually ask $200 during the morning weekday rate for this course. It is far from worth it. While it is a fantastic and fun design, it is always just in average shape. Greens no where need the speed they should be. Certainly nothing that you would expect at that price point, I would not go back again. The course staff were very friendly, we had a bit of a run in with the front desk and over fees as part of our package, they seemed confused and double billed us, we did get it corrected on the back end. When you compare the conditions of this course to the Pete Dye course in sea Pines (Heron) or the ocean course redesigned by Davis Love, again, there is simply no comparison in pristine shape and maintenance. Sadly, I won't be back again unless I get to play for a $40 card fee, like I did this past week. Golfers on golf trips, beware, way way overpriced.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Course, Not so Much for the Staff!

The course was BEAUTIFUL! However, this is NOT A $200 COURSE! I would say it should be in with the $125 range having played other courses of the same caliber. Hole 10 going to the ocean is a great experience. I played with a group of 3 and a random was placed with us.

My party have 2 complaints: 1) The pace of play was excellent! However, we were badgered by the one of the staff between hole 6 and 7. He was trying to sell stuff for charity for $10. After pausing our game to listen to whatever he was trying to give to charity and what we get in return, he rushed us through play of the 7th! He said we were behind pace of play. At that point we were 8 minutes behind pace, but only because he stopped us to listen to the sales pitch! NOT COOL! Then we felt rushed through the rest of the game as we were made to feel we had to rush through the rest of the round. From that point forward my group had a bad round and we couldn't even make a decent shot. Our group finished in 4 hrs, and the group behind us finished 30 minutes after us! We stopped off at the bar for some lunch and beer. The staff in the bar was amazing! They really took care of us! And they were the ONLY ONES TO DO SO! Which now takes us to my groups 2nd complaint.

At this point we only had 1 complaint. Here's the second. On the way out, the guy at the bag drop asked us how our round was. We told him what I stated above. He asked us to go inside an tell the guys a the pro shop as the one of them was a manager there. We were reluctant but he was insistent because he said they needed to know from us. We acquiesced. When we did, they explained they do that with everyone and not just us to keep up the pace of play. We told them we understand if people are actually being slow, but we didn't pay $200 to be harassed for no reason at all. It changes your mental focus and ruined our round and now it was apparent to us THEY DIDN"T CARE! All they said was they apologized. No customer recovery! We told them we wouldn't ever come back. And, surprise, again THEY DIDN"T CARE!

We wanted to play a nice course while we were there. While the course was a nice course and well maintained, the staff, management included, were not. This made this course for me and my group not so nice. We really won't go back. We go every year to the island. Next time we will try ones like Sea Pines, or Hilton Head National which are more in line with reasonable prices for the course and the ratings for the staff friendliness is much better.

Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

not worth the money

nice but not magnificent course but not value for the price. conditioning was average at best. Greens were ok but slow. The scenery is nice but not what one would expect for ocean course. bunkers were quite tough but well maintained.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Connecticut Advisor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Way, way too expensive!!

Green fees $185
Range balls $15

There was NOTHING about this facility that justifies this level of gouging. Nothing.

Greens were sandy and bumpy. No rakes in the bunkers. No ball washers. Range is covered (big whoop). Staff was okay…certainly nothing noteworthy.

Bottom line is that this was way, way too much to pay for vacation golf.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/07/2021

I 100% agree. just played there Nov 4 and course was TERRIBLE . was told due to overseeding and they are still at $185.

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Value

I'm from Alabama and play and familiar with RTJ courses here in Alabama. They are absolutely great to play at a great value. I used a short vacation to go to HILTON HEAD SC , to play at the place everyone in golf has heard of or would like to play. I looked on your site and it was rated very high, in the top 10 to play, so I booked it. I took a good friend with me. I have never been so disappointed in a course except the one we played the next day for the VALUE in my life. The cost was very high for a course that was ok at it's best. You might want to reevaluate this course. It is not a top 10 course and the value was not there. Thanks Wesley Rich

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course

This is an amazing course, I went out and played with some buddies and it was great.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course!

I have heard a lot about this course and everything was pretty much true. Great course layout, conditions were really good, and you can score here. People were friendly and they even gave us a replay for $20 each. Great day! Started had good advice - take an extra club on approach shots. Almost every green was elevated with some protected by water or bunkers so the extra club was good advice.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Such a disappointment!

We were super excited to play the Jones course at Palmetto Dunes while visiting Hilton Head. When we booked, we were absolutely comfortable with the greens fees given it is considered a "must play" in South Carolina. Checking in, the golf shop staff was mildly friendly, and the starter was exceptionally warm and personable. The course, however, was in wretched condition, and we are talking well beyond seasonal weather considerations. The grass on the tee boxes was so high and weedy that it was higher than my ball on my tee. The fairways were a sea of un-attended divots and the greens were topdressed in a thick layer of sand, which we were not informed about until the first tee. One of the bathrooms on the course was out of service, which we were not warned about, and the clubhouse "dining" option is a glorified snack bar. We were stunned about how poorly this golf course was maintained, which is such a shame given the amazing bones of this layout. It could be the crown jewel of the Hilton Head golf options, and it just feels neglected and left to die. For the same price that we paid here, we played Atlantic Dunes at Sea Pines and there is zero point zero comparison (their conditions, clubhouse and staff far surpassed Palmetto Dunes). I hope that something changes with management and this potential gem of a course comes back to life.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Nice course, a bit overpriced

Overall had a nice day on the RTJ course. Staff was friendly, conditions were great, and the majority of the course is beautiful.

The pace was a bit on the slow side, I was a single that was paired with another, so I know we move quicker, but at times we were at a standstill.

Four or five holes run parallel to the major road/highway on the island. The road noise is not avoidable, but not something you expect at that price point. I feel for the money, there are better options.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Fantastic Track

Fantastic track! Would love to play it again! Much more difficult than anticipated as the course plays tight, especially when contending with the breeze off the ocean. Gee to green I’m great shape, including bunkers. Friendly staff, great selection in the clubhouse.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Scenic course-play off hours because it is $$$$

This is my rotation of courses to play on HHI. It has some great shot making holes including a 180 par three all carry over water with a skinny green . A signature hole that takes you out to the ocean and a finishing hole that is a lot of fun.

Fairways for the most part are very generous and so are the greens

Try to play after 11 or in the afternoon as the morning rate is expensive but you must give this track a chance

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Couse

All around, a great course with excellent conditions and layout... beautiful views.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 255
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 25 Contributor
Georgia Advisor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Fun Course in Excellent Condition

I have played this course several times. Each time I play the course, I always leave having a great experience and love the course and the great conditions. Staff was great from the moment we arrived. Friendly staff taking our bags an loading them on carts. Starter was very helpful, and friendly explaining everything about course and the GPS on the carts.

Practice range is not great at all. You have to hit of mats at the range and cannot hit from the grass. No short game practice area other than a putting green. I would expect a higher end course like this would have a grass area to hit range balls.

Due to COVID-19, the course has plenty of coolers and ice to put on the carts, but to get a cooler with ice you have to request one. They no longer automatically put a cooler, ice as well as towels on each cart. Whey you pay over $100 per round you would expect to at least have a cooler with ice, especially when the temperature was 95 degrees with high humidity. Thank goodness the beverage cart person was great and we saw the beverage cart five times during the round.

The course, as always, was in very good condition. Typically of Robert Trent Jones courses, there are lots of large, deep bunkers. The greens are very large and it is easy to three putt if you are not near the hole. The greens have lots of humps, slopes and undulations.

The course is always very well taken care of. The best and also the signature hole is hole #10 where you have a excellent view of the ocean while on the green. The course provides a variety of fun and challenges. All in all, it is a great course and lots of fun.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Poor Customer Service

Coming from Cincinnati for our annual guys golf trip (4 years running), we played 6 courses in 6 days.  Cupp course on Plantation Hall, RTJ, Arthur Hills, Hilton Head National, CC of Hilton Head and Oyster Reef. 
Our experience at RTJ was the worst of the week.  I don't mind paying a lot of money to play a good golf course and the course was in good shape, but with an expensive round, I expect great customer service like we received at the other courses.  Our round started with the cart guy sitting in a cart on his cell phone not willing to get up and help us when we pulled around until an older gentleman working told him to get up.   We then asked for a second cart if possible because myself and the guy with me weren't playing together.  He said ok but then just put the clubs on the same cart.  Not that big of a deal.  We go in the pro shop to pay to find out we have to pay extra for range balls.  I think its ridiculous that you guys charge for range balls.  We didn't have to pay for them at any of the other courses.  Near $150 round and you're charging range balls off turf, not even grass?  We go get breakfast in the bar and we are greeted by a women who loudly asks us "what do you want?"  It was rude and poor service.  We go out to play our round and with near 100 degree temps, we find the entire round (minus the snack house-which is cash only) to not have any drinking water on the course.  How are there no Igloo coolers full of water in a place where its so hot.  Every other course in the country has them...It was almost pass out hot.  We saw the cart girl 1 time in 18 holes.  We saw 1 drinking fountain that didn't work.  We got back at the end of our round frustrated only to have one of our guys complain and he received more poor customer service in the attitude he received in the pro shop.  The cart boys at the end told us there should've been water in our coolers for us.  There wasn't.  We should've had towels in our cart, there wasn't.  

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

My favorite course on HHI

It was a crazy hot day and RTJ @ PD didn’t leave you to swelter. They provided free bottled water and a cooler full of ice, and recommended placing on of their towels in the ice then putting around your neck, definitely helped! Course was in excellent shape. My only complaint was the hardness of the greens. They were fast and it was difficult to get your ball to stick. The layout is excellent and each hole was unique.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Expirience

First class from start to finish. Staff was great from the moment we arrived. Friendly staff taking our bags an loading them on carts. Starter explaining everything about course and carts. The course was meticulously taken care of. Everything was well trimmed from sand traps to greens. Beautiful views and best golf experience ever. Worth every penny. Highly recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Very Warm Day at Robert Trent Jones

This golf course provides a variety of challenges. There are multiple bunkers on every hole and water on most of the back nine. I enjoyed the back nine a lot more than the front. The course was in great shape. The range was very nice as well. I would most likely play it again if I had the chance. Is it worth $79? Probably not. But it’s still a great course to play if you’re at Hilton Head. My only advice would be to play in the morning or late afternoon if you go in the summer. It was very hot on us and we played in the afternoon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course

Visited Hilton Head on a guys weekend and played Robert Trent Jones. Out of the 3 courses at Palmetto Dunes, Robert Trent seemed to be a little easier with some wide fairways and bigger greens. #10 has a great view of the ocean! The greens rolled true all weekend on all the courses. Definitely plan on coming back in the future!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course

Beautiful golf course that was in great shape. Greens rolled smoothly and tough to find a bad lie in the fairway. Very scenic course with #10 being the signature hole finishing right by the ocean. Had some open fairways if you sprayed the driver a little, while still having great character throughout every hole. Great staff as well as a delicious restaurant attached to the clubhouse. Would definitely come back to play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Golf Packages

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of Palmetto Dunes – Robert Trent Jones Course, Palmetto Dunes – Arthur Hills Course, Palmetto Dunes – George Fazio Course, and Hilton Head National Golf Club.

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

FROM $207 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Oyster Reef Golf Course, Robber’s Row Course, Barony Course, and The Shipyard Golf Course.

Sea Pines Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $217 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at the Sea Pines Resort and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of Harbour Town Golf Links, Atlantic Dunes Golf Course, and Heron Point Course.

The Villas at Kiawah Island Stay & Play Package

FROM $177 (USD)
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations in a 1 to 4-bedroom unit at The Villas of Kiawah Island and up to 5 rounds of golf on your choice of Kiawah Island - Cougar Point, Kiawah Island - Osprey Point, Kiawah Island - Oak Point, Kiawah Island - Turtle Point, and Kiawah Island - The Ocean Course.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Stay & Play Package

FROM $337 (USD)
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Sanctuary Hotel and up to 4 rounds of golf on your choice of Kiawah Island - Cougar Point, Kiawah Island - Osprey Point, Kiawah Island - Oak Point, Kiawah Island - Turtle Point, and Kiawah Island - The Ocean Course.
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