Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes
Equally Impressive for Sharpshooters and Nature Lovers.
The Arthur Hills course at Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head, South Carolina has long been regarded as one of South Carolina’s most unique golf layouts. A testament to its enduring quality and popularity, this Hilton Head Island gem was recently named among the “Top 30 Best Courses You Can Play in South Carolina.” Blending the topographic beauty of the Lowcountry with the inherent challenges of the game, The Hills course has earned a much-deserved reputation as one of the island’s best golf experiences.
The Arthur Hills course emphasizes accuracy and precision over distance, providing formidable challenges at every turn. For precision play and natural beauty, this layout simply can’t be beaten. It offers off-balance lies and ocean breezes as well as an extensive network of lagoons winding through 10 different holes.
Course Features
- Clubhouse and Arthur Hills Grill (recently renovated)
- 10 holes on the water
- Carts with USB chargers
- Golf carts with Visage™ GPS Mobile Golf System
- On-site golf shop with a wide variety of upscale apparel & accessories
- Traditional driving range available to the public with or without a tee time
- Historic Hilton Head Island Lighthouse, featured on National Register of Historic Places
Course and Slope Ratings
Tee (Men) | USGA | Slope |
Blue | 73.5 | 139 |
Blue/White | 72.4 | 135 |
White | 71.5 | 127 |
Gold | 67.6 | 116 |
Green | 66.5 | 114 |
Tee (Women) | USGA | Slope |
White | 76.1 | 137 |
Gold | 71.4 | 124 |
Green | 70.1 | 123 |
From the Blog
Remembering legendary golf course architect Arthur Hills (1930-2021)
All of us at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Arthur Hills. Of course, Hills is one of three legendary architects — along with Robert Trent Jones Sr., and George Fazio — to put an indelible stamp on the resort with their golf course design work here.
Course Maps
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1st holePar 4
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2nd holePar 4
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3rd holePar 3
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4th holePar 4
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5th holePar 4
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6th holePar 5
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7th holePar 4
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8th holePar 3
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9th holePar 5
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10th holePar 4
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11th holePar 3
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12th holePar 4
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13th holePar 5
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14th holePar 4
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15th hole
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16th holePar 4
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17th holePar 4
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18th holePar 5
Your round begins on the medium-length par 4. Favor the right center of the fairway off the tee and be careful with club selection on the second shot. The wind and a shallow green can make this approach difficult.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
384 | 358 | 358 | 290 | 284 |
This short par 4 is a preview of things to come. Favor placement over length off the tee here; right center of the fairway is the ideal position. A deep green, with out of bounds left and water right, requires that you plan an exacting approach shot.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
373 | 373 | 334 | 320 | 289 |
On this short par 3 over water, check the wind before making your club selection. Aim for the center of the green.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
146 | 146 | 115 | 115 | 88 |
Time for your driver. The tee shot should favor the right center of the fairway to avoid out of bounds on the left. Club selection on the approach to this deep green will vary depending on the hole location.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
430 | 403 | 403 | 300 | 294 |
Put the driver away. Aim for the 150-yard post from the tee; this fairway narrows considerably as you approach the green. The second shot plays slightly longer to an elevated green.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
376 | 376 | 343 | 311 | 301 |
Favor the right-center of the fairway off the tee; the tall grass to the left will show you anything but "love". Position the second shot to the right for a better approach angle to this sloping green.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
505 | 480 | 480 | 410 | 410 |
Grab the driver and let it rip; the fairway is open and inviting. Though downhill, the second shot is usually into the wind and plays longer than the yardage. The center of the green is a good target.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
434 | 417 | 417 | 332 | 322 |
This tricky par 3 plays longer than it appears and is usually into the wind. Take note of the pin placement; the further right it is, the more club you'll need.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
156 | 156 | 135 | 135 | 113 |
On this tight driving hole, going with driver is not always the wise play as it is difficult to get home in two. Lay up near the 150-yard marker to avoid the water that fronts the left side of the green. The slightly downhill approach plays somewhat shorter.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
518 | 494 | 494 | 434 | 434 |
Favor the right side off the tee on this dogleg left. There's considerable trouble around the green, so aim for the center.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
415 | 392 | 392 | 322 | 312 |
This is a pretty, downhill par 3. It plays from an elevated tee to a deep, well-bunkered green.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
182 | 182 | 132 | 132 | 114 |
To paraphrase Arthur Hills, "The fun starts here". Water guards the entire right side of this hole. Line up left of the 150-yard post off the tee. The fairway narrows as you near the green. Take plenty of club on the approach shot.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
399 | 377 | 377 | 301 | 296 |
On this long par 5, you face a forced carry over water off the tee and more water fronts the green. Favor the left side off the tee and be careful on the second shot as the landing area narrows beyond the 150-yard post. The approach shot is short, but treacherous.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
507 | 486 | 486 | 360 | 338 |
Favor the right side off the tee for a clear view of the green. But pay attention to the pin placement on this two-tiered green before you play your approach shot.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
412 | 412 | 361 | 315 | 301 |
On this short par 3, judging the pin placement can be surprisingly tricky. The very deep green is divided in two by a swale in the middle. Hilton Head Island's first and oldest lighthouse privides a scenic backdrop.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
153 | 153 | 142 | 142 | 120 |
This short par 4 is filled with trouble. Favor the left side off the tee and keep your guard up on the approach. Pin placements on this deep green can vary by as much as 20 yards.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
365 | 336 | 336 | 310 | 295 |
Take plenty of club off the tee; the landing area is deeper than it appears. The difficult approach is to a green guarded by water in front, out of bounds to the left and woods to the rear. The green is angled away from you, so take plenty of club to a right side pin placement.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
380 | 320 | 320 | 284 | 274 |
This nice finishing par 5 bends to the right, then back to the left. Favor the right side on the second shot for a better approach angle. The front left side of the green is guarded by large mounds.
Yards
Blue | Blue/White | White | Gold | Green |
---|---|---|---|---|
516 | 516 | 497 | 414 | 414 |
Dining at Palmetto Dunes
When you’re ready to take a break for a quick bite or a relaxing meal, choose from southern favorites at Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza, or enjoy Hilton Head’s best fish tacos at The Dunes House - one of the island’s favorite beachfront destinations. Alexander’s Restaurant and Wine Bar is also available for fine dining every evening.
A Vacation Home to Call Your Own
Palmetto Dunes is destination golf. That’s why we make staying here easy. With private Hilton Head, South Carolina home and villa rentals available in a variety of sizes right on the course, accommodating any size golf group is a pleasure. And staying on the resort property gives you exclusive perks and privileges.