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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.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great experience

I had some friends in town and we decided to go to the Robert Trent Jones course. I had not played here in several years and it surprised me in a good way. The staff was very attentive and helped us in way they could. I've been to several higher end resorts and even their service was not this good. We checked in and went to the range before our round. Tim helped us out on the range and made us feel at home. The starter called for us and offered us an apple from their cooler(nice touch) the course was in great shape and the greens rolled perfect. I'll be back soon!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 108
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Georgia Advisor
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing

Great course on the ocean

What a great course at Palmetto Dunes resort. The three courses at the resort are all one of a kind but this one is truly spectacular. The Robert Trent Jones course built in 2002 is truly special. The ocean views are great and the white sand bunkers with deep rough really make it a tough day. The wind can really blow on the back nine. The food in the clubhouse is great and the staff was really accommodating at was willing to awnser are questions. The carts seemed new and where electric. (Which run smoother then gas) The best part is the overall price with tax, ocean views, great course, and fees I spent about $95 dollars. Overall the course was great.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

GREAT Golfing experience

If you really want a GREAT golfing experience, look no further than the RTJ Golf Course in Plametto Dunes. I know there are numerous choices for golf on Hilton Head Island, but RTJ is a course I could play everyday. Challenging, yet fair. Great views of the Atlantic Ocean. The rates during the winter months for the quality of play, can't be beat. Let me tell you upon entering the golf shop, or making a tee time over the phone, Terry and Michael do a TREMENDOUS job. They are very accommodating and Professional. They go way beyond the call of duty. After golf, we eat at Big Jims. The food is outstanding, with great views. Gail behind the bar is a plus. She's great, and very entertaining. In my opinion, Clark, the Director of Golf, is also doing a TREMENDOUS job. One more thing, Dianne in the Pro Shop is the BEST. She's responsible for the clothing merchandise. Yes, I bought several pieces of golf clothing. Beautiful clothes. One of my favorite places to shop for golf clothes. All things considered, this is my favorite golfing experience. KUDOS TO ALL, and keep up the good work. P.S. The Course is in GREAT shape

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Lots of fun!

We came to HHI not just for a golf trip - more of a family vacation with a couple of rounds squeezed in. This place is exactly what you want for such a trip - excellent shape, enough continuity but enough variety to make the layout interesting, not a bad hole out there. This will definitely be a standard visit on future trips to the island.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

GREAT Day

I cannot tell you what a great experience I had last week! The starter, David, took the time to talk to my 7 year old son to start out the day. Every ranger we saw on the course greeted us with a smile and asked us if we needed cold towels since it was such a warm day. To wrap up our day, Karen could not have been more pleasant in the pro shop and again, took time to talk to my son.
On the golf side, the course was in immaculate shape! Of course it was challenging and got frustrating, but it was exactly what I expected. The sounds of the ocean on 10 were great. I could not have asked for a better day and I will let everyone know. Thanks for making my vacation that much better!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

Little Jewel on Hilton Head Island

Fantastic layout and not that difficult. Well designed for average golfers. A little pricey though. The course was in great shape except for the greens which were rather slow and sandy. If I had payed full price of $120, I would have been mad. A lot of holes play into the Ocean's wind (against you) especially on the back 9 but generous fairways make up for it. It makes clubs' selection tricky and fun. Only one hole has kind of a view of the Ocean but the course gets its name from the wind. I like this course but it is not my favorite in Palmetto Dunes. I rather play the other 2 because they are more challenging. Fun but don't expect to find great greens this summer. Would play it again though. It is however the best maintained course at the Palmetto Dunes Plantation.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Beautiful course, but miserable to play due to SLOW PLAY

The layout is beautiful, and the course is very scenic. Also, like many Trent Jones layouts, make sure to bring your "A" bunker game, because there are bunkers in play on every approach and most tee shots.

Conditions were just "ok". The greens had been aerated 3-weeks before, and were recovering fine from that process (I'll never downgrade a course based on aeration!) However, many tee-boxes, and most greens had bare spots. Fairways were fine.

Now to the crux of the matter, SLOW PLAY.

The first warning sign was literally a sign -- at the first tee a sign said that a round is expected to take 4.5 hours. Hmmm.

We were the third group off the first tee on a Thursday, 7:31AM tee-time, and proceeded to wait on every single shot, finishing our round in 4:45. Yes, we were a threesome following a foursome, however the foursome behind us had to wait on their shots too. The round was an utterly miserable experience as a result. The group in front of us was at least 2 holes behind. We weren't able to play-through on our own. Rangers were a constant presence, but never DID anything. On the 4th hole, one ranger told us he would speak with the group in front of us, but nothing improved. On the back 9, it was infuriating to watch the ranger drive by the slow group, and just wave hello to them.

At one point on the back 9, I flagged down another ranger to see what he could do. Turns out he was a ranger for the Fazio course, mentioning that he had been reassigned from the Trent Jones course because they didn't like how he talked with the golfers to speed them up.

After the round, I sought out the General Manager to "provide feedback". He couldn't have been nicer to me, and it's clear to me that he cared that I didn't have a good experience. But it is equally clear to me that they don't see an issue with the pace of play -- mentioning a couple times that they expect "four-and-a-half hour" rounds, once I cited my group's 4:45 round. As I said to him, I know slow play when I see it.

In summary, playing the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes was an utterly miserable experience due to the pace-of-play. Based on that experience, and course management's disinterest, I cannot recommend this golf course.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Will be back

This was the 2nd consecutive year playing this course with co-workers. Loved the experience. Well kept in all respects. The fairways were not spotty and all noticeable divots were under repair. The rough is exactly as it sounds....rough. Greens were excellent and I can say they were one shade if the green color rather than the green with spotty brown patches. The sand traps were suitable for beach chair and the signature hole is worth a picture. I found the staff to be very friendly (despite the heat) and I can't wait for my next round on this memorable course. The only thing to be careful of is every water hazard probably has some alligators in it - leave the ball and take the drop.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Nearly 6 hours wasted

Apart from lady in golf shop and starter the rest of the staff need a course in customer service. Never came across people who couldn't care less about the customers. It took nearly 6 hours to play. The photos of the course in the advert don't exist. You can see the ocean on one hole. No rangers on the course. First time I ever saw 6 groups on a tee box.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Walked

Great couse

Traditional Robert Trent Jones layout was challenging but fair. Greens were fast and true. This was 3rd round on Hilton Head Island in the past 3 days and was far the best condition. I will return

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

pace of play was terrible!!!!

Great course with very interesting holes --- however took 5-51/2 hours to play on day with great weather.
Not sure what problem was but waited on most every shot. 3 groups on most every hole. Ranger said it would get better on back 9 but it was only marginally better. Never saw ranger on last nine holes. Multiple ball washers with no water in them. This is a wonderful course but they need to improve the playing experience!!!

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Amazing course for the price

Pleasantly surprised at the condition of the course. The weather was good and we were able to get the first tee time. The staff was very helpful and accommodating. Because of the wetness of the grounds, it was cart path only, but that didn't deter from the playing experience. I was impressed with the fairways and how awesome the greens were. The scenery was amazing. I booked this course online and got a great price. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 378
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Among Hilton Head Island's very best

Easily in my top three on Hilton Head Island, any talk of the RTJ Course at Palmetto Dunes usually centers around the par-5 10th because of its ocean view. Honestly, though, focusing on the 10th sells this classic short. There are so many good holes out there, especially on that stretch from 9-13, where you can see four or five holes at a time and the water surrounding them. The course isn’t overly hard from the right tees, but there are tough shots out there, especially if you play it all the way back. This is also one of the best conditioned courses on the island, so it’s a premium experience all the way around. Excellent practice facilities add to the experience, and if I could, I'd give this course 4 1/2 stars overall because it's a cut above most of the other good courses here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Course was Awesome

The staff and the club professional exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this course and staff.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course.

Great course, absolutely wonderful staff! Only issue we had was the slow aerated greens. Now, we did know of the aeration prior to playing. I would still play this course again, even if the greens were aerated. All sets of tees for every level of player.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great course, Excellent Condition

RTJ was a great track. I played today in the 2nd group and the course was in as good of condition as any non-private club south of the Mason Dixon. Plays to a true 7000 from the gold tees which made me hit every club in my bag. Only one hole touches the ocean which is 10 green and 11 tee so don't think this is an ocean lined course. Plays along many inlets and coves. I only had 2 real complaints: 1) the greens we're very green and healthy but didn't touch 10 on the stimp meter. The course would be even better with greens that rolled at a better speed. First thing in the morning they should have been rolling better 2) we had 6 plugged bunker shots in our 3-some, only 1 of which was greenside. The sand is extremely heavy and over done in most places. A 3w should not plug in the bottom of a fairway bunker as mine did on 18.

Outside of Harbor Town this is probably the best conditioned and hardest course in HH. I think $130 is a bit steep, probably closer to $90 for fair value.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Course and Staff

This was my first time playing the RTJ course at Palmetto Dunes. I was blown away by the condition of the course and the friendliness of the golf staff. They were very accomdating and were willing to help in anyway. Make sure to hit up Big Jim's at the clubhouse and try the BBQ. I recommend this course to anyone that is in the area and I will be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Fairways and Greens

This course is always in great shape and one of the best courses on the island !

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

A classic design

A classic design by RTG. Fair but challenging. Back nine one of the best on HHI. Play this course every time I visit HHI. Condition of this course and the other courses at Palmetto Dunes is way better than other courses on the island during summer months. Highly recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 171
Handicap 10-14
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 50 Contributor
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Dated but well worth it

We had a lot of issues working out our tee time with the stater, we had a booked tee time, got there 90 minutes early to have breakfast and hit balls. The starter asked our nae about 30 minutes before out time and said he was running 20-25 minutes late only to about 10 minutes later tell us we were on the tee. So not 20-25 late on our time but actually 10 earlier than our scheduled tee time. Other than that cluster, we enjoyed the course. The layout, a typical HHi resort course with it's share of residential OB, was enjoyable with a lot of forced carries and water to work around. The condition of the course was above average for the time of year and the clubhouse/pro shop, though dated, had everything you need from a hearty breakfast to a nice selection of items in the pro shop.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages

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.

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.

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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