Palmetto Dunes - Robert Trent Jones Course

The Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes opened in 1969 as one of the earliest resort courses on Hilton Head Island, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. with Roger Rulewich assisting. It is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and part of the three-course Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort (alongside Arthur Hills and George Fazio designs).

The course is home to one of only two oceanfront holes on all of Hilton Head Island — the iconic 10th hole with panoramic Atlantic Ocean views from its elevated green. Recognized among Golfweek\'s Best Courses You Can Play in South Carolina (2024).

As one of Jones Sr.\'s resort designs, the layout emphasizes wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and engaging lagoon carries rather than raw difficulty.

Wide fairways, expansive greens, strategic Jones bunkering, and subtle mounding throughout. The shifting ocean winds make every hole play differently from day to day, adding a links-like element to the resort experience.

The course plays 6,710 yards from the tips with a slope up to 141. GPS-equipped carts with Visage systems help with distance management. The oceanfront 10th hole is the undisputed highlight — plan to pause and enjoy the view.

Palmetto Dunes offers free Monday golf exhibitions at 4 p.m. — a nice bonus for resort guests.

The 10th hole typically plays into prevailing wind. Club up and plan for three solid shots rather than forcing a heroic second shot to the oceanfront green.

Wind management is the primary challenge across the entire course. The ocean exposure means conditions shift constantly — check wind direction before every shot.

The wide fairways are forgiving off the tee. Focus on managing approach distances in the wind rather than worrying about finding the fairway.

The Jones bunkering is strategic rather than penal. Avoid the fairway bunkers in the landing zones and you\'ll have clean approaches.