In many ways, the colorful history of golf at The Sea Pines Resort is directly intertwined with - and largely responsible for - the international prestige this distinctive resort enjoys today. Designed in 1962, the Ocean Course holds the honored distinction as the first golf course in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Following the completion of the Sea Marsh Course in 1964 and Harbour Town Golf Links in 1969, our Hilton Head golf resort became world-renowned as a mecca for purists. A reputation was soon forged by the presence of golf's two greatest luminaries.

In 1966, Jack Nicklaus squared off against Bruce Devlin on the Ocean Course - Hilton Head Island's first sporting event ever. And three years later, Arnold Palmer claimed the trophy in the first Verizon Heritage golf tournament ... known simply as The Heritage Classic back then. "Heritage." It's a word that's defined The Sea Pines Resort since our birth in 1957 - and remains just as important today.

Key Golf Highlights

The first golf course on Hilton Head Island, the Ocean Course, was designed by George Cobb in 1962.

The decision to build the par-72 Sea Marsh Course came in 1964, when Ocean Course reached capacity.

Hilton Head Island's first sporting event was held on the Ocean Course in 1966, when local pros Bruce Devlin and Jack Nicklaus competed in an exhibition match.

The Jack Nicklaus- and Pete Dye-designed Harbour Town Golf Links was completed in 1969.

Harbour Town Golf Links has been named the #1 golf course in South Carolina by publications such as Golf Magazine, GolfWeek, and Golf Digest.



Golf Awards

Renowned Among The Best Hilton Head Golf Resorts, With An Award-Winning Tradition In many ways, the colorful history of golf at The Sea Pines Resort is directly intertwined with (and largely responsible for) the international renown this distinctive Hilton Head golf resort enjoys today. Designed in 1962, the Ocean Course holds the honored distinction as the first golf course in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Following the completion of the Sea Marsh Course in 1964 and Harbour Town Golf Links in 1969, The Sea Pines Resort became world-famous as the hands-down champion of Hilton Head Island golf resorts. In the days since, the Sea Marsh Course has been meticulously redesigned, re-emerging as Heron Point by Pete Dye ... a challenging but fair layout considered nothing short of a modern masterpiece. Please browse recent accolades for our courses listed below.

Harbour Town Golf Links

* Ranked #67 in GOLF Magazine’s list of the top 100 courses in the world

* Scored a unique “triple crown” in Golfweek Magazine, as #25 in its list of America’s Top 100 Modern Courses, the #12 resort course in the nation, and #2 overall in terms of public access courses in the State of South Carolina

* Named one of the top 20 courses in the country by Golf Digest and Golf Weekly

* Ranked #14 among America's 100 Greatest courses you can play by Golf Digest

* Ranked #2 Course in South Carolina on the list of “Best Courses Near You” GOLF Magazine

* Named One of the 10 Most Beautiful Courses in the Country by ForbesTraveler.com

* Designated as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary"



The Ocean Course

* Awarded the “Beginner Friendly” Certification from the National Golf Course Owners Association

* Redesigned in 1995 and designated as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary"

Heron Point by Pete Dye

* Named one of the “Best Places to Play“ by Golf Digest

* Ranked the #15 course in South Carolina on the list of “Best Courses Near You” by GOLF Magazine

* Designated as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary"

The Golf Academy at Sea Pines

* Ranked among the top 10 golf schools in the United States by GOLF Magazine and Travel Magazine

* Head Teaching Professional, Rick Barry named to an exclusive list of Top 100 Teachers by GOLF Magazine

* Director of Golf Academy, Skip Malek named Carolina’s PGA Teacher of the Year