“A beloved Lowcountry classic and home of the RBC Heritage, this course retains its Southern charm and enduring legacy following recent renovations, reaffirming its place among America’s most iconic coastal courses.”
Spanning the southern third of Hilton Head Island and set across 5,000 oceanfront acres, the Sea Pines Resort has been a defining Lowcountry retreat for more than 60 years.
After a six-month restoration project, its signature attraction, Harbour Town Golf Links, has reopened. The course is currently ranked No. 27 among Golf Digest’s Top 100 Public Courses in the U.S. and No. 5 among the Best Courses in South Carolina.
Originally designed by renowned architect Pete Dye alongside his wife Alice Dye, with assistance from Jack Nicklaus, the course has hosted the RBC Heritage since opening in 1969. It is widely regarded as one of Dye’s most iconic creations and an early masterpiece in his celebrated career. Both PGA Tour professionals and amateur golfers consistently rank it among their favorites.
Harbour Town Golf Links 9th hole. Photo: Bill Hornstein
Harbour Town Golf Links 9th hole. Photo: Bill Hornstein
Through his firm Love Golf Design, led by architect Scot Sherman, Davis Love III served as a consultant on the project. The connection was natural. Love, a five-time winner of the RBC Heritage, grew up in the area and also designed Atlantic Dunes at Sea Pines Resort.
Rather than reimagine the course, Love and his team focused on preservation. By listening to feedback from multiple generations of PGA Tour players and club members, the goal was to maintain its championship integrity and character. The work centered on restoring greens, bunkers, and bulkheads to reflect the original design while meeting modern standards.
“Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Patrick Cantlay came to us unsolicited and said, ‘We heard you’re closing,’” recalled John Farrell, PGA director of sports operations at Sea Pines Resort. “They told us, ‘Please don’t change the integrity of this golf course. We love what it is.’”
Harbour Town Golf Links 16th hole. Photo: Bill Hornstein
Love embraced a “don’t mess it up” philosophy, prioritizing the course’s strategic shot values, iconic lighthouse backdrop, and distinct Lowcountry feel.
The updates focused on infrastructure and agronomy improvements without altering the course’s core identity. All green complexes, tees, bunkers, and bulkheads were replaced. ShotLink data and archival photos guided subtle refinements across every hole.
Some updates were minimal, including a rerouted cart path on Hole 1, restored bunkers on Hole 12, an expanded tee box on Hole 14, and a slightly enlarged green on the par-3 17th.
One of the most noticeable changes came on the par-5 fifth hole, where a large live oak was moved 18 feet to the left so its overhanging limbs once again protect the right side of the green.
Davis Love III, 5-time RBC Heritage winner
The course reopened in November 2025 to strong reviews.
For those who have played it before, it is worth a return visit. For first-time players, it offers a memorable experience. There is also the added appeal of playing a course that has long been a staple on the PGA Tour.
Harbour Town Golf Links remains one of golf’s most celebrated destinations.
