Trip Ideas Golf Vacations Why You Should Plan a Golf Trip to Hilton Head Island Play on Harbour Town Golf Links, the same course as past champions like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and the late Payne Stewart — or choose from more than 30 other local courses. By Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Instagram Patricia Doherty brings a wide variety of experiences to her writing. Her background includes the airline industry, corporate management, education, writing, and editing. Combining this with her love of travel, she has spent the past five years writing for Travel + Leisure's digital edition and other publications, covering destinations, resorts, cruises, luggage, restaurants, and travel guides. She'll tell you that without question, she has finally found the perfect career. * 10+ years of experience working at United Airlines, where she recruited flight attendants, pilots, and ground personnel, and held management roles in customer service, inflight services, and human resources * 15+ years of experience working in human resources management in the tech and financial industries * 11 years of experience teaching English language arts at a middle school in California's Coachella Valley, where she formed a writers' club for students interested in creative writing * Edited the book "The Urban School Improvement Plan" by author Julius Lockett * Received a bachelor's degree in English and communication arts from St. John's University in New York City * Received a master's degree in reading and language arts from the California State University, San Bernardino Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 11, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Courtesy of Hilton Head Island For weekend golfers everywhere, a trip to Hilton Head Island tops their wish lists. The reasons are clear: 24 world class courses, ideal weather year-round, and lots to do après-golf. Delicious seafood, lowcountry specialties like gumbo and peach cobbler, and stunning scenery just enhance the experience. The annual RBC Heritage Tournament, a PGA event, is played on the Harbour Town Golf Links, a favorite of both tour pros and spectators. Golfers around the world get to see Hilton Head Island, as the tournament is broadcast in 23 languages to 226 countries. They recognize the familiar red and white stripes of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse, an iconic guide for golfers on the 18th tee. It's very likely that quite a few golf trips are planned in the days following the tournament at Harbour Town — what golfer wouldn't want to play on the same course as past champions like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and the late Payne Stewart? Tony Roberts/Getty Images Many of the best Hilton Head Island golf courses are open to the public. In addition to the famed Harbour Town Golf Links, Sea Pines Resort also features Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes, designed by David Love III as a complete reconstruction of the resort's original Ocean Course. At Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, golfers can choose from courses designed by Arthur Hills, George Fazio, and Robert Trent Jones. The Country Club of Hilton Head offers 18 holes set in pine forests along the Intracoastal Waterway. Many other public courses are available to golfers who want to plan a trip to Hilton Head Island, and like course style and difficulty, rates vary widely. A golf vacation can include families and non-golfers as well. At Sea Pines Resort, for example, guests enjoy the spa, fitness center, and seasonal family events like Curbside Crafts To Go or the Savor Sea Pines Culinary Festival. A pool, equestrian center, and marina might tempt golfers away from the course for a day or two. In other words, Hilton Head Island is not just a spectacular golf destination, but an ideal vacation destination as well. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit