 PORT ROYAL GOLF CLUB Barony Course (843-689-4653)
Hilton Head Golf Course Review
The Port Royal Golf Club includes three championship courses serviced by the same clubhouse and practice facilities, providing a convenient and varied experience unmatched on Hilton Head Island. The three course configuration is part of the Heritage Golf Group, which also features the two courses at Palmetto Hall, 27 holes at shipyard and the 18-hole Oyster Reff design. For more info and to book tee times at any of the 7 courses, visit the Heritage Group website by clicking on www.hiltonheadgolf.net .
The clubhouse at Port Royal includes a full service pro shop, restaurant/lounge serving lunch items from about 10:30 am - 6 pm, plus a nice wrap around 6,800 square foot outdoor patio and superb banquet/outing facilities. This is an ideal setting for weddings and catered parties and special events. Practice facilities include a targeted grass range, short game area with sand bunker, plus large putting green. All golf carts are equipped with rear weather covers and ice chests. The John Jacobs School of Golf is also on property.
The marking system on all three courses is consistent, with pin placement sheets posted on each cart. 150 yard stakes are situated in the middle of the fairways, sprinkler heads are measured to the center of the green, and permanent 100, 150 and 200 yard markers (250 on par fives) are posted on the cart paths. The green complexes feature Champion Bermuda and the fairways and tee areas are over-seeded with rye for the winter months.
Barony Review
The Barony Course was designed by George W. Cobb in 1963 and features generous fairways and risk/reward approaches to smallish greens that are protected by deep bunkers and Bermuda rough. There are 77 sand bunkers in total, situated near the landing zones off the tee or positioned greenside, and water is a strong feature as 14 holes have hazards in play in some shape or form. The initial two holes are a good example, as number one features a pond that has to be carried on the approach, and the par three 2nd is nearly all carry over water.
The layout meanders through the resort community with nice stretches of seclusion, along a fairly level terrain with tree lined fairways that frequently bend in one direction or the other. Golfers who favor a right to left shot shape will appreciate the final three holes on the front side, as all three dogleg to the left. Barony also has its own version of "amen corner" on the back side featuring the par four 12th, short par four 13th, par three 14th and reachable par five 15th.
The Barony features 5 sets of tee boxes that play to distances and slopes measuring 6543 yards/137 slope, 6223 yards/125 slope, 5964 yards/121 slope, 5450 yards/116 slope and 5183 yards with a slope of 122 for women hitting from the forward tees. For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to the properties' website by clicking here.
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