 SEA PINES RESORT Heron Point Course (843-842-8484)
Hilton Head Golf Course Review
General Information
As a vast, 5,000-acre oceanfront retreat, The Sea Pines Resort has enthralled generations of travelers and guests for more than 50 years. Home of the annual Horizon Heritage PGA Golf Tournament, Sea Pines combines unparalleled golf with award winning tennis, world-class luxury accommodations, gourmet restaurants, and upscale amenities and service on a landscape that is bordered by the Atlantic and Calibogue Sound - offering breathtaking views. For more info on the resort, click here to visit the properties' website.
Two of the three championship courses are serviced by the same clubhouse and practice facilities, with the Harbour Town Course situated on its own. Heron Point by Pete Dye, and the Ocean Course (George Cobb renovated by mark McCumber) feature a clubhouse with spacious pro shop, restaurant/lounge, plus locker rooms with showers. The practice facilities include 2 putting greens and a targeted grass range. The Golf Academy at Sea Pines features a wide variety of instructional programs for all skill levels. Harbour Town
All three courses utilize the same marking systems, with sprinkler heads measured to the front, center and back of the greens. There are 150 yard stakes on all par fours and fives, yardage plates on the tee boxes of all par threes, and permanent 100, 150 and 200 yard markers (250 on par fives) on the cart paths as well. Pin placement sheets are mounted on all carts, which also feature coolers and rear weather covers to protect clubs during inclement weather.
Heron Pointe Review
Originally opened in 1967, Heron Pointe is the newest of the three championship layouts on property, as it was re-designed by Pete Dye in 2007. This Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary course features Mini Verde Greens - the same used by the newly renovated and famous TPC Sawgrass in Florida. The 9 million dollar makeover also included the crafting of new hills, slopes and bunkers, relocation of lagoons and addition of wooden and grass retaining walls on some of the green complexes that feature water hazards.
There are 13 holes that have water in play in some shape or form, and 57 soft sand bunkers line the fairways or are strategically places greenside. The tree lined fairways usually have ample landing zones, but golfers will be challenged to reach the small to medium size, raised green complexes that are often crowned on multiple sides. Swales, collection areas and drop offs will result in some tough up and down situations - demanding a good short game. Miss the undulating greens and pars are a tough proposition.
The views of the marshlands and neighboring forest make play here memorable, but golfers will need a high level of concentration - especially on the approaches, to score well. There are 7 sets of tee areas that play to distances and slopes measuring 7103 yards/143 slope, 7007 yards/142 slope, 6625 yards/135 slope, 6168 yards/127 slope for men and 139 for women, 5802 yards/123 slope for men and 133 for women, 5261 yards/112 slope for men and 123 for the ladies, and the family tees play to 3742 yards.
For more info, visit our page for the course, with a direct link to their website by clicking here.
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