Anyone on Golf-HH? Need opinions!

[Simba's Mom]

Has anyone golfed at any of the courses on HHIsland? DH and I are going in March, and he's promised to only golf once while there. However, he really wants that once to be at some very well-known, but expensive course (I don't know, I think he said it had a lighthouse-Harbortown?) Does anyone know about it? Is it really worth it? Apparently this is a pretty pricey course. What other courses is anyone familiar with that you might recommend?

 

[new_yawka]

You are thinking about the Harbortown Golf Links. It is one of three courses at Sea Pines. I have played one of the other two courses (the Sea Pines Course, the third is Sea Marsh).

In any event Harbortown is by far the most expensive course on the Island (prices from $225-$250 per round are not unusual). There are many other beautiful and challenging courses on the Island. That said, if your DH wants to play somewhere where he can tell his friends (as they watch the PGA on tour) "Oh, I remember that sand bunker....." or "wow it took me 6 putts on that green" or more likely "I made that green in 2"(Wink wink!), Harbortown is THE course on HHI.

Being only a fair golfer myself, I opted for one of the $100 courses (that's relatively inexpensive for HHI). It was a beautiful round on a well groomed course.

If you are staying at Disney's HHI resort, Harbortown is about 15-20 minutes drive. There are 3 courses across the highway at Palmetto Dunes (less than 5 minutes) which are all suppose to be excellent. I unsderstand the Arthur Hills course (more expensive) is very challenging.

Golfing is one of the main things to do on HHI...I hope he enjoys.

One tip...If you like mini golf...there is a mini golf course on which all 18 holes are "miniature" versions of the signature holes on the Islands most well known courses. It is a fun way for him to "re-live" a golf round, while spending time with the family. Sorry I do not recall the name, but it is located at a family fun center right on route 278 (the main road)

 

[Disneyaholic]

You might want to call the HHI resort (843-341-4100) and ask them if they can send you one of the little golfing guides that are free all over the island. They don't necessarily describe every single course (they're basically advertising tools), but you can get a lot of information about the courses from them.

Also, ask them to send you the golf rate chart. This is something that you can request when you check in -- they don't normally just give it in your welcome packet. Even if they don't have the rates for the time you're going to HH, you will be able to get an idea of what the costs of the various courses are.

DH and DS love golfing on HH. I think their favorites are the Golden Bear at Indigo Run and the Tom Fazio course at Palmetto Dunes (which was closed for complete renovation this summer, so it may be a little different than it was before). They also like the Shipyard course. All of these are fairly close to the Disney resort.

If he'd like to play more golf (i.e., less expensive), there are several new courses further towards the mainland (Fuzzy Zoeller's Island West, Rose Hill, etc.) I'm sure they're great courses, they're just not quite as convenient.

 

[drusba]

Harbourtown is the one he is talking about in the Sea Pines area. If your objective is to be able to say you played the course the pro's play and don't mind the huge price then by all means play it. Be aware though that this course is essentially "target" golf with narrow fairways, lots of trees, lots of trouble around the greens and is a typical Pete Dye designed course that (a) hides trouble in many places so you hit into it off the tee because you don't know it is there, (b) makes all the longest par 4's play into the prevailing wind.

Personal view is that a more enjoyable golf experience can be had at the Palmetto Dunes area courses (particularly the Fazio course) for which discounts are available to DVC members staying at HH and which are very close to Disney's resort.

 

[vernon]

I played Harbour town last Xmas, I think the cost was $180 for the round. More than I would usually pay but I did get a decent deal to play that course and the other two courses at Sea Pines. The 18th is a great hole, probably one of the most famous in golf, for me it was probably worth the cost of the round to walk off there with a par 4, having played the hole about as well as I can play the game.
http:www.seapines.com I think is their website.

 

[Cora]

For what it's worth my husband has golfed Indigo Run and the Shipyard and has liked both. I think he prefers the Shipyard since he's golfed it twice.
Cora