HHI Golf Recommendations, please!

[podsnel]

We'll be arriving at HHIR in just 8 days!!! I'm wondering about golf- where do you play? Is there a course not to be missed? What is closest? Are there any 9 hole courses? Should I reserve tee times now, or am I already too late? Thanks for any advice you have-

Ellen

 

[Simba's Mom]

We'll be arriving at HHIR in just 8 days!!! I'm wondering about golf- where do you play? Is there a course not to be missed? What is closest? Are there any 9 hole courses? Should I reserve tee times now, or am I already too late? Thanks for any advice you have-

Ellen

I asked DH, who always golfs several times at HHI. He said that Palmetto Dunes is closest, and he loves the RTJ course (but then, as he pointed out, he hasn't met a golf course he disliked). Although he didn't know of any courses specifically 9 holes, any 18 hole course he's played there has a 9 hole play option. He also enjoyed Oyster Reef and the Country Club at Hilton Head especially.

 

[Doctor P]

Palmetto Dunes are the closest courses. I have played Golden Bear, Oyster Reef, all three 9's at Hilton Head National (I played it on their 27 hole special), and the Arthur Hills course at Palmetto Hall. I do pay attention to what the round is going to cost me, so I have generally not chosen to play at Palmetto Dunes as they are quite a bit more expensive in the morning when I prefer to play. I have booked both Oyster Reef and Palmetto Hall online. I went through the DVC resort to book Golden Bear and Hilton Head National. I think that if I were going to recommend the courses, I would recommend them in this order: Hilton Head National (Weed is my favorite of the 9's there), Palmetto Hall, Osprey Ridge, and Golden Bear (pace of play was snail-like at the time I played).

 

[MarkyMouse]

I usually play HH National. Agreed the weed is my favorite. Nice driving range as well. I play with my 12 yr old son and we love the George Fazio course at Palmetto Dunes. They have a reasonable rate, especially if playing with a junior. The Palmer course offers decent rates and is a nice course as well.

 

[podsnel]

Thank-you so much, everyone, for all the fabulous advice! Trying to choose a couple of courses to play for a first time HHI visitor is a little overwhelming! One of the days, DH will golf with his DB, another they'll take DS11 & Dnephew9 with them. And I'd like to go at some point, too- we'll have to see how it works out....

Ellen
ps- my DH ALSO has never met a course he didn't like!

 

[jimmacmn]

Palmetto Dunes Plantation is right across the highway from the HHI units and and that is also where the beach access for Disney is on the Island. I took a golfing group to HHI a few years ago and we played 6 rounds. We decided not to play the Harbor Town Course as it was twice as expensive as most of the other courses. We did play the Robert Trent Jones and the Arthur Hills Courses at Palmetto Dunes and the Robert Cupp course at Palmetto Hall Plantation. We also played Cresent Point (a Plamer course) and Eagle Point (a Davis Love design) in the Bluffton area on the mainland. The Jones course at Palmetto Dunes was probably the best of the ones we played, but all were excellent. As with most of the costal area courses there was a lot of water and the water on the Aurthur Hills course on the first day of our trip really kicked my backside. I would play any of those courses again.

We made all of our golf reservations through the resort. At that time they had some small discounts at the courses and they were very helpful in selecting the courses to play.

Have fun, stay cool and avoid the gators!

 

[podsnel]

Palmetto Dunes Plantation is right across the highway from the HHI units and and that is also where the beach access for Disney is on the Island. I took a golfing group to HHI a few years ago and we played 6 rounds. We decided not to play the Harbor Town Course as it was twice as expensive as most of the other courses. We did play the Robert Trent Jones and the Arthur Hills Courses at Palmetto Dunes and the Robert Cupp course at Palmetto Hall Plantation. We also played Cresent Point (a Plamer course) and Eagle Point (a Davis Love design) in the Bluffton area on the mainland. The Jones course at Palmetto Dunes was probably the best of the ones we played, but all were excellent. As with most of the costal area courses there was a lot of water and the water on the Aurthur Hills course on the first day of our trip really kicked my backside. I would play any of those courses again.

We made all of our golf reservations through the resort. At that time they had some small discounts at the courses and they were very helpful in selecting the courses to play.

Have fun, stay cool and avoid the gators!

wonderful info, and I appreciate the gator advice! So did you make your reservations for the week once you were at the resort, or did you book through them ahead of time? What time of year was it?

Thanks for the help,
Ellen

 

[MinnieGi]

DH and I played our first rounds of HHI golf on the Fazio course at Palmetto Dunes. We were there the last week in June so a fairly busy time and were able to reserve when we got down there. All the PD courses had open spots. Actually because it is so hot the course was not crowded at all which is the way I like it - I'm a novice. PD was very convenient and we were able to meet up with my parents and our kids at the beach house once we were done playing for lunch. DH and I have already decided to do the PD Robert Trent Jones course for next year as it has an oceanfront hole.

Have a great time!!

 

[jimmacmn]

wonderful info, and I appreciate the gator advice! So did you make your reservations for the week once you were at the resort, or did you book through them ahead of time? What time of year was it?

Ellen

We went the first weekend in November. We were there Thursday afternoon to Monday morning. It was about 4 years ago this November. Weather was very pleasant the entire time.

We made our tee times through the desk at HHI at least several weeks before we went. I'm sure if you called them tomorrow they would be able to book something for you.

As to the gators, we saw two while we were at HHI. One was on the beach of a pond on the Davis Love course. It was a big 'un too. I'd bet it was somewhere between 10 and 14 feet. My brother hit a ball on the the gator's beach and was stupid enough to take his shot from that beach(he was about 20 yards from the gator). Made the green and a birdie too!! The second gator we saw was just off of a sand trap on one of the courses at Palmetto Hall. It was also a pretty big boy. Probably 8 to 10 feet. I've seen gators playing at WDW before but nothing close to the size of these bad boys

 

[podsnel]

DH and I played our first rounds of HHI golf on the Fazio course at Palmetto Dunes. We were there the last week in June so a fairly busy time and were able to reserve when we got down there. All the PD courses had open spots. Actually because it is so hot the course was not crowded at all which is the way I like it - I'm a novice. PD was very convenient and we were able to meet up with my parents and our kids at the beach house once we were done playing for lunch. DH and I have already decided to do the PD Robert Trent Jones course for next year as it has an oceanfront hole.

Have a great time!!

Thanks, MinnieGi- good to know, especially because I'm a novice, too. Playing an oceanfront course is beautiful- we did at Amelia Island Plantation several years ago and DH loved it there so much he went back on his annual boys trip with all of his college buddies.

Ellen

We went the first weekend in November. We were there Thursday afternoon to Monday morning. It was about 4 years ago this November. Weather was very pleasant the entire time.

We made our tee times through the desk at HHI at least several weeks before we went. I'm sure if you called them tomorrow they would be able to book something for you.

As to the gators, we saw two while we were at HHI. One was on the beach of a pond on the Davis Love course. It was a big 'un too. I'd bet it was somewhere between 10 and 14 feet. My brother hit a ball on the the gator's beach and was stupid enough to take his shot from that beach(he was about 20 yards from the gator). Made the green and a birdie too!! The second gator we saw was just off of a sand trap on one of the courses at Palmetto Hall. It was also a pretty big boy. Probably 8 to 10 feet. I've seen gators playing at WDW before but nothing close to the size of these bad boys

OK- I will call later this morning to see what's available. Hopefully they still have a nice discount at the PD courses so one day there, and one day at the weeds? with the sons. I wish they'd let me reserve bikes and sign up for the Mickey tie dye shirts in advance- we arrive on Monday, and I feel like we may miss out. I did see that we can get bikes elsewhere and that they'll help us find them, but I REALLY wanted to make the shirts for our DCL cruise in November!

Those are some BIG gators!!! Your brother must be a VERY calm golfer!!! I've never seen one in the wild, not even at WDW, but I have a feeling that may change next week!

Thanks again,
Ellen

 

[jersey joe]

Oyster Reef: great scenery nice condition
Island West: off mainland excellent cond. good rates
Old South: same as above
Palm. Dunes: all three courses nice to play
Off Island: Crescent Point and Eagles Point - Davis Love & Arnold Palmer Designs both good courses. Most courses are good for all ability levels.

As you can see, there are several nice layouts to play.
For Resies, I call the course direct and mention I am on the island. Also, Disney has a golf course rate listing.
Don't forget, there are twilight rates and the price drops. The courses are usually quiet.
If you are pressed for time, most courses offer 9 hiole rates.

Have a great time. Hit them Far and Straight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[podsnel]

Oyster Reef: great scenery nice condition
Island West: off mainland excellent cond. good rates
Old South: same as above
Palm. Dunes: all three courses nice to play
Off Island: Crescent Point and Eagles Point - Davis Love & Arnold Palmer Designs both good courses. Most courses are good for all ability levels.

As you can see, there are several nice layouts to play.
For Resies, I call the course direct and mention I am on the island. Also, Disney has a golf course rate listing.
Don't forget, there are twilight rates and the price drops. The courses are usually quiet.
If you are pressed for time, most courses offer 9 hiole rates.

Have a great time. Hit them Far and Straight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From your mouth to our clubs' ears!!!

Good to know most courses are good for everyone- I may be a novice, but my DH has been playing for 30 years- I have no doubt that if he won the lottery tomorrow, he'd hang a CLOSED sign on his office door and we'd be moving somewhere ON a golf course!!! Thanks for the help-

Ellen

 

[podsnel]

So I just called HHIR and the rates they quoted me are the same rates they have online at all the courses to the general public. Didn't some of you mention you got a great rate through Disney? Is there a special code I should mention, or was the CM I spoke with just not very knowledgable?

 

[Simba's Mom]

So I just called HHIR and the rates they quoted me are the same rates they have online at all the courses to the general public. Didn't some of you mention you got a great rate through Disney? Is there a special code I should mention, or was the CM I spoke with just not very knowledgable?

I kind of wonder about this, too. DH has reserved tee times both ways, sometimes directly with the course, sometimes thru the front desk of the resort. Reserving thru the front desk has never gotten him any kind of discount from the published fares. On the other hand, one course he called directly was very nice letting him know about discounts available if he changed times/dates a little.

 

[jersey joe]

Once you get on the island,get the Golfers Guide booklet. They will have coupons and discounts. We played [wife & I] the Crescent and Eagle Point course on consecutive days. They offer a discount rate if you play both courses during your visit. I forgot which course,but one of them has a great practice facility. They are both off the island, but worth the trip.

Also, I discovered that some hotel booking tee times for you, may charge a higher rate than if you called direct.

One word for HHI golf - HEAVEN ON EARTH Go PSU

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

We go on a golf trip every year and you can get discounted last minute tee times at several courses from last minute tee times (lmteetimes dot com). You call at 7PM for tee times the next day. A list of courses is on their website.

Courses we play every trip: Hilton Head National (Do not miss, the best course in the area for the money, not condo golf), Golden Bear (another well conditioned course) & Eagles Pointe.

Other good courses I've played: Oyster Reef, Robert Trent Jones in Palmetto Dunes, Robert Cupp in Palmetto Hall, Crescent Pointe, Country Club of Hilton Head (The only bad thing is unless your a member you can't go into the clubhouse, you have to use the snack bar window, you also start on the back nine).

Course to avoid at all cost: Island West.

We generally play the courses that we can get the last minute tee times for since it is good price for good courses. We also play at Shipyard because we get to play for just the cart fee (part of my Dad's timeshare agreement). We usually go back there for an additional 9 holes, I wouldn't pay going rate to play there.

 

[Doctor P]

So I just called HHIR and the rates they quoted me are the same rates they have online at all the courses to the general public. Didn't some of you mention you got a great rate through Disney? Is there a special code I should mention, or was the CM I spoke with just not very knowledgable?

Many of the rates are the same. Sometimes booking directly is cheaper, but the advantage to Disney's rates is that sometimes the resort's rates don't have the same time restrictions as those directly through the course. In addition, every time I have played under a Disney rate I seemed to be welcomed especially warmly by the course at which I was playing--they seem to appreciate the relationship with the hotels and value repeat business. I also have been able to get tee times further ahead using the Disney Guest Services.

 

[jimmacmn]

So I just called HHIR and the rates they quoted me are the same rates they have online at all the courses to the general public. Didn't some of you mention you got a great rate through Disney? Is there a special code I should mention, or was the CM I spoke with just not very knowledgable?

Ellen

I think I said we got some discounts by booking through Disney. Problem is that we went only once in November and it was 4 or 5 years ago. I may not have remembered the discounts correctly or Disney may have a different relationship with the courses now. I do remember that Disney made all of the tee times for us. I'm sorry if I misled you.

Jim

 

[podsnel]

Ellen

I think I said we got some discounts by booking through Disney. Problem is that we went only once in November and it was 4 or 5 years ago. I may not have remembered the discounts correctly or Disney may have a different relationship with the courses now. I do remember that Disney made all of the tee times for us. I'm sorry if I misled you.

Jim

Oh Jim! It's ok- nothing to be sorry about!! I have read elsewhere on these boards that people got discounts through the resort, maybe they only offer them at slower times and not in the height of the season... I am very, very grateful for your advice! Thanks!

Ellen

 

[podsnel]

...before we leave tomorrow!

DH booked HH National for 18 on Tuesday morning at 8:15, and we'll book another once we arrive and see when we can do a dolphin tour and kayaking- clubs are going in the van as we speak!!!

Thanks to all of the "pros" who helped us out!

Ellen