Phrases: Graham McKenzie
As any individual who has performed Golf most of his grownup life and has been travelling to the USA for a similar period of time, I’ve typically examine it, watched movies of it, talked about it and even dreamt about it however till April earlier this yr I had by no means been to Hilton Head Island. Now I do know what the fuss is all about.
I feel I’ll discovered the virtually excellent {golfing} vacation spot. Aside from the actually world class programs the island additionally provides an in depth vary of publish golf actions.  The picturesque coast of South Carolina options pristine seashores, gorgeous landscapes, and a group of excellent eating places and bars serving quite a lot of native seasonal meals. And if this was not sufficient for these of you within the ‘Attenborough’ technology (who isn’t  ?) this charming island provides distinctive alternatives to look at all kinds of wildlife.
HILTON HEAD APPEAL
Mendacity on the coronary heart of Hilton Head’s enchantment is, nevertheless, its exceptional assortment of golf programs. The island showcases quite a lot of meticulously designed programs, every providing a singular problem and aesthetic pleasure. Famend course architects have crafted these greens, remodeling the island’s pure magnificence into awe-inspiring fairways, undulating greens, and strategically positioned hazards.
From the long-lasting Harbour City Golf Hyperlinks, with its iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse, to the beautiful designs of Arthur Hills, Robert Trent Jones and Davis Love to call only a few  Hilton Head’s golf choices cater to gamers of all talent ranges. At my talent degree (WHS 10.7)  I undertook to play Palmetto Dunes and Atlantic Dunes.
START OF MY GOLFING JOURNEY
First up was the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island which is a world-class golf vacation spot that provides not one not two however three championship golf programs: The Robert Trent Oceanfront Course, The George Fazio Course, and the Arthur Hills Course.
These are designed by a few of the finest within the enterprise and supply a singular {golfing} expertise. The resort is nestled on three miles of Atlantic Ocean Beachfront and is, fairly frankly, an incredible shot within the arm when you could have simply come from a gray, drizzly, dreary winter in the UK.
Given the problem set on the Robert Trent Jones getting such a lift was the least of my issues because the lagoon that winds by greater than half the course required a talent degree above mine and half the time, I used to be taking a shot at midnight not within the arm. The Par-5 tenth gap begins lengthy and exhausting however reveals an inspiring view of the ocean. The design, the views, the wildlife, the top-quality greens and the meticulous manicuring provides rise to a very fabulous facility.
THE MUST PLAY ATLANTIC DUNES
Subsequent day it was off to the Davis Love III designed Atlantic Dunes. A relative newcomer to the Hilton Head scene however none the more severe for that.  I say newcomer as it’s the truth is an entire rebuild of the resort’s historic Ocean Course, the primary ever constructed on Hilton Head Island. The ‘new’ course was designed by Davis Love III and lead architect Scot Sherman, who’ve original completely rebuilt holes to accommodate the gap trendy golf photographs go, or at the very least a few of them go,  and to border scenic corridors.  The hall impact is current nearly all through your entire structure and is mixed with an array of grasses matching the superior strains at different programs throughout the Island.
The arrange has absolute gorgeous pure magnificence and when mixed with a difficult arrange it rocketed straight into my prime ten programs of all time . It includes a sequence of lengthy par 4s guarded by bunkers and water hazards, a number of holes that supply magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and tens of 1000’s of indigenous crops along with the grasses that full the seaside really feel.
In abstract, Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III is a must-play golf vacation spot that provides a singular {golfing} expertise.
THE BEST VIEW OF THE TOURNAMENT
One course I’ve not talked about is probably the very best recognized on the Island and that’s the Harbour City hyperlinks which is house to the RBC Heritage PGA Match. In 2023 this additionally had the standing of a PGA ‘Elevated’ occasion i.e., all the highest gamers on the planet are presupposed to be there. Certainly, with one exception that being the person from Northern Eire , the globes prime exponents had been in attendance. I, as a large added bonus, had a floor ground room immediately reverse the primary tee inside the lodging block referred to as the Membership Home.
When you EVER get an opportunity to remain, there achieve this. Not solely are the rooms giant, well-appointed and splendid however in addition they afford you a direct view of the trials and tribulations of going off the primary. In my case for probably the most prestigious golf tournaments on the planet however even at different occasions watching amateurs it might be fascinating.
For me it was intriguing to look at the publish drive behaviour of the professionals. Some had been engaged in mild conversations with their caddies or opponents, others went solo while chewing gum or consuming in all probability their fifth banana of the day. Â For the fortunate ones who had striped one down the center the fashion of stroll was a mash up of assured strides blended with the aforementioned McIlroy fashion of lollop come skip when he’s enjoying effectively.
GOD SAVE THE YORKSHIREMAN
This yr’s event got here all the way down to a play-off between Americas favorite son Jordan Speith versus our lad from Yorkshire Matt Fitzpatrick. On each the primary and second play off holes the Ryder Cup sort chants of U-S-A , U-S-A competed with our small refrain of God Save the King. Lastly on Harbour City Hyperlinks signature gap, the 18th ,  Fitzpatrick put a 9 iron from 170 yds to about eighteen inches and subsequently closed out the event. A lot merriment was had by me and my fellow Brits.
In essence, the attract of {golfing} on Hilton Head Island transcends the bizarre. It’s a vacation spot that caters to the golfer’s ardour, provides a fascinating atmosphere, and offers an beautiful steadiness between problem and serenity. Whether or not you’re an avid golfer looking for new fairways to overcome or a traveller looking for a singular escape, Hilton Head Island guarantees a {golfing} expertise that’s as memorable as it’s rewarding.
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