Hilton Head Life

Island West Golf Course

Island West is an 18 hole public golf course located on 278 in Bluffton, near Sun City.

My timing there was bad -- I showed up to play right before a golf league started. After I played the back nine they told me the 1st tee was backed up. I had to play the back nine again. Oh well.

The half of Island West I played (twice) was in good condition for a fair price, $50 for 18 holes with a cart. The holes were long and challenging, but the course did not have as much natural scenery as other local courses.

I'll play Island West again, but next time I'm starting at the first tee.

Phone: 843-815-6660

Old South Golf Links

Played 18 holes at the Old South Golf Links in Bluffton last week. The course is located on Rt. 278 right before the bridge to Hilton Head.

The third week in April is one of the busiest golf weeks of the season. So when I wandered into the pro shop, around 2:00 PM, all alone, trying to get out onto the course, I started wondering whether I'd actually make it out.

The busy staff at Old South Golf treated me like gold. I can't say enough how friendly and professional the staff was. They even drove me right out to the 9th tee. 18 holes of golf and a cart was an even $50.

The course is challenging and very well maintained. It's also pretty forgiving (wide open fairways), except for a few tight, tough holes near a marsh on the front 9.

The "no see um's" came out in force at dusk, so don't forget your bug spray.

This course should not be missed during a golf trip through Hilton Head. For tee times, go here: Old South Golf Links.

Phone: 843-837-7155

Crescent Pointe Golf Course

There are two "Pointe" golf courses located in Bluffton, SC: Crescent Pointe and Eagle's Pointe. The extra "e" on the "Pointe" confuses me.  Why didn't they just name the clubs "Crescent Point" and "Eagle's Point"? 

The word "Pointe" defined: "In ballet, dancing that is performed on the tips of the toes."  My golf game will never apply to that!

Anyway, in September 2005, I had the pleasure of playing at the Crescent Pointe Golf Course. This Arnold Palmer designed signature golf course is one of the finest Public Golf Courses in the Hilton Head/Bluffton area. The course is challenging and well maintained -- and you can tell each hole was crafted with care.

The course, located right on US278 on your way to Hilton Head, flows around a development of houses, marshland and manmade lagoons. Luckily, we had the earliest tee time that day and played the course wide open.

All golf carts are equipped with GPS navigation and the staff both friendly and attentive. We warmed up at a good sized driving range for a few dollars more.

Many of the holes were designed around challenging natural obstacles, like a row of trees that juts out into the Par 5 third hole. The picturesque Par 3 ninth hole goes 200 yards over a scenic tidal marsh, which is now home to several of my Callaway golf balls.

Fees were in total around $100 per person for carts, driving range time, 18 holes and some extra new balls. For the quality of this course, this was a good deal. Look in the Hilton Head Golf brochures and you may find a coupon to play both Crescent Pointe and Eagle's Pointe for one, lower price.

I'll be back to Crescent Pointe. But I have to practice and buy more balls first.

Phone: 843-706-2600

Executive Golf Club

I'm decided to try and improve my game so I won't embarrass myself when I play the nicer courses of Hilton Head Island. I have not touched a golf club since August of last year. So when I decided to get back into the swing of things (intended) I paid a visit to the Executive Golf Club in Bluffton (right next to the Hilton Head National Golf Club).

It's a short 9 hole Par 3 course. No hills. Perfect! The first hole is 200 yards or so and then the rest of the holes are in the 100-130 yard range except for the 300 yard or so 8th.

The most difficult hole is the 7th, an 80 yard (the shortest on the course) chip shot with a green surrounded on all sides by water.  Also, you'll want to aim to the right on the 9th to avoid losing a ball in the tall grass.

The greens are in rough shape. If you putt to within a foot of the hole, it should be considered in. This is not the course to warm up on your putting game. But if you want to loosen up and get used to swinging your irons again this is the place to do it in Bluffton.

What I like about the course is that everyone else who plays here is just like me -- they aren't very good. I went out twice in January and I was the only one on the course. There is nothing like golfing when there's no pressure on how long you take to take your next shot.

Fees are an affordable $12.50 for nine and $10 more if you go around again. So you really can't complain about the course conditions.

Note: you won't need to rent a cart (or a pull cart) here.

Phone: 843-837-6400