Nearly 20 golf courses and resorts on and nearby Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, are offering stay-and-play packages throughout the summer. 400+ golf holes lie on this low country barrier island, on lovely courses alongside salt marshes beneath a dense canopy of pines and moss-draped live oaks. Palmer, Nicklaus, three Jones, two Fazios, Player, Hills and more legendary architects have designed the famous Hilton Head golf courses. Make reservations well in advance, as more than two million visitors a year vacation here!
- Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Summer Package: 3 nights at the newly renovated luxury resort, 2 rounds of golf at any of seven Heritage Collection courses and a 1-hour lesson with swing analysis. From $210 per golfer, per night, through July 25, 2014.
- Old South Golf Links Summer Fun Package: Just over the bridge in charming Bluffton. 2 nights at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3 rounds of golf including 1 round each at Old South Golf Links, Hampton Hall Golf Club and the Country Club of Hilton Head. Complimentary breakfast daily. From $325 per person through September 21, 2014.
- The Sea Pines Resort Stay-and-Play Villa Golf Package: 4nights in private villa accommodations. 1 round each at Harbour Town Golf Links and Ocean Course. Complimentary afternoon repeat rounds on the Ocean Course, range balls, 10% pro shop discount and 10% food and beverage discount. From $148 per golfer, per night through August 31, 2014.
- Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Summer Stay-and-Play Package: 3nights and play 3 rounds at each of the resort’s championship courses (Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills and George Fazio. 2 hours of tennis court time daily, preferred rates on other resort activities; dining and merchandise discounts. From $154 per golfer, per night through October 31, 2014.
Once you drive across the bridge onto Hilton Head, your choices include miles of bike paths, fishing and swimming in the surf, and fresh- and saltwater sports and cruises. For family and non-golfers in your group: Gullah heritage tours; the Coastal Discovery Museum; guided nature and history walks in the island preserves. Shopping on the island in 200 boutiques, galleries and department stores, and 3 outlet malls. Biking is popular on miles of trails and along miles of beaches, and horseback riding through a leafy forest preserve. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for exploring the creeks, marshes and inlets. Motor cruises and sailboats from around the world sail into the Harbour Town Yacht Basin, which is loaded with boutique shops and galleries, restaurants and watersports venues.
If you haven't been to Hilton Head lately, $200 million in upgrades have been completed in the past two years.
Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel and writes about Deep Culture Travel. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.
