Few golf courses in the world can rival the legacy of Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island. Known for its iconic red-and-white lighthouse backdrop and its role as host to the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, this storied course has long been the crown jewel of Hilton Head real estate and the heartbeat of Sea Pines Resort. Now, after an extensive renovation, Harbour Town Golf Links is back, better than ever.
A Legendary Course, Restored
Originally designed in 1969 by Pete Dye with help from his wife Alice and a young Jack Nicklaus, Harbour Town redefined modern golf course architecture. Its narrow fairways, small greens, and strategic bunkering demanded precision over power, a course designed to test every facet of a player’s game.
More than half a century later, that legacy endures. But even legends need a little polish. In 2025, five-time RBC Heritage champion Davis Love III and his firm Love Golf Design led a full restoration of the course, returning it to Dye’s original vision while upgrading the infrastructure to modern championship standards.
What’s New at Harbour Town
The renovations focused on enhancing playability, sustainability, and aesthetics, without losing an ounce of Harbour Town’s charm.
Highlights include:
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Greens Restored: Every green was rebuilt to its original size and shape, resurfaced with new TifEagle Bermuda grass, and equipped with advanced drainage and Capillary Concrete liners for more consistent play.
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Bunkers Reimagined: Bunkers were completely rebuilt with new sand and liners. Some pot bunkers were reshaped into traditional layered sod bunkers, while others were softened for improved maintenance and playability.
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Underground Upgrades: The project included a brand-new irrigation and drainage system, ensuring firmer, faster playing surfaces year-round.
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Cart Path Enhancements: Many asphalt paths were replaced with crushed limestone or natural sand, improving both the visual flow and the walking experience.
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New Landscaping: New pines and oaks were planted, particularly between holes 10 and 16, to enhance the course’s natural beauty and visual balance.
While these updates have modernized the infrastructure, the heart of Dye’s design remains intact. Golfers will still face the same shot values and risk-reward decisions that have defined Harbour Town since Arnold Palmer’s inaugural RBC Heritage win in 1969.
Designed for Champions...and You
The restoration ensures championship-level conditions not just for PGA TOUR pros, but also for guests of The Sea Pines Resort who tee it up daily on the same fairways as legends like Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and Tom Watson. The goal was simple: preserve the soul of Harbour Town while elevating the experience for future generations.
A Broader Vision for Sea Pines Golf
This project follows several years of investment into Sea Pines Resort’s golf portfolio. In 2021, Sea Pines Country Club completed its own two-phase enhancement plan, featuring a new short-game area, regrassed tees and fairways, and upgraded practice facilities. Combined with Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Heron Point by Pete Dye, Sea Pines now offers three world-class courses that showcase the best of Hilton Head Island golf.
Visit Harbour Town Golf Links
With renovations complete and the course officially reopened in November 2025, Harbour Town Golf Links reclaims its place as one of golf’s great treasures. Whether you’re chasing a bucket-list round, planning your next Hilton Head golf getaway, or considering Sea Pines real estate for a lifetime connection to this storied community, there’s never been a better time to experience this Lowcountry icon.
