The Scenic Sixth
The par-3 6th hole offers not just a challenging mid-to-long iron but a stunning view over Port Royal Sound. It’s often cited as one of the island’s finest vistas and a spot where Hilton Head’s lowcountry marshes put on a show.
The verdict
Scenic, Strategic, Classic Lowcountry Play
Oyster Reef offers a blend of memorable Lowcountry scenery, strong shot values, and inviting pace for Hilton Head visitors. Expect clever routing, multi-tiered greens, and a layout that rewards both accuracy and nerve. While it isn’t Hilton Head’s most exclusive or difficult, it’s a must-play for golfers seeking a true resort golf experience in a lush, marshy setting.
Course DNA
Difficulty
72
Scenery86
Conditioning80
Shot Variety77
Walkability65
Green Complexity80
Wow Factor78
Design Quality76
Don't miss
Pause at the 6th tee for a photo—it's one of Hilton Head's most striking marshland golf views.
At a glance
Quick facts
Developer
Hilton Head Plantation
Acres
190
Bunker Renovation
Rees Jones, 2018
Clubhouse Update
2015 overhaul, LagerHead Tavern
Practice Facilities
Full-range & putting green
Course Highlight
Views across Port Royal Sound
Top Course Newcomer
Golf Digest, 1982
The design
The architecture
Oyster Reef’s design captures the best of the South Carolina Lowcountry—tree-lined fairways, lagoons, and marshes shaping the strategy on nearly every hole. Rees Jones’ routing snakes through 190 acres of live oaks and pines, with clever use of water and deep bunkering demanding accurate placement and decision-making. The greens are multi-tiered, challenging, and frequently elevated, rewarding nerves and a precise short game. Wind from Port Royal Sound can transform certain holes, so smart club selection and course management are as vital as raw power.
Rees Jones balanced classic risk-reward elements with natural Hilton Head landscapes, creating an experience both playable and challenging for all skill levels.
Defining features
- Multi-tiered, undulating greens
- Sweeping marsh views and lagoons in play
- Strategic water hazards and deep bunkers
- Strong par 4s balanced by tempting par 5s
- Majestic live oaks and coastal pines lining corridors
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 6
Port Royal Vista
PAR
3
YARDAGE
197
A picture-perfect par 3 playing across a marsh to a green perched with panoramic views of Port Royal Sound. Club selection is tricky as the wind often swirls, making the challenge more than just visual.
Play it smart
Favor the center of the green—over-aggressiveness brings water and bunker trouble into play.
Where it bites
Miss left or short and you’ll be wet, but long is no picnic with deep bunkers looming.
Course management
Shots to think about
Facing coastal breezes on 3 or 6
Trust the wind read and avoid over-clubbing; center-green is your friend.
Tough tee ball on the 8th
Commit to a controlled drive—error short and right for a longer but safer approach.
Tempted by the 9th green in two
Only attack if you're truly in position; otherwise, play smart and lay up for a wedge.
Approach shot to a multi-tiered green
Know the pin's tier; missing on the wrong level can cost strokes.
Second shot on the 15th par 5
Don't press for length—take a smart layup for a clear angle into the green.
Nervy closing holes in the wind
Club up and play to the largest landing zones; don't let fatigue prompt risky decisions.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Lush, well-maintained fairways and greens with true rolls.
Pace
Resort-style pace—generally steady but can back up at peak times.
Vibe
Friendly, casual resort golf atmosphere with a touch of Lowcountry charm.
Dress code
Collared shirts and golf attire recommended; confirm up-to-date details with the club.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Book in Advance
Prime tee times go fast, especially in peak season and during Hilton Head events.
02
Bring Wind-ready Gear
Hilton Head’s coastal breezes are real—pack for variable conditions, including wind shirts and a rangefinder with slope.
03
Practice Mid-Iron Accuracy
Long par 3s and tough approaches demand reliable distance control and solid ballstriking.
04
Check Clubhouse Hours
LagerHead Tavern and facilities’ schedules may vary; verify for 19th hole plans.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1982
Oyster Reef Golf Club opens as a Rees Jones design
- 1982
Recognized as one of Top 25 New Courses in America by Golf Digest
- 2002
Major course update by Roger Rulewich (notably on the 10th hole)
- 2015
Clubhouse renovations and new LagerHead Tavern debut
- 2018
Rees Jones leads bunker restoration/remodel to revive original flair
- 2020
Listed among Top 20 courses in Carolinas by Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Planes Over the Pines
Located near the Hilton Head Airport, Oyster Reef gets regular flyovers from arriving and departing planes, adding a unique, dynamic energy and quirk to the course’s marshland ambiance.
Back Nine Transformation
The renovation in 2002 elevated the fairway on the signature par-5 10th, reshaping it into a more striking risk-reward hole and adding visible drama to the back nine’s start.
The Opening Applause
When it debuted, Oyster Reef drew national attention as one of Golf Digest’s Top 25 New Courses in America—a major coup for a Hilton Head public course in the golf-crazy 1980s.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Planes landing at the Hilton Head Airport often buzz the course.
2
Rees Jones returned in 2018 for a comprehensive bunker restoration, 36 years after his original design.
3
The course was recognized in its debut year as one of the Top 25 New Courses in America by Golf Digest.
4
Oyster Reef spans 190 acres—almost entirely routed through lush, tree-lined coastal lowcountry.
5
The 6th hole is a favorite among both locals and architecture critics for scenic drama.
Build the trip
If you're making a Hilton Head golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Harbour Town Golf Links
Resort
Play one of the nation's iconic finishes under the lighthouse—PGA Tour host.
Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III
Resort
Modern design and fresh Sea Pines atmosphere with ocean breezes.
Heron Point by Pete Dye
Resort
Strategic Dye challenge with bold contours and fast greens.
Old South Golf Links
Public
Less expensive, fun marshland golf just over the bridge in Bluffton.
Hilton Head National
Public
Best-value quality for daily fee golfers in the area.
Mid-island Hilton Head or Bluffton for easy access to courses and restaurants.
Course DNA
If You Like Oyster Reef Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.9
The Sagamore Golf Course
Bolton Landing, New YorkScenery
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Sagamore Golf Course's own setting.
Strong DNA Match8.4
The Links at Spanish Bay
Pebble Beach, CaliforniaScenery
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Links at Spanish Bay's own setting.
Strong DNA Match8.7
Sutton Bay
Agar, South DakotaScenery
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in Sutton Bay's own setting.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?