Hilton Head Island

South Carolina's Hilton Head Island is one of the east coast's most popular golf destinations. Combined with Bluffton next door there are scores of lowcountry golf courses to choose from. Although Hilton Head Island is only 12 miles by five miles wide, it boasts more than 250 restaurants and 24 championship courses. It's a well known destination among golfers from all over the world, boasting layouts crafted by course-design legends including Robert Trent Jones Sr., Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus.

Sea Pines was the island's first resort and its Harbour Town Golf Links is still home to the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage event. Sea Pines also offers Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III, which boasts one of only two oceanfront holes on the island, and the notorious Heron Point Course by Pete Dye.

Another multi-course resort, Palmetto Dunes is also among Hilton Head's most popular golf destinations. The oceanfront resort boasts three championship golf courses designed by Arthur Hills, George Fazio and Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Not every must-play course on the island is at a resort. Oyster Reef, Dolphin Head and 36-hole Palmetto Hall are semi-private favorites. Venture off the island along Highway 278 and you can score a little deeper value at such facilities as Hilton Head National, Old South and Crescent Pointe.

Summer time is a popular time to visit Hilton Head for beaches and swimming, while the spring and fall seasons are ideal for golf and tennis. It's always the season of fun on Hilton Head Island.