Best golf courses near Beaufort, SC

Pete Dye and his son P.B. did the early routing of Secession, but when they left in a dispute with the developer, Bruce Devlin, a PGA Tour veteran who’d previously designed courses with Robert von Hagge, stepped in and finished something much in keeping with the then-prevailing Dye philosophy of low profile architecture. Greens were set at ground grade, protected by low humps and pot bunkers with vertical stacked-sod faces. Still, Devlin invariably left open the fronts of greens for running approach shots. The site itself is a peninsula in marsh, with several holes on individual islands. Secession demands a complete game, both aerial and ground, particularly in steady ocean breezes.

Berkeley Hall's North Course is one of the best golf courses in South Carolina. Discover our experts reviews and where Berkeley Hall ranks in our latest rankings.

The Pete Dye course at Colleton River Club in Bluffton is one of the best courses in South Carolina. Discover our experts' reviews and where Colleton River Club ranks in our rankings

Old Tabby Links in Okatie is one of the best courses in South Carolina. Discover our experts' reviews and where Old Tabby Links ranks in our rankings

Located just down the road from Hilton Head National in Bluffton, Old South has few homes on the course (much like its neighbor), which helps immerse golfers in the lowcountry setting. Though the course is not overly challenging, water or marshes come into play on nearly every hole, often set well back from the line of play. There is a nice mix of holes—some play inland with trees lining the fairways, while there are stretches that run along a large marshland area. There are some forced carries over water, notably at the seventh and 16th, where the tees, fairways and greens are all separated by marshlands. With rates routinely under $100, Old South provides nice value in a region of generally pricey green fees.

Situated on the north end of Hilton Head Island, Oyster Reef is a Rees Jones design that plays on 190 acres of South Carolina lowcountry, weaving through lagoons, live oaks and pines. With plenty of doglegs through tree-lined corridors, the course demands accuracy off the tee to set up clear approach shots to the greens. There are some sprawling bunkers with jagged tongues that enhance the aesthetics and strategic value of the course. The par-3 sixth is the standout hole at Oyster Reef, as it plays to a green set against the Port Royal Sound, offering a serene ocean view.