May River Golf Club At Palmetto Bluff
Bluffton, SC, United States • Private
![may-river-palmetto-bluff](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/may-river-palmetto-bluff.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.544.suffix/1660564550160.jpeg)
Courtesy of the club
Overview
Built some 35 years after nearby Harbour Town Golf Links, May River is an interesting contrast in Jack Nicklaus's portfolio (Nicklaus was co-designer of Harbour Town with Pete Dye). It's an equally low-profile layout with a number of bump-and-run approach shots but with several Pine Valley-like waste areas and with larger, bolder greens. The classic routing has the front nine turning clockwise through forest while the back nine circles counter-clockwise, and each touch repeatedly on the wetlands of namesake May River. Gorgeous and mysterious at every turn, the course is at its best when it gets players thinking, like at the short par-4 seventh where they must decide to either lay up to an island of fairway or take a swipe at a shallow green situated on another small isthmus of land along the marsh, and the par-5 10th where a wetland crossing the fairway and several small centrally arranged pot bunkers put indecision into the second and third shots toward a green backed up against the river.
About
Awards
![100 Greatest Public](/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/awards/100GreatestPublic_FINAL.png)
![Best Courses in Every State](/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/awards/BestCoursesInEveryState_FINAL.png)
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2009.
Highest ranking: 22nd, 2009-'12.
Previous ranking: 48th.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 51.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 10, 2011-'18, 2021-'22. Ranked 11th, 2019-'20, 2023-'24.
2023-'24 ranking: 11th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“This is May be the more enjoyable and strategic courses on HHI. Lots of shot options with hero rewards, course in great condition with a private feel. Hole after hole is quality design and greens/runoff areas add to challenge."
Read More2023
Review
“This Jack Nicklaus designed course in a low country setting provides challenges for all levels of golfers. The course is bordered by dense woodland and many of the holes have water which can come into play on errant shots. The pristine conditioning and superior aesthetics are the strengths of the course. Off the tee box, there is generally ample room for the tee shot setting up what is often a challenging second shot. There is a premium to keeping the ball in the fairway as shots in the generally thick rough and trees can penalize your score. Raised and bowled shaped greens place importance on placement of the approach shot on the green. The greens are generally bordered by multiple front bunkers. The greens surrounds are often thinly cut aprons that do give the golfer options to chip or putt from off the green. The par 3s in particular had a number of unique characteristics. The short par 4 seventh hole provides an interesting challenge. A well-located tee shot is necessary to be able to attack a narrow green surrounded by marshland. Overall, the course provides a wonderful test of all of your shots in a beautiful, natural setting."
Read More2023
Review
“A very good solid design course with a little bit for everyone. Good condition."
Read More2023
Review
“Beautiful course. If you are in the area and are able to play it, it is worthy of your time and money!"
Read More2022
Review
“A very strong design with very few weak holes that caters to golfers who enjoy a pure golf experience with few houses lining the course and a layout that caters to the walking golfer."
Read More2021
Review
“One of my favorite low country courses. A good Nicklaus design that is always in good condition."
Read More2021
Review
“Very tough course that is a departure from traditional Nicklaus design principles (at least in regard to the tee shot and strategy into greens)."
Read More2021
Review
“Far too difficult to be enjoyed by lesser players, but an excellent experience and test for those with lower handicaps."
Read More2019
Review
“The setting is ideal but I found the course to be just a little too flat. Nice day of golf but nothing that you haven't seen before."
Read More2018
Review
“A Jack Nicklaus, local edition course. Every hole different. People were very good and very professional. Great practice facilities. Every hole is unique. Lots of risk reward target golf. Really enjoyed playing."
Read More2018
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