Pete Dye oversaw a $10 million refresh of Heron Point at Sea Pines Resort, and it's turned this Hilton Head layout into a seriously good alternative to Harbour Town. The fairways and greens were reworked throughout and new grasses introduced, sharpening the course's definition and adding a bit more variety from tee to green.
In classic Dye fashion, you'll find plenty of questions to answer. There are angles to think about off the tee, bunkers that really do punish the lazy miss and green surrounds that demand a tidy short game. Get out of position and you're not just chipping back on, you're plotting how to leave yourself the right side for an uphill putt.
Water features on a handful of holes add to the strategy rather than simply gobbling golf balls, so you'll often feel better off committing to a line and taking the club that matches it. The bunkering is classic Dye, deep and penal, with sharp-edged hazards that frame several key approach shots. If you enjoy proper course management, you'll have a lot of fun here.
Best of all, you're still in Sea Pines, so you get that polished resort feel and the option to build a strong multi-round itinerary without leaving the property. The course typically presents in excellent condition, benefiting from the same meticulous standards that have made Harbour Town a tour venue, and it's often a little easier to get on if you're planning your trip around multiple Sea Pines rounds.
Include Heron Point in your next Hilton Head golf holiday and pair it with the island's headline names for a cracking week of golf.
Who is this for? Golfers who like thinking their way round a course and want a strong Sea Pines round alongside Harbour Town, particularly mid to low handicappers who appreciate strategic architecture and don't mind being tested around the greens.
Who is it best for? Players who enjoy Pete Dye's design philosophy, value variety in their golf and want to experience a recently renovated championship-standard course that's still building its reputation. It's also ideal for groups staying at Sea Pines who want to play multiple rounds on different layouts without leaving the resort.