Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III is one of three Sea Pines Resort courses and the sister course of Heron Point located at the Plantation Club. Atlantic Dunes is the best public Hilton Head has to offer, combining pristine conditions, a difficult layout, and beautiful views. Atlantic Dunes is consistently ranked in the top 10 public courses in South Carolina and was named the National Golf Course Owners Association’s (NGCOA) Course of the Year in 2018. There are only two holes on Hilton Head Island that have an ocean backdrop, the 15th hole at Atlantic Dunes is one of them. With tight tree lined fairways and water in play on almost every hole, a player must be mentally locked in on every shot to score well. Playing over 7,000 yards from the tips Atlantic Dunes leaves little room for error off the tee. This Love design offers a lot of risk/reward especially on the par 5’s and short par 4’s. The par 5’s are attackable in two, but with a risk as the shot window to the green is tight with two of the four surrounded by water. Most of the short par 4’s either have dog legs or water comes in to play, so club selection and ball placement is paramount. A great drive can result in being in a water hazard or OB. Atlantic Dunes requires precise approach shots as there are plenty of tough pin positions and tight shot windows with little room for error. Even after Hurricane Elsa, Atlantic Dunes was in immaculate condition. With perfectly manicured fairways and greens with no poa annua issues, and bunkers in pristine condition, Atlantic Dunes does an incredible job at maintaining the course. The Plantation Club has a great practice facility with a large driving range, short game and putting areas. While $189 is not cheap, it is a very fair price for a course of this caliber. For perspective, RTJ at Palmetto Dunes has a similar cost and isn’t even half of what Atlantic Dunes is! Atlantic Dunes is on par with some of the top PGA courses I’ve played. You are missing out if you do not play Atlantic Dunes during your stay on Hilton Head.
