350 Mount Pelia Rd,
Bluffton, South Carolina SC 29910
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Woodland and river wetlands.
Designer:
May River course: designed by Jack Nicklaus (2004).
Crossroads course: by Tad King & Rob Collins (2024).
Above distances are for the May River course. Also at Palmetto Bluff GC (located 3 mi SW of the May River course) is the nine-hole Crossroads course (par-36; 3265 yds from back tees; designed by Rob Collins & Tad King).
32.210125
-80.885373
8 miles W of Hilton Head Island
Approx 20 miles north of Savannah, leave I-95 at exit 8 and follow Hwy 278 direction Hilton Head Island. After approx 8 miles turn right onto SC 170 (Okatie Hwy). After approx 4 miles at first stop sign turn left onto SC 46 (May River Road). After approx 2 miles the entrance to Palmetto Bluff will be on your right. Proceed to Welcome Gate.
Palmetto Bluff (May River)
Palmetto Bluff Golf Club (May River course); set within the 20,000 acre river-island of Palmetto Bluff, the May River Golf Course has long been a highly-rated 18-hole Jack Nicklaus design. Recently it was joined by the King-Collins designed Crossroads layout ... a reversible nine-hole course, which can be played as "The Hammer" in one direction, and "The Press" in the opposite direction.
Weaving through the natural splendour of this South Carloina coastal forest, the May River course features several holes that sidle alongside or have you putting out on the banks of the river. Wide inviting fairways are strategically bunkered and on many occasions feature expansive natural waste areas.
Your nerve will be tested on the approach shots; the Bermuda-grassed greens are well guarded by white-sand bunkers and feature gentle undulating slopes to thoroughly challenge your putting skills. The back-nine features an equal number of par-3s, 4s and 5s, as the layout glides through the wonderfully natural environment. Golfers are encouraged to walk the course with a caddie, to best appreciate the majesty of the century-old live oaks and the inherent beauty of the South Carolina lowcountry landscape.
Pick of the holes: includes the par-3 6th, doglegging short par-4 7th, par-5 10th and par-3 14th, which are all played riverside.
Limited access: this private course is generally playable only by members, their invited guests, and guests staying at the Montage Palmetto Bluff.
Stay&Play at Palmetto Bluff: luxury nearby accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Tee-times available on a limited basis for resort guests staying at the Montage Palmetto Bluff.
Must book in advance.
Walking caddie, or golf cart and forecaddie, are compulsory for visitors.
Excellent
The May River and Crossroads golf courses are located on a 20,000-acre tract of land known as Palmetto Bluff. The Bluff extends from the headwaters of the May River near the town of Bluffton; to the east lie Bull and Daufuskie Islands across the Cooper River; ancient freshwater rice fields of the New River lie along its western edge.
The land mass defined by these three historic rivers is thus a natural island, one of the reasons it remains so pristine today. In addition to being home to the Palmetto Bluff Golf Club, the area of Palmetto Bluff is home to a thriving residential community with waterfront and golf course homesites.
South Carolina's 15th best course (Golf Digest, 2025/26).
477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton, SC 29910
+1 (843) 706 6500
Visit websiteMontage Palmetto Bluff is nestled along the May River in the Lowcountry of South Carolina between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. Set within an award winning 20,000 acre community, the resort encompasses an extensive nature preserve, walking trails, a vibrant village, marina, restaurants, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Accommodations include guest rooms and suites in The Inn, spacious cottages and village homes that all pay homage to the region’s rich heritage.
May River (0.4 mi)
No
Old South; Hilton Head National; Crescent Pointe; Eagle's Point; Old Carolina.
105 Okatie Center Blvd N, Bluffton, SC 29910
+1 (843) 705 2300
Visit websiteThe Fairfield Inn Hilton Head Bluffton is centrally located between Beaufort, Parris Island, historic Savannah and Hilton Head Island (which is 8 miles further on along Hwy 278). DIRECTIONS : From I-95 take exit 8 and head east on Hwy 278, direction Hilton Head Island. After approx 8 miles, turn left onto Hwy 170. At Stop sign, turn left. Hotel is on your left in Okatie Center.
No
Eagle's Point; Old Carolina.
May River; Crescent Pointe; Hilton Head Natl.; Old South; Country Club of Hilton Head; Oyster Reef; Palmetto Hall (2 courses); Golden Bear at Indigo Run; Palmetto Dunes (3 courses); Port Royal (3 courses); Sea Pines (2 courses); Harbour Town.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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