Harbortown Golfing Question

Hello Hilton Head experts!

We will be on the Island for March Break, starting this Saturday the 14th. I looked at the SeaPines website to see what golf packages they had for their three courses. Unfortuately, their package is not available from the 15th of March on.

One of the courses my husband would like to play is Harbortown (played three years ago and loved it). When I called to inquire about tee-times and rates, I was told for the $255 a round, it now includes a Forecaddie who will walk and help you with your game. My husband would rather not play there due this policy -- do you know if this is Mandatory for all golfers??

As an aside for golfers in Hilton Head now -- are there many golf specials being offered?? My husband would like to play around 5 rounds, if the weather is co-operative, with one round being Shipyard (we are staying in a condo there).

Many thanks for your responses!

Harbortown Golfing Question

This is the first I have heard about the requirement of a forecaddie, which I do not like either. The usual cost for Harbortown is in the $200 range, so this is news to me.

I winter on the island and although I am an owner, I am not considered a ';local'; because I do not have a SC drivers license. As a result of this, I have not been able to get very many good discounts on island (had better luck off island). March is the month when fees increase, though.

Shipyard course ';rack rate'; is about $90, as is Golden Bear and most of the Palmetto Dunes courses (although, I sometimes think when you call you get different info depending upon who answers the phone). You might be able to get some ';coupons%26#39; through Hilton Head Guest Services (at Fresh Market Shoppes between Shipyard and Shelter Cove). Also, check the Island Packet newspaper for coupons. You can do a timeshare marketing promotional for discounted golf, but must put up with an obnoxious salesperson for 90 minutes.

Good luck and enjoy your week.

Harbortown Golfing Question

yes, a forecaddie is required at harbortown...you might want to try heron point or ocean - both are great courses and do not require a caddy....

both Palmetto Dunes (jones, fazio and hills) and Heritage golf (shipyard, oyster reef, port royal and palmetto hall) offer multi round packages....

as for a little less expensive - but still great courses - try old south, golden bear or national....

Thanks to both of you for your response!

I believe he played Palmetto last time and really enjoyed the course - so that is a good one to re-do for this trip. I have looked at the other SeaPines courses and they also look great, with reasonable prices ($120 - $160).

Again, thank you for taking the time and providing info. Here%26#39;s hoping to great (or even good) golf weather next week! He will play a quick pre-Hilton Head round at the Ballantrye in Charlotte, NC on Friday and the weather forcast is less than ideal. Oh well, when it has been four months since hitting a ball, as long as no snow and the tees are open, he is ready to go...

I Am going to be there from 4/4-4/11. I know that Harbortown will be closed. Does anyone know if the practice facility OR RESTAURANT AT HARBORTOWN WILL BE OPEM? IF NOT WHERE IS THE BEST PRACTICE facility? We are staing in Seapines.

there is a great practice facility located inside sea pines at the Ocean Course / Heron Point facility....same pro shop for both courses....

The forecaddie is fun and different at Harbour Town, but I understand it%26#39;s not for everyone. There is the added expense of tipping them as well.

My son and I got the ';caddy master'; I%26#39;ll call him, the guy over the whole program, when we played a year ago, by luck of the draw. He had just had dinner the night before with Bobby Cremins, and was sharing some stories. (Bobby lives in one of my favorite places on Hilton Head, Calibogue Cay, which is essentially an island on an island in Sea Pines.)

For those of you who don%26#39;t know, a forecaddie doesn%26#39;t walk with you, they go ahead of you on a hole to mark or spot your ball (in those, ahem, rare instances where it doesn%26#39;t find the middle of the fairway) and when you catch up to them they give you tips on how to play the next hole, etc. They also have different hand signals to let you know different things. As I said, a fun and different experience. My favorite quote of the round ';I%26#39;ve never seen anyone hit it there before';. :-)

IsleBeBack,

Thanks for the insight -- We thought it was a regular caddie that stays with you the whole time (sans carrying the bag). We were thinking the reason SeaPines may have gone with this system was to ensure play was quick and the course kept in top shape!

With your experience to rely on, it is a little more interesting and tolerable. As a matter of fact, my husband (upon reading your response) does agree that it does sound like ';fun';.

It looks like we will go to SeaPines on Saturday and inquire what their tee-times for Harbortown are like for the week. Do Harbortown own day and likely book the three play with the Heritage courses -- giving four days of golf. We have not taken the weather into account, as we are going to believe it will be sunny and 70%26#39;s for the week. Ha!