Conference 7.286::golf

Jim,

	Play Harbour Town as many times as possible, you'll love it. Pete
Dye and Jack Nicklaus collaborated on the design.  The course is short and
beautiful.  Be prepared for mostly small greens.  You stand on the 18th tee
and wonder how Steve Jones could push slice OB [it's sooo far right] in '86 
when he lost the MCI Classic to Davis Love III on the 72nd hole. 

	Shipyard Plantation has 27 holes that are a lot of fun.  Stay away
from Oyster Reef -- every hole looks the same.  I've played a few others,
but they weren't memorable. 

Jeff
    

Have fun on Hilton Head.  I am extremely envious.  Where are you staying?

I have to agree wit .-1 recommendations.

>	Play Harbour Town as many times as possible, you'll love it. Pete
>Dye and Jack Nicklaus collaborated on the design.  The course is short and
>beautiful.  Be prepared for mostly small greens.  You stand on the 18th tee
>and wonder how Steve Jones could push slice OB [it's sooo far right] in '86 
>when he lost the MCI Classic to Davis Love III on the 72nd hole. 

In fact the best way to play Harbour Town is with your driver in your bag.  The 
only time you need it is to measure when taking relief.  The greens are small
bordering on tiny.  The greens on most of the par fives preclude hitting them
in two.  Also the greens are well trapped, (especially 7, 13, & 17) so practice
up on your sand wedge before hitting the course.

Harbour Town is my favorite course.  I especially like 17. You will wonder how
a pro can push their ball OB on 18.  But for hackers like it us isn't so hard.
If the tide is in you can either hit a long tee shot over the Calibogue 
(pronounced Cali-bogey) to a penisula, for the fainter of heart you can hit it
along the edge of the Caliboey,  for the real chicken you can play it along the
right hand side entirely over fairway, however the OB stacks are very close
to the fairway.  One point that you may not appreciate is that the architect
designed the tee to point right at OB.  (Steve Jones should know better tho.)

>	Shipyard Plantation has 27 holes that are a lot of fun.  

I second this recommendation.  It is a good layout, not too hard, not too
easy, in good shape.

>Stay away from Oyster Reef -- every hole looks the same.  

Where is Oyser Reef located?  I haven't played there.

I've also played two of the three courses are Port Royal.  I'm not sure of the
course names.  If you are going to play Port Royal, get there in advance to 
warm up at the practice range.  Your first tee shot calls for a drive that is 
180yds. of carry over a trap to a very narrow fairway!  Unfortunately the
Port Royal course has too many parallel fairways so I grew kind of bored, but
it is a good track.  I don't remember anything in particular about the other
course.

When you aren't golfing you may want to check out:
- Watching the sunset over the Calibouge from the dock, a lounge, or
  restaurant while slowing sipping on a Gin & Tonic.
- One memorable restaurant is Pieces located in Palmetto Dunes (the name of
  the hotel escapes me).  One of my friends is convinced it is one of the
  best he's ever been to.  Definitely try the Powdered Fried Strawberries.
  This is the sort of place you should take your wife after playing 36 at
  Harbour Town.
- If you are flying into Savannah you should stop at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding
  House on West Jones.  It is a great place to get a good Southern breakfast
  or lunch at a bargain price.  You are seated at large tables and served
  family style.  When we were there a couple years ago lunch was $5.00.
  I've seen less food on the table at some Thanksgiving banquets.  The 
  directions are to drive down West Jones until you see the line (there is
  no sign) waiting to get in.  (If you like a more precise address I can
  check at home, my wife picked up the cook book.)

Sorry to ramble on but it is probably my most favorite vacation place.

Enjoy,
Larry

    Larry, sounds like you've been there once or twice...My wife and
    I are really looking forward to this....Glad to find out Harbour
    Town is short...She hates long courses..
    
    We're staying at a friends Condo....50' from the beach with a view
    over the ocean....
    
    If anyone is interested in renting the Condo (prices are in my opinion
    reasonable), cantact Pete Anzuini, dtn 271-6844....
    
    I'll be sure to give a lengthy report when I get back...
    
    Thanks...
    
    Jim
    

Re: .3

>    Larry, sounds like you've been there once or twice...My wife and
>    I are really looking forward to this....Glad to find out Harbour
>    Town is short...She hates long courses..

    Twice and hope to make it many more times in the future.  Don't
    mistake short for easy.  They do have rough, the greens are tiny and
    well protected.   She may enjoy several of the easier courses like
    Sea Pines & Ocean Courses if she is your "average" woman golfer.
    
>    We're staying at a friends Condo....50' from the beach with a view
>    over the ocean....

    Most of Hilton Head is divided into Plantations.  Each plantation contains
    their own courses.  Do you know where your friend's condo is?

    You can generally get on the courses at other platations.  In the past 
    I've always been on some sort of package deal the made playing at the 
    courses associated with that plantation more attractive.  If you aren't 
    staying at Sea Pines the cost to play Harbour Town is steep I would 
    guess $60-80.  
    
    If you are a member of a private course you should investigate whether
    you can "arrange" to get on Long Cove it is one of the Golf Digest Top 100.
    
    Larry

     A couple of thoughts:
    1. If you play it from the tips, Harbour Town ain't short !
    2. Depending on where you stay, Harbour Town  will probably cost
    $100 +.
    3. Forget Long Cove unless you can play with a member. (unless things
    have changed drastically, this place is very, very tough to get
    on!). I'm pretty sure #3 is accurate, because a friend of mine from
    NYC is a member, but only gets down there twice a year or so.
    
    Happy Beats;
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    I was there last year. Went to Hilton Head and then drove to the
    Masters. What a trip!!  Played Harbour Town from the tips. It has
    to be the most demanding course I've ever played. It would be demanding
    from the white tees. Every shot must be planned. The fees were $95.
    with a cart per player. It's worth it. If you play HT be sure to
    pick up the yardage book. It also gives you advice on how to play
    each hole.
    
    I also played Shipyard and the Sea Pines courses. It's a great vacation
    place. One thing we discovered after we got there (too late by the
    way) is that they have a Golf Card for the HH courses. It is sponsored
    by the HH Heart Assoc. or the American Lung Assoc. It gives free
    golf on select courses for a one time charge of $30. The problem
    we had was that it took 3-4 weeks to get the card. Most greens fees
    were in the $40-$60 range. The card would have payed for itself
    the first day. Its worth looking into. You can probably call a few
    of the courses down there to get the info. Its the same Golf Card
    offered in the Golf publications, however, this one is specifically
    for Hilton Head.      
    
    I plan on returning again so let us know how it went.
    
    Ken

    The American Cancer Society also has a Golf Card which has 85 courses
    in South Carolina included, the following of which are on Hilton Head
    or close by:
    
    	Cat Island Golf Course		Beaufort	524-0300
    
    	Charleston Municipal GC		Charleston	795-6517
    
    	Country Club at Edisto		Edisto Beach	869-2561 x5162
    
	Eagle Landing Golf Club		Charleston	797-1667
    
    	Marsh Course			Beaufort	524-3635
    
    	Marsh Point Golf Course		Charleston	768-2121
    
    	Oyster Reef Golf Club		Hilton Head	681-6662
    
    	Pines Course			Beaufort	524-3635
    
    	Pleasant Point Plantation	Beaufort	524-5015
    
    	Port Royal Barony		Hilton Head	686-2002
    
    	Port Royal Planter's Row	Hilton Head	686-2002
    
    	Port Royal Robber's Row		Hilton Head	686-2002
    
    	Shadowmoss Plantation GC	Charleston	556-8251
    
    	Shipyard Golf Club		Hilton Head	785-2402
    
    	Turtle Point Golf Course	Charleston	768-2121
    
    The cost of the card is $40 and covers green fees only.  There is no
    wait for this card, you just walk into any office of the American
    Cancer Society and they'll sell you one on the spot.  Or, if you would
    like, I could pick one up for you and send it to you.  You can respond
    back to me at FINALY::SCHNEIHC or Hal Schneider @CBO.  I just picked up
    my card today and plan to play all 85 courses by the end of August,
    starting this Saturday (eat your hearts out).
    
    Have a great time at Hilton Head, it's one of the most beautiful golf
    areas in the country.
    
    hal-still-shooting-at-least-18-per-week

    	Isn't there a few stipulations about the Cancer society cards
    that the rounds have to be played on a weekday, and that you HAVE
    to rent a cart? (To recoup some of the lost revenue due to a cheap
    round) Myself, I dislike carts, I play golf for the exercise. The
    only time I use a cart is when they are mandatory, or I plan to
    play more than 18 holes, when I'll walk the 2nd 18. Enjoy Hilton
    Head, maybe some day I'll get down there.
    
    Keith

Re: .8 

>    	Isn't there a few stipulations about the Cancer society cards
>    that the rounds have to be played on a weekday, and that you HAVE
>    to rent a cart? (To recoup some of the lost revenue due to a cheap
>    round) Myself, I dislike carts, I play golf for the exercise. The
>    only time I use a cart is when they are mandatory, ...

     On most of the courses in Hilton Head carts are mandatory at least
     before 2-3 PM

     Larry

    There are some restrictions on use of the card which are course
    dependent.  For instance some of the courses only allow the card to be
    used on a weekday, some only after 1:00PM, some only in certain
    seasons, some restrict holiday play and some have a "special" cart
    fee, whatever that means.  At any rate, it's still worth it!!
    
    Hal

    Can anybody tell me when the best time to vacation at HH is?  I'm
    just curious because I'm thinking about taking my next vacation
    there......
    
    Peter

>< Note 500.11 by BTO::SMITH_P "O.I.B.S.S." >
>                        -< Question about Hilton Head >-
>
>    Can anybody tell me when the best time to vacation at HH is?  I'm
>    just curious because I'm thinking about taking my next vacation
>    there......

	Personnaly I feel the best time to vacation in Hilton Head is
	winter, spring, summer, or fall ;-)

	Living in the Northeast I have traveled to Hilton Head in the
	spring and fall and found it very pleasant for golf.  In late
	October it is a little too cold for swimming, but just perfect
	for golf.

	Larry

    re .12
    
    	Thanks Larry.

re: .11

Peter,

	One general comment about the fall season and Hilton Head is that
most courses let the greens grow beginning the last week in October, first
week in November.  You can hit the ball fine, but putting is hampered. 
It's very frustrating, so I suggest early fall.  

	For spring golf, and if you intend on playing Harbour Town, you 
should know that two years ago they closed down the 17th and 18th holes two
weeks prior to the MCI event (early April?).  If you really want to plan HT
they are two of the best holes. 

	If you wanted to play golf from a choice of several great courses
*and* see how the pros do it you could plan a vacation around either the
MCI and Nabisco events being played at HT this year. 

Jeff

Re: .14

>	One general comment about the fall season and Hilton Head is that
>most courses let the greens grow beginning the last week in October, first
>week in November.  You can hit the ball fine, but putting is hampered. 
>It's very frustrating, so I suggest early fall.  

Actually they overseed with Rye, becuase the Bermuda grass dies/goes dormant
over the winter.  One time we were there we played the day after they 
over seeded.  They spread sand all over the green to keep the grass seed
from blowing away.  However even with sand on them the greens at Harbour Town
were still above average in terms of quality.  When booking tee times at
Harbour Town they generally tell you if any significant course maintenance
is planned, but I would make sure to ask.

>For spring golf, and if you intend on playing Harbour Town, you 
>should know that two years ago they closed down the 17th and 18th holes two
>weeks prior to the MCI event (early April?).  If you really want to plan HT
>they are two of the best holes. 

I would be seriously bummed if I couldn't play 17.  I have birdied it once
and burnt the cup on at least two other occassions.  (Don't let that fool you
it's still a hard hole.)

>	If you wanted to play golf from a choice of several great courses
>*and* see how the pros do it you could plan a vacation around either the
>MCI and Nabisco events being played at HT this year. 

4/13-16 and 10/26-29

Larry

    I'll also post this in the "For Sale" topic.
    
    The Condo I would have stayed at is up for sale. 
    
    It is on Admiral's Row and is a fourth floor condo. Two big bedrooms,
    50' from the beach with an excellent view of the ocean. Fully equipped
    kitchen. Two fresh water pools, one with a bar...Supply your own water
    wings.
    
    I believe the asking price is $97,000..
    
    Interested parties can call Peter Anzuini at dtn 271-6844.
    
    

       Went to Hilton Head (and Charleston) recently. Some general and
       irrelevant comments:

       Hilton Head is a grand place for relaxing, playing, and generally
       having a good time with absolutely no challenges for the mind.
       It's 100% devoted to resort life: beaches, golf courses, tennis
       courts, shopping areas, and restaurants account for just about the
       entire island.  The island is divided into subdivisions called
       plantations, and you often have better/cheaper access to
       facilities on the plantation where you are staying.  Other
       than outdoor activities and shopping, there aren't many tourist
       or cultural attractions in Hilton Head.
       
       I played three courses at Hilton Head, the Robert Trent Jones and
       Arthur Hills courses in Palmetto Dunes Plantation, and the Harbour
       Town course, where they play the tournaments.  Power carts are
       required at all three courses (as is the case at nearly all
       courses there); costs including green fees and cart were about $45
       at the Jones course, $65 at Hills, and $70 at Harbour Town. The
       conditions at Jones and Hills were absolutely perfect:
       well-groomed fairways that _always_ gave a good lie, sandy soil
       that felt made good iron shots feel terrific, and a challenging
       and picturesque layout.  Harbour Town was fun to play--mostly
       because of the tournaments, but also because of the last 2 holes
       along the Calibogue Sound that are breathtaking--but I was
       disappointed in its condition (esp. the teeing areas and some of
       the fairways). 
       
       The weather (in July) was warm and humid in summer, but the beach
       usually catches some breezes and the ocean temperature is like a
       bath.  I never found it too warm for riding a bike or playing
       golf, though people who don't do well in hot/humid conditions
       might be better off visiting the place in spring or fall. 

       For accommodations, you can stay either in traditional hotels or
       motels, or you can rent villas (we'd call them condos in New
       England).  We stayed in a condo, which had the advantages of lots
       of extra space and a kitchen to prepare breakfast and picnic
       lunch.  Resort hotels offer the advantage of being directly on the
       beach (our villa was about a 3-minute bike ride); inexpensive
       hotels are also available, but you would have to drive to a public
       beach access. 
       
       All but a handful of the golf courses are public, and you can
       reserve tee times at any of them with a phone call.  Usually, a
       discount is available at those courses in the plantation where you
       are staying. 
       
       A word about Charleston: Charleston is a charming old Southern
       city, about 90 miles from Hilton Head.  The city is filled with
       history, fascinating antebellum architecture, and so many of the
       ingredients that give a place character.   To get to Hilton Head,
       you have to fly into either Savannah (about 35 miles away) or
       Charleston:  spending a couple of days in Charleston before or
       after a trip to Hilton Head would not be disappointing.
       
       --Mr Topaz 

    I will be going to Hilton Head next Wednesday (4/28/93).
    There is a group of 12 of us going down,  scheduled for 6
    rounds in 5 days.  We will be staying in Palmetto Dunes.
    The courses we will be playing are Arthur Hill, Trent Jones,
    Fazio(sp?), Kallawasie(sp?)  and one other but I can not recall
    the name.
    
    Looking for any info/impressions of these courses  and any info
    on places to see and/or eat while I am there.
    
    Also what kind of weather to expect in late April/early May.
    
    I have never been to Hilton Head so I am really looking forward
    to it.  I am basically a bogey golfer with occational moments
    of brilliance and moments of duffer.
    
    
    Mike Smith

    My husband and I have gone to Hilton Head every year for the past 5.
    I didn't play the first few years. My husband has played the ones you
    mentioned, I'm sure.  We usually get there on a Sunday and use the 2
    for 1 coupons in the local paper. We have played a lot of the courses
    off the main island...Island West, Rose Hill, Cat Island,etc. There's
    not a lot to see at Hilton Head, just lots of shopping at lots of outlet 
    centers.  If you have the time you can get to Savannah,GA.  
    There's lots of great places to eat. We always make a point to go to 
    Fitzgerald's.  It on South Forest Beach Road, I think. 
    There a great small Italian place in the corner of a strip shopping
    center. The name has slipped my mind, but I can check if you really
    care. It may be something like Antonio's. When you get to Hilton Head, 
    pick up all the tourist booklets. You'll find information on all the 
    courses, restaurants (menus are published) and shopping. Lot of coupons 
    to use. Hilton Head doesn't have to be expensive. We have a great time 
    whenever we go. I'd expect the weather to be nice. Maybe a little cool
    in the evenings. Rain can pop up at any time, but usually isn't a
    problem.
    

    If you can, play Harbour Town - it is on the PGA Tour and I just
    really enjoy the course.  It can be tight and long if the wind is
    coming in off the water and the tees are back.  I also enjoyed Shipyard
    and Planter's Row.  There is no such thing as a "bad round" of golf,
    some are just better than others.
    
    There is not a lot of night life there.I know Gerry Doerring, of the
    Hilton Head Jazz Society, which schedules top names into the area, but
    it is limited.  Call her at 803.671.1014 and tell her you got the info
    from me.  Remind her that she met me at "Back to Balboa - Stan Kenton
    Band's 50th Anniversary".  I only found one good resturant and I can't
    rember the name - I could drive there, maybe my wife remembers, if so
    I'll post it.  There is a Chart House, but that isn't real exciting.
    
    Never been there this time of year, have always gone in Sept/Oct, which
    has been terrific, if you eliminate Hurricane Bob.  Hope you find your
    putting for eagles and birds.
    
    Big Mac