Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Golf on Hilton Head Island

Fall on Hilton Head Island brings together the best of golf and the Lowcountry. Championship courses are in peak condition, coastal breezes cool the afternoons, and securing your ideal tee time becomes effortless with fewer crowds. With 23 world-class courses — including Golden Bear Golf Club and Heron Point by Pete Dye — set against stunning natural beauty, fall delivers some of the most memorable rounds of the year. Here’s why America’s Favorite Island® is the perfect place to tee off this season.

Golf in the fall on Hilton Head Island is as much about the scenery as it is about the game. Fairways wind through marshes that stay vibrant green before gradually shifting into warm golden tones. Spanish moss drapes from live oaks, framing breezy pathways that lead from hole to hole. With fewer people on the Island, nature feels even closer, making every round a chance to take in the Lowcountry’s striking beauty. 

Warm weather days continue well past Labor Day on Hilton Head Island. September and October bring daytime highs in the seventies and eighties, gradually easing into the sixties as winter nears. Lower humidity and less precipitation mean you can enjoy longer rounds on the fairways without fatigue, while cooler air keeps the greens in peak condition. As courses farther north close for the season, the Lowcountry stays open, with extended daylight and breezes that carry the warmth of summer into fall.

By the time autumn arrives, Hilton Head Island’s courses reach their peak. Months of summer sun have kept the fairways lush and the greens immaculately maintained, creating surfaces that play as good as they look. That healthy turf delivers the kind of consistency golfers dream of, while the crisp fall air sharpens focus and gives you the stamina for longer, more enjoyable rounds. All the while, towering live oaks and palmettos frame each hole, their branches free of falling leaves, keeping your game clear and uninterrupted. It’s no surprise that many golfers consider this the very best season to play!

Whether you’re chasing dramatic ocean views, historic fairways, or the perfect patio for a refreshing post-round drink, Hilton Head Island’s golf courses each offer their own flavor of fall magic. Here are a few of our 23 world-class courses that you’ll want to add to your list. 

Harbour Town Golf Links: This iconic Pete Dye course at Sea Pines Resort is a legend of Hilton Head Island. Offering a challenging, scenic layout that puts a premium on finesse and imaginative shot-making, it's a course that is especially rewarding in the fall. With cooler air and less humidity, you’ll appreciate the precision needed on narrow fairways and small greens, and the backdrop of Calibogue Sound under golden-hour light is unforgettable. 

Please Note: Harbour Town Golf Links is currently undergoing restoration and will re-open in November 2025.

Atlantic Dunes: Another Sea Pines gem, the Davis Love III-designed Atlantic Dunes feels tailor-made for fall play. A reimagined reconstruction of the famed Ocean Course, complete with native grasses and restored dune landscapes, the course pairs Lowcountry charm with modern design. The milder weather brings out the contrast between the emerald fairways and surrounding seasonal colors, making for a photogenic and memorable round. 

Robert Trent Jones Course: Known for its wide fairways and ocean breezes, the Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort shines in autumn when the coastal winds are gentler, and the panoramic 10th hole — one of only two oceanfront holes on the Island — becomes even more inviting. The resort also offers fall golf packages that include multi-round flexibility, special discounts, and more.

Hilton Head National Golf Club: If you’re the type of golfer who craves seclusion to focus on your next stroke, Hilton Head National offers a peaceful retreat with no homes along the course — just you, the game, and a canopy of fall foliage. Designed by golf legends Bobby Weed and Gary Player and known for its immaculate TifEagle Ultra greens, Hilton Head National is an ideal choice for golfers who value playability and quiet natural beauty during autumn's slower season.

Explore more golf courses on Hilton Head Island. 
 

With summer crowds gone, the courses feel open and unhurried, making it easy to book your preferred tee time and play at a pace that feels just right. Rounds move seamlessly, leaving plenty of time afterward to savor a post-game meal or enjoy a sunset stroll along the beach.

On Hilton Head Island, fall is not only the best season for course conditions and open fairways, it also brings exceptional value. Many of Hilton Head Island’s premier resorts and golf clubs offer exclusive golf packages that pair luxury accommodations with rounds of golf at a reduced rate. These packages can include options such as playing at premier courses, like Harbour Town Golf Links or Heron Point, along with added perks like dining credits or spa discounts to enhance the experience beyond the fairways. These tailored offers make planning effortless for weekend escapes, corporate retreats, and family gatherings, striking the perfect balance between time on the greens and well-earned relaxation.

Fall is the season that checks every box for golfers on Hilton Head Island. The weather is comfortable, the courses are in peak condition, and tee times are easily bookable without the summer rush. Add exclusive packages and the Lowcountry’s signature Southern charm, and it’s easy to see why so many golf enthusiasts return year after year. Explore our latest golf offers and request a golf trip quote today. Our expert planners will handle every detail, so you can focus on enjoying the ultimate Hilton Head Island golf escape.