Old South Golf Links – Played June 2021
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 50 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Bluffton, South Carolina
- Year: 1991
- Architect: Clyde Johnston
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 6,772 yards, Par 72, 72.7 Rating/135 Slope
- Blue: 6,354 yards, Par 72, 70.5 Rating/130 Slope
- White: 5,779 yards, Par 72, 68.5 Rating/113 Slope
- Green: 5,135 yards, Par 72, 65.6 Rating/108 Slope
- Red: 4,776 yards, Par 71, 69.2 Rating/120 Slope
Some friends of ours invited us to join them on a trip to Hilton Head Island this past June. I haven’t spent a ton of time in Hilton Head and the only golf I’ve really played is at Harbour Town. With that relative unfamiliarity, I was happy to get down there and play some golf, starting with Old South Golf Links.
Unfortunately our trip synced up with the aerification schedule for most of the island courses. That doesn’t usually bother me as long as the courses let me know up front. Old South let me know and had a reduced rate, which I definitely appreciate.
Old South Golf Links opened in 1991 just off of Hilton Head Island in Bluffton. I didn’t find much history of the golf course on the website, so let’s get into the course tour.
I teed it up with my friend Brandon on a humid Friday morning. All listed yardages are from the blue tees. Below is a look at the scorecard.
Hole 1 – 365 yards – Par 4
The starting hole isn’t long but it demands you be precise with water up the left on trees up the right.
The green is a big target with a generous opening in front.
Hole 2 – 390 yards – Par 4
Let it rip on this tee. The green is hiding behind the raised fairway. Any drives hit between the two short trees on either side will be in great shape.
Hole 3 – 502 yards – Par 5
These trees do nothing for this hole other than making it difficult on those of us who move it right to left. I’d cut those down in a heartbeat to make it a much better hole.
If you hit a great drive the green is an inviting target for going for it.
Hole 4 – 155 yards – Par 3
The green here seems to blend into the land and pairs well with the water. I really enjoyed the look of this hole.
Hole 5 – 513 yards – Par 5
Trees and a hazard provide the main defense of this hole. Smart and plodding shots should make for an easy par, but daring shots could definitely get you a look at birdie or better.
Below is a look at the second shot.
Hole 6 – 370 yards – Par 4
Not much to say here for a pretty ordinary hole. Keep it out of the water on the left.
Hole 7 – 353 yards – Par 4
Wacky is the best word I can use to describe this dogleg right. It plays to an island fairway that demands less than driver and then over a hazard to a raised green. I’m not sure if I love or hate this hole!
It’s got a pretty view at the green though.
Hole 8 – 140 yards – Par 3
Marshland all around the green requires you to be accurate with your tee shot. Thankfully the hole isn’t too long.
Hole 9 – 368 yards – Par 4
There is more landing area than it looks in this photo. A conservative drive should set you up to attack a smallish green site.
Hole 10 – 381 yards – Par 4
The back nine starts with a different feel from the front as the vistas get wider. Beware of the hazard running along the right side of this straightaway hole.
The tree seen below can influence second and third shots, depending on where you end up.
Hole 11 – 170 yards – Par 3
There is plenty of room on this hole, but narrowing your focus down to the flag and seeing your shot shape can block out the fluff on the perimeter.
Hole 12 – 370 yards – Par 4
The hard draw plays really well from this tee. If you cut enough of the corner a short second shot awaits.
There is a depression hidden below eye level, so make sure to get it to the green.
Hole 13 – 335 yards – Par 4
You will need some accuracy on 13, but the shorter distance means you can club down if needed. Long hitters will find that the green is a very small and shallow target. If you’re bombing driver you have to get really lucky to stay on the green.
Hole 14 – 535 yards – Par 5
The tightness in the photo below is only felt on the tee shot. Once you beat that challenge, the hole opens up to the angled green.
Notice the progressive widening of the hole in the photo below.
Hole 15 – 354 yards – Par 4
On a second trip around Old South Golf Links, I’d be more aware to not run out of fairway on the left side of this dogleg right. I was blissfully unaware and put one in the fairway, but the depth perception can fool you.
I’m not sure what purpose this tree serves…
Hole 16 – 383 yards – Par 4
This hole plays as the mirror image of seven. The tee shot needs to be longer but it plays to a larger landing area. The approach shot is a bit more open than seven.
Hole 17 – 165 yards – Par 3
The flag looks like it’s on a tiny strip of grass amongst the sand and marsh. It’s a bigger target than it looks!
Hole 18 – 505 yards – Par 5
The finishing hole at Old South Golf Links can save or wreck your round. Trees on the right are in play, but a good drive can allow you to go for it in two.
There is a hazard that bisects the fairway, giving you something to think about when you lay up.
The green has some short grass around it allowing for some runoff. I like that approach as it also allows you to run up second shots.
Old South Golf Links is a fun course. If I’m being totally honest, I really liked it for the discounted rate due to the aerification. I’m not sure I’d feel the same way paying full boat.
The course is quite popular though and I can see why. With some TLC it could really shine! There are better courses in the Hilton Head area, but I think you’d enjoy teeing it up at Old South.