Oyster Reef Golf Club

Shot Making on Port Royal Sound

Posted by Alistair Orr

The Reese Jones designed Oyster Reef Golf Club may be the cream of the crop of the Heritage Golf Collection on Hilton Head Island which features the Cupp and Hills courses at Palmetto Hall Plantation Club, the Barony, Planter’s Row and Robber’s Row at the Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club and three 9 hole courses at the Shipyard Golf Club –the Clipper, Galleon and Brigantine courses.

Opened to acclaim in 1982 Jones crafted a creative natural course that is situated on 190 acres overlooking Port Royal Sound. Although many of the tees are elevated the terrain can be described as flat with the layout routed through mature moss covered Old Oaks and tall Carolina pines while surrounded by marshland and lagoons. There are a great many doglegs on Oyster and the corners are protected by strategically placed bunkering making distance control and accuracy off the tee a necessity. Careful attention needs to be taken with club selection on the approach shots for the greens are of the tiered variety and are well protected by numerous bunkers.

From the back tees at 7018 yards Osprey Reef is a shot making test for even the purest of ball strikers while the middle and front tees are a sensible length that will allow the novice and intermediate player a chance to post a happy score. There are also some wonderful views here and the sixth hole, with the Port Royal Sound as a back drop, is one of the most photographed holes in the lowcountry.

Course Stats: Oyster Reef GC

Access: Semi-private and through golf packages.

Location:

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Editor's Shot Maker's Picks at Osprey Reef Golf Club

Featured Holes Description:

The 14th tee is the start of a great run of three holes that may make or break your round if you’re in the zone. There are some birdies to be made on this stretch but disaster lurks if mistakes are made. Although the dogleg left 14th is one of the shortest par 4’s on the course it also presents you with the tightest landing area off the tee. The Whooping Crane Conservancy borders the entire right side of the hole so the errant ball hit right will find itself submerged in the marsh. An ideal drive will find the centre right of the fairway avoiding the inside corner of the dogleg which is guarded by a large bunker and overhanging trees. Care must be taken with club selection on the approach for the green is shallow and a mis-clubbed shot may come to rest in the fronting bunker or long. Two pure shots will set up a realistic birdie opportunity.

The fifteen hole is a lengthy sweeping dogleg left par 5. The opening corner of the dogleg challenges the driver with bunkers through the fairway waiting to catch the dreaded straight ball. Long hitters can have a go at the green in two but the stroke needs to be mighty and turning right to left to find the green which is protected right and left by large bunkers. Over cook the shot left and your ball will find a watery grave in a large pond. The prudent player will lay up shy of all the trouble and wedge their third in below the hole on this back to front sloping green.

Hole #16

The final hole in this stretch requires a forced carry over water and a massive bunker to successfully reach the dance floor. The 16th is visually stunning and a par 3 is a happy reward on this hole. Whether played from the front tee at 107 yards or at 209 from the tips the approach shot will require steely nerves. The underclubbed approach will have you reaching for your sand wedge or ball scoop while the miss left will bound down the bank of this slightly elevated green and go for a swim. A the wild right shot will flirt with the OB stakes and disaster.

There are a pile of golfing options in and around Hilton Head that cater to every skill level and budget. What you will find at Oyster Reef is a fair layout where players of differing abilities can have an equally enjoyable experience on the course and the green fee won’t break the bank. You won’t be disappointed if you include Oyster to your next Hilton Head junket.

Contact:

Oyster Reef Golf Club
155 High Bluff Rd
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 689-4653

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