Melrose Club Golf Course, The

My first visit to Hilton Head Island and I was excited to add a trip to Dafuskie Island and a round of golf to the itinerary. It doesn't come cheap -- for my wife and I we paid $90 plus $20 tip for round trip ride on an H20 Sports zodiac ride from Harbour Town, and $128 for 2 greens fees plus ample tips for the one poor soul who was our chauffeur, cart boy, and manned the pro shop by himself. On balance, I would say it was worth it.

Riding a boat to play a round of golf is in itself a unique experience. The course is also routed through some of the most beautiful surroundings I have been in. The carts have GPS monitors built in which help alot. And it is an excellent Jack Nicklaus Signature design. Classic Nicklaus risk/reward decisions have to be made on almost every hole. Take the shorter route on a hole to make birdie a possibility and you also bring danger into the picture. Take the longer route and you are safer but have a much longer approach and could make a bogey anyway. Of course, Melrose also favors someone who can hit towering left to right approach shots - like Nicklaus and unlike myself!

The course itself is a world class layout in municipal course shape. The course is part of a struggling beach resort that is trying to turn itself around, so I don't know how they can do much better with the grounds on 10-20 rounds a day.

I fear that the course is not long for this world. Bloody Point Golf Course on Dafuskie Island was already moth balled for several years. So I am glad I had the chance to play Melrose when I did.