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Dolphin Head Golf Course
Rating Snapshot
About
The Dolphin Head Golf Club, originally designed by Gary Player and Ron Kirby and built in 1974, was the first golf course developed at Hilton Head Plantation.
A trademark of Dolphin Head is the slight elevation of the greens from the approach-shot area and the numerous mounds, which accentuate the greens.
Under the direction of renowned golf course architect Clyde Johnston, Dolphin Head Golf Club's greens were rebuilt in 1993. Most recently, all bunkers were completely rebuilt, and four new fairway bunkers were added in strategic locations. A major tree-thinning program has been under way in the last few years to allow more sunshine to reach tees and greens.
The front nine starts and finishes with par 5s, and No. 18 is also a par 5.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 6606 yards | 72.7 | 140 |
| Blue | 72 | 6421 yards | 72.0 | 137 |
| White | 72 | 6174 yards | 70.8 | 130 |
| Gold | 72 | 5513 yards | 68.0 | 123 |
| Gold (W) | 72 | 5513 yards | 73.5 | 126 |
| Red | 72 | 5360 yards | 66.8 | 117 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5360 yards | 71.8 | 122 |
| Green | 72 | 4760 yards | 64.3 | 112 |
| Green (W) | 72 | 4760 yards | 64.8 | 113 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 72.9/135 | 513 | 344 | 359 | 173 | 364 | 432 | 204 | 395 | 515 | 3299 | 371 | 382 | 211 | 523 | 341 | 444 | 360 | 181 | 494 | 3307 | 6606 |
| Blue M: 72.1/133 | 500 | 338 | 350 | 167 | 359 | 411 | 194 | 385 | 507 | 3211 | 353 | 373 | 200 | 513 | 336 | 423 | 351 | 172 | 489 | 3210 | 6421 |
| White M: 71.0/130 | 465 | 332 | 328 | 154 | 349 | 401 | 176 | 375 | 486 | 3066 | 343 | 365 | 190 | 504 | 331 | 399 | 341 | 160 | 470 | 3103 | 6169 |
| Member M: 68.7/122 | 465 | 332 | 328 | 135 | 276 | 348 | 147 | 345 | 486 | 2862 | 288 | 334 | 153 | 504 | 331 | 325 | 341 | 143 | 470 | 2889 | 5751 |
| Gold M: 67.1/119 W: 73.0/129 | 436 | 325 | 315 | 135 | 276 | 348 | 147 | 345 | 457 | 2784 | 288 | 334 | 153 | 463 | 276 | 325 | 315 | 143 | 428 | 2725 | 5509 |
| Red M: 66.3/118 W: 71.9/127 | 435 | 297 | 295 | 117 | 273 | 342 | 143 | 339 | 453 | 2694 | 285 | 332 | 145 | 460 | 272 | 320 | 300 | 131 | 421 | 2666 | 5360 |
| Green M: 65.0/116 W: 68.6/119 | 385 | 267 | 280 | 117 | 260 | 280 | 125 | 286 | 380 | 2380 | 280 | 285 | 145 | 385 | 250 | 280 | 290 | 110 | 355 | 2380 | 4760 |
| Handicap | 11 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 4 | |||
| Par | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 5 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 4 |
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Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Course still has great character as always ,a hidden gem
1st time playing this course,a hidden jewel in the middle of Hh,hooked up with a couple of guys from Canada play was good,value was good,the greens were in good shape for this time of year.would recommend this for any one to play,several holes can be a little challenging but fun
Considering January.... Great Course
The front was cart path only and the back was the 90 degree rule due to all the rain in the past weeks. Other than that the fairways and greens were in very good shape considering it was the 1st week in January. Will go back again if the opportunity presents itself.
Nice Round of Golf ...
Formerly private club that very recently opened play to public ... i would describe the staff (limited on this slow day) as quite indifferent, but very much enjoyed the golf course. Nice design by Gary Player in a very pretty & peaceful part of the island, the course features good hole variety, is well-maintained, and i would recommend without hesitation. A very welcome addition to the lineup of available courses for both residents & visitors ...
Nice course
Course has recently gone semi-private from a private club. Very nice layout. It has been raining for a few days but the course drains well. The greens were very good though a little soft due to the rain. I anticipate the prices coming down to remain competitive with the other courses in the area.
Very Pleasant Experience!
Recently became semi-private and the day I played was members only in the morning with tee times available in the afternoon, which was fine. My wife rode in the cart as we started at 12:30 and finished at 3:30, playing through one group on the 3rd hole. Didn't see anyone else until much later and only had to wait briefly.
Staff was pleasant. No one was at the bag drop, but I did find a cart with my name and tee time on the front.
Front nine is tight through trees with bunkers strategically placed at the doglegs and at the end of the the fairway to give good depth perception. Back nine opens up a bit. Greens generally slope back to front and putted very well...true and medium speed.
There is a nice view of the ocean off the 14th fairway.
Had lunch before the round and food was good. A private club feel and will come back!
Nice Layout
Course was in great condition, greens were in great shape, love the layout of the course, liked that I didn't have to use driver on each hole. very impressed.
Dolphins Head Golf Course
Not too bad course over all, go with hot deal through the GolfNow to appreciate it in full otherwise you'll find it as an average course...
Great condition
First time playing there, will return for sure. Understood this course has been private until recent.
Don't go so it will be easier for me next time.
Best value for the money by far on a week long trip.
Recently a private course and still looks like it.
Nice course
A nice layout, well kept! Winter fairways in good shape for December. Challenging, but very fair.
Beautiful course
Great course and in great shape. Staff was very friendly. Would definitely play again.
Great value
Tees fairways greens all excellent!.
Outstanding layout.
Worth every penny of golf now price.
Great Value
First time playing course....course very friendly wide landing areas....excellent greens.....two of the nicest par fives ive played....great conditions....a value at double the price
Play 4 other coarse this was the best.
Play 4 other coarse this coarse was by far the best. Will play again. Highly recommend
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Good Track
First time playing this course, good track. Pro shop staff somewhat indifferent to the fact we had booked through Golfnow like it was an inconvenience for them. Would recommend playing this course.
FAIR COURSE IN GOOD CONDITION
Course was in good condition and vert fair to the average senior golfer. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Would definitely play there again!!
10/25/15
everything was fine except they closed the food and beverage at 3pm, and we could not get service; no warning from staff on check-in .
No carts
Got to the course and there were no carts, no one to help out at the bag drop, and the man in the pro shop was rude and just seemed to not care. Then, after waiting 20 minutes for a cart the twosome I was going to play with refused to play because the pro shop had put 6 foursomes of juniors out in front of us, and the juniors had no tee time...just walked on.
Smart to use an extra club on your approach shots
very pleasant to play. Back nine not as tightly bunkered around greens.
highly recommend this course
Wonderful layout. Plenty of water for scenery. Ocean is only visible through uptrimmed trees from the cart path so don't expect to play an ocean course. Well maintained with fast greens. Challenging but very playable for the average golfer. Just went public 2 weeks ago so pro shop in transition. Great service all around from bags to carts. Towels, range balls and tees were provided at no extra charge.would play It again in a heartbeat.
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Is the plan to have it stay open to the public that you know of? I go down on an annual trip in May and have always wanted to play it. Golfnow has it open afternoon I was just wondering if you new if this was going to be a year round policy. Thanks!