RBC Heritage & Seasons
Spring brings the RBC Heritage spotlight to Harbour Town. Fall gives most groups the best combination of conditions, availability, and value. Here's how the golf calendar works on the island.
PGA Tour
Harbour Town Golf Links — April, annually
The RBC Heritage is Hilton Head Island's signature sporting event — a PGA Tour event held at Harbour Town Golf Links every April, the week after The Masters. The tournament has been played at Harbour Town since 1969, making it one of the longest-running events on Tour at a single venue. The island transforms during Heritage Week — restaurants fill up, traffic increases, and the lighthouse finishing hole becomes one of the most photographed scenes in golf.
Official RBC Heritage siteVenue
Harbour Town Golf Links, Sea Pines Resort
Timing
Week after The Masters, typically mid-April
History
Played at Harbour Town since 1969
Format
72-hole stroke play, PGA Tour
Tournament schedules, tickets, parking, and visitor guidance should always be confirmed with the official RBC Heritage site. Course access during tournament week is restricted — plan non-Harbour Town rounds for Heritage Week if you're visiting then.
Golf seasons
March – May
The most popular golf season on the island. Mild temperatures (65–80°F), low humidity, and the RBC Heritage in April make spring the busiest and most expensive time to visit. Book tee times 30–60 days in advance for resort courses.
Pros
Cons
June – August
Hot and humid — temperatures regularly reach 90°F+ with high humidity. Early morning tee times (before 9 AM) are the move. Courses are less crowded than spring, rates drop, and booking windows shorten. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Pros
Cons
September – November
The local favorite — comfortable temperatures (70–82°F), lower humidity than summer, shorter booking windows than spring, and rates that drop significantly from peak. September can still be warm; October and November are ideal. Many locals consider this the best golf season on the island.
Pros
Cons
December – February
Mild by mainland standards (50–65°F) but cool enough that some courses reduce hours or close for maintenance. The island is quiet, rates are at their lowest, and booking is easy. A good option for golfers who don't mind layering up.
Pros
Cons
Most Hilton Head courses aerify greens once or twice a year — typically in late summer (August–September) and sometimes in spring. Aerification temporarily affects putting surfaces. Check with each course directly before booking if green conditions are a priority for your trip.
Fall aerification is the most common — if you're visiting in September or October, call ahead to confirm green status at your target courses.
The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing is held at Harbour Town Golf Links every April, the week after The Masters. The exact dates change year to year — confirm the current year's schedule at the official RBC Heritage website. The tournament has been played at Harbour Town since 1969.
No — Harbour Town Golf Links is closed to public play during the RBC Heritage tournament week. If you're visiting during Heritage Week, plan your golf at other island courses (Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal, Shipyard) and attend the tournament as a spectator. Tickets and visitor information are available at the official RBC Heritage site.
October and November are widely considered the best months for golf on Hilton Head — comfortable temperatures (70–80°F), lower humidity than summer, shorter booking windows than spring, and rates that are significantly lower than peak season. March and April are excellent if you can book far enough in advance and don't mind the crowds.
Plan your round
Use the comparison table to filter by access type and community, then follow the tee times guide to book.
