Planter's Row at Port Royal Golf Club
10 Clubhouse Dr. Hilton Head Island, SC www.hiltonheadgolf.com Phone: 800-2-FIND-18 Visit website Map Contact course

The newest, and probably toughest of Port Royal's trio, the Planter's Row design of Willard Byrd, served as host to the Champions Tour's Hilton Head Seniors International in 1985. Byrd's 18 is narrower, with larger, more undulating greens than either of the other two Port Royal courses, and that's saying something. It also offers a different look from its sister courses, presenting rolling, tree-lined fairways in a park-like setting.

Golfers need to stay focused as water comes into play on several holes, especially a short, but treacherous stretch of the front nine. The 164-yard par-3 fourth requires carry over water, the short par-5 fifth actually forces players to cross the water twice, and the 160-yard better-get-it-there par-3 sixth is also a great challenge. Go 3-5-3 through that stretch and you're off to a round to remember.

Another excellent example of the requirement of just keeping the ball in play on this par-72, 6,625-yard course is the 480-yard, par-5 18th hole. The second shot must find a narrow landing area flanked by woods to the left and water to the right setting up a short pitch to an elevated, well-bunkered green.