Shipyard Golf Club

Shipyard Golf Club operates 27 holes within Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head, split across three nines: the Clipper and Galleon, both designed by George Cobb and opened in 1970, and the Brigantine, added by Willard Byrd in 1982. Any two nines combine into an 18-hole round, producing three distinct combinations that give you variety across multiple days.

The format has practical implications. The Clipper and Galleon pairing plays most like a traditional 18, with Cobb's consistent design voice carrying across both halves. The Brigantine, added 12 years later by a different architect, introduces a slightly different character that creates an interesting contrast when paired with either Cobb nine. A combined 18 plays roughly 6,878 yards at par 72, with conditions and difficulty that sit comfortably in the mid-range of Hilton Head courses.

Shipyard does not carry the design pedigree of the Sea Pines or Palmetto Dunes courses, and that is fine, because that is not what it is selling. The appeal is practical: accessible pricing, a convenient location within the island's central plantation corridor, and a 27-hole inventory that gives groups options for multiple rounds.

The course is managed by Heritage Golf Group and sits adjacent to the Sonesta Resort, which makes it a natural pairing for guests at that property. The driving range at Sonesta connects directly to the Shipyard complex.

Shipyard is the round you book to extend a Hilton Head trip without crossing the bridge to the mainland. Time it right and the price tells the whole story.