Players who enjoy seaside scenery and player-friendly openness will want to play Palmetto Dunes' Jones course on their Hilton Head golf vacations.

Thanks to renovations a few years ago by Roger Rulewich, the roomy, resort-style Robert Trent Jones Course is again the most popular course to play at Palmetto Dunes, itself one of the most popular, multi-course complexes to visit on a Hilton head golf vacation.

Rulewich, a former senior designer of Jones', rebuilt the existing greens and tee boxes, added championship and junior tees, expanded the lagoon, re-sculpted the bunkers, and most importantly, raised the fairways to improve shot values and course drainage.

The greens — the fastest at Palmetto Dunes — benefit from a new strain of Bermuda grass that complements the resurfaced fairways.

Beginning with the eighth hole, a photogenic par three over a pond to a well-bunkered green, lagoons channel through all but three of the remaining holes. Since wind buffets the exposed links, proper club selection and control are crucial for avoiding the water. Another highlight is No. 10, a straightaway par five, now sporting a spectacular ocean view from its recently raised, beachfront green.

With its runway tees, gaping fairways and bunkers, and gargantuan greens, the Robert Trent Jones Course can be one of the most enjoyable to play on a Hilton Head golf vacation and is a good choice for a relaxing round at Palmetto Dunes.

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