The May River Golf Club
Jack Nicklaus laid out the May River course at Palmetto Bluff in 2004, a Signature design that walks with caddies through maritime forest and out along the tidal May River. A par 72 of about 7,171 yards on pure paspalum turf, it is the centerpiece of one of the most admired private communities in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Photo via Google, contributed by Anthony Macapugay.
The verdict
The May River course is the golfing heart of Palmetto Bluff, the storied Lowcountry community between Hilton Head and Savannah. Jack Nicklaus opened his Signature design here in 2004, routing it through ancient live oaks and out to the banks of the May River, and the South Carolina ratings panel named it the state's best new course of its year. Pure paspalum turf, tolerant of heat and salt, keeps it lush and fast in equal measure.
Our verdict: this is genteel, walking golf at its most refined, a course where caddies, quiet corridors and tidal views matter as much as the scorecard. It is not a daily fee public course; play is reserved for members and guests of Montage Palmetto Bluff, which makes a stay at the resort the way in. For travelers who can arrange it, it is among the finest experiences in the Lowcountry. For the wider region, see our guide to golf in South Carolina.
The May River Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 2004
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Private resort
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,171 yds
- Access
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Palmetto Bluff, Nicklaus Design and leading course databases: Jack Nicklaus Signature course, opened 2004, par 72, about 7,171 yards on paspalum turf. The May River course is private with no public daily fee; play is for members and guests of Montage Palmetto Bluff. Treat any access detail as indicative and always confirm directly before planning a visit.
The holes worth the trip
Nicklaus used the natural Lowcountry landscape with a light touch, threading fairways between moss draped oaks and pines and saving the grandest moments for the tidal river. The paspalum turf gives the course a flawless, fast running surface, and the round is best taken on foot with a caddie, the way Palmetto Bluff intends it to be played.
The holes along the May River are the signature, where the marsh and the moving tide frame the approach and the breeze off the water adds a layer of decision making. Elsewhere the design is strategic rather than overpowering, rewarding position and a deft short game around greens that demand precision. It is a course that feels like a walk through a Southern landscape painting as much as a test of golf.
On a Lowcountry trip the May River course sits among the region's finest, a natural companion to the Pete Dye history of Harbour Town Golf Links and the Heron Point course on Hilton Head, and the championship drama of the Ocean Course up the coast at Kiawah.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private course within Palmetto Bluff; play is for members and guests staying at Montage Palmetto Bluff, with no public daily fee tee sheet |
| Green fee | No published public green fee; resort guest play is arranged through the stay; confirm access and current rates directly with the resort |
| Caddies and dress | Walking golf with caddies is the tradition here; a standard collared shirt golf dress code applies |
| On the day | Take your time, enjoy the tidal scenery, and play for position off the tee on the holes by the river |
| Getting there | At Palmetto Bluff near Bluffton, between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, with the nearest airport at Savannah or Hilton Head |
| Best months | Spring and fall are prime in the Lowcountry, with mild winters and hot, humid summers |
Access details verified June 2026 from Palmetto Bluff and leading databases. The May River course is private with no public green fee; always confirm current access and visitor policy directly with the resort before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
The way to play the May River course is to stay at Montage Palmetto Bluff, the five star resort at the center of the community, whose cottages and inn put you steps from the first tee and inside the gates of one of the South's most beautiful settings. A stay turns access into an unhurried Lowcountry escape.
Nearby Hilton Head Island and the city of Savannah add more golf, dining and history for a wider trip. Pair a Palmetto Bluff stay with the famous golf of Harbour Town Golf Links and the Heron Point course nearby.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Palmetto Bluff and Hilton Head.
Build a South Carolina golf trip
The May River course is best reached through a stay at Palmetto Bluff, and we build the rest of a Lowcountry week around Hilton Head and the coast, with the access, tee times and lodging arranged to match. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
The May River Golf Club questions
Who designed the May River Golf Club and when did it open?
The May River Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Palmetto Bluff that opened in 2004 near Bluffton, South Carolina.
What is the par and length of the May River Golf Club?
The May River course plays as a par 72 of about 7,171 yards, with paspalum turf throughout and several holes set along the tidal May River.
Can the public play the May River Golf Club?
Not as a daily fee public course. Access is for members and guests of Montage Palmetto Bluff staying at the resort. Always confirm access directly before planning a visit.
What makes the May River Golf Club special?
The May River course blends classic Lowcountry scenery, walking with caddies, and Jack Nicklaus design through maritime forest and along the May River, set within the celebrated Palmetto Bluff community.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; access is private and to be confirmed with the resort. Last reviewed June 2026.