May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff
Meet Palmetto Bluff’s Director of Golf Operations
May River Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus-designed course inside the Palmetto Bluff community in Bluffton, South Carolina, a short drive from Hilton Head Island. It was named "Best New Course" in South Carolina by the South Carolina Course Ratings Panel in 2005. For the island’s other courses, see the full Hilton Head golf courses directory.
May River Golf Club Details
- Location: 350 Mt Pelia Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus (Jack Nicklaus Signature Design)
About May River Golf Club
May River Golf Club plays through the May River Forest neighborhood inside Palmetto Bluff, framed by century-old live oaks, with several holes running along the river itself. Nicklaus’s design uses eco-friendly Paspalum turf on the fairways and bunker sand imported from Ohio, chosen because its angular grain holds up better on sloped, sandy-based greens in coastal weather. The course, and its surrounding land, is managed in partnership with the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy and holds Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary certification.
Par, Yardage & Course Ratings
| Tee | Par | Yardage | Slope | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | 72 | 7,171 | 141 | 74.5 |
| Cedar | 72 | 6,513 | 134 | 71.8 |
| Hickory | 72 | 6,065 | 130 | 70 |
| Magnolia | 72 | 5,168 | 114 | 65.9 |
May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff Access
May River is one of three golf courses at Palmetto Bluff, and the only one open beyond its own Golf Club members — Montage Palmetto Bluff resort guests can also book tee times, while the other two courses, Crossroads and Anson Point, are reserved for Golf Club members and their guests. Contact the resort or club directly for current tee times and rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May River Golf Club open to the public?
Not to the general public — but it is open to both Palmetto Bluff Club members and Montage Palmetto Bluff resort guests, unlike Palmetto Bluff’s other two courses, which are members-only.
Who designed May River Golf Club?
Jack Nicklaus designed May River as a Jack Nicklaus Signature course. It opened in 2004 and was named "Best New Course" in South Carolina by the South Carolina Course Ratings Panel in 2005.
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