Rose Hill Golf Club – coming around again

Every few years I highlight some of the great public golf courses in Bluffton. We are very fortunate to have these great designs that you can play. This is the first of the series.

Rose Hill Golf Club was designed by Carolina golf architect Gene Hamm and is one of the oldest golf courses in Bluffton opening in 1983. Originally it was an 18-hole facility with a third nine added in 1995. However, the economy and poor management reduced the course back to 18 holes. The 9 holes that closed is now a beautiful park for the residents.

The good news is that Rosehill is now thriving again having received the 2025 Best in Bluffton Community Choice Award for Public Golf courses. This is mainly due to the IGM Management Agronomy Group, a golf operations and turf grass company. They take great pride in their course conditions. The head professional, Mark Teed, oversees the golf operations and wants the golfers to have a great experience. “I am in charge of people’s leisure time. It all starts with the friendly bag drop, starter, pro shop personal, and course ranger. We want the players to have a fun four-hour round and to keep up with the group in front of them”.

The course: The course is a very challenging design with four sets of tees for all levels of golf experience. The greens are mini-verde ultradwarf and they stay in good shape year-round.

The course is set among live oaks with Spanish moss hanging from the trees, giving the golfer a true feeling of being in the Lowcountry. Wildlife is abundant. Every time you play the course in the late afternoon, you will see deer, especially on the #8 teeing ground. There are several breeds of squirrels that roam the fairways.

The course has many terrific holes. The front side has a demanding par four, number six hole, with a narrow fairway and a green with water on the left and bunkers on the right. The par three holes on the front side are short but difficult because of the water surrounding the greens. The back side is more difficult, especially hole #14. There are long par fours and two challenging par five holes.

The only area that needs improvement is the bunkers. Teed stated that “the bunkers have not been updated since the course was built. We are putting our emphasis on course conditions and grass.”

Green Fees: The green fees have a three-tiered structure:
• Rose Hill residents can get a membership that also includes use of the range.
• Local residents of nearby counties including Beaufort, Jasper, and Chatham get reduced rates that include green fee and cart.

There are also reduced rates for service personnel and juniors.
Driving range: Located just behind the Clubhouse makes for a short walk to practice. There are two practice holes adjacent to the range.

Dining: The Fair Winds Bar and Grill is open from 11:00 to 9:00 Tuesday to Sunday serving a full menu and drinks. There is also a beverage cart on the course on Mondays. The Pro Shop has drinks and healthy snacks you can purchase before you tee off or at the turn.

Walking the course: Rosehill is the most walkable course in the Lowcountry. I believe that golf was meant to be walked and it is great to see walkers at Rose Hill.

If you haven’t played Rose Hill, you will have a great golfing experience.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses.