May River Golf Course

May River Golf Course sits within Palmetto Bluff, one of the most celebrated private resort communities on the South Carolina coast — though its address places it just across the state line in Bluffton. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2004, and it has earned a reputation as one of the finest resort layouts in the American Southeast. Nicklaus routed the course through ancient live oaks and towering longleaf pines, along the tidal marshes of the May River itself, producing a design that feels genuinely rooted in the Lowcountry rather than imposed upon it.

The natural setting does much of the work here. Spanish moss, saltwater inlets, and the ever-present coastal light give the round a mood that changes with the tides and the season. Wildlife sightings mid-round are common enough to feel expected rather than surprising.

Because Palmetto Bluff operates as a private resort community, access is typically reserved for guests staying on the property — making a round here part of a broader Lowcountry escape rather than a standalone visit.