Hampton Hall

By Joel Zuckerman

ne of the enduring attractions of golf in the Lowcountry is that virtually everyone who’s anyone in the world of golf course architecture has carved a fairway and plotted a putting surface in the region. But for all the memorable designs engineered by the likes of Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, Arthur Hills, Arnold Palmer, Ben Crenshaw, Clyde Johnston and the rest of the gang, the Sultan of the Sod remains Pete Dye.

Pete Dye produced the seminal course in the area; the world famous Harbour Town Golf Links. He designed the esteemed Long Cove Club, and the intriguing Dye Course at Colleton River. Now a mellower Dye is on display as he reveals his fourth course in the region, the extremely user-friendly Hampton Hall, on Buckwalter Parkway in Bluffton. “This is an entirely different golf course than what I’ve done previously in the area,” explains Dye. “There was much more room here than is typically found in the Hilton Head area, and we’ve employed a great variance in the length, with five sets of tees, and the width of this golf course.”

“This is a very expansive golf course,” adds Head Professional Bryan Rhame, recruited to Bluffton from Sea Pines, where he worked as the first assistant at the Ocean and Sea Marsh courses. “Driving the ball isn’t as critical here as it is elsewhere in the area.” This newly-minted head man speaks the truth. Hampton Hall is generous to a fault off of the tee. It’s roomy, oversized, sprawling, spacious, or any other adjective you might care to use that denotes the word forgiving.

This is not to imply the golf course is a plain Jane pastureland, where personal bests or career low scores will be recorded by anyone stepping to the first tee, far from it. First of all, it’s lengthy, pushing 7,500 yards from the tips. (Most folks will have all they can handle at 6,800 yards, or better yet, 6,300 yards, sloped at 132 and 128, respectively.) Secondly, the architect has employed a never-ending series of high profile bunkers, both in the fairway and near the green. All of these sand pits have low entry points, but are bolstered by intrusive grass berms that impede the line of play between the ball and the target. Gazing from the tee box towards the green at the lengthy par 5 third hole, for example, it looks as though there are a dozen random dirt piles awaiting removal. A natural thought, considering the course is but a few months old. But the reality is that these are scattered bunkers, employing this curious (some might say maddening) design feature.

The third and most potent line of defense are the greens. It’s been 35 years since Dye delivered a series of tiny, basically flat greens at Harbour Town. It’s safe to say his sensibilities have changed drastically in the interim. Hampton Hall has massive, undulating putting surfaces. There can be a three club difference depending on a front or back pin location. The slope and contour are less like a putting green and more like a Tilt-a-Whirl in some cases, and putting from the wrong side can be every bit as exhilarating (or sickening, depending on your perspective) as the carnival ride of the same name. “There are some very long views available out there,” continues Dye. “The housing stock will only be on one side of the playing corridors, so residents will have views all across the fairways, and to the woods beyond.”

“Ladies love our golf course,” explains Rhame, ostensibly referring to the front tee markers of 5,300 yards. “There’s very few forced carries, and it’s difficult to lose the ball.” Pace of play has been exceptional thus far, which is not hard to understand. There’s a dearth of ball-eating weeds and wetlands to be poking around in, and a surfeit of thick, healthy Tif-dwarf Bermuda grass, some 200 acres in total. It’s a ball-basher’s delight.

“Most courses around here are tree lined, and golfers have to navigate their way carefully. The strategy is dictated from the outset. Here the golfer can choose which side of the fairway affords the best angle into the greens, and because of the difficulty of most of our putting surfaces, choosing the proper angle into the green is very important,” concludes Rhame.

Most of us are happy to hit the fairway and the green, period. Never mind the proper side of the fairway, or the most appropriate quadrant of the green. But Rhame’s words ring true, at least for the very skilled players among us who can strategize and execute to that degree. The rest of should revel in the fact that this beautifully conditioned new golf playground offers us the chance to spray the ball just a bit, but still keep it in play. Go enjoy Hampton Hall while you can, as this private facility is allowing some limited outside play for the time being.

 

Joel Zuckerman is the author of “Golf in the Lowcountry--An Extraordinary Journey Through Hilton Head Island & Savannah,” available at fine book stores and pro shops throughout the area. His new book “Golf Charms of Charleston” will be released in the fall. For more information or personalized copies visit www.vagabondgolfer.com