It’s getting to be that season. It’s the time of year when every weekend means a fresh outing with your favorite foursome across the countless courses that dot Beaufort County. It’s your chance to unwind with friends, take in the beauty of the Lowcountry in summer, and test your golf skills in friendly rivalry.
For most of us, it’s that last part that gets tricky. Because no matter how much you work on your game, there’s always that one member of your golf group with the preternaturally smooth swing, with the power to get those few extra yards down the fairway, and the finesse to land that difficult approach shot. If you want to hang with them, or at least ensure there’s someone in the foursome who’s more of a hacker than you are, you’re going to want to get some practice before you meet up.
Two golfers practice their tee shots on a beautiful May day at First Tee – The Lowcountry.
But public courses can be a tall order, particularly in the summer. Fortunately, there’s a spot that locals know where you can quietly work on your game far from the prying eyes of your golf buddies. It’s a place as crisply manicured as any private course, with a layout as challenging as it is enjoyable.
It’s The First Tee – The Lowcountry, with its six-hole, par-three course that’s becoming the training ground for the island’s elite golfers. With a diverse and engaging layout, its design puts the emphasis on strategic play, letting you hone that short game to precision.
“We have really tried to create a course here that rivals the conditions you’ll find anywhere else on Hilton Head Island,” said course superintendent Grant Backus. “We’re training the next generation of young golfers here, so the idea was to prepare them to approach the game critically so they’ll make better shot choices. The result is a course that provides a unique challenge to players of any skill level.”
Apart from the six-hole course, the Gumtree Road facility gives you everything you need to improve your game, with a beautifully maintained driving range as well as a putting green and chipping area. And each is maintained to the highest standard, as one would expect on an island like Hilton Head where golf is king.
This inclusivity to open these incredible facilities dovetails with First Tee’s overall commitment to the community. Just as they give more seasoned golfers a chance to hone their skills, their programming and volunteer coaches give area youth the skills they need to grow – on and off the course. That means instructing them in the game of golf while building on life skills across First Tee’s nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.
It is an exceptional asset to our community, and one that you can put to good use this summer. If your game needs an upgrade before your next outing, stop by their Gumtree Road facility, call (843) 686-2680, or visit firstteelowcountry.org.
Signage welcomes golfers at First Tee- The Lowcountry
