With some 30,000 people coming through the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center each year, it’s certain that tennis is near and dear to our hearts here at our South Carolina resort. Once again, our wonderful tennis guests have ranked us as tops when it comes to tennis resorts not just around the country but across the world.
TennisResortsOnline.com, a website which annually compiles guest rankings of tennis resorts, just released their Top 100 Tennis Resorts and Camps for 2013. Tennis vacationers are asked to score the resorts on amenities and services – both on court and off – quality of lodging, restaurants, children’s experiences and value. To qualify, each resort must have a minimum 25 reviews to be considered for the Top 10 and must have a minimum 6 tennis courts (we have 25).
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort came in at No. 9 in the rankings’ Top 25 resorts, putting us into the Gold Medal Category. Additionally, we were ranked at No. 4 for the Best Junior Tennis programs. Tennis Magazine has also ranked Palmetto Dunes the No. 1 tennis resort in the Carolinas and one of the top 10 in the nation.
At Palmetto Dunes, we love tennis players! We offer all sorts of activities, tennis instructional programs and tournaments to keep you coming back. During the spring and summer season, we offer weekly Demo Days for trying new tennis equipment, as well as a weekly exhibition and Happy Hour to hang out with the staff, watch them play and enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. We also have a popular daily adult round robin that makes for a fun social competition among guests.
If you’re looking to better your tennis game, we host 43 adult tennis clinics every week and 27 junior clinics March-August and during holidays. Guests can also select up to 6 ½ hours of instructional programming each day from our regular schedule. “This offers a lot of flexibility for people depending on their schedule – they can play as much or as little as they want,” says John Kerr, director of tennis for Palmetto Dunes. “For example, they can do our morning clinics from 8-12:30 p.m. and then come back in the afternoon for the daily round robin.”
If you want to combine tennis with your Hilton Head vacation, we offer packages specifically geared toward tennis players, including the Extreme Tennis Vacation with 7 nights of accommodations for four, three 1-hour private lessons and two clinics per player, daily court time and more. Another popular choice is the Tennis Stay & Play package with 3 nights of accommodations, two 1-hour clinics, two hours of court time daily and three-day bike rentals.
You can also make a tennis vacation out of our nine different tennis tournaments each year, including 3 USTA state championships. Many people plan their vacations around these events, many of which are linked to charity and most are open to the public and are non-USTA sanctioned.
Come see for yourself why Palmetto Dunes is one of the Top 10 Tennis Resorts in the world! Want a quote on a tennis vacation? Request it here or call us at 866-744-7558.
We know Palmetto Dunes is the best place for tennis in not just Hilton Head but in South Carolina, and even according to Tennis Magazine, the best place in both Carolinas! The United States Tennis Association agreed and has awarded us two of the South Carolina state tennis championships for 2013 in addition to the USTA On-Campus Fall Invitational.
First up will be the USTA South Carolina 40 and Over Championships, formerly known as the Senior Championships, May 18-20. Then, later in the year, the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center will also host the USTA Tennis On-Campus Fall Invitational Oct. 11-13 and the USTA South Carolina Combo Adult Championships Oct. 17-21, which is the largest state championship in South Carolina. The Combo tournament was previously held in Charleston at the Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island. All of these tournaments are open to spectators only. Check out our complete Tennis Tournament Schedule for all events and dates.
Palmetto Dunes is unique among tennis facilities in Hilton Head in the number of clay courts available, allowing the entire championship to be played on clay courts. Another benefit of Palmetto Dunes is its mid-island location on Hilton Head, which is close to other tennis sites and activities.
The resort is also not short of awards for its tennis facilities. Tennis Magazine ranked Palmetto Dunes as the No. 1 tennis resort in the Carolinas for 2012 and as one of the top 50 tennis resorts in the nation. Additionally, the South Carolina tennis resort regularly enjoys top recognition from TennisResortsOnline.com, where guests rank tennis facilities. We were chosen No. 2 in the world for instruction and events, No. 3 in the world for junior programs and No. 5 in the world overall.
Hosting the tournaments is a success for Palmetto Dunes, as they will bring in hundreds of players from out of town who will stay and enjoy all the activities the resort has to offer. We hope to provide all the players and their fans with a wonderful Hilton Head tennis experience and continue to host the tournament in coming years.
If you’d like to come for any of the tennis tournaments, please take a look at our many Hilton Head tennis packages. They include the Team Getaway Package, which offers 3 nights in a resort villa, 4 ½ hours of group instruction, 3-day bike rentals, 2 hours of free tennis daily and a tennis gift upon check in. You might also enjoy our Tennis Stay & Play package, which offers 3 nights in a resort villa, two 1-hour clinics, 3-day bike rentals and 2 hours of tennis court time daily. Or try our Extreme Tennis Vacation and extend your stay for a week. This package offers 7 nights in a resort villa, three 1-hour private tennis lessons, 2 tennis clinics per day/person, 7-day bike rentals and 2 hours of tennis court time daily.
To book your trip to Palmetto Dunes for the next Hilton Head tennis tournament, please call us at 866-744-7558.
Here in Hilton Head where most days the skies are blue and the weather is mild, there is plenty to do to keep active during the winter months. Here are our top 10 winter activities on Hilton Head Island:
1) Polish your golf game – Our Hilton Head golf academy offers a variety of classes for golfers all winter long. Learn to play more carefree like Bubba Watson, improve your mental golf game or enjoy daily 50-minute clinics on different skills. See our winter golf academy schedule. Or just head out for a round with some pals. Winter is a great time to play golf in Hilton Head, as the crowds of summer are long gone, making for better pace of play, and temperatures are mild.
2) Ride a bike! – With some 50 miles of paved bike paths on Hilton Head Island, there’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy the beauty of our island. Hilton Head Outfitters offers Hilton Head bike rentals for every member of your family, including cruisers, kiddie carts, tag-a-longs and child seats.
3) Get in a cardio workout by playing tennis – Tennis gets the blood pumping for sure and the milder weather makes for more comfortable outdoor play. Try a Hilton Head tennis lesson from our Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center or take it up a notch with our Cardio Tennis class offered during the winter months on holidays.
4) Shop! – There are plenty of unique boutiques and stores on Hilton Head to make sure you head home with a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your Hilton Head vacation. Try Shelter Cove Harbour waterfront shops or shop our Hilton Head golf pro shops and tennis pro shop for some great finds.
5) Kayak or canoe the lagoon – Plan to rent a kayak or canoe from Hilton Head Outfitters and head out mid afternoon, when the weather should be at its warmest. Enjoy a peaceful tour of our 11-mile inland lagoon system, take in the wildlife and see Palmetto Dunes in an entirely new way.
6) Take a walk on the beach and look for shells – With fewer people visiting Hilton Head in the winter, you’ll enjoy a quiet stroll and have a better chance of finding some great shells. Keep your eye out for dolphins in the surf and see what kind of treasures have washed ashore. Here are more tips on beachcombing in Hilton Head.
7) Catch a redfish! – Fall and winter are some of the best times to catch a “big red” and our team of fishermen can help you do it. Whether you take an offshore or inshore Hilton Head fishing charter, learn to fish from the pros and see if you can earn bragging rights to a trophy red.
8) Eat oysters – Here in the south, we say that months ending in “r” are the best ones to eat oysters, so before December winds down, take this last opportunity! There’s a fine art to eating an oyster (or you can just slurp it down, of course J) whether you enjoy it with a touch of lemon, hot sauce or just plain!
9) Go birdwatching – The birds are out in winter, and in fact, during Hilton Head’s last Christmas bird count they totaled up more species than ever before! Grab some binoculars and head out on a kayak in the lagoon or a Hilton Head boat tour to Daufuskie Island or Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge for some great birdwatching. More Hilton Head birdwatching tips in the Hilton Head Outfitters blog.
10) Do nothing! After you’ve done our top 9, why not relax, unwind and do nothing :)? Kick back in your Hilton Head vacation rental from Palmetto Dunes and enjoy an ocean or palm tree view. Grab a good book, a cup of coffee and rest. Ahhh….
Palmetto Dunes offers plenty of packages to help you work in all of these things from our Monthly Stay & Sports Membership to our Spa Packages to Hilton Head tennis packages and Hilton Head golf packages. If we can answer any questions or book you a stay or tee time, please give us a call at 866-744-7558.
Finding the right holiday gift for every person in your life can be more than a little stressful! But when you come shopping in Hilton Head, you’re likely to find some unique gift items to both surprise and delight your family and friends. To help you with your holiday shopping, we’ve compiled some of our favorite gift ideas from around our famous South Carolina resort and neighboring Shelter Cove Harbour.
For the golfer:
For the tennis player:
Check out our DeFeet Dura Gloves, which are multi-season gloves perfect for cold weather play. They have a nylon nonslip palm grip and are available in neon yellow, black, light pink and a bright pink with the breast cancer awareness ribbon on the interior. These are priced at $15.99 and also make a great stocking stuffer.
For the outdoor enthusiast:
For an artistic or unique gift:
Head across the road from the resort to the Shelter Cove Harbour Waterfront Shops and stop by Nash Gallery. The longtime Hilton Head art gallery features all North-American artists with a variety of unique art pieces and décor for the home.For anyone:
Here are more holiday deals at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour. If you can’t make it in person to shop, feel free to give us a call at 866-744-7558 and we’ll be happy to ship.
How far along are you on your holiday gift list? Will any of these golf gifts, tennis gifts or other ideas make your list? Happy shopping!
It’s getting to be the time of year where the weather up north starts to get cold, with snow and chilling winds as the norm. But here in Hilton Head the weather is mild year round with the average high between 60 and 72 November through February. In fact, you can check our website home page any time of year for the current temperature and see our Hilton Head weather chart for average highs year round.
With sunny days so tempting, we have lots of folks who like to come spend a month or more with us in the winter, and to cater to these loyal guests, we offer a variety of fun options to keep them busy at our Hilton Head beach resort.
Our Monthly Stay and Sports Membership is great for active individuals who love to enjoy the great outdoors. It includes resort accommodations for 30 days in a Hilton Head vacation home or villa, unlimited golf on our three legendary Hilton Head golf courses and bike rentals throughout your stay, two two-hour kayak rentals to enjoy our calm 11-mile lagoon system, two hours of tennis court time daily and the best rates on all other activities at the resort. Plan to burn a few calories with this monthly sports membership!
Golf aficionados will love our Monthly Golf Membership that gives you a 30-day unlimited golf pass to our three championship courses. You also receive discounts at our Hilton Head golf pro shops, golf grills and range. Imagine how much your golf game will improve with so much practice!
If you’re a tennis player, you’ll be excited to know that with any stay at a Palmetto Dunes-managed Hilton Head vacation villa or home, you receive two hours of complimentary tennis daily. So play your heart out!
Outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy a weekly – or even yearly -- kayak or canoe rental from Hilton Head Outfitters. Yearly members pay $199 for one person for unlimited use of the store’s standard kayaks and canoes in the Palmetto Dunes inland lagoon system, as well as receive half off for a second person and 10% off all other rental equipment. Monthly bike passes are also available for $59.99 for exploring the more than 50 miles of paved Hilton Head bike paths.
Which monthly sports membership is ideal for you? Call our vacation planners today to schedule your chance to get out of the cold and into the bright Hilton Head sun this winter!
It never fails. You think you’ve packed everything you need for a vacation, and then you realize you left your brand new golf glove on the kitchen counter or your new tennis attire in the dryer. Or perhaps you just “feel” like you need a little something new to up your game – and who doesn’t want to come home from their Hilton Head vacation with something to add to their wardrobe? Since any purchase doubles as a souvenir, stocking up at our Hilton Head pro shops is totally justifiable. In fact, it’s a win-win!
Our Hilton Head tennis pro shop and our Hilton Head golf pro shops offer all the essentials -- from the outfit to the equipment – as well as a few awesome extras. We’ve picked five great finds at our Pro Shops just in time for your fall or winter Hilton Head vacation and for the holidays.
In our golf pro shops:
1) GARMIN Approach S3 GPS Golf Watch -- The S3 is an innovative GPS golf watch preloaded with more than 27,500 courses domestically. It offers a high-resolution touch-screen display and shows the shape/layout of each green, allowing the user to select hole locations for precise distances. It also displays yardages to doglegs and lay-ups, and allows the user to calculate distances of an individual shot, not just distance to the hole.
2) 9 & Dine Ladies Apparel -- This collection does very well, and we’re currently stocking the new fall collection. It offers coordinating tops and skorts for a number of unique looks. 9 & Dine is designed for performance without sacrificing fit or style. In addition, every piece in the collection is made in the USA.
3) Titleist 913D2 & 913D3 Drivers -- Titleist begins shipping new drivers in November, just in time for you to use one on our three Hilton Head golf courses during your vacation! The new 913D2 is a 460cc driver with innovations to the face insert, rear weight and lower CG location that deliver the best combination of speed and forgiveness.
For tennis enthusiasts:
4) TASC Apparel -- Our Tennis Center pro shop recently added logo apparel from TASC, which many of you know stands for Technical All Season Comfort. The fabric used in this clothing line for men and women is light weight, has 4-way stretch, UPF 50+, anti-odor, breathable and moisture wicking.
5) LoveAll Shirts -- The shop also carries a new shirt line for women called LoveAll. These shirts are made for tennis lovers by tennis lovers. They infuse their products with the intimate knowledge of the game and the absolute obsession for the sport. LoveAll’s vision is to serve up sizzling merchandise that reflects your passion while remaining divinely comfortable and flattering. Serious and fun; just like you.
What sounds good to you? Any good ideas for holiday gift giving? If you don’t see what you need, head over to our Hilton Head pro shops or give us a call at (866) 744-7558 for some ideas and for shipping rates.
Remember when you were a kid and you stayed outside from sun up to sun down? Fall is the perfect time to do just that on Hilton Head. With milder temperatures and fewer crowds, fall is a fabulous time to enjoy all the outdoor fun that Hilton Head and Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort have to offer.
Love to be on the water? We have several options for you during your stay. Rent a kayak or canoe to explore Palmetto Dunes’ 11-mile lagoon system by your own power. Choose from single or double kayaks, and a one-, two- or three-person canoe rentals! We like that the canoes and kayaks (generally) have two speeds: paddle and drift. That makes them both a perfect mode of transportation for slowing down to really enjoy the Hilton Head wildlife and the fall weather.
Speaking of paddling, you can also rent a stand up paddleboard during your stay. This sport has quickly grown in popularity and when you’re out there balancing on the water, you’ll see why. It’s peaceful and a workout all at the same time.
Palmetto Dunes also offers several options for you to charter a boat at Shelter Cove Marina for deep-sea or inshore fishing excursions, as well as leisure cruises such as dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, dinner cruises and more.
For land-lubbers, Palmetto Dunes has plenty of activities to keep you outside until dark. We have three world-class golf courses and a top-ranked tennis center featuring 23 clay and two Nova ProBounce courts (six of which are lighted for night play). Don’t forget to check out all of the great Hilton Head vacation packages we offer for you and your group to stay and play golf, tennis and more at special rates this fall.
Like to bike? We have you covered. Simply make a reservation with Hilton Head Outfitters to have bikes delivered right to your hotel or Hilton Head vacation rental on the day you arrive. All you have to do is hop on and ride. Explore Hilton Head by bike in the cooler morning temps and meander the island’s more than 50 miles of public bike trails in the sunny but mild afternoons.
After you’ve enjoyed a day on the water, the courts or the greens, head on over to Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza restaurant at the Robert Trent Jones course, the Dunes House open to resort guests and which boasts ocean views, or Shelter Cove, where you can enjoy waterfront dining -- and meander from shop to shop -- in the beautiful fall weather.
Need help planning your fall Hilton Head vacation or have questions about our outdoor activities? Contact a Vacation Planner for more information or call us at (866) 744-7558.
When it comes to playing just about any sport, proper instruction and technique is the key to your ability to play well. Even better is proper instruction in a beautiful location! Award-winning Hilton Head tennis resort, Palmetto Dunes has you covered on both accounts.
Tennis magazine has consistently ranked Palmetto Dunes among the “50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts” since 1975. It also named Palmetto Dunes the No. 1 tennis resort in the Carolinas for 2012 and one of the top 10 tennis resorts in the U.S. Tennis Resorts Online also ranked the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center the No. 5 Tennis Center in the World. Could there be a better place to play tennis?!
Whether you prefer private lessons or a group setting, the tennis pros at Palmetto Dunes’ Tennis Center can help. They offer Hilton Head tennis lessons that will help you establish the basic skills needed to play the game, as well as help you continue to develop your skills – all while enjoying a Hilton Head tennis vacation. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a junior or an adult; we have tennis lessons for ages 4 and older!
Private and semi-private lessons are ideal if you feel like you need personal attention. We have half-hour and full hour lessons available. Our rates are very reasonable, but you can save even more if you book five or more lessons at one time. Please call us at 866-744-7558 to schedule.
If you’d prefer to take group tennis lessons, the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center has several tennis clinics throughout the week including: Serve Clinic, Grand Slam Clinic, Competitive Doubles Clinic, Competitive Edge Drills, Return of Serve Clinic and more. Check our website for details and pricing. We even offer a Create Your Own Clinic, where you choose the time, the pro and what you focus on! Once you feel comfortable with your new skills, try them out in one of our Round Robin tournament competitions, which are held daily from 3-5 p.m.
Junior tennis players also can benefit from our clinics and camps. And, they too can play in the Junior Round Robin Tournaments and Junior Grand Slam Tournaments.
As a side note, Palmetto Dunes does require players wear regulation tennis shoes while on the court. Please review our tennis dress code. Don’t worry, if you’ve forgotten something at home or just want to take advantage of our amazing gear and great prices, just stop by our Tennis Center Pro Shop. It’s the largest on the island and it has everything you need.
In addition to instruction, Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center also hosts eight tennis tournaments each year that stretch from February to November and appeal to a range of ages and skill levels. The facility is continually selected as the host facility of choice for a wide range of tennis tournaments and events. This October and November we have lots of tournaments coming up, including the Banana Open, USTA Tennis on Campus Fall Invitational and the “Nutty Buddy” Tennis Classic.
And if you’re looking to mix up your activities while on your Hilton Head tennis vacation, consider a round or two of golf at Palmetto Dunes’ three world-class South Carolina golf courses.
Don’t wait a minute longer to sign up for tennis lessons this fall. Tennis is a great sport that’s not only fantastic exercise, but also tons of fun and a chance to socialize with friends. Grab your racquet. It’s time to learn to play tennis in Hilton Head! Call us at (866) 744-7558 and book your court time today!
We see it each summer: Wimbledon inspires. Every year, as the famous tournament is played across the pond, we see enthusiasts of every level want to get out on the court and be Roger, be Serena.
Palmetto Dunes is not only one of the world’s finest family resorts, it’s also a top-ranked tennis resort, recently named the top tennis resort in the Carolinas and one of the top 10 in the nation by Tennis Magazine. That means we have the courts, the racquets and the pros to help our guests find their inner Roger or Serena. Every week, we offer all sorts of clinics and programs to help you improve your skills.
Each Monday at 5:30 p.m., Palmetto Dunes hosts a Welcome Exhibition and Happy Hour. This event offers guests the chance to meet and greet one another over cocktails and watch Palmetto Dunes’ pros play on Centre Court. Cheers!
On Tuesdays at 2 p.m., guests can act like a kid in a candy store during Demo Day. This is a great way to try out the latest in racquet technology, and our pros are on hand to answer any questions you may have.
In addition to these fun complimentary activities, Palmetto Dunes offers tennis clinics for adults and juniors all summer long. Most adult clinics are offered daily and range from a Grand Slam Clinic where players work on stroke fundamentals, footwork and strategy, to Competitive Edge Drills for an exhilarating fast-paced practice session. In addition to the group sessions, Palmetto Dunes’ tennis pros offer private and semi-private sessions. Players also can partake in the Adult Round Robins daily from 3-5 p.m. ($20 p/p. Reservations required.)
Our junior tennis programs are not only fun, they offer the chance for kids to improve their motor skills, strokes, footwork and strategy. Our offerings include clinics, camps and even weekly Junior Round Robin Tournaments. Here is a complete list of tennis clinics and programs.
Palmetto Dunes has 23 clay and two hard courts, eight of which are lighted for night play. Our court fees are $30 per hour for Palmetto Dunes guests, $35 for non-resort guest and $20 for a walk-on first-come-first-serve basis between 12-4 p.m. And if you stay at a Palmetto Dunes-managed villa or home during your Hilton Head vacation, you receive two hours of complimentary tennis daily!
We have the gear, the pros, the programs and of course, the courts. All we need is you! Come on, Roger and Serena. We’re waiting for you!
Before you head out to visit us this summer or fall, we want you to get to know our fantastic staff that you’ll be seeing around the resort. If you like to spend a good bit of your Hilton Head vacation hitting the tennis ball, then you definitely need to meet Brian Kiggans, our head tennis professional at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center.
As part of this ongoing series, we’ll ask our staff to tell us about themselves and their favorite things about the resort. Here’s what Brian had to say:
What are your responsibilities at Palmetto Dunes?
“I’m responsible for running the daily operations of our tennis clinics, private lessons, round robins, stringing, demo days and exhibitions. I make sure everything is covered for all the other lessons and clinics by the other staff professionals. I teach, too.”
What’s the best part of your job?
“I love teaching and meeting different people every week and building great relationships with people from all over the world.”
How did you come to work at Palmetto Dunes?
“I spent 15 years at another local resort and applied for job when it was vacant. I took over eight years ago.”
What’s the best thing about Hilton Head Island that most tourists don't know?
“It’s a year round resort even in the winter. The weather is great and you can still do all outdoor activities.”
What's your favorite spot on Hilton Head?
“The Dunes House on the ocean, only 500 yards from the tennis center. It’s just a hop, skip and jump after work. It’s right on the ocean, has a great view and it’s relaxing.”
What are the two most-played songs on your iPod?
“Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Thunder Road’ and ‘Jungle Land.’”
So look for Brian the next time you stop by the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center and tell him Bruce Springsteen said “hi” J. Stay tuned for interviews with more Palmetto Dunes staff in upcoming posts.
Here at Palmetto Dunes, we love families. Nothing lights up our day like seeing a child enjoying the wonders of our resort and summer fun is definitely one of our specialties. After all, we’ve racked up a wall’s worth of plaques naming us one of the world’s best resorts for family vacations.
We have children and teens programs and activities for all ages and all skill levels. Some are a few hours, some a few days. Some are fairly structured, some aren’t. All offer lots of activity and plenty of fun!
For little golfers, try our “Little Swingers” program, which teaches golf basics while singing songs. More intensive is the five-day Palmetto Dunes Junior Golf Academy and, in between, we have clinics for various ages, practice rounds with an instructor and special prices for golfers under age 17 to play our three designer golf courses. We even have Family Golf School, which whole families can do together. Watch the video below to see some little golfers in action.
We’re proud of our tennis programs for the younger set, too. Our tennis clinics start with players ages 4 and up and includes Junior Tennis Camp for ages 9 to 17 and the Junior Grand Slam for tournament-level players. There are lots of clinics, tournaments and practices to choose from, as well. Here’s another great video clip of our tennis program for kids:
We take advantage of the fact we’re on an island, too, with all kinds of boating and fishing activities that set sail from Shelter Cove Marina. You can see science in real life here in Hilton Head. See dolphins up close on our dolphin cruise or learn how to crab with our Lowcountry experts. How about family ski day where you have your choice of ski instruction, kneeboarding or tubing or let them try out paddleboarding with a few lessons in our calm inland lagoon system.
No matter what strikes your kids’ fancy, they’re sure to find something at Palmetto Dunes that will keep boredom at bay, as well as keeping them active and engaged during your Hilton Head vacation.
The March issue of Tennis Magazine named Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center the No. 1 Tennis Center in the Carolinas and we couldn’t be more thrilled! The magazine considers the quality of tennis instruction, number of courts and clinics provided in determining the rankings. They also take into account the lodging, dining and other amenities that are included with your tennis vacation.
Our 25 courts -- 23 clay and 2 Nova pro bounce , 7 of which are lighted for night play -- made it to the top spot beating out several resorts in North and South Carolina. Beyond the quality and number of courts, Tennis Magazine called out our wide variety of tennis lessons and clinics. From our Junior Programs, such as our Short Shorts Clinic, to our Daily Round Robins, we have lessons and programs for the whole family. Plus, last year, we added a shortened court for children’s play to follow new tournament regulations.
Between February and November, our tennis center will play host to nine tournaments, bringing some amazing talent to Hilton Head Island.
Beyond all the courts, classes and tournaments here at Palmetto Dunes, we also offer two hours of free tennis court time daily to all our resort homes or villas guests, in addition to giving them the best deals on activities within the resort.
We’re so proud of our wonderful tennis team and look forward to hosting you for the perfect Hilton Head tennis vacation at the best tennis resort in the Carolinas!
From the golf course to where to eat and drink we’ve compiled tips and information from the staff at Palmetto Dunes to help you get the most out of your visit to our resort.
Golf
Tennis
Dining
Activities
Misc
If you’ve never stayed with us before, feel free to ask us any questions you have by emailing customerservice@palmettodunes.com or you can “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and we’ll answer your questions there.
Do you have a great tip for visiting Palmetto Dunes?
When most people think about Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort they think about the beautiful beaches, three amazing golf courses, miles of paved bike paths and exceptional tennis. While we’re incredibly proud to be known for all of these activities, we also want you to take advantage of our many sailboat charters out of Shelter Cove Harbour just across the road. We have two exquisite sailboats and three fun filled cruises that will please the whole family.
The Schooner “Welcome” offers a variety of options, including a relaxing sunset cocktail and hors d’oeuvres cruise ideal for catching the marsh breeze and enjoying the amazing views of Hilton Head. For those interested in the wildlife surrounding our island, the Eco Cruise is for you. Hitting the seas each afternoon allows you to encounter a wide variety of marine wildlife like sea turtles, marsh birds and majestic dolphins. Finally, the “Welcome” provides a fun-filled family experience with the Pirates Adventure Cruise. Sail the high seas with a pirate as your guide while learning to hoist the sails and steer the ship. Ahoy matey, it’s a good time indeed!
If you’re looking for a more private sailboat charter, we have the smaller 40-foot “Special-K”. Take your time sailing around Hilton Head Island with an experienced captain and crew. Whether you’re interested in learning more about how to sail or you want to surprise your spouse with a romantic private ride, the “Special-K” is a great choice.
The next time you’re in Hilton Head consider taking an adventure to the high seas and come aboard one of our fabulous sailboat charters!
So you’ve set the date, picked the location and asked your friends to be in your wedding party but you just can’t ask the boss for an extra week off for your honeymoon quite yet.
The honeymoon is the icing on your wedded bliss cake but for many it’s extremely challenging to plan more time off after the wedding planning week amidst work or school schedules. That’s why we’ve created the Mini Moon Package.
This mini vacation after your nuptials will give you the much needed breather you need but will allow you to go back to work or school without taking too many extra PTO days! This package is also ideal for those looking for a long weekend getaway to rekindle the flames for Valentine’s Day with all the spa, food and romance you could want.
The Mini Moon package includes:
Be bold and follow in the footsteps of William and Kate and Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries (except try to stay married longer than 72 days) and try our new Mini Moon. Call us at 866-744-7558 for more information and make sure to visit us at www.palmettodunes.com .
We’re kicking off 2012 with four wonderful tournaments for all our golf and tennis friends out there. While we know many of you are stuck in snow and ice, why not head to Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and spend a little time outside in milder temperatures at one of these entertaining events.
On January 21, we’ll hold the Martin Luther King Golf Tournament at our Arthur Hills course. Locals will invade our golf course to play in honor of the great Martin Luther King Jr. Next, during the first weekend in February, the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center will host the No-Snow Tennis Classic from the 3rd – 5th of the month. Grab your racquet and head down to Hilton Head for some great tennis play with a guarantee of no snow!
We’ll also honor all those in the food and beverage industry in Hilton Head with our annual F&B Golf Tournament on February 16. This will be the tournament’s 8th year at our George Fazio course and you can enter now by simply clicking here. This tournament is all about the locals and at least one person from your team needs to be in the food and beverage industry.
The 26th Annual “Luck of the Irish” Doubles Tournament will bring us into March with tennis teams that are sure to please. We hope to see lots of men’s, women’s and mixed doubles team this year. It’s only $45 per person for one event or $55 a person for two events. You can register your doubles team by clicking here and filling out the entry form.
We feel very lucky to have such amazing events happening this winter season and to be able to engage with all the Hilton Head locals and out-of-towners through these events. Whether you “love” tennis or golf, we hope this blog post got you on “par” with some tournaments to enjoy this year!
While most of the country is bundling up and sitting by their fireplaces, here at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort we’re out and about playing in 70-degree weather. From tennis and golf to fishing and kayaking, the activities don’t slow down here in Hilton Head when winter rolls in. To keep our winter visitors, active we’ve got some great seasonal deals for the tennis, golf or outdoors fanatic.
Hilton Head Outfitters is offering unlimited biking, kayaking and canoeing throughout the winter. For $49 per person you can rent a bike for the whole month or you can buy a bike for 25% off! Guests can also buy a year membership for $300 per couple or $199 per person, and enjoy unlimited kayak and canoe rentals!
Winter is actually the best time to start fishing in our lagoon system, because red fish, speckled sea trout and sheephead are bountiful. Head on over to Shelter Cove Harbour to take one of the many fishing charters with Captain Trent Malphrus. You’re sure to reel in a big one!
If tennis is more up your alley, you can purchase a monthly membership through February for only $200 per person that includes two hours of court time per day. Finally, if you’d like to play with us AND stay with us, we’ve got a 30-night resort accommodations package that includes golf, bikes, kayaks and tennis starting at only $1,200 per person. We think that’s a deal!
Call us 866-744-7558 and find out all the ways you can save this winter season!
We thought it would be fun to share a little bit of history about the resort that so many of you call home, home away from home or vacation heaven.
It all started for Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort back in 1967 with the first major project being the development of the lagoon system. One year later, in 1968, development began on our championship Robert Trent Jones golf course
The early 70’s brought the addition of the Inn Villas, Beach Villas, Water Oak Villas, the Chimney Cove development and the groundbreaking of the Hyatt Hotel. In 1973, the Fazio course was started and the Jones pro shop was expanded. The following year our wonderful Tennis Center was completed and the end of the 70’s allowed us to finish Ocean Cove Villas, Turnberry Village and the Fazio Tennis Courts. We ended the decade with the acquisition by Greenwood Development Corporation.
The 80’s brought more growth in our accommodation arena by adding Captain’s Walk, Captain’s Cove, St. Andrew’s Common and more. In 1980 construction began on Shelter Cove Marina, making it an exciting year for us! Three years later came the dedication of Shelter Cove Harbour and the popular King Neptune sundial, the largest working figurative sundial in the world... In 1986, the Arthur Hills Course opened, completing our acclaimed, award-winning golf trifecta.
Over the past ten years, the resort built a new Tennis Center in 2001, and in 2002, the Robert Trent Jones course was completely renovated.
Look how far we’ve come since 1967! Who knows what will be in our future, but we look forward to all the great things to come and providing our guests with more activities than ever.
It might be freezing outside and you’re thinking more about wearing scarves than swimsuits but this Christmas why not get the family a present that will warm everyone’s heart? A trip to Hilton Head Island!
Here at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort you can find the perfect home or villa located near the ocean, golf course or lagoon depending on how your loved ones want to spend their vacation.
2118 Windsor Place has an oceanfront view and plenty of space for your whole family. The large open balcony is a great place to drink your coffee in the morning or wind down at night to the sound of tbhe ocean breeze. Enjoy views of the ocean from your private balcony overlooking an oceanfront pool with a spa, barbecue area and children's pool.
We know that many families love to gather in the kitchen and this unit has a spacious kitchen that’s open to the living and dining room. Another great feature is that all four bedrooms have their own private bathroom, making it easy for everyone to clean up and get ready after a day in the sand. The Arthur Hills golf course is a short walk away for all the golfers in the family, and you can enjoy two hours of free tennis court time each day you stay with us!
So call us now at 866-744-7558 and get the whole family a gift they will truly enjoy. Also, when you book early, you’re eligible for some really amazing deals!
There are so many things to be thankful for here in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The gorgeous weather, the beach, fishing, biking, great golf and tennis and all the amazing people! If you’re looking to skip the early snow this year and have a warm Thanksgiving, come celebrate with us at Palmetto Dunes. The average temperature here in November is upper 60’s to mid 70’s, making it great weather to hit one of our three golf courses, walk the beach or to play tennis all day!
Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated in a big way at our beach front restaurant, The Dunes House! On Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, from 11 am - 5 pm you can enjoy a huge Thanksgiving buffet your grandmother would be proud of. You can also pre-order a meal for carry-out. Just call us at 843-686-9623 or email us at carryout@palmettodunes.com. The best part is you don’t have to cook or clean up when you’re done!
The buffet is $27.95 per person plus tax and gratuity and $13.95 for kids 12 and younger. Here is the menu for Turkey Day:
Thanksgiving Menu at The Dunes House:
Mix Greens Salad with House Dressings
New England Clam Chowder
Citrus Brined Deep Fried Tom Turkey
Oven Roasted Organic Free Range Turkey
Corn Bread Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Honey Glazed Baked Bone in Spiral Ham
Miss Liz's Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
Candied Yams
Garlic Mash Yukon Gold Potatoes
Fennel and Rosemary Crusted Prime Rib
Desserts include: Frankie Mae's Famous Pumpkin Pie, Keylime Pie,
Southern Bourban Pecan Pie, Sweet Potatoe Pie and Cookies.
Regular menu will not be served at this time.
We’ll also be hosting a holiday kick-off celebration the day after Thanksgiving and we’ll be sharing information soon with all the details. Whether you join us or celebrate at home, happy Turkey Day!
You work hard to stay in shape when you’re at home, and you certainly don’t want to let all that hard work go to waste by stopping on vacation. No worries. When you come to Palmetto Dunes, we’ve got you covered. Hilton Head Island is the perfect place to run, bike or even try something new, like beachfront yoga! Here are some options to help you return with the same, or better, beach bod that you arrived with:
Hilton Head Outfitters offers a wide variety of bicycles to rent. Guests can bike through the smooth streets, which are perfect for a calm, breezy ride. If you’re up for more of a challenge, try a vigorous ride on the beach, which can burn up to 500 calories an hour! Another Palmetto Dunes activity that really gets the blood flowing is Cardio Tennis!
If you are a yoga enthusiast, you’ve got plenty to choose from. With many yoga studios around the island, you’re sure to find the right fit! Our favorite is oceanfront yoga. What could be a better workout than practicing poses with the waves crashing serenely in the background? Beach Yoga is available in front of the Dunes House on Palmetto Dunes taught by Pamela Eaton.
If you’re interested in visiting a more traditional gym, there are several on the island to try. We have an Anytime Fitness, Beach City Health and Fitness and Players Club Fitness Center to name a few. But, if you’re looking for an awesome challenge we suggest trying CrossFit. Our own tennis maven, Jackie, attends each morning and highly recommends it!
So whether you’re into tennis, biking, running or lifting here in Hilton Head Island, we’ve got all you need to get your sweat on! Let us know if you try any of our suggestions and how they “work out”.
Halloween is in just two short weeks, which leaves little time to find a costume. For those who are super busy and don’t want to spend a lot of time or money on a cool get-up for Halloween, we’ve got you covered with some Palmetto Dunes-inspired costumes for the whole family!
1. Dad as a golfer:
-polo shirt
-khaki shorts/pants
-golf shoes
-sweater to tie around your neck
-golf glove
2. Mom as a tennis player:
-tennis skirt/dress
- visor
-tennis shoes
-racket
3. Child as a Surfer:
-bathing suit
-cover up
-surfboard: can be made out of cardboard and painted by your child
-shell necklace or a lei
4. Toddler as a Sea Turtle:
- green hooded sweatshirt
- green sweatpants
- 2 large sheets of dark green felt
- light green and tan felt
- 2 large googly eyes
- pillow stuffing or newspaper
- fabric glue
This costume requires a little more work than the other three but is still very easy and super inexpensive to create. Follow these simple steps from HGTV and don’t be afraid to get a little creative with it!
These are just a couple ideas that are fun and can be pulled together with items in your closet. Got more cheap and easy costume ideas? Tweet us an idea or a picture @PalmettoDunesSC or post to our Facebook page!
Fall means football, falling leaves and cooling temperatures but here at Palmetto Dunes, it also means lots of tennis. Over the span of three months, we host four diverse tournaments with a mixture of locals and visitors – both young and old!
To kick off the fall tennis season, we’re hosting the 3rd Annual Palmetto Dunes Tennis Fall Classic Sep. 2-4 and if you’re interested in playing you need to register by Sunday, Aug. 28. We end the month with our 26th Annual Banana Open Challenge that showcases top Banana Tournament players from across the southeast.
If you’re with us in November, come out and play in our 17th Annual Wild Wing Café “Nutty Buddy” Tennis Classic. This tournament is open to visitors and locals in mixed doubles or men’s and women’s doubles teams. The fall tennis season is wrapped up Nov. 18-20 with the David M. Carmine’s Memorial Tennis Championship. This tournament is open to all adults but juniors must have a current USTA membership to participate.
Want to stay up to date on all tennis events and tournaments at Palmetto Dunes? Find them on our website along with downloadable entry forms! Keep in mind that if you’re looking for a great fall getaway, every vacation booked through Palmetto Dunes directly includes 2 hours of free tennis court time daily! We hope to see you on the courts this fall and out and about in our beautiful resort!
We are always looking for new and creative ways to reward our guests and residents. This summer we decided to take to our smart phones and jump on the popular trend of “checking in” on Foursquare. We saw that lots of people were already using their phones to check in at many of our locations, so we created some specials to make checking in even more fun.
Whether you’re a golfer, tennis enthusiast, outdoorsman (or woman) or water lover we have a Foursquare deal tailored for you. It’s super easy to unlock these specials with just a simple download of the mobile app for any smart phone or you can sign up online at Foursquare.com!
Take a look at our current check-in deals and feel free to Facebook or tweet us what specials you’d like to see next!
Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center: “Get an extra hour of court time every 3rd check-in!
Arthur Hills Course: “Get a free bag of range balls on your first check-in”
The Dunes House: Mayor Special (for the person who frequents the location the most often) “Thanks for being our Mayor! If you check-in during happy hour you receive one free frozen drink off the drink menu. Enjoy!”
Robert Trent Jones Course: “If 10 people check in at once, get 10% off one item at the pro shop!”
Hilton Head Outfitters: “Congrats! For checking in with us, you get a 20% discount on kayak rentals. Hope you have a great time!”
George Fazio Golf Course: “The Mayor can get 20% off his greens fee for the day.”
The General Store: “The first person to check in between 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. gets a free large coffee with their breakfast purchase!”
Shelter Cove Marina Ship’s Store: “Get 20% off the anything in the store with the exception of convenience items for checking in!”
So go be our friend on Foursquare and start checking in!
Next month is the start of two months full of tennis tournaments here in Hilton Head, S.C. While we’re preparing for four tournaments hosted here in September and October, one of our team members is preparing to head west for a California tournament!
Our very own Mary Jackson, group coordinator at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, is headed to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Nationals in Rancho Mirage, Calif.! At the tournament, held Oct. 14-16, she will represent the Southern Section in the 4.5 Senior Women’s division. This is a huge honor and one that Mary and her team worked very hard to achieve.
Here is a blurb from Hilton Head’s Island Packet newspaper about their win: “The senior 4.5 women's team from Palmetto Dunes Tennis Club brought back a title Tuesday from the USTA League Southern Section Championships in Mobile, Ala. The team finished 5-0 in the tournament and lost just one court in the five matches, wrapping up the championship by breezing to a 3-0 victory in the finals against a squad from Atlanta.”
We’re so proud of Mary and her entire team and wish them the best of luck at USTA Nationals. If you want to come learn from some of the best, check out all of our wonderful tennis clinics here at Palmetto Dunes!
What does Labor Day mean to you? Is it the official end of summer, a day off work, the last day to wear white or the beginning of college and NFL football season? Well, here at Palmetto Dunes it means one last chance at a summer getaway for the family. Labor Day weekend is full of fun activities here at the resort, specially crafted with your entire family in mind.
This Labor Day treat your loved ones to learning a new skill or polishing up an existing one. How about three days of our Family Golf School? Golf is a timeless skill to learn, and one of your kids will thank you for sooner or later. The program was designed by our resident golf pro and former PGA tour professional Doug Weaver. We also have great opportunities to practice your tennis skills with our junior and adult clinics.
After all that practice, it might just be nice to spend this last weekend of fun and summer biking or kayaking our 11-mile lagoon system. Sometimes just telling you how fun our activities are just isn’t enough, you have to see it yourself! Check out this video highlighting the adventurous family fun here at Palmetto Dunes!
Don’t you just want to hop in the car now and head our way? We understand… Come on down!
Calling all tennis aficionados 18 and younger. It’s time for the annual Palmetto Dunes Banana Open Junior Challenge! This Hilton Head tennis tournament, in its fifth year, kicks off Friday, April 29 and runs through Sunday, May 1 at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. The tournament benefits the Charles P. Darby Children’s Research Institute at MUSC.
We love the almost year-round sunshine here on the Hilton Head coast, but those super sunny days can present some challenges when it’s time to hit the tennis courts. Serving into the sun can be tough. One way to keep the sun out of your eyes without hindering your game is with a pair of sunglasses made for tennis.
As with just about any sport, music instrument or creative endeavor, kids gravitate toward what offers early successes. That’s one reason why kids playing tennis at Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center will appreciate the kid-sized tennis courts.