May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina ? a Jack Nicklaus-Designed Signature Course Named the Best New Golf Course in South Carolina in 2005

The May River Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus-designed signature course at the Palmetto Bluff resort. The course is set amid the May River Forest and its 300-year-old live oaks, and the layout twists and turns through the trees and along the banks of the May River, from which it derives its name.

The course, which opened in 2004, features wide fairways that include strategically placed bunkers and several natural waste areas that set up the typical risk/reward option off the tee. Very little earth was moved during course construction, and Nicklaus made use of the existing land to create a Lowcountry environment.

The course is said to play firm and fast, with tightly mowed banks and gently undulating green complexes, which are a defining feature of the course. The surrounding swales and collection areas transition so seamlessly to the putting surface that they are virtually "negative edge'' green complexes, making it both easy and confounding to putt the ball from off the green...or see a chip or putt go through the green and run right off of it.

The greens also tend to be well-guarded by white-sand bunkers of differing sizes, shapes and depths. The sand is also a unique feature of the course, as Nicklaus imported special sand, which features an angular grain, from Ohio. The special sand promotes better adhesion, which reduces maintenance after the coastal storms common to the area.

The 18-hole, par-72 layout plays to 7,171 yards from the tips, with a USGA rating of 75.4 and a slope rating of 140. While technically a "resort course,'' May River Golf Club is said to have the look, feel and conditioning of a fine private golf club. The tee areas and fairways play on Paspalum, a new, eco-friendly turf, while the green complexes are Bermuda grass.

Some of the most noteworthy holes on the course are its par-3s, which have been described as "art-collection worthy.'' Hole No. 6 is a prime example, and is one of four signature holes on the course. This par-3 hole plays to 175 yards and features a forced carry past some tall trees, over water and rough to a green that's well-guarded by a number of bunkers.

Hole No. 11 is another of May River's picturesque par-3s. This hole plays to 169 yards to a long, narrow, elevated green nestled beside a large pond on the right and trees on the left.

Adding to the "private-club'' feel of May River Golf Club, caddie service is required with each round, and players are encouraged to walk the course.

Practice facilities include a driving range with tee boxes at both ends, a specially shaped fairway, and target greens with bunkers. There's also a five-acre short-game practice area with four regulation-size greens, complete with bunkers. Golf instruction is also available from certified PGA Professional instructors.

The course also features the May River Golf House, a clubhouse designed to classic American golf style. Inside are a golf shop, locker rooms, and the May River Grill for casual dining.