How the world’s best golfers deal with the elements at Harbour Town

Weathering the challenge

Harbour Town Golf Links is known for its tight fairways, small greens and strategic design, but one of the biggest factors influencing play each year isn’t the course itself — it’s the weather. From swirling coastal winds to unpredictable late-afternoon storms, the elements often play a crucial role in determining the champion.

The impact of wind 

One of the most notorious weather-related challenges at Harbour Town comes on the 18th hole, a long par 4 that runs along the Calibogue Sound. The hole is famous for its iconic lighthouse backdrop, but it’s also where golfers must contend with the unpredictable coastal winds that sweep across the water.

Late-afternoon winds: By the time players reach the final stretch of their round, the wind is often at its strongest. The prevailing breeze usually comes from the southwest, but it can swirl unexpectedly, making club selection and shot-shaping a challenge.

Off-the-tee dilemma: The fairway is wide, one of the widest on the tour, but the left side brings the water into play, while the right side is lined with spectators. Players must decide whether to play aggressively or take a safer approach, depending on the wind direction.

The approach shot: With the green positioned right along the shoreline, approach shots are often at the mercy of crosswinds that can knock the ball off course. Some years a strong headwind has forced players to club up significantly, while in calmer conditions balls can release too much on the firm green.

The Harbour Town microclimate

Unlike inland courses, Harbour Town Golf Links is heavily influenced by the coastal environment, creating conditions that can change throughout the day:

Mornings: Calm, with little wind and mild temperatures — often the best scoring conditions of the day.

Midday: Temperatures warm up, and the wind begins to pick up, particularly in exposed areas near the water.

Afternoon: The breeze intensifies, often affecting back-nine scoring. Players with later tee times face more difficult conditions than those who teed off earlier.

Storm threats: April is generally dry, but fast-moving cold fronts can bring pop-up showers and thunderstorms.

How golfers adapt to the conditions

The best players understand that Harbour Town is a second-shot course, meaning precision is more important than power. Some ways they adjust for weather conditions include:

• Teeing the ball lower to control trajectory on windy holes.
• Shaping shots against the wind to avoid being carried off-line.
• Adjusting putting speeds on greens that can dry out and firm up in breezy afternoon conditions.
• Planning club selection carefully based on wind direction and strength — especially when approaching greens near the water.

A history of good weather 

Hilton Head in mid-April typically experiences mild and pleasant spring weather, making it an ideal setting for the RBC Heritage. Here’s what you can generally expect based on historical weather patterns:

Temperatures: Highs usually range from 72-78, with lows in the mid-50s to low-60s.

Humidity: Moderate humidity, but not as intense as in the summer months.

Rainfall: April is one of the drier months, but scattered showers and occasional thunderstorms are possible, especially in the afternoons.

Wind: Coastal breezes are common, with average wind speeds of 7-12 mph. 

Storm risk: Severe storms are less frequent than in summer, but quick-moving cold fronts can bring rain. LL