Published: April 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Renata Parker
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Marked by vivid green and windswept dense terrain, Hilton Head is an island made for golf as much as it is made for a vacation. Legendary architects of the game, like Tom Fazio, Fuzzy Zoeller, William Byrd, Pete Dye and Gary Player, to name a few, transformed this shimmering, verdant South Carolina isle into a golf playground with some of the most distinct courses in golf history.

Although golf is a year-round pleasure, spring is an ideal season to head to one of Hilton Head’s many courses.

If you're a player, test your techniques at one of the many championship courses where the coastal rhythm and natural terrain enhance your experience and demand your skill. Here are just a few resorts created by golf legends.

Palmetto Hall Plantation Club

Two signature courses created by notable designers Arthur Hills and Robert Cupp drive it home for golfers who seek competition in their game. Known as one of the nation’s top 10 new courses, the Arthur Hills Course offers players plenty of challenge while the Robert Cupp course is a test of skill at every hole. Guests receive the VIP treatment at this luxurious, 14,000-square-foot clubhouse with a first-class golf shop and practice facility.

Oyster Reef Golf Club

Golf Digest marks this Rees Jones championship-style course as one of the “Best Places to Play.” Take your camera with you. Because of the dramatic view overlooking the inlet of Port Royal Sound, the Par 3 on Oyster Reef is one of the most photographed holes on Hilton Head. The views surrounding the 18 holes promise not to disappoint. After a round, celebrate at the resort clubhouse, which is always a popular spot for socializing and sharing the day’s highlights.

Port Royal Golf Club

With a picturesque antebellum clubhouse bordering a marsh among old oaks, the Port Royal collection of three courses offers a golf experience rich in Southern history and a game which spans all skill levels. Designed in the early 1960s, the Barony Course was one of the first courses on Hilton Head. Situated on stunning grounds marked by Civil War history, the Robber’s Row Course offers golfers a glimpse into South Carolina’s past with informative markers at each par. Once the destination for the Senior PGA Tour, Planter’s Row Course differentiates itself among the Port Royal collection because of its wide fairway and water hazards on the majority of the 18 holes.

If your love for the game comes with a spectator title, you can study the swing and style of the pros during one of the most popular golf tournaments, the annual Verizon Heritage PGA Tour. Founded by Hilton Head developer Charles Fraser in 1969, the Heritage draws record crowds for a party on the green you don’t want to miss. This year's event unfolds April 12-18, 2010, in Harbor Town.

Designed by golf architect legend Pet Dye, Harbor Town Links is ranked as one of the top golf courses in the world and was awarded a certification from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The festivities surrounding this unofficial kickoff to spring include socials and after-parties which center around the marina and yacht basin. Tournament days are framed by the buzz of nightlife and music. Recap the day’s events and soak in an island sunset and breathtaking views of the Calibogue Sound with a waterfront seat at one of the outdoor deck restaurants.

On the green or off, Hilton Head is the golfer's playground in South Carolina.