Many people find themselves at the three-course Palmetto Dunes Resort on their Hilton Head golf vacation, but insiders know the best course to play.

It's a beautiful low-country layout that rolls over natural sand dunes as it passes through a system of lagoons. Anything but long — it’s only 6,651 yards from the back tees — this par-72 test captivates you with its unique elevation changes and challenging approaches to feature-filled greens.

The front nine is wonderful, but the back nine is superb, highlighted by the par-four 12th, a tough dogleg right with menacing water.