A Hole-by-Hole Look at the Restoration of Harbour Town Golf Links
With insights from Davis Love III
There are few courses in the world as recognizable—and as revered—as Harbour Town Golf Links. Known for its strategic design, iconic lighthouse backdrop, and legacy of championship play, Harbour Town has long challenged golfers to think their way around every hole.
In 2025, the course underwent a comprehensive restoration led by Davis Love III, five-time RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing champion and player consultant. Completed between May and November of that year, the project carefully preserved the character of the course while refining its playability for today’s game.
Now, through a detailed hole-by-hole video narrated by Love himself, golfers have the opportunity to see—and hear—how these updates took shape.
A Thoughtful Restoration Rooted in Tradition
Rather than reinventing Harbour Town, the goal of the restoration was to honor its original design—first envisioned by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus—while making subtle, strategic updates that enhance both play and presentation.
Working closely with the design team, Love brought a player’s perspective to the project, ensuring each adjustment stayed true to the course’s identity: precision over power, and strategy over strength.
The work addressed key elements throughout the course, including:
- Refining green complexes to restore original shapes and sightlines
- Enhancing bunker placement and definition for both aesthetics and playability
- Reestablishing preferred turf conditions to improve consistency
- Updating drainage and infrastructure to ensure long-term performance
The result is a course that feels remarkably familiar—yet plays as thoughtfully as ever.
Harbour Town Golf Links, Hole 16, photographed by Bill Hornstein
Walking the Course with Davis Love III
In the accompanying video, Davis Love III takes golfers on a journey across all 18 holes, offering insight into the philosophy behind each restoration decision.
His perspective brings a deeper understanding of how the course is intended to be played—not just from a design standpoint, but from decades of competitive experience at Harbour Town itself.
As Love moves from hole to hole, he highlights:
- Subtle shifts in shaping and alignment
- Strategic considerations off the tee and into greens
- How restored features influence shot selection
- The importance of positioning and course management
It’s a rare opportunity to see Harbour Town not just as a player, but through the eyes of someone who knows it intimately.
Strategy Still Defines the Experience
While the updates refined many physical elements of the course, the core challenge of Harbour Town remains unchanged.
This is still a course that rewards:
- Accuracy over distance
- Patience over aggression
- Thoughtful shot-making on every approach
From the narrow fairways framed by pines to the small, well-guarded greens, every hole continues to demand careful consideration. The restoration simply brings those defining traits back into sharper focus.
Player consultant, Davis Love III
A Course That Continues to Evolve
Harbour Town Golf Links has always balanced tradition with evolution. This most recent restoration ensures the course remains both historically grounded and forward-looking—ready to challenge the next generation of golfers while preserving the qualities that have made it iconic.
For those who know the course well, the updates offer a renewed appreciation of its design. And for those experiencing it for the first time, it’s an opportunity to play a layout that has been thoughtfully refined at every level.
Harbour Town Golf Links, Hole 5, photographed by Bill Hornstein
Watch the Full Hole-by-Hole Overview
To see the restoration come to life, watch Davis Love III’s complete hole-by-hole walkthrough and hear firsthand how each update was shaped.
From tee to green, it’s a closer look at Harbour Town—told by someone who knows every inch of it.