Last Updated on February 24, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
The first thing that attracted me to Long Cove Club was the designer. Some of my favorite golf courses are Pete Dye designs. The first time I visited Long Cove Club, it felt like a Dye design. Long Cove is a unique offering on Hilton Head Island with some exciting benefits and features. If you like a bit of marsh, some great golf, and an active membership, this one is for you. As a former membership director and PGA Professional, I’ll give you some in-depth insight into the positives and negatives of Long Cove.
Long Cove Club Features and Amenities
From a deep water marina to water aerobics and a beautiful Pete Dye golf course, Long Cove offers quite a bit.
Golf
The Long Cove golf course is the main attraction. In addition to the beautiful Pete Dye design set on Broad Creek, you will find a driving range and practice facility, a full-service pro shop, and an active men’s and ladies’ league.
The fairways at Long Cove Club are Celebration Bermuda. The greens are Tif Eagle Ultra Dwarf Bermuda. The golf course maintenance staff is quite busy setting up 8 sets of tees for member play each morning. Among those tees are the family tees for junior and beginner players.
Long Cove is inclusive of families and young players.
Walking at Long Cove is permitted, but the club has no caddy program.
Tennis/Pickleball
Tennis, pickleball, and bocce are all quite popular and competitive at Long Cove. With 8 Har-Tru Tennis Courts, 4 pickleball courts, and 2 bocce ball lanes, you won’t have a hard time finding a place to play.
There are two full-time tennis and pickleball professionals if you are new to court sports and want to learn. In addition, juniors can take part in both tennis and pickleball programs.
Wellness
Wellness is important to Long Cove members. As we see with modern country clubs, activity, and movement are part of the experience members want. The wellness facilities at Long Cove allow for water aerobics, yoga, cardio tennis, a 3.2-mile loop around the community, a kayaking club, and an active cycling club. There is also a lap swimming pool to make it easier to get cardio even on those warm southern days.
Marina
If you know anything about country clubs, you know that almost everything comes with an additional cost. At Long Cove Club, access to the deep water marina is just an additional benefit to the membership, and it’s a big one.
The deep water marina features 77 boat slips and can accommodate a boat up to 40 feet long. There are also spots for kayaks and personal watercraft. You will also find a fishing dock, restrooms, and an impressive view of Broad Creek at the marina.
Additional Amenities
In addition to the golf, court sports, wellness, and marina, you will also find:
- Playground
- Walking Path
- Connection to Hilton Head bike paths
- Dog Park
- Community Garden
The clubhouse offers lunch six days a week and dinner four days a week. The three dining options include a snack bar, grill room, and the main dining room (Magnolia Room). There are no food and beverage minimums.
How Much Does Long Cove Club Cost?
Long Cove Club is upfront about its pricing schedule. This is one of those places you can afford or can’t. Remember that most houses start at around $800,000 but frequently sell for over $1.75 million.
Initiation at Long Cove Club is $50,000, and the dues are about $17,500 annually. You will also pay cart fees as well as pushcart fees.
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Initiation Fee | $50,000 |
| Annual Dues | $17,434 |
| Annual Cart (Single) | $2,000 |
| Annual Cart (Double) | $2,750 |
| Annual Push Cart (Single) | $639 |
| Annual Push Cart (Double) | $885 |
| Daily Cart | $25 |
| Daily Push Cart | $8 |
| Club Storage | $100 |
| Clubhouse Lockers | $100-$125 |
Long Cove Club Hilton Head Island History and Exclusivity
Long Cove Club in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is renowned for its exclusive and high-end amenities, offering a luxurious lifestyle to its members.
The club opened in 1981, and by 1985, it had already been recognized as one of the best private golf clubs in the country. There are 569 single-family homes, each with a membership.
All members enjoy the same access regardless of the value of your home.
Long Cove Club vs. The Competition
If you know anything about Hilton Head, you are well aware that there is a lot of golf to be played. Private golf clubs have quite a bit of competition. Here’s a brief look at how Long Cove Club stacks up against the competition.
| Club Name | Type | Key Facilities and Amenities | Cost Estimate |
| Long Cove Club | Private | Pete Dye golf course, marina, tennis courts, fitness center, dog park, community garden, social events, dining options | $$$$ |
| The Golf Club at Indigo Run | Private | Championship golf course, private events, fittings, dining, social activities | $$$ |
| Haig Point Club and Community Association | Private | Multiple golf courses, equestrian center, beach club, fitness and tennis centers, dining options | $$$$ |
| Dolphin Head Golf Course | Private | Challenging golf course, community-focused events, dining facilities | $$$ |
| Moss Creek Golf Club | Private | Championship golf course, equestrian center, marina, nature preserves, fitness center, dining facilities | $$$ |
| Harbour Town Golf Links, The Sea Pines Resort | Resort | Pete Dye design, forecaddies, ecologically responsible, part of Sea Pines Forest Preserve, dining, luxury accommodations | $$$$ |
| Arthur Hills Golf Course, Palmetto Dunes | Resort | Tight course, water features, golf packages, beach access, family-friendly activities, dining options | $$ |
| Oyster Reef Golf Club, Heritage Golf Collection | Semi-Private | Classic layout, wide fairways, stunning views, dining options, event hosting | $$ |
| Heron Point By Pete Dye, The Sea Pines Resort | Resort | Pete Dye redesign, Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, private club-style golf, luxury accommodations | $$$ |
| Robert Trent Jones Course, Palmetto Dunes | Resort | Atlantic Ocean views, sandy bunkers, signature hole, beach access, family activities, dining options | $$ |
| Atlantic Dunes By Davis Love III, The Sea Pines Resort | Resort | Reconstructed old Ocean Course, natural beauty, ocean views, luxury accommodations, dining options | $$$ |
| Robber’s Row, Port Royal Golf And Racquet Club | Resort | Historic design, challenging layout, nature trails, tennis facilities, dining options | $$ |
Pros and Cons of Long Cove Club
At this point, you probably have a pretty good idea if Long Cove could be a good fit for your lifestyle. Here are a few of the pros and cons that we were left with after analyzing the Long Cove Club.
Pros
- Amazing Pete Dye golf course with water in play on 12 holes
- Great community feel with a focus on charity, togetherness, and enjoying the amenities of the community
- Family-oriented and friendly
- Great golf course conditions
- Active court sports and wellness
- Fantastic opportunity to have your boat just steps away from the first tee box (you may need it to find some of your golf balls)
Cons
- Only one golf course with a very active membership, you may have to pay attention to booking tee times.
- It is more exclusive and less of a resort course, so facilities are smaller, and pricing is slightly higher.
Final Thoughts
There’s something about finding a golf club that mixes in water views, marina access, and a fun and inviting environment. You’re going to find all of that at Long Cove Club. With a $50,000 initiation fee and about $17,500 in dues each year, you can choose the lifestyle you want within the gates. If it were up to us, the beach would be the only reason to leave for an afternoon.
