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Spring’s Featured Attraction: Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf

Feb 26, 2019

Subject: Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf

Type: Pirate Themed Miniature Golf Course

Location: 8 Marina Side Drive, Hilton Head, SC

Cost: $12.75 Adult; $10.75 Child (4-12); FREE For tots (4 and below with paying adult) plus $5 extra round or plus $7 for all day adventure

Reservations: No

Audience: Everyone

Experience: It was a nice sunny day in Hilton Head Island one late afternoon, when I decided to check out an old favorite around these parts. This favorite was Pirates Island Adventure Golf located on 8 Marina Side Drive. The attraction consists of two courses, Blackbeard’s Original Adventure and Captain Kidd’s Challenge, containing 18 holes each with Blackbeard’s Original being the easier of the two. Because of this I decided to do that one first.

Most of the holes here are straight forward and I was dangerously close to getting a hole-in-one in a few of them. The course itself goes around a water tower and over a hill and back to the start. Some of the holes here were quite complex as one of them, Hole 14, had two holes that connected to pipes that would launch your ball to the main hole itself, resulting in a hole-in-one if you get it just right. Alas, I was one over par in the course, but I was only getting warmed up.

Captain Kidd’s Challenge, true to its name, was a real challenge. There are more hazards to avoid such as rock pits and deep pits and sometimes the ball will careen around the hole instead of going in it. Despite this, there are plenty of photo ops and interactive exhibits along the way, like a small tiki display with large bells you can ring by striking them. This course also bridges over a pond, but also goes through a cave underneath the easier course and back to the start. In the cave, two pirates will give a jump as they throw a few insults at you from their cell. I almost had a Happy Gilmore moment because of those two. I nearly got a hole-in-one on the 17th hole here but it bounced right out. After I finished this course, I realized that I did much better than I thought and was on par. I shrugged it off as a stroke of luck and went home.

Thoughts: There is a great family appeal to this attraction as miniature golf is a game for all the ages. The wee ones can enjoy a day of putt-putt in a pirate themed course (or two) while the adults can practice their putting game for when they decide to do the real deal on our many courses around here. I was held up by two groups of adults, one young and one old, on the Captain Kidd course but they let me go through since I was the only one playing in my party. One man even took his son for a round.

The service was pretty good. Most of the experience is self-serve apart from paying for your games and equipment. They provide a perk for getting a hole-in-one in any of the courses: a free game in the form of a “doubloon.” Just turn it in on your next visit to play a game for free. They also provide chances to clean your ball before the game and insert a quarter into a fish food machine to feed the fish in the pond. No need to turn in your ball. When you sin your ball on the 18th hole on each course, it rolls through a pipe and into a well nearby. The only thing you need to turn in is your putter. Be sure to show your scorecard if you get a hole-in-one to acquire your free game coin.

The staff play it safe around here. They have signs indicating some unstable terrain showing where to watch your step. These signs are everywhere and are designed with the overall theme of the attraction.

There is great attention to detail with the atmosphere of the attraction. Throughout the courses you can read signs nearby to learn all about the lives of famous real-life pirates such as Edward Teach, Anne Bonney, and even Blackbeard. The area is decorated from top to bottom with pirate memorabilia including but not limited to cannons, treasure chests and skeletons dressed in pirate garb. Even the check-in area makes you feel like you’re in a scene of Pirates of the Caribbean. One song was played on a loop throughout the time I was there, so it got repetitive. The soundtrack would otherwise consist of music that was either sea-themed or something from a classic pirate film. Photo ops here include a pillory in the main hub and a pirate on a wheel in the Captain Kidd Challenge Hole 4.

It was great fun going through these courses. Though frustrating at times, the result may be better than you realize when you finish. I witnessed other patrons enjoying themselves while they were playing with friends and family. Would have been more fun if I did manage to get a hole-in-one when I should have, but that’s just me.

Overall, this place is a very good place to spend some time in. Whether it’s with your significant other or the kids, you will enjoy the challenge of Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf. Got a birthday or need to do a corporate outing? No Problem. They cater to large parties as well. Just give them a call and they will suit your needs.

Scoring (1-10):

Family Appeal…………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Service………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Safety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………10

Atmosphere………………………………………………………………………………………………………10

Fun………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9

Overall……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9.2

Recommend: Yes

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