When tennis players dream of a perfect warm-weather getaway, with lush green courts nestled among live oak trees against a backdrop of ocean breezes, they are imagining South Carolina. Few states in America have cultivated such a storied, year-round tennis culture, and fewer still can claim a concentration of world-ranked resorts like the Palmetto State.
South Carolina’s love affair with the game runs deep. Hilton Head Island alone is home to more than 300 tennis courts, more than any other resort destination in the country, according to the island’s official tourism guides. The state also hosts the Credit One Charleston Open, one of the most popular professional women’s tournaments on the WTA circuit. Whether you are a recreational player looking to sharpen your backhand in paradise, a serious competitor seeking elite instruction, or a family hunting for a resort where everyone from tiny tots to seasoned adults can find their game, South Carolina delivers in full.
The appeal here is multi-layered: a sub-tropical climate that stretches the playing season nearly year-round; a signature surface in Har-Tru green clay that is gentler on joints, cooler in summer, and beloved by players who prize strategy and movement; and an unbroken lineage of legendary instruction tied to names like Stan Smith and Roy Barth. Add the Lowcountry’s effortless charm, with salt marshes, oceanfront villas, world-class dining, and that unmistakable Southern pace, and you have the ingredients for a tennis vacation unlike anything else in North America.
In this guide, we break down the six finest tennis resorts in South Carolina. Each property listing includes details on courts, programs, amenities, and activities.
Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)
Located on Hilton Head Island’s shores, the Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort is a full-service beachfront condo and villa resort known for its direct ocean access, large resort pools, and relaxed coastal atmosphere. The property operates as a vacation rental community, offering oceanfront, ocean-view, tennis, and Admiral’s Row villas, all within a gated, amenity-rich campus on Folly Field Beach.
Tennis
The resort features 8 Har-Tru clay tennis courts and 4 dedicated pickleball courts, all available to resort guests. A Pro Shop is located on the property, where guests can borrow racquets and balls and sign up for lessons with the resort pro. Court time is included for resort guests. Clinics, private lessons, and seasonal tournaments are available through the Pro Shop.
Other Activities and Amenities
Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort is best known for its beachfront setting, resort pools, and all-inclusive amenity package for villa guests. The resort offers the island’s largest oceanfront pool, a children’s pool, bike rentals, a playground, catch-and-release fishing, beach volleyball, a fitness centre, and on-site dining. Seasonal activities run year-round, including poolside events, wildlife programs hosted by the Coastal Discovery Museum, and dive-in movie nights. The four boardwalk beach accesses lead directly onto Folly Field Beach, one of South Carolina’s widest and most family-friendly stretches of sand. The resort also accommodates meetings, weddings, and group events in its dedicated event spaces.
TRO Reader Review
“Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort is a great destination for tennis lovers. I’m a beginner tennis player. Started playing a year ago. We come to this resort with my wife and two daughters every year around June/July. I took number of private lessons with Danny last year as well as this year. Danny is a great coach for tennis players of any level of experience. He explains well and corrects your mistakes in a friendly manner. Private lessons are reasonably priced. After a lesson, you can practice on your own using one of the six courts or using the tennis practice wall. There are 6 tennis courts maintained in a great condition. You can always find one available. Looking forward to coming back to HHIBT resort next year.” – DS
Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Kiawah Island, South Carolina)
Kiawah Island Golf Resort sits on a pristine barrier island 21 miles south of Charleston, encompassing a 255-room luxury hotel called The Sanctuary alongside more than 500 resort-managed villas and private homes. The resort is widely known as one of the finest golf and tennis destinations in North America, set within a naturally preserved Lowcountry landscape of marshes, live oaks, and ten miles of Atlantic beach.
Tennis, Pickleball, and Padel
The Roy Barth Tennis Center is the centrepiece of the racquet sports offering, under the direction of Jonathan Barth (Director of Tennis) and David Boyd (Head Professional). The Center offers 22 tennis courts, including ten Har-Tru clay courts, all bordered by oleander, palmettos, pampas grass, and flowers. Instructional programs run for all levels, from tiny tots and junior players to adults, including clinics, drills, private lessons, and the Barth-Hawtin Tennis Academy for junior development. The newly reimagined clubhouse features a modern pro shop stocking the latest tennis and pickleball gear and apparel, a dedicated classroom, a fitness center, and the Courtside Cafe serving light snacks and refreshments. Tennis and pickleball packages are available, combining instruction, court time, use of the practice alley, and accommodation.
The Roy Barth Tennis Center also offers brand-new padel courts alongside its state-of-the-art pickleball courts. Pickleball programming includes clinics, private and paired lessons, and social events such as Round Robin, Skills Challenge, and Play with a Pro. Junior Camps are available for youth aged 6 to 11 and 12 to 17. Seasonal weekend packages, including Women’s Pickleball Weekends and Fall Pickleball Weekends, are also offered.
Other Activities and Amenities
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is home to five championship golf courses: The Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Turtle Point, Cougar Point, and Oak Point. The Ocean Course has hosted the Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships. A Golf Learning Center offers instruction for all levels. The Spa at The Sanctuary provides a full menu of treatments, and the resort’s fitness facilities, nature programming, and the Treehouse Activity Center for families round out the non-golf and tennis experience. Multiple dining venues are located at The Sanctuary and across the island’s golf clubhouses.
TRO Reader Review
“The facilities are great! The people who provide help and assistance are great! My experience there has always been great! I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great place to learn and enjoy life!” – PK
Palmetto Dunes Tennis and Pickleball Center (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is a large, self-contained resort community on Hilton Head Island. Known for its oceanfront setting, three championship golf courses, and Shelter Cove Marina, the resort offers vacation villa rentals ranging from lagoon-view to beachfront, alongside a comprehensive program of racquet sports, water activities, and dining.
Tennis and Pickleball
The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center features 17 clay tennis courts, four of which are lighted for night play through 10 p.m. Pro Shop hours run Sunday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The award-winning Tennis Center offers a full schedule of activities and instructional programs year-round, led by a full complement of professional instructors. Programs include adult clinics, Round Robins, private lessons, and junior camps and lessons for beginners through advanced players. Tennis lessons can be reserved online up to 28 days in advance. The Pro Shop is the largest tennis shop on Hilton Head Island and is stocked with Nike, Prince, Babolat, and Wilson equipment and apparel. Guests booking vacation rentals through Palmetto Dunes receive complimentary court time when available, plus up to 15% off lessons and clinics.
The Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center offers 24 dedicated pickleball courts, with 8 lighted for night play through 10 p.m. A full schedule of clinics, Round Robins, and private lessons is available. Pickleball lessons can be reserved online up to 14 days in advance. The same Pro Shop serves both tennis and pickleball players.
Other Activities and Amenities
Palmetto Dunes is home to three championship golf courses: the Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, the George Fazio Course, and the Arthur Hills Course, each bookable online. A Toptracer Range is available for practice sessions. Shelter Cove Marina, just off the Intracoastal Waterway, offers boat rentals, fishing charters, eco-tours, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Bike and beach rental services provide free delivery for stays of three or more days. Dining options include Alexander’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, The Dunes House, and Big Jim’s BBQ. Spa Sol and fitness facilities are available on property.
TRO Reader Review
Liked the location and also very pleased with the tennis lessons like competitive doubles clinics.
Would like to visit again in the future. – FR
Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)
Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club is located within Port Royal Plantation on the northwestern point of Hilton Head Island. It sits alongside the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa, making it one of the few properties on the island where world-class tennis and a full-service oceanfront luxury hotel share nearly the same address. The club is managed by the Heritage Golf Group and is known for its antebellum mansion-style Clubhouse, championship golf, and award-winning tennis.
Tennis and Pickleball
The Racquet Club at Port Royal features eight Har-Tru clay courts and two permanent pickleball courts. The facility offers court reservations, group play, organized tennis and pickleball events, and access to the pro staff. A tennis pro shop is on site. Private lessons, clinics, and custom group programming are available for players of all levels. Organized pickleball events, group play, and instruction are available through the Port Royal tennis staff, and the Pickleball and Tennis Club keeps members and guests informed about scheduling and open-play opportunities. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa offers tennis packages that pair accommodation with additional court time and semi-private instruction.
Other Activities and Amenities
Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club is home to two 18-hole championship courses: the Barony Course, designed by George W. Cobb in the early 1960s as one of the first courses on Hilton Head Island, and Robber’s Row, redesigned by Pete Dye. A practice facility with a driving range, putting green, and short game area is available. The Robber’s Row Grille serves a low-country seasonal menu with fresh local ingredients in the antebellum-style Clubhouse. FootGolf is available on the property for families. The adjacent Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa provides direct beachfront access, multiple pools, a full-service spa, and four on-site restaurants.
TRO Reader Review
We were recently visiting Port Royal and reached out about lessons. Dale made every effort to teach us several times throughout the week- including individual and small group lessons.
Dale is such an amazing coach. The atmosphere he creates makes all feel welcome. He has a very good coaching style that is focused on the swing. He changes to fit the needs of each individual. He also helped to build up confidence to tryout for a high school team. I would defiantly recommend to people of all ages.
Can’t wait for our next visit and opportunity for another lesson! – DR
Sea Pines Resort (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)
Sea Pines Resort spans the southern third of Hilton Head Island across 5,000 oceanfront acres, encompassing a private plantation community with beaches, golf, tennis, a marina, nature trails, and its own village at Harbour Town. Accommodation options include The Inn and Club at Harbour Town and a wide range of villa and home rentals. Sea Pines is widely recognized as the birthplace of Hilton Head’s resort culture, founded by developer Charles Fraser, who placed tennis at the heart of the community from the outset.
Tennis and Pickleball
The Sea Pines Racquet Club is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and offers clay court reservations and a full roster of instructional programs. Registered resort guests receive two complimentary hours of court time per day while on-resort guests pay per hour. Instruction is provided by USPTA- and PTR-certified professionals and is available for adults, juniors, and children. Adult programs include Tennis 101 for beginners and returners, private instruction from the tennis director or staff pros, and advanced junior programs for tournament and college-level preparation. The flagship instructional offering is the Stan Smith Super Series Package, a weekend program featuring video analysis of serve and stroke, strategy instruction, footwork drills, and supervised practice, with a maximum student-to-pro ratio of 4:1, led by former world No. 1 and Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Stan Smith. The Best Weekend in Tennis and Weekend Workout packages are also available. A pro shop is on-site.
The Racquet Club also offers six dedicated pickleball courts. Resort guests and property owners pay $30 per hour, and non-resort guests pay $35 per hour. Paddle and ball rental is available, including four paddles and balls. Programs include Pickleball 101 for new players covering rules, scoring, court positioning, and basic strategy.
Other Activities and Amenities
Sea Pines Resort is home to three championship golf courses: Harbour Town Golf Links, which hosts the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage tournament, Heron Point by Pete Dye, and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III. A Golf Learning Center provides instruction for all levels. Harbour Town is a destination in itself, with boutique shopping, waterfront dining, and the iconic striped lighthouse. The South Beach Marina Village offers cruises, watersports, kayaking, and eco-tours. Lawton Stables provides horseback riding and nature experiences. The resort’s leisure paths and bicycle shop support miles of scenic cycling. Dining venues include Coast Oceanfront Dining, Fraser’s Tavern, the Quarterdeck, Harbourside, and the Harbour Town Bakery and Cafe. The Sea Pines Beach Club offers oceanfront access, and a full-service fitness centre is on-site.
TRO Reader Review
Excellent tennis facility and instruction. Multiple levels of play surrounded by fantastic amenities. Clearly, a 5-Star tennis choice. – JP
Wild Dunes Resort (Isle of Palms, South Carolina)
Wild Dunes Resort is located on the Isle of Palms, a barrier island about 15 miles from historic downtown Charleston. The 1,600-acre property is a Destination by Hyatt resort and is known for its two-and-a-half miles of private beach, two championship golf courses, a marina, a full-service spa, and one of the most active racquet sports programs on the South Carolina coast.
Tennis and Pickleball
Wild Dunes Resort’s Tennis Center offers 12 Har-Tru clay tennis courts, including a stadium court, with four lit for evening play. Programs are led by certified professional staff and include private lessons, daily clinics, and seasonal camps for all ages and skill levels. Clinics explore a different skill or theme each day, from serves and returns to net play and strategy. Adult programs range from beginner instruction to competitive doubles clinics, and junior programs are available seasonally. Court reservations and lesson bookings are made through the Pro Shop. A full-service Pro Shop stocks racquets, paddles, apparel, and accessories. Woody’s Eatery is located adjacent to the Harbour Pro Shop and Tennis Center, serving breakfast, sandwiches, salads, snacks, and beverages, including beer, wine, and cocktails for post-match relaxation.
The resort also offers six dedicated pickleball courts, served by PPR-certified professional instructors. Programs include clinics, lessons, open-play sessions, and Pickleball Stay and Play overnight packages that combine court access with resort accommodation.
Other Activities and Amenities
Wild Dunes Resort offers two championship golf courses, the Links Course and the Harbour Course, with tee time bookings available online. The Spa at Sweetgrass, within the Sweetgrass Inn, offers a full menu of spa treatments, a nail salon, and wellness classes. The Sweetgrass Inn also features a rooftop terrace and bar with ocean views, multiple pools, and three restaurants. The Boardwalk Inn, located near the beach, complements the resort’s accommodation options. A marina offers SUP and kayak rentals, fishing, boat rentals, and eco-tours. The resort’s proximity to Charleston, only 15 miles from the historic district, makes it a natural base for combining a tennis getaway with the city’s renowned dining, architecture, and cultural attractions.
TRO Reader Review
If you’re looking for an incredible tennis experience at Wild Dunes, look no further than Tory. She is absolute magic!
Our group of six people ranged drastically in skill level—from total beginners to intermediate/advanced players—and Tory managed the court beautifully. Here’s why:
1) Caters to All Levels: Tory kept everyone engaged, challenged, and moving, meeting each player exactly where they were without anyone feeling left out.
2) Electric Energy: Tory brings high-energy. The music, the instruction, and the drills were all motivating and incredibly fun. You’ll leave exhausted but smiling.
3) Expert Technique Tweaks: Tory’s technical explanations broke down complex movements into simple, actionable steps that yielded immediate results. Her guidance at the net completely transformed my confidence and positioning.
Our group couldn’t recommend her more (and this is coming from people who regularly play in NYC and Miami). Tory is the absolute best. – GG
Why South Carolina is a World-Class Tennis Destination
The Har-Tru Advantage
Walk onto almost any court at a South Carolina tennis resort, and you will feel the difference beneath your feet: Har-Tru, the iconic green clay surface that has become synonymous with Lowcountry tennis. Unlike hard courts, Har-Tru absorbs impact with every step and every ball bounce, dramatically reducing wear on knees, hips, and ankles. This keeps recreational players comfortable during long sessions and extends the competitive careers of more serious players. The surface also runs cooler in South Carolina’s summer heat and favours a more deliberate, strategic style of play, with longer rallies that reward movement and patience over raw power.
Championship Lineage
South Carolina’s courts carry the fingerprints of the sport’s all-time greats. Stan Smith, Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion, member of seven winning U.S. Davis Cup teams, and former U.S. Olympic men’s tennis coach, directs tennis at Sea Pines Resort. Kiawah Island Golf Resort bears the legacy of Hall of Famer Roy Barth. The Credit One Charleston Open, a WTA 500 event played on green clay in Charleston, South Carolina, is the largest women’s professional tennis tournament in North America, and has drawn champions including Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, and Serena Williams.
The Racquet Sports Evolution
South Carolina’s tennis resorts are leading the national expansion of racquet sports. Kiawah Island Golf Resort has added brand-new Padel Courts alongside its Pickleball Courts at the Roy Barth Tennis Center. Sea Pines Racquet Club offers six dedicated pickleball courts. Palmetto Dunes operates 24 dedicated pickleball courts in addition to its 17 clay tennis courts. The result is a landscape in which tennis, pickleball, and padel grow side by side, welcoming players of all types.
Ideal Year-Round Climate
South Carolina’s sub-tropical climate is one of the most compelling reasons to choose it as a tennis destination. Spring arrives early, with comfortable playing conditions often in place by late February. The fall shoulder season stretches well into November. Even in summer, Atlantic sea breezes moderate conditions along the barrier islands, and Har-Tru’s naturally cooler surface makes outdoor play far more manageable than it might appear. For players from northern states who endure long indoor winters, the ability to play outside on championship clay every month of the year is perhaps the single greatest luxury South Carolina tennis resorts can offer.
Your South Carolina Tennis Vacation Awaits
South Carolina has earned its place among the world’s great tennis destinations through decades of genuine investment in courts, instruction, and the game’s culture. From Kiawah’s Roy Barth Tennis Center and its new padel and pickleball courts, to Sea Pines’ Stan Smith-led programs, Palmetto Dunes’ clay court complex, and Wild Dunes’ Gold Medal facilities, the state offers a depth and breadth of racquet sports experience unmatched in the American South.
The key to a perfect South Carolina tennis vacation lies in matching the right property to your priorities. Those seeking the most comprehensive resort experience should look to Kiawah Island or Sea Pines. Families focused on junior development will find Palmetto Dunes hard to beat. Couples and luxury travellers wanting championship clay alongside a full spa and beachfront hotel will appreciate the Port Royal and Westin pairing. And anyone combining a tennis trip with a Charleston visit will find Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms an outstanding coastal base.
The spring season, from March through May, and the fall season from September through November, offer the best balance of comfortable weather and value. Book court time and lessons in advance, as most resorts allow reservations well ahead of your arrival date. The courts are waiting; the only question is which ones are yours.
Ready to plan your trip? Fill out our Bookings and Rates form for every resort, and we will connect you with our resort contacts. Already visited one of these properties? Leave a review and help fellow tennis travellers find their perfect South Carolina court.
