Pinehurst in June - 1st Time

[TK3]

Happy Easter my brethren! 

 

My buddy and I are headed to Pinehurst in June.  We will be playing # 2,4,7,8,& 9 and Tobacco Road as well. This will be our 1st trip to Pinehurst.  Any secrets / advice / suggestions for us?  We are staying @ the Holly Inn on the Summer Tee package.

 

Thanks!

[ND2005]

I would try to change from the holly inn to the Carolina or the manor. 

[allparz]

• Walk the hallways at the main Pinehurst resort hotel (Carolina)  (Memorabilia)
• Walk the Hall at the Main Pinehurst Pro shop (Memorabilia)
• Play the 18 hole putting course while drinking a Gin and Tonic
• Visit the Given Memorial Library Tufts Archives (Donald Ross Museum) Pinehurst
• Visit both Memorabilia/Art stores in Pinehurst - Olde Sport & Old Golf shop - unbelievable collections - especially Olde sport
• Play #2 later in the day so there is a drunk gallery on the 18th watching/cheering you finish
• Eat at the Mexican restaurants in town - Probably 10 - all local owned - Maria's is good
• Have lunch at The Villager Deli downtown Pinehurst- order a Milk Shake (Only open for lunch)

 

In the future try and get to Pine Needles, Mid Pines, CCNC Dogwood and Dormie - better than all but #2

[TK3]

We are now also considering throwing Tot Hill Farms GC on the list. 

 

Anyone played this Mike Stranz course?

[krtgolfing]

13 hours ago, TK3 said:

We are now also considering throwing Tot Hill Farms GC on the list. 

 

Anyone played this Mike Stranz course?

 

Worst Stranz course I have played. 

[rcubed3r]

Tot Hill is known to be a love it or hate it course. I have always enjoyed it, but I wouldn't chance it if I were you.

Add one from allparz suggested list. Mid Pines or Dormie would be my pick.

Ron

[Cwing]

Enjoy. My first was 2018. Looking forward to going back but hitting Bandon this year.

[CactusGolf]

On 4/7/2021 at 10:31 AM, allparz said:

• Walk the hallways at the main Pinehurst resort hotel (Carolina)  (Memorabilia)
• Walk the Hall at the Main Pinehurst Pro shop (Memorabilia)
• Play the 18 hole putting course while drinking a Gin and Tonic
• Visit the Given Memorial Library Tufts Archives (Donald Ross Museum) Pinehurst
• Visit both Memorabilia/Art stores in Pinehurst - Olde Sport & Old Golf shop - unbelievable collections - especially Olde sport
• Play #2 later in the day so there is a drunk gallery on the 18th watching/cheering you finish
• Eat at the Mexican restaurants in town - Probably 10 - all local owned - Maria's is good
• Have lunch at The Villager Deli downtown Pinehurst- order a Milk Shake (Only open for lunch)

 

In the future try and get to Pine Needles, Mid Pines, CCNC Dogwood and Dormie - better than all but #2

I'm confused...

 

Why is the third bullet point referencing "a" gin and tonic.  I think "a" should be..."many". 🙂

 

The putting course is definitely worth playing a few times and I couldn't agree with you more about coming up the 18th green.  I came up around 2:30 on a Saturday and had to get up and down from the left side of the green with people on the patio.  Haven't had nerves like that in a long time!  We ended up staying on the patio for quite a while watching others come up. 

 

I think it is kind of an unnerving 2nd shot too because I had 135 or so in and had just thinned a pitching wedge a few holes prior...

 

Edited April 9, 2021 by CactusGolf

[JRSc]

On 4/4/2021 at 11:22 AM, TK3 said:

Happy Easter my brethren! 

 

My buddy and I are headed to Pinehurst in June.  We will be playing # 2,4,7,8,& 9 and Tobacco Road as well. This will be our 1st trip to Pinehurst.  Any secrets / advice / suggestions for us?  We are staying @ the Holly Inn on the Summer Tee package.

 

Thanks!

Lisi Italian is really good and you can’t go to Pinehurst and not have a beer at Dugan’s Pub.. 

One tip is to park you car when you arrive and take the Free shuttle to all courses, restaurants, etc.. it will take you and your clubs everywhere but Tobacco Road.

The Holly is actually our favorite. Rooms are larger than The Carolina and Manor plus the walls at the Manor are really thin. Stayed there right after renovation and could hear a baby crying all night from the floor below us. But the bar is great. Good thing is you can walk everywhere in the village or of course take the shuttle. 

 

[PeteNC]

I was just there this week, the place was hopping!

 

Are you all playing 18 daily or some/all 36?

 

Play the Cradle of course.  I've also heard #3 is an awesome shorter(5200yd) course.  Could check that out if you wanted a little extra golf one day.  

2,4,8 are a must.  7,9 are really solid though I'd switch out #7 to some of the non resort courses if that's an option.  

 

We at Elliotts this week.  Food and service were great!  May not be a top spot for a buddies trip though.

[gmayo11]

If you have an option to add 3 as an afternoon round, I would definitely do it.  It is a fun, non backbreaking course.  You still get the Ross/Pinehurst Elements there.  It was a great walk for a 2nd 18 on the day.  I know everyone loves 8, but I left a little meh.  We did play when it was wet, and the place just holds water.  I also left wanting more Sandhills Elements.  Off property, if you can get to Mid-pines, it is a must play.  We started our trip there, and it was such a great ramp up into Donald Ross golf.  One of the best courses I have ever played.  Also, make sure you make your way to the Pinehurst Brewery for post round beers and dinner.  Great vibe there.  

[miss0033]

On 4/8/2021 at 4:33 PM, TK3 said:

We are now also considering throwing Tot Hill Farms GC on the list. 

 

Anyone played this Mike Stranz course?

 

I have played it twice.  Once in either 2007 or 2008 and it was in great shape, and pretty fun.  It was quite possibly the strangest golf course I have ever played, and might still be.  In 2014 I played it again and it was in pretty tough shape...

 

I'd like to play it again, but once every few years would be enough.  It is not a course I would want to play on a regular basis.

 

Played Tobacco Road three times, love that course, and would play it once a month if I could.  Tot Hill Farm just hits me differently.  Some cool holes for sure, but some bizarre ones as well.  17 and 18 seem somewhat disconnected with the rest of the feel for the course.  There is a par 3 where one of the times I played, the pin was blind tucked behind a huge mound (#15 i think).  #9 is extremely uphill from the landing area, needed 3 extra clubs, with a false front.  Several people in our group hit shots that rolled back to their feet, some even ended up further away.  Not a fun hole.

 

However - 10, 11, 12, 13 is a very cool and unique 4 hole stretch, and I can remember shots from each of those 4 holes.  I think there are worse courses you could play for $60~ish.  

 

If you are looking for a round to shoot a good score, I wouldn't book here.  If you're looking for an interesting course that will have holes you haven't seen before, and likely wont see again, give it a shot.  There is nothing near it, so playing another round on a different course will be difficult.  I believe the clubhouse is still a trailer with not much for pre or post round food and drink.

 

We are considering it for an August trip.  We will be flying into RDU and driving to Southern Pines while one person will be driving over from Salisbury.  Seemed like a decent place to meet for 18.

 

I say all this assuming that the new ownership has brought the course back to reasonable shape...  It looked pretty rough in 2014.

 

EDIT:  Tobacco Road has smoke stacks to aim at, and if I remember from my first 2 rounds, Tot Hill Farm had bird houses or something similar to help for targets on certain holes.

Edited April 12, 2021 by miss0033

[TK3]

Thanks fellow WRXers! 

 

Here is our itinerary:

 

Monday:  AM - Tobacco Road / PM #7

Tuesday: AM - The Cradle / PM #2

Wed: AM #4 / PM #8

Thurs: AM #9

 

Lots of golf for sure - but that;s why we take golf trips, right?  Taking Fore-caddies and also a Caddy on #2.

 

Keep the tips coming if there are any left!

 

Cheers,

TK

[PNB_Golf]

On 4/9/2021 at 6:51 AM, krtgolfing said:

 

Worst Stranz course I have played. 

I've played every Strantz solo design. Love all of his courses except Tot Hill