Rating the Pinehurst courses (resort and others)

[DoubleorQuits]

13 hours ago, Atwsc7 said:

It's a tough tee shot, but a good hole

The fairway is basically a water hazard.  

[Atwsc7]

10 hours ago, DoubleorQuits said:

The fairway is basically a water hazard.  

You have to aim about 10-15 yards left of where you think you should be. Fairway on the right side does get wet at times. Balls will plug in the rough near the hazard too, but I don't mind the hole.

[allparz]

On 1/28/2024 at 7:15 PM, DoubleorQuits said:

The third hole at Mud Pines has to be one of the worst holes in America.  

They have fixed the  fairway drainage issues on #3 at Mid Pines (well, for the most part, definitely still the hole most likely to have mud on your ball)

 

Hazard in front of you, Hazards to the right and left - but the fairway is 50 yards wide.  If you have issues hitting it sort of straight airborne 230 yards I can see where you wouldn't look forward to the tee shot.

 

Trick at Mid Pines is surviving the 1st 4 holes - they look so simple on the scorecard...

Edited January 31, 2024 by allparz
additions

[Looper34]

Mid Pines #3 is a good golf hole, kind of similar to #6 at Southern Pines where from the tee it looks doable to cut the corner but it's actually a sneaky long carry to the fairway. On MP3 If you don't make it, you end up in the wet crap or OB. On SP 6 the right side of the fairway slopes right and you'll end up blocked by the trees or if it's too far right, it'll kick OB. 

I aim way left of where I used to on those holes. 

[Atwsc7]

16 hours ago, allparz said:

They have fixed the  fairway drainage issues on #3 at Mid Pines (well, for the most part, definitely still the hole most likely to have mud on your ball)

 

Hazard in front of you, Hazards to the right and left - but the fairway is 50 yards wide.  If you have issues hitting it sort of straight airborne 230 yards I can see where you wouldn't look forward to the tee shot.

 

Trick at Mid Pines is surviving the 1st 4 holes - they look so simple on the scorecard...

 

15 hours ago, Looper34 said:

Mid Pines #3 is a good golf hole, kind of similar to #6 at Southern Pines where from the tee it looks doable to cut the corner but it's actually a sneaky long carry to the fairway. On MP3 If you don't make it, you end up in the wet crap or OB. On SP 6 the right side of the fairway slopes right and you'll end up blocked by the trees or if it's too far right, it'll kick OB. 

I aim way left of where I used to on those holes. 

We play there every summer for the last 10 years. It's never super wet, but if you were to get mud on your ball it would be that hole....It's very similar to the 6th hole at SP.  Big fairway that you need to cut it on. I agree if you can get through the first 4 holes, you can score out there. 2 and 3 are beast. 2 is so similar to #3 at Fort Mill...Ross has a lot of similar holes and green complexes. He's my favorite

Edited February 1, 2024 by Atwsc7

[Drwoods2017]

#3 at Mid pines may be my least favorite hole in the Pinehurst area. 

Edited February 1, 2024 by Drwoods2017

[ColinKelvin]

I've only played #2 and Pine Needles (on a visit from Scotland).  Loved them both, and appreciated the history and atmosphere at both too.

 

I hesitate to say it (and it's probably objectively wrong) but I thought Needles was marginally the more interesting and memorable course. Loved the routing, the rolling land with plenty of elevation changes, and - I admit - as a 10 h'cap at the time I found it easier to get round - the greens are far less penal.  But also, looking back nearly 6 years later, I find I can remember and visualise more of the holes at PN than #2 (where the first three and the final two holes are all I can really recall, along with the par 4 at the far end with the road behind it).

[allparz]

5 hours ago, ColinKelvin said:

I've only played #2 and Pine Needles (on a visit from Scotland).  Loved them both, and appreciated the history and atmosphere at both too.

 

I hesitate to say it (and it's probably objectively wrong) but I thought Needles was marginally the more interesting and memorable course. Loved the routing, the rolling land with plenty of elevation changes, and - I admit - as a 10 h'cap at the time I found it easier to get round - the greens are far less penal.  But also, looking back nearly 6 years later, I find I can remember and visualise more of the holes at PN than #2 (where the first three and the final two holes are all I can really recall, along with the par 4 at the far end with the road behind it).

 

 

You're not wrong

 

#2 is very flat --

These holes are dead flat - no Sidehill/Uphill 1/2/3/7/8/10/11/12  (maybe the green pushed up)

The Fairways dead flat on 13/14

Leaving these non Par 3's with some Movement - 4/5/13/14/15/18

 

@ Pine Needles only 9/14/17 are flat

Lots of Movement on the rest of the Holes with up/down/sidehill complications

 

I would also argue the 3's are better at Needles  (all the 3's on #2 are flat)

 

 

[CanFred]

I'll play:

 

1) Tobacco Road

2) Pine Needles

3) #2

3) Mid Pines

4) #4

5) Southern Pines

6) #8 

7) #7

[snagy2000]

Where's Pinehurst No. 10 going located? I heard it was off site from the main Pinehurst resort, but I'm not sure in which vicinity. 

[krtgolfing]

13 hours ago, snagy2000 said:

Where's Pinehurst No. 10 going located? I heard it was off site from the main Pinehurst resort, but I'm not sure in which vicinity. 

Going to be off of NC-5. Kind of behind German Motors of Aberdeen off of Fields Dr.

[Atwsc7]

1- Mid Pines

2- Pine Needles

3-CCNC Cardinal

4-Tobacco Road

5-Pinewild Magnolia (best collection of Par 5's of any course I've played)

6-Dormie 

7-Southern Pines

8-CCNC Dogwood

Haven't played 2 or 4 yet..I'm sure 2 would be at the top of my list 

[Gdane]

Of the courses I've played (including others driveable from Raleigh)

 

1. Dormie Club

2. Mid Pines

(two of my top 5 favorite courses)

 

big gap 

 

3. Tot Hill Farm

4. Southern Pines

5. Pine Needles

 

big gap

 

6. Lonnie Poole

7. Talamore

 

The Instagram course:

 

8. Tobacco Road 

[CMCSGolf]

Interesting to see the perspectives.  Below are my ratings:

 

1. #2

2. Mid Pines

3. Dormie

4. Tobacco Road

5. Pine Needles

6. #4

7. Southern Pines (before renovation)

8. #8

9. #7

10. #6 (frankly embarrassing it's associated with the resort)

[snagy2000]

20 minutes ago, Gdane said:

Of the courses I've played (including others driveable from Raleigh)

 

1. Dormie Club

2. Mid Pines

(two of my top 5 favorite courses)

 

big gap 

 

3. Tot Hill Farm

4. Southern Pines

5. Pine Needles

 

big gap

 

6. Lonnie Poole

7. Talamore

 

The Instagram course:

 

8. Tobacco Road 

How different are Tot and Tobacco? I'm playing Tot in June along with No. 10 and was thinking about stopping by Tobacco on my way back to RDU.

[krtgolfing]

2 minutes ago, snagy2000 said:

How different are Tot and Tobacco? I'm playing Tot in June along with No. 10 and was thinking about stopping by Tobacco on my way back to RDU.

 

Tobacco is a completely different monster than Tot Hill. Majority of people would consider is the superior course. Tot Hill did just re-open last year from a renovation / restoration which should of helped it!

[Florida Gator]

On 2/21/2024 at 6:47 AM, krtgolfing said:

Going to be off of NC-5. Kind of behind German Motors of Aberdeen off of Fields Dr.

I think where I have that in the screenshot below is the place, old property that the Pit was built on.

[snagy2000]

Review of No. 10

 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/pinehurst-number-ten-new-course

[Pepetito]

Hi all-

 

Planning a trip to Pinehurst/Southern Pines for my 40th as an alternative to Bandon which looks to now have the worst reservation process ever.  We are looking at October 2025 for a group of 4.

 

Few things:

 

We are committed to the following already:

Day 1: Flying in from Detroit and Playing No. 4 on arrival

Day 2: Playing No. 2 and the cradle

And staying two nights at Pinehurst Resort (Damn this is expensive as an aside).

 

We are budgeting our time to have two nights / three days left (including the day we fly out) after Day 2.  We will have a rental car.

What is the ideal way to spend Days 3, 4 and 5 (departure day) between golf and lodging?  

Not married to anything yet but I assumed it would be some sort of combination of Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Tobacco Road, Southern Pines, Talamore, Mid South.

I'd LOVE some recommendation on how to finish out that itinerary, particularly the lodging piece of it.  I dont really WANT to play Talamore but the villas look pretty perfect for what we are doing and it make sense to have a round there if so.  Assume this will be our one and only trip to the sand hills of Carolina.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[islesmb]

I've stayed at both Talamore and Mid South lodges. IMHO Mid-South lodges are a bit nicer and more comfortable than Talamore. At least make sure you ask for an updated unit at Talamore.

[StudentGolfer4]

Unless it’s changed, 2 nights at pinehurst resort means you can play 3 rounds. Play 2, 4, (which you have listed already) and be sure to play 10. Personally I would save #2 for last day of the resort portion of the trip. 
 

Given your travel day being day 1 my trip would be as follows. 
Arrival day- #4

Day 2- #10, then #3, ending with thistle due. 

Day 3- #2, then cradle, and thistle due. 
 

Btw make that cradle tee time ASAP. We were told it didn’t need to happen in advance and then the 4 days we were they they were booked solid. 

Edited April 24, 2024 by StudentGolfer4

[Pepetito]

55 minutes ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

Unless it’s changed, 2 nights at pinehurst resort means you can play 3 rounds. Play 2, 4, (which you have listed already) and be sure to play 10. Personally I would save #2 for last day of the resort portion of the trip. 
 

Given your travel day being day 1 my trip would be as follows. 
Arrival day- #4

Day 2- #10, then #3, ending with thistle due. 

Day 3- #2, then cradle, and thistle due. 
 

Btw make that cradle tee time ASAP. We were told it didn’t need to happen in advance and then the 4 days we were they they were booked solid. 

We were only going to do two rounds at pinehurst plus the cradle.

Day 1: Arrival day and No. 4 (and prolly Thistle)

Day 2: No. 2 and the Cradle

Day 3: Tobacco Road and Pine Needles

Day 4: Southern Pines and Mid Pines (if not played on Day 5)

Day 5: Mid Pines (if not played on Day 4) and fly home

 

I was thinking something like this.  Is Tobacco Road an absolute must play?  Not that its far but is is 30 mins away compared to just a few.

Our first two days I think our group is lockstep on. 

Its Day 3-5 I'm looking for the best itinerary and (cheap) lodging options.

[StudentGolfer4]

31 minutes ago, Pepetito said:

We were only going to do two rounds at pinehurst plus the cradle.

Day 1: Arrival day and No. 4 (and prolly Thistle)

Day 2: No. 2 and the Cradle

Day 3: Tobacco Road and Pine Needles

Day 4: Southern Pines and Mid Pines (if not played on Day 5)

Day 5: Mid Pines (if not played on Day 4) and fly home

 

I was thinking something like this.  Is Tobacco Road an absolute must play?  Not that its far but is is 30 mins away compared to just a few.

Our first two days I think our group is lockstep on. 

Its Day 3-5 I'm looking for the best itinerary and (cheap) lodging options.

I haven’t played Tobacco Road so I can’t speak from experience there. Despite being in the area a couple of times some other guys here will be way more helpful with lodging than I ever could be. 
 

I think you would be making a huge mistake if you skip #10! The odds of it being the second best course on your trip after #2 is very high. You’re also staying and paying an unneeded day at pinehurst if you don’t play one of their courses day 3. If you guys decide to pass on #10 then you may consider only staying 1 night at the resort. It seems like budget is important and not having to pay a second night of peak season lodging could help with that.  (Possible it’s changed but I think 1 night allows you golf on day of arrival and departure with the resort. If that’s not true then disregard my idea of only staying 1 night.) 

[miss0033]

1 hour ago, Pepetito said:

We were only going to do two rounds at pinehurst plus the cradle.

Day 1: Arrival day and No. 4 (and prolly Thistle)

Day 2: No. 2 and the Cradle

Day 3: Tobacco Road and Pine Needles

Day 4: Southern Pines and Mid Pines (if not played on Day 5)

Day 5: Mid Pines (if not played on Day 4) and fly home

 

I was thinking something like this.  Is Tobacco Road an absolute must play?  Not that its far but is is 30 mins away compared to just a few.

Our first two days I think our group is lockstep on. 

Its Day 3-5 I'm looking for the best itinerary and (cheap) lodging options.

 

If you want cheap lodging, I have stayed at mid pines, and pine needles.  Cannot say I'd recommend them, but when accounted for the golf cost, the lodging was basically free when we went.  Southern Pines, Mid Pines, and Pine Needles all good courses.  Holiday Inn Express in Southern Pines was a decently priced option as well.

 

I personally think Tobacco Road is a must play at some point in your golfing life.  If I were going to N.C., I wouldn't want to miss it.  I haven't played #2, but I prefer TR road to any of the other courses listed.  However, this is my personal preference.  If you want a traditional golf experience, TR is not it.  If you want a round of golf where every time you walk up to the tee you have to question what you are looking at, where to aim, and have to decide between 3 different clubs to hit... It could be up your alley.  To me, it is one of the best examples of what I look for in a golf trip.  Something different.  #3 was meh.  #1, #5, #6, and #7 might as well be local muni's that wind through neighborhoods.  I preferred Southern Pines and Mid Pines over Pine Needles.  

 

Tobacco Road is (sometimes) a nice option on the way back to the airport.  Is an exciting and different end to the trip and they have a shower (that can get crowded) to use before you pile back into the rental car.  However, rounds there can turn into 5 hour rounds...  and if your flight is early, it isn't worth the stress, or having to skip 3 holes to rush back to the airport.

[ND2005]

2 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

I haven’t played Tobacco Road so I can’t speak from experience there. Despite being in the area a couple of times some other guys here will be way more helpful with lodging than I ever could be. 
 

I think you would be making a huge mistake if you skip #10! The odds of it being the second best course on your trip after #2 is very high. You’re also staying and paying an unneeded day at pinehurst if you don’t play one of their courses day 3. If you guys decide to pass on #10 then you may consider only staying 1 night at the resort. It seems like budget is important and not having to pay a second night of peak season lodging could help with that.  (Possible it’s changed but I think 1 night allows you golf on day of arrival and departure with the resort. If that’s not true then disregard my idea of only staying 1 night.) 

I think you now have to stay at least 2 nights to get access to the premium courses.  
 

But fully agree with you that skipping 10 is a huge mistake. 
 

I’m in the early stages of planning my next trip to Pinehurst and getting on 10 is going to be by far the top priority. 

[Pepetito]

15 hours ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

I haven’t played Tobacco Road so I can’t speak from experience there. Despite being in the area a couple of times some other guys here will be way more helpful with lodging than I ever could be. 
 

I think you would be making a huge mistake if you skip #10! The odds of it being the second best course on your trip after #2 is very high. You’re also staying and paying an unneeded day at pinehurst if you don’t play one of their courses day 3. If you guys decide to pass on #10 then you may consider only staying 1 night at the resort. It seems like budget is important and not having to pay a second night of peak season lodging could help with that.  (Possible it’s changed but I think 1 night allows you golf on day of arrival and departure with the resort. If that’s not true then disregard my idea of only staying 1 night.) 

Per Pinehurst you gotta do a two night stay.

[Pepetito]

13 hours ago, ND2005 said:

I think you now have to stay at least 2 nights to get access to the premium courses.  
 

But fully agree with you that skipping 10 is a huge mistake. 
 

I’m in the early stages of planning my next trip to Pinehurst and getting on 10 is going to be by far the top priority. 

Never been to Pinehurst and assuming I wont be going back.  The play has to be playing No. 2 and No. 4 right?  Lets assume we are only playing two courses plus the cradle

[ND2005]

53 minutes ago, Pepetito said:

Never been to Pinehurst and assuming I wont be going back.  The play has to be playing No. 2 and No. 4 right?  Lets assume we are only playing two courses plus the cradle

I have only seen the photos and the reviews but I think 10 will quickly surpass 4 as the “second best” course at the resort 

[snagy2000]

I'm playing #10 in June, will report back...

[mikedejong33]

23 hours ago, Pepetito said:

Hi all-

 

Planning a trip to Pinehurst/Southern Pines for my 40th as an alternative to Bandon which looks to now have the worst reservation process ever.  We are looking at October 2025 for a group of 4.

 

Few things:

 

We are committed to the following already:

Day 1: Flying in from Detroit and Playing No. 4 on arrival

Day 2: Playing No. 2 and the cradle

And staying two nights at Pinehurst Resort (Damn this is expensive as an aside).

 

We are budgeting our time to have two nights / three days left (including the day we fly out) after Day 2.  We will have a rental car.

What is the ideal way to spend Days 3, 4 and 5 (departure day) between golf and lodging?  

Not married to anything yet but I assumed it would be some sort of combination of Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Tobacco Road, Southern Pines, Talamore, Mid South.

I'd LOVE some recommendation on how to finish out that itinerary, particularly the lodging piece of it.  I dont really WANT to play Talamore but the villas look pretty perfect for what we are doing and it make sense to have a round there if so.  Assume this will be our one and only trip to the sand hills of Carolina.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

I would suggest playing 36 at Tobacco Road. The first go around is a bit tough, you don't know where to go, how much room there is, etc. The second round is awesome as you know it a bit better. Its a once in a lifetime golf experience.