Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, Mid Pines - Southern Pines????

[BG5]

Gents,

 

I was gonna go to Bandon in January but when I started comparing prices to North Carolina I decided I want to take my first trip to N.C.  I have been to Bandon before so I thought why not try N.C. golf.

 

I wont be able to do Pinehurst on this trip......so throw that out and I also dont have any connections to Dormie so that is not an option.

 

Are these the next 4 courses I should play?????  Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, Mid-Pines and Southern Pines?

 

I got a great price quote for $360 and that will give me two nights lodging at Southern Pines and includes a free breakfast each morning along with one round at Pine Needles, 1 at Southern Pines and 1 at Mid pines.  For $360 a person (January) how can i go wrong?  I know weather and conditions will not be perfect but for that price it seems like a no brainer.   I also plan to add in a round at Tobacco Road so do I need to add any other courses for this trip or are these the 4 I should play????

 

Probably only have room to add 1 course.  

 

If anyone has feedback on golfing this time of year or if you have info on these 4 courses or others I should consider please let me know.  for the price this seems to good to be true!

[Drwoods2017]

37 minutes ago, BG5 said:

Gents,

 

I was gonna go to Bandon in January but when I started comparing prices to North Carolina I decided I want to take my first trip to N.C.  I have been to Bandon before so I thought why not try N.C. golf.

 

I wont be able to do Pinehurst on this trip......so throw that out and I also dont have any connections to Dormie so that is not an option.

 

Are these the next 4 courses I should play?????  Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, Mid-Pines and Southern Pines?

 

I got a great price quote for $360 and that will give me two nights lodging at Southern Pines and includes a free breakfast each morning along with one round at Pine Needles, 1 at Southern Pines and 1 at Mid pines.  For $360 a person (January) how can i go wrong?  I know weather and conditions will not be perfect but for that price it seems like a no brainer.   I also plan to add in a round at Tobacco Road so do I need to add any other courses for this trip or are these the 4 I should play????

 

Probably only have room to add 1 course.  

 

If anyone has feedback on golfing this time of year or if you have info on these 4 courses or others I should consider please let me know.  for the price this seems to good to be true!

Those are pretty much the big 4 outside of the resort. If you're looking at add another course talamore is probably my choice as it's in pretty good shape most of the time.  Not sure how much you know about NC weather in January but its hit or miss.  Some weekends can be in the 50's other's in the 30's. Already had a couple stretches' below freezing this year. The courses listed are what pinehurst has to offer.  All of them have that sand hills vibe and will be great for any trip. All the bermuda will be dormant so not great for pictures but you're knocking out 4 of the top 100 public courses in the country so can't be upset about that for that price.

[krtgolfing]

Those would be the 4 best in the area. Tobacco Road is a love / hate course.

[mikedejong33]

Mid South is good too. Tobacco Road is worth a replay, try to play it twice as the first go around it can be a bit tricky. We always play it twice when we go, the second round is more fun as you will know where to go. We didn't love Southern Pines, but we were there a few years ago when it was under construction. Mid Pines is also really good. My ranking would be:

 

1. Tobacco Road
2. Pine Needles
3. Mid Pines
4. Mid South
5. Southern Pines

There are some cheaper options if you need a second round for 36 or something. Legacy, Pinewild, Talamore, Quail, Hyland were all pretty good, and a lot cheaper.

[BG5]

So you like Mid South better than Southern Pines???  I might have to check into that although I dont think they are apart of the same resort which might be an issue for me with money

[lilcaeser]

we hit Tobacco + every year sometimes 2-3 times a year ,,look up Bayonetta at Puppy Creek great public big course for $65- and also Tothill which is about an hour north of Pinehurst in Ashboro which is a fabulous mountain course and also a Stranz design $135-round,both of the tracks were recently renovated w/ new greens and increased views and layout,,,T

[oneunderbogey]

For $360 a person (January) how can i go wrong?

 

Very long frost delays or entirely unplayable days.  Would risk if drivable and cancelable 7 days out.  

[AlohaPineapple]

yes.  i did these exact 4 and it was awesome.

[bluedot]

That’s a great list, the equal of anything at Pinehurst.  

[BG5]

1 hour ago, oneunderbogey said:

For $360 a person (January) how can i go wrong?

 

Very long frost delays or entirely unplayable days.  Would risk if drivable and cancelable 7 days out.  

 

Yes that is the selling point for me.  I am within driving distance and so far they have a ton of openings 🙂 So I will probably just wait and see to make sure the weather is somewhat decent.  I have no problem golfing in cold weather...more about rain

[postfold]

You have the best 4 non-resort courses that you can get on.  If you're going to add a round, I'd prefer Mid-South to Talamore but either is fine.  Neither is better than Southern Pines*.  If Mid-South/Talamore are too pricey there are plenty of other fine courses listed above.

 

Given that you're going to be playing in off-season conditions, I wouldn't sweat the decision.  I would expect the conditioning at Pine Needles and Mid-Pines to be a cut above your average course.

 

 

 

* I haven't played Southern Pines since the re-do, but I preferred the pre-renovation SP over the others and from what I've seen of the renovation it certainly hasn't made the course worse.  

[Atwsc7]

4 great choices. I would take those 4 all day. Mid South and Talemore are solid too(always in tip top shape). I think Southern Pines is a better layout than those two for sure though. If you can add in Pinewild Magnolia I would do it.  

[mikedejong33]

17 hours ago, BG5 said:

So you like Mid South better than Southern Pines???  I might have to check into that although I dont think they are apart of the same resort which might be an issue for me with money

We did like Mid South better than SP. But again, we played it a while back, and there was construction going on at SP and it wasn't in the best shape at that time. I would guess that SP is in better shape now, but Mid Pines was really good.

[spineshank]

I havent played SP since the redo, but i personally would choose Talamore and Mid South over it. 

[allparz]

On 11/8/2023 at 9:05 AM, mikedejong33 said:

We did like Mid South better than SP. But again, we played it a while back, and there was construction going on at SP and it wasn't in the best shape at that time. I would guess that SP is in better shape now, but Mid Pines was really good.

 

Southern Pines Golf is a restored Ross gem - (Kyle Franz) - been open now 2 years since renovation and is very very good, took 2-4 aerations to get the greens right.  Tons of no shot value trees removed and great long views around the property.

 

Mid South is not really a 'Pinehurst' course - An Arnold Palmer design with so many forced carries and blind shots (A housing development with a Golf Course routed thru it).  Always in great condition but not my favorite in the area, if you don't know the course you can go for some big numbers..

 

2 - Tee shot carry over hazard (basically a Cape hole)

5. - Layup tee shot - 2nd over hazard

6 - Par 3 over Water

7 - Hazard all down right side

8 - Blind uphill Tee shot

9 - Blind tee shot - Layup - 3rd over water 

 

15 - Blind 2nd Layup with Bunkers in middle that cant be seen

16 - Layup tee shot - 2nd over Hazard

17 - Carry Hazard -- Green needs to be blown up

18 - Layup tee shot - 2nd over hazard.

[Atwsc7]

4 hours ago, allparz said:

 

Southern Pines Golf is a restored Ross gem - (Kyle Franz) - been open now 2 years since renovation and is very very good, took 2-4 aerations to get the greens right.  Tons of no shot value trees removed and great long views around the property.

 

Mid South is not really a 'Pinehurst' course - An Arnold Palmer design with so many forced carries and blind shots (A housing development with a Golf Course routed thru it).  Always in great condition but not my favorite in the area, if you don't know the course you can go for some big numbers..

 

2 - Tee shot carry over hazard (basically a Cape hole)

5. - Layup tee shot - 2nd over hazard

6 - Par 3 over Water

7 - Hazard all down right side

8 - Blind uphill Tee shot

9 - Blind tee shot - Layup - 3rd over water 

 

15 - Blind 2nd Layup with Bunkers in middle that cant be seen

16 - Layup tee shot - 2nd over Hazard

17 - Carry Hazard -- Green needs to be blown up

18 - Layup tee shot - 2nd over hazard.

Agree 100% on Mid South. Always in great shape. Just not a fan of any of the Palmer courses

[armesjr]

Looking into a similar trip. How is the lodging at Pine Needles / Mid Pines? Anyone stay in the larger villas at mid pines? Any dinning recommendations?

[BG5]

Well it appears my 4 choices are pretty stinking good and I plan to stick with them unless I get lucky enough to get onto one of the Pinehurst courses.  I am so excited for this January trip and now all I need is no rain while I am down there.  I can handle the cold but not a big fan of rain 🙂

[Drwoods2017]

13 hours ago, armesjr said:

Looking into a similar trip. How is the lodging at Pine Needles / Mid Pines? Anyone stay in the larger villas at mid pines? Any dinning recommendations?

Pine needles lodging is better than Mid pines just because its newer.  I also prefer the pine needles range and restaurant for dinner.

[mikedejong33]

3 hours ago, BG5 said:

Well it appears my 4 choices are pretty stinking good and I plan to stick with them unless I get lucky enough to get onto one of the Pinehurst courses.  I am so excited for this January trip and now all I need is no rain while I am down there.  I can handle the cold but not a big fan of rain 🙂

We went the first week of Feb 2023 for a week (played all the courses you are looking at and more, mostly 36 per day as the replay rates are so good at that time of year). The first 4 days were perfect weather, temps in the low 60's, no rain, no wind. The 5th day we played Tobacco Road it rained. Not a down pour, but a constant drizzle. We were the only ones on the course and played 36 holes at a crazy pace. It was kind of awesome. Our second last day we had a frost delay and it barely got above freezing, so those last 2 days were only 18 holes as the delays didn't allow us to play again. Its a great time to go. The courses are basically empty and the prices are a lot better (replay rates are crazy good). We played Pine Needles and had an 8am time as a twosome. Again, the lady in the pro shop said we were the only tee time for the day, so we played 18 had lunch and a beer and played again for outrageously cheap. We will make that Feb trip an annual thing. We did the same trip in May of 2022 and it cost us more than double what it did in Feb. You just have to get a bit lucky with the weather.

[BG5]

11 minutes ago, mikedejong33 said:

We went the first week of Feb 2023 for a week (played all the courses you are looking at and more, mostly 36 per day as the replay rates are so good at that time of year). The first 4 days were perfect weather, temps in the low 60's, no rain, no wind. The 5th day we played Tobacco Road it rained. Not a down pour, but a constant drizzle. We were the only ones on the course and played 36 holes at a crazy pace. It was kind of awesome. Our second last day we had a frost delay and it barely got above freezing, so those last 2 days were only 18 holes as the delays didn't allow us to play again. Its a great time to go. The courses are basically empty and the prices are a lot better (replay rates are crazy good). We played Pine Needles and had an 8am time as a twosome. Again, the lady in the pro shop said we were the only tee time for the day, so we played 18 had lunch and a beer and played again for outrageously cheap. We will make that Feb trip an annual thing. We did the same trip in May of 2022 and it cost us more than double what it did in Feb. You just have to get a bit lucky with the weather.

 

 

Sounds fantastic....I am really excited.  Do you recall what you paid for the replay?  

 

The other thing I started to look at was rentals in Pinehurst for when I retire.  Found quite of bit of options in the $1500 range.  Seems like a no brainer if you like golf and can handle temps that are not always in the 70s

[mikedejong33]

Just now, BG5 said:

 

 

Sounds fantastic....I am really excited.  Do you recall what you paid for the replay?  

 

The other thing I started to look at was rentals in Pinehurst for when I retire.  Found quite of bit of options in the $1500 range.  Seems like a no brainer if you like golf and can handle temps that are not always in the 70s

We booked through a package company (Tobacco Road Golf) for our first rounds. We booked the very first tee time on each course, and we sort of played the replays by ear if it worked out weather wise. I think the most we paid for a replay was $50 or $60, and some were like $30. Other than the weekends, we didn't see another golfer on most of the courses during the week.  

[golfheaven69]

Nice rotation. Pine Needles is my favorite of the four with Mid Pines next. You will love or despise Tobacco Road. Like someone mentioned play it twice as the first time you don’t have clue as it’s pretty tricked up. Appreciate it more the second time around. 

Edited November 11, 2023 by golfheaven69

[TroyB123]

Are any of these mentioned courses still overseeding in winter?

[caniac6]

If they overseed, it would be done by now.

[miss0033]

Tot Hill Farm just did an extensive restoration, and to me is worth playing.  It is a Mike Strantz course (same GCA as Tobacco Road).  All of Pinehurst courses require a stay there now from what I understand.  So cross those off unless your staying there.  Tot Hill Farm is more "interesting" than any of the other courses in that area I have played, but I haven't played them all.  It is also far from a "traditional" golf course.

 

I wouldn't substitute Tot Hill for any of the 4 you have listed, but if you were looking to add an additional round, Tot Hill would be my 5th in that area.  My personal opinion, your opinion may vary.

 

If you're going in January, just be aware that the bermuda is dormant.  So most fairways and rough will be brown, along with some greens depending on course.  Plays fine, but was visually different for me at first.

Edited November 14, 2023 by miss0033

[TroyB123]

13 hours ago, TroyB123 said:

Are any of these mentioned courses still overseeding in winter?

I was asking to see if any courses would be playing on ryegrass this winter.   Always a nice treat to get a break from dormant bermuda.

[BG5]

Just called Tobacco Road....$105 in January.....ya cant beat that 🙂  Weather might not be perfect and courses will not be in primes shape but for $100 Im in 🙂

[allparz]

Can confirm Pine Needle, Mid Pines and Southern Pines GC all are overseeded..

[Chirodad]

Love this discussion - we head to Myrtle Beach every year in April, and are looking into other destinations. This rotation, with Tobacco Road looks perfect.