A couple of friends and I went to Pinehurst last week. It's a 2.5 hour drive so we set out early and played Hyland Golf Club on US 1 in Southern Pines. This was one of my regularly played courses when I lived there.....but the new owners have it tuned up and they were the fastest greens I've ever played.....Shot 86 (terrible for me) with 7 three putts. If you're down that way highly suggest you give it a try...The best $40 course in the area. We checked into the Carolina Hotel and played #6 on Thursday.....Great layout and conditions. We all wore Plus 4's (knickers) that day and got several rounds of applause. Friday we played #4.....not for the faint of heart. Great course but not for the beginner. Played hard and shot 84 with several three putts....no flat greens. Bottom line is Pinehurst is the mecca of American golf and it shows how they treat guests, maintain the courses and accommodations. The Pinehurst Brewing Co, is awesome and we ate at Dugan's Pub the first night. If you get the chance go!!
Fairways and Greens,
Golfdawg Z
GolfdqawgZ
Thanks @golfdawgz for taking the time to report about a place I would really like to visit one day!
That said have you played other Pinehurst courses besides #4 and #6, just as a curiosity?
Denis Gilbert
Quebec City, Canada
Dawg,
Just got done cursing at the long term forecast for next week in Pinehurst.
Our lineup will be: Southern Pines, #7, #2, #9, #2, #4, Tobacco Road, #9. This trip will leave #5 as the only PCC course I haven't played. Been waiting to play #2 until a childhood friend and I could tee it up together. #4 is an absolute beast. Southern Pines is in the midst of a renovation so can't wait to see it again.
My personal ranking so far (I know it differs from most): 4, 9, 1, 7, 3, 8, 6
Glad you mentioned Hyland. The staff at #9 always rave about it but I've yet to get there.
Ribs on Mon or Tues at Pinehurst Brewing Co. are always included on my visits. SoPies in Southern Pines is my go to for pizza.
@say8pet Sounds like a great trip you have planned. I've always found #2 to be more torture than golf. Played it several times since the first Open played there in '99. PBC is a perfect addition to a Pinehurst trip...enjoy!!
GolfdawgZ
GolfdqawgZ
@denisgilbert Played all but#7....I lived nearby for over 20 years and they always offered off season specials for locals. Played Tobacco Rd on the second day it was open in 1998. You have to experience Pinehurst at some point!!
GolfdawgZ
GolfdqawgZ
@denisgilbert Played all but#7....I lived nearby for over 20 years and they always offered off season specials for locals. Played Tobacco Rd on the second day it was open in 1998. You have to experience Pinehurst at some point!!
GolfdawgZ
Wow! You must make a lot of people quite envious!
In any case, I am! 😉
Thanks for your answer @golfdawgz!
Denis Gilbert
Quebec City, Canada
Played #2 over 20 years ago. Easy driving course and very tough after that. Watched my partner miss a 3 foot putt and ended up almost 20 yards off the green. Course has been changed since then and it looks like they've toughened up the driving. Glad I played it - would like to get a look at some of the other courses there.
Shout out for mid north as a great layout.
Golf is just an excuse to drink whiskey and smoke cigars
@undercover-golf-pro Yes....#2 is like that....I believe made very difficult to attract the Open. I think you mean the Mid-South course on Midland Rd. I have friends who live there and our Men's Golf Association from St James played there this past October. It's a great layout that you can score on...Always a treat!!
About the May trip - We probably will have an opening on at least one of the days.....Will keep you in the loop on date/time.
GolfdawgZ
GolfdqawgZ
. Played Tobacco Rd on the second day it was open in 1998
The SECOND day? Gotta ask, what was your first impression? And did anyone believe you when you tried to describe the course to them back then? Was it much different from The Pit?
Mid South may find its way into next week's lineup. I've heard nothing but good things about it.
@say8pet I actually love it.....After playing it a few times you can score on it. It's all target golf. I've shot 76 there and 96.....you have to be on your game. GDZ
GolfdqawgZ
Sorry for the late update.
Final lineup turned out to be: SPCC, PCC #7, #2, #4, #9, #5, #8, #9 during a crappy week for golf, weather-wise.
Southern Pines CC is my all-time favorite course to play. The renovation is well underway and it will look more beautiful--and play harder with an added POP, in my opinion. Overall, the changes saddened me, despite shooting my best nine to open. The best value in golf in the SE will be gone come Sept. It's price point will meet those at Pine Needles/Mid Pines by then.
For those of you who want to play #2, go ahead, but it'll be a long time before I play it again. IT'S JUST TOO HARD. There is not a place to miss there. Zero! Every lie/look/stance was a punch in the gut. I don't know what the current fee is to play there for the public (I'm a partial member), but I would never recommend playing #2 to anyone but the wealthy or the golf afficicconado/snob at $350 plus.
I love Pinehurst and I do a trip there every year typically during the summer when rates are lower. I always play 2, 4, Dormie Club, and Tobacco Road. If you get a chance throw in a round at the Cradle as well. That short course in front of the clubhouse is sweet! We love sitting outside on the Thistle Dhu putting green until dark gambling and playing the 18 hole putting course, what a place, wish I was there now!
I just got back from playing #3 & #2, with a friend of mine who is a member there. #3 is often overlooked, although it is his favorite among the 10 courses. Shorter front (par 32) makes it less played. Greens are similar to #2 with the turtleback shape. Course was fantastic. Great preview of what was to come the next day. Was also only $70 so great bang for the buck.
#2 is what you would think it is. It was hard. Conditions were perfect. Starter was saying, it was in the best shape of the entire year, including the US Open. Some of the waste area shots are ridiculous, but some come out great. The wire grass is nasty (only had to take one swing out of it thankfully). We had a really good caddie (Manny). He was really good at reading the greens and helping with speed. We started on the back and finished on the front. I shot par on #18 and got a nice applause from the people watching on the porch (which was awesome). Finished on #9 with a shot that hit in front of the hole and ended behind. Caddie yelled "Get expensive!". Missed the 8 footer but about 6 inches, as I was afraid it could role 20 feet away with too much speed.
Ate twice at Myrtle Beach Brewing, which is outstanding.
First time doing the complex, will NOT be the last. Well worth the price of admission.
Great timing CBP. Thanks for the update.
I'm scheduled for 22 rounds at Pinehurst in the next fifty days. Membership has its privileges. Can't wait.
I love #3. It's usually empty because most members think the greens are too hard. I played #2 just after additional wiregrass was planted for the Open. It was still playable but I fear it'll be too dense now.
Pinehurst Brewing Comp. is great eats (ribs only offered Mon/Tue). Pizza: Vitos or SoPies.
