Poor Man's Pinehurst

[Ronald Montesano]

I'm setting up a Pinehurst trip for next July with some lads who tolerate me (hard to make it plural, I know).  We're looking at the following four courses for a variety of reasons, principle among which is affordability:  The Pit, Anderson Creek, Tot Hill Farm and Tobacco Road.  That three of the four are edgy courses of the Quarry or Strantz variety is apparent.  I'll welcome any suggestions on substitutions or affirmations of our brilliance.  Have at it with my gratitude.

Ron M.

[Dan Herrmann]

Ronald,
I've only played Tobacco Road, and loved it - even though I played it on a 55 degree day with a 20-MPH north wind.

Be sure to check out Southern Pines GC.  I've heard really good things about it.

[Bill_McBride]

Mid Pines
Southern Pines
Tobacco Road 

And stay at the Pine Crest Inn - or at least drink there at night.

[Mark Studer]

Make sure to  play Southern Pines.  I just played it this  week on monday at 3pm after officiating at at the usam in the morning.  The "through the green" conditioning is only about a "5" at best , but the greens are undulating and true and fun to putt and rate a "9" for me.  $40. fee is very fair.....I walked  and carried 27 holes in '99 after officiating in the morning.  Make sure to walk it you are able.  The first and 18th holes may disappoint  visually from the clubhouse but don't let that keep you from teeing it up.  There is a good place to eat on the road from pinehurst out to southern pines(on the same side of the road as MidPines).....Ironwood grill.  I had the seabass and my wife had the rack of lamb... we would go back there  for a meal in a heartbeat.

[Bruce Leland]

Mid Pines
Southern Pines
Tobacco Road 

And stay at the Pine Crest Inn - or at least drink there at night.

I'll second the Pine Crest Inn although it's not quite the same without the old bartender.  Still a first class experience.  I only stayed there once in my life but received a Christmas card every year for about ten years after. 

[Bill_McBride]

Mid Pines
Southern Pines
Tobacco Road 

And stay at the Pine Crest Inn - or at least drink there at night.

I'll second the Pine Crest Inn although it's not quite the same without the old bartender.  Still a first class experience.  I only stayed there once in my life but received a Christmas card every year for about ten years after. 

Bill was a great bartender indeed, he is missed.  The first time I was there I arrived at midnight after driving from Virginia.  I had a couple of J&B's.  The next few times I was there, over the next 5 or 6 years, he always called me, "Mr. J&B."  One of the great bartenders.

I also love the piano bar and the guys chipping at the target hanging in front of the fireplace.  The food is also very good at the Pine Crest and very reasonable.

[John Moore II]

Don't go to The Pit, its a dump as far as I'm concerned. Not to mention, based on the location of your other courses, its quite the drive from where you will likely stay. Quail Ridge across the street from Tobacco Road is ok, not the greatest, but worth the $20 it will cost to play. If you are driving to the Southern Pines area, I would certainly not play The Pit though. Play National, Southern Pines, or Pine Needles. Depending when you are down, Needles is not all that expensive, not to mention, its almost to the point down here where you name your own price because there is no business.

[David Schofield]

JKM, are you referring to Pine Needles or the entire area when you say that there's "no business"?

[hhuffines]

We have enjoyed Highland Hills, just north of Southern Pines and I would also recommend Southern Pines CC, Tobacco Road, and possibly the Legacy but I havent been there in some time.  Try Beefeaters for a good meal at a decent price. 

[John Moore II]

JKM, are you referring to Pine Needles or the entire area when you say that there's "no business"?

The entire area, with the exception of Pinehurst Resort. At least from what I am seeing.

[Sean_A]

I would certainly back what others have said about Southern Pines.  Be sure to substitute it in somehow.  Mid Pines & Pine Needles are good, but they are getting up there in price.  Though, you may get a good deal in July, but it would probably involve staying at one of their hotels.  If its on the cards, go for Mid Pines - a lovely course.

While not to denigrate Pinehurst too badly, I think the town is like American cheese - very plastic like.  Souther Pines is just down the road and its a proper town.  A new hotel opened in the middle of town and it looks very good.
http://www.jeffersoninnsouthernpines.com/

Ciao

[Brent Hutto]

We spent a short break there a couple years back playing Southern Pines one afternoon, overnighting at the Pine Crest Inn (and in my case eating an enormous and excellent pork chop in their restaurant) and then Tobacco Road the next day. For my money that's as good as you'd ever want for a overnight golf trip at modest expense. If I were going to splurge on an extra day at a "nicer" course I'd add either Mid-Pines or Pine Needles depending on my mood. Those three rounds would be a great trip.

[Todd Housteau]

I second much of what has been said above. We played the pit this past June and were very disappointed. Try and replace with one of the Ross courses.   Our group loved southern pines.  You also might want to try and rent a house, there are many available at very reasonable rates.  The Pinecrest Inn is not to be missed. 

[Bill_McBride]

While not to denigrate Pinehurst too badly, I think the town is like American cheese - very plastic like.

If you think all of Pinehurst proper is "plastic," you missed the Pine Crest Inn, it is genuine Americana and is all about the golf.

[Kalen Braley]

Does it have a pool and a hottub? 

[Bill_McBride]

Does it have a pool and a hottub? 

No.

Great bar and great dining room/food, yes.

And a great porch with rocking chairs for hanging about.  You'd love it.

[Kalen Braley]

Does it have a pool and a hottub? 

No.

Great bar and great dining room/food, yes.

And a great porch with rocking chairs for hanging about.  You'd love it.

Rocking chairs, did you just say rocking chairs?  Sounds more like a halfway house before you go full blown assisted living in the "golden years"...   

I'm sure its a fun place, but as Sean says probably still too plastic.  Just to be sure when I make my way to them parts I'm going to shack up in the nastiest, dirtiest, flea bag hotel just to make sure I get the full "Americana experience".   

[Sean_A]

While not to denigrate Pinehurst too badly, I think the town is like American cheese - very plastic like.

If you think all of Pinehurst proper is "plastic," you missed the Pine Crest Inn, it is genuine Americana and is all about the golf.

Cool your jets Ace.  I liked the Pine Crest, though I don't think its as good as you lot give it credit for.  Its more than adequate for a few nights.  I didn't care for plastic cheese Pinehurst.  Its not a real town.  Its more like a giant outdoor shopping mall inhabited by manikins - on a part time (sometimes only a night!) basis of course. 

Ciao

[Bill_McBride]

While not to denigrate Pinehurst too badly, I think the town is like American cheese - very plastic like.

If you think all of Pinehurst proper is "plastic," you missed the Pine Crest Inn, it is genuine Americana and is all about the golf.

Cool your jets Ace.  I liked the Pine Crest, though I don't think its as good as you lot give it credit for.  Its more than adequate for a few nights.  I didn't care for plastic cheese Pinehurst.  Its not a real town.  Its more like a giant outdoor shopping mall inhabited by manikins - on a part time (sometimes only a night!) basis of course. 

Ciao

My jets are cool, just wanted to be sure you hadn't missed the Pine Crest.  I fully agree about the rest of Pinehurst, particularly the Carolina Hotel which I found rather "Stepford-ish."  It's all too cute.  But not the Pine Crest, at least in my humble opinion.  It's pretty lively at night, where both the Carolina and Pine Needles are dead dead dead.

[Ronald Montesano]

Oh, jeez, that's a shame.  See, we'll drink in Adirondack chairs, but not rocking chairs.  What makes The Pit all that bad?  Routing, conditioning, rocking chairs?  Please elaborate, as I've wanted to play it since 1985.

[David Schofield]

Ronald,

If you do decide to play The Pit, make sure it is before you play Tobacco Road.  To play them in the opposite order would be a huge letdown. 

[John Moore II]

Oh, jeez, that's a shame.  See, we'll drink in Adirondack chairs, but not rocking chairs.  What makes The Pit all that bad?  Routing, conditioning, rocking chairs?  Please elaborate, as I've wanted to play it since 1985.

Where to start...I feel that the routing is very bland and in many cases contrived. The greens are very silly in places, such at #4 and #15. It has the ultimate of foolishness in the island green, which from the back tees plays nearly 210 yards. The conditioning is average, at best. Just the entire feel of the golf course is less than good. I played once, swore I would never go back, then was convinced to go back by some guys at work, I was still unimpressed and once again, I'm saying I won't go back. Elaborate enough?? I can break down my dislikes hole by hole if you need

[Ronald Montesano]

JKM,
That's quite descriptive enough, although I have one other question.  I don't want the red type to rise to cause cranial discombobulation on your part, but what did you think of the greens, both in their challenge and their conditioning?  Anyone else may chime in as he/she pleases.

[John Moore II]

JKM,
That's quite descriptive enough, although I have one other question.  I don't want the red type to rise to cause cranial discombobulation on your part, but what did you think of the greens, both in their challenge and their conditioning?  Anyone else may chime in as he/she pleases.

No cranial problems will happen here. The greens are sort of all right. Some are just weird though. Hole 4 has a green that is maybe 2000sqft and is dead flat. Hole 15 has a green that might be 1500sqft (honestly the smallest green I have ever seen) and without a flat spot on the green, this green coming on a contrived par 5, double dog leg, downhill from the tee, fairway about 20 yards wide, fairway ends at about 280 yards from the tee with thick trees on each side of the fairway, etc. I think the greens are generally OK, but I certainly wouldn't return simply because the greens are OK. The conditions are as good as most around, but not excellent.

[Richard Hetzel]

Pinehurst PLASTIC? Wow, considering I had been to Myrtle Beach on several occasions before giving Pinehurst a visit, i would say, refreshingly laid back is more like it.

Do play Mid Pines and Pineneedles, both are excellent! AND, play Tobacco Road last, not first.