Pinehurst Trip - Lodging? & Weather?

[Ryan Kennedy]

I'll be taking a group of 8 to 12 next spring...ish.....

What can you tell me about weather/course conditions...  When is best?

Where's the best lodging experience for course proximity & dinner/drinks?

We're looking to play #2, Dormie, Tobacco Road, mid pines & Pine needles. Did I miss anything?

Thank you!!!

[Steve Kline]

We did a spring trip to Pinehurst with guys from our office for about 20 years. We always tried to go right after the time change around the last week of March or the first week of April. The last week of March was great because you were still in the off season with reduced rates. The weather was almost always really good - highs in the 70s or 80s and sunny. But, you can still get the occasional bad weather day that time of year.

You've picked my favorite courses in the area. Although, I might pick something other than Tobacco Road. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much this last fall and the greens were downright awful. Perhaps play #4 the day you play #2.

We always stayed in condos on courses #3 and #5. But, our group wasn't really one to go out drinking. We'd hang in the condos and watch the NCAA tournament or go over to my dad's house to grill out. If you want to go to a bar then I would stay somewhere in the village so you can go to the bars there and walk back to room, eliminating the need to drive.

Two of my favorite restaurants in Pinehurst are Ten-Ya (a Japanese restaurant in the village) and Elliot's on Linden (no more than 10 minutes or so from the village). Neither are cheap but both are good.

[Connor Dougherty]

I'd go play Southern Pines. It's comparable to the other courses on your list, but I don't know if I'd replace any of those rounds. It's a shorter course so you definitely could combine it with another round or two, it was the end of a 54 hole day for me this summer.

[hhuffines]

I'd check with the Pinecrest Inn although I'm not sure of their arrangement with #2.  I would also look into Southern Pines CC over Tobacco Road.

[Ryan Kennedy]

Thank you!!

[Bill_McBride]

Just stayed at the Pinecrest and it continues to be an excellent and "golfy" experience.  I think you can get a very good rate if it's for a formal event.  

[Ronald Montesano]

I think I need another Pine Needles experience. I didn't get the rush from it that I did from MidPines, Southern Pines and others. There were a couple of holes (16 and 17, I believe, maybe even 18) that felt totally out of sorts with the others.

Also, what is that huge building behind the 2nd tee at Pine Needles?

[Jaeger Kovich]

I think I need another Pine Needles experience. I didn't get the rush from it that I did from MidPines, Southern Pines and others. There were a couple of holes (16 and 17, I believe, maybe even 18) that felt totally out of sorts with the others.

Also, what is that huge building behind the 2nd tee at Pine Needles?

I believe its the old hotel. The hole sequencing used to start from there, with #18 as #1.

[Ronald Montesano]

Jaeger, I hope it's not an inconvenience, but could you elaborate on the old sequencing? I don't think it's a thread-jack, as it would add to the Needles Nowledge. Thanks in advance.

expectantly, RM

[Jay Mickle]

The large building is the original Pine Needles Hotel. As earlier noted the 1928 routing began at  the hotel at the now current 18th hole. The original caddy shack has been converted to a living unit but is still visible behind the hedge on the 18th tee. When the Bell's bought the property sans hotel and built the lodge at the bottom of  hill the second hole became #1. Hence the halfway house is at #8. In front and across the road from the old hotel

[Tyler Kearns]

Ryan,

Was just in Pinehurst recently and played Sanford Municipal ($14 warm-up round), Tobacco Road, Dormie Club, Mid Pines & Pinehurst No. 2.  Despite what Steve mentioned, I think Tobacco Road is well worth the effort to see.  Strantz could certainly compose a beautiful landscape, and you'll definitely see some original golf architecture - whether you like it or not remains to be seen.  If it is a contender on your trip, do call ahead as the greens were not in good shape when we played and I believe it is a fairly serious problem that will require some work to ameliorate.

TK

[Morgan Clawson]

If it's not important to stay in Pinehurst Village, and you want basic lodging, I recommend the Holiday Inn Express in Southern Pines.

I stayed there for the Dixie Cup.

One of the least expensive places when I was searching.  Newer hotel with big rooms. Very clean.  Nice breakfast. About 10-15 minutes from all the courses.

[Sean_A]

If it's not important to stay in Pinehurst Village, and you want basic lodging, I recommend the Holiday Inn Express in Southern Pines.

I stayed there for the Dixie Cup.

One of the least expensive places when I was searching.  Newer hotel with big rooms. Very clean.  Nice breakfast. About 10-15 minutes from all the courses.

Morgan

Yes, for a 1 nighter its fine.  If I were to be around for two or more nights I would probably go for the Jefferson Inn in S Pines unless the Pinecrest in Pinehurst was significantly cheaper.  But I prefer S Pines as a place to hang.

Ciao

[Richard Hetzel]

We stayed at the Mid Pines Inn and it was pretty cozy for a couple. I think I will try the Jefferson Inn the next go around. We had a small group that stayed at the Comfort Inn and it was acceptable for a small crowd.

[David Whitmer]

I was there for three nights in early October. We rented a house, called the Clubhouse Cottage, which is on Dundee Road right next to a car dealership. It was great...plenty of room, big private back yard where we grilled out and hung out by the pool in the evening. It was $300 a night, so obviously $75 a night a guy. An awesome deal.

We played Mid Pines, #8, #4, and #2.

[Bill_McBride]

For the Dixie Cup "group," the Pinecrest offered a rate of $88.  That sounds a bit high until you learn that includes full breakfast and dinner!   As well as the best bar in town.....

[Matthew Sander]

For the Dixie Cup "group," the Pinecrest offered a rate of $88.  That sounds a bit high until you learn that includes full breakfast and dinner!   As well as the best bar in town.....

Agreed, but you may want to bring a helmet!

[Daryl David]

I have heard that quite a few courses in the Pinehurst area go through over seeding during October. Can any of the locals comment on whether that would be an issue if one decided to spend a few weeks in the sand hills that time of year.  Would I be faced with soft conditions, carts on path, etc?

[Jay Mickle]

The past few years Southern Pines was unmowed, long, shaggy and wet with carts in rough only. Mid Pines and Pine Needles play as usual with no restrictions.

[Bill_McBride]

For the Dixie Cup "group," the Pinecrest offered a rate of $88.  That sounds a bit high until you learn that includes full breakfast and dinner!   As well as the best bar in town.....

Agreed, but you may want to bring a helmet!

Because of the ..........?   

[Matthew Sander]

.......exposed pipes in the rooms. I can't be the only poor bastard that has cracked his head (multiple) on those things. I did it at least 3 times while packing my suitcase...slow learner.

[Bill_McBride]

.......exposed pipes in the rooms. I can't be the only poor bastard that has cracked his head (multiple) on those things. I did it at least 3 times while packing my suitcase...slow learner.

You're either too tall or checked in too late!   I've never seen a room there with pipes, in several visits.