Sandhills NC

[Darren Gloster]

Gents,


Heading to Sandhills of NC in late March for the first time.

Would love some insight and opinions on the best places to play.  Have 4 maybe 5 days.  So far looking at Pine Needles, Dormie, Tobacco Road, #2.

What other recommendations do you all have?

Muchas Gracias

 

[JC Jones]

These are my favorite courses in the Sand Hills:

1.  #2
2.  MidPines
3.  Southern Pines
4.  Dormie
5.  #8
6.  Tobacco Road
7.  Pine Needles

I've not played the courses at Forest Creek but I understand they are worth trying to play if you have connections.

I've also not played the new #9, which is the former National.

[hhuffines]

Take plenty of cash

[Jud_T]

Both courses at Forest Creek are certainly worth seeking out.  Some of the better Fazio around.  Sticks also like CCNC.  Personally I'd put Pine Needles ahead of #8, but it depends on what you're looking for.

[JC Jones]

Both courses at Forest Creek are certInly worth seeking out.  Some of the better Fazio around.  Sticks also like CCNC.  Personally I'd put Pine Needles ahead of #8, but it depends on what you're looking for.

You mean, like if you're looking for a better golf course than Pine Needles?

[Brian Finn]

I would also recommend Forest Creek x2.  Both courses are great (check out Ran's reviews) and their superintendent, Mark Stovall, is among the best in the business.  Also, the locker room is outstanding.  Great spot.

[Mark Pritchett]

No. 2 and Mid Pines and Southern Pines are must plays.  Pine Needles and Dormie are solid as well. 

Try and stop by the Pinecrest Inn for dinner and/or drinks, good fun. 

[Jason Thurman]

As an architecture aficionado, you'd be crazy to miss #2 and Tobacco Road. They may not be your favorite courses in the area, but they are the two unique ones that will give you a taste of something you've never seen before.

It's almost a toss-up from there, honestly. No one has made a bad recommendation yet. Personally, I love Pine Needles and don't get nearly as excited about Dormie Club or Mid Pines, but there are obviously people who go the other way. You're essentially choosing between a bunch of really good options with no right or wrong answer.

[Howard Riefs]

Similar posts:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,56938.0.html

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,53238.0.html

[Jud_T]

there are obviously people who go the other way.

If you sift through all the dross, a nugget of truth emerges...

[Carl Rogers]

Southern Pines is the sleeper, very solid routing.

[Eric Strulowitz]

I have played practically every course there, and Pine Needles is my favorite.  The lodge is very old fashioned and homey, there is a lot of history there.  It is a great place to pay and use as a base.  Tobacco Road is an experience just for the sake of it.  I am an 18 hcp, it kicked my butt, but it is definitely unique and a lot of fun.

So much golf that way, I am planning a trip myself late summer.  Not crowded at all with the heat, and some incredible bargains to be had.

good luck!

[Ryan Taylor]

I've been spending a lot of time in the Sandhills recently.

My favorite courses in the area weighing golf course architecture and value ($$$):

1) Mid Pines
2) Pine Needles
3) #2
4) Tobacco Road
5) SP
6) Dormie

Also, it's hard to beat the Needles Lodge. It has a great practice area and bar. Don't forget to check out The Tufts Archives at 150 Cherokee Road Pinehurst, NC.

[Sean_A]

Darren

In terms of getting bang for buck (relatively speaking for Pinehurst) and lovely golf the three courses I would suggest are Tobacco Road, Dormie and Mid-Pines.  Three very different courses and all very engaging.  I spose if money is no object you have to give #2 a go...but it too is quite different from the previous three.  I don't think Pine Needles or Southern Pines are in the class of the previous four.  So if it were me, I would rather try to play one of the Forest Creeks if time and contacts allow.

Ciao

[mike_beene]

Pine Needles is my favorite.Then #2,Mid- Pines and the Forest Creeks

[Keith Phillips]

Have only been to the area twice, both in 2014 - would rank the courses as follows based on my group's experiences:

 - #2
 - Dormie
 - CCNC Dogwood
 - #8
 - #4


 - #3


 - Pine Needles - wanted to love it but greens were in abysmal condition...not sure of the cause but was not aerification

[Darren Gloster]

Terrific feedback.  Thanks Guys.

Think the trip just go extended by another two or three days

[Andrew Buck]

it seems like there are seven variations of this thread to get opinions on the courses, and all very helpful.

I am planning my first trip for this summer for my dad's 60th (and my 40th) birthdays.  He's a longtime superintendent and we've never been able to go on a golf trip together, so I figure it's time.  I assume there is no better place to ask a few questions then here.  Preliminary plan would arrive at RDU about 9:00 AM on Sunday and fly out about 6:00 on Wednesday.  Small chance we'd extend for one more day.

Preliminary plan would be Tobacco Road on the way down, 2 of Mid Pines/Pine Needles/Southern Pines on day 2, 36 at Dormie day 3, #2 on the morning of the last day.  Lodging at the Pine Crest Inn.  Other courses under potential consideration, Raleigh Country Club and Forest Creek. 

Questions:

-  I know the summer is hot, but is there any particular time to avoid?  Right now looking at mid-July
-  I see references to "deals in the summer".  Does this just mean prices are lower if we book in the summer, or is there be a benefit to waiting to book tee times (except #2) when we are very near that date.  Outside of #2, prices appear pretty reasonable, so it's likely best to have plan booked in advance.
-  Pine Crest Inn website shows access to #2, I want to verify they have advanced access as opposed to calling night before. 
-  Any other lodging I should consider?  It seems Mid Pines/Pine Needles have great deals if you stay on site, but you potentially lose access to #2.  Is it rather easy to get on #2 mid-week in July?

Any help is much appreciated. 

[Matt MacIver]

You will have a great time.

The deals in the summer are due to the extreme humidity - August being the worst. Walking 36 a day can be a slog.

Others can comment on access and lodging but I don't think you need 36 at Dormie - it's not so far out of the way that you can't play it and another local on the same day. It's a Good course so it really depends on what you're looking for that day: laid back no rush get to know the course, or see a few different places on your trip? 

My can't misses are Mid-Pines, 2 and T-Road.

[Mark Pritchett]

I agree with my friend Matt and would skip another round at Dormie for whichever you miss of Southern Pines/Mid Pines/Pine Needles.   I would skip Dormie completely If both courses at Forest Creek are on the table. 

[ed_getka]

Andrew,
     Bring rain gloves and lots of towels. Where are you traveling from?

[Andrew Buck]

Andrew,
     Bring rain gloves and lots of towels. Where are you traveling from?

Chicago-ish

Rain gloves due to sweat or rain?

[ed_getka]

Sweat. I avoid golfing in the summer here like the plague.

[Bill_McBride]

Try and stop by the Pinecrest Inn for dinner and/or drinks, good fun. 

+1 as always!

[Jay Mickle]

I moved to Southern Pines 8 years ago from NJ. As one who shoes horses for a living, working outside, being leaned on by 1200 lbs animals, working in front of a 2500 degree forge I can tell you that it is on the whole  less oppressive here than it was in NJ. Walking 18 holes in NJ regularly soaked my golf shirts, does not often happen here. While hotter here the oppressive early morning humidity is usually burned off by the sun. I hypothesize that the sand, like the desert, doesn't hold the moisture. That said we do get some very hot humid days but they never keep me off the course.
My suggestions: Mid Pines, #2, Southern Pines, Dormie, Tobacco Road.