[Edward Glidewell]

TMart,


In no particular order this morning save for #2 being clear #1:


#2
#4
Dormie
Pine Needles
Tobacco Road


Southern Pines and #8 would be above it as well.  I’ve yet to play CCofNC Dogwood but all reports are it is wonderful.

I haven't played #2 or Tobacco Road, but I've played the other 3 and couldn't disagree more. Mid Pines is a better course than #4, Dormie Club, or Pine Needles. Not that those three aren't very good courses in their own right, but I'd rank them Mid Pines, Dormie Club, #4, Pine Needles.

[JC Jones]

Tobacco Road

I don’t understand the Tobacco Road love. It’s a good course. Very good. Not great.

Mid Pines is better than #4 and definitely better than TR, IMO.

I didn't say it was great.  Remember 7 months ago when everyone was yelling at me on this site for questioning the idea that Tobacco Road was great.

[Sean_A]

For the most part I admire The Road and marvel at the architectural risk taking, but I wouldn't say its a great course. If I had to pick one feature which gives me pause it's the several narrow greens.

Happy Hockey

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I didn't say it was great.  Remember 7 months ago when everyone was yelling at me on this site for questioning the idea that Tobacco Road was great.

You listed it above Mid Pines, thus IMO “over-rating” it and giving it “love” (per my reply).

[Jerry Kluger]

I have friends who are members at CCNC and I have had the chance to play Dogwood and Cardinal quite a few times and they are certainly right up there with the best in the Sandhills.  Ranking all of them is certainly very difficult but that makes it so special to play golf in that area.  It reminds me somewhat of Sand Valley in Wisconsin where you surprisingly also have that wonderful sandy surface which makes the game so enjoyable.

[Bernie Bell]

What struck me last week is how all the different PCC members I talked to say they hardly ever play #2. I think one said he hadn't played it in 7 years.

PCCraig,

There are in the neighborhood of 1,500 members at Pinehurst CC. It is possible you did not talk to any of the great majority that play #2 whenever they can. Whatever tee times that are not taken by resort guests are filled by members every day, weather permitting. The more I play #2, the more I want to play it again the next day. #2 is a very challenging golf course. The green complexes are difficult and will punish the mediocre approach. Some will find #2 too difficult to play on a regular basis and will play at the many other options at the club. Others don't play #2 because there are no carts allowed on the fairways. Some find it too difficult to get times on #2 and don't want the hassle and will opt to play the other options at the club. However, most members joined in part so they can play #2 on a regular basis. I find it very hard to believe that the typical member "hardly ever plays" #2.

As for Mid Pines, I love playing there. I've played it several times and like playing it very much. There are quite a few very good holes and the lay of the land adds to the interest. I would never say Mid Pines is not good...it's just not as good as Pinehurst #2.

What does playing #2 on a regular basis or "whenever they can" translate to in terms of number of rounds a member might play per week or month in spring or fall (in normal pre-Covid times)?  With 1500 members and resort guests.

[Mark Pritchett]

My top 5 in the area


1.  No. 2
2.  No. 4
3.  Pine Needles
4.  Southern Pines
T5.  Mid Pines, Dormie

[Peter Sayegh]

Top five rounds that I will bring friends, in order:#2MidPinesSouthern PinesTobacco RoadMP/SP for a replay.No disrespect to the others.Spent the last wintry/soggy week in Pinehurst. Loved every minute.#1 and #9 are great places to play. Did not like #6 at first blush.

[Jay Mickle]

1. #2 a strategic masterpiece
2. Mid Pines the most replayable fun course in the area, one of golf’s best walks.
2. Dormie the best variety of greens with some truly great holes.
4. Southern Pines perhaps premature but with the best land and Kyle Franz’s work.
5. Tobacco Road bold, creative, fun Strantz’s gem.

[John Foley]

I have spent some sporadic time in the area for quit a long time but never got to see Mid Pines until this year. It was always packed and given the other choices I always had another option. When this years trip came I was very excited to see it. Caught it on a chamber of commerce weather day w/ perfect conditions in late October. Walked off the course and for some reason was disappointed and I'm not sure I can articulate why. Perhaps the best reason I can come up with is it doesn't stand out amongst it's brethren in the area?


#2 is one of my all time favorite courses. Love the strategy, love the vibe love the green sites. There is not a bad thing I can say about it. I enjoyed #4 also. It's memorable, the strategic elements abound. Loved the par 5's there. Dormie, IMHO, is just a smidge below. I LOVE the seclusion, the flow of the routing, the green sites. I love how #8 sits near but not on the water, how the green is draped over the ground w/ no bunkers. I love the tee shot on #5 and the rumpled green. Every time I play it, I get done and I'm think when can I get back here.


In the most recent trip finally played Southern Pines and enjoyed the rough look, the muni feal w/ a bit of no-frills added. The golf was solid and it highly exceed my expectations. The group also ventured to Tobacco Road for a 36 hole day. To each, they heard the stories about how it could be difficult (and we played it for a while in 30+MPH winds as the remnants of a hurricane passed through) but everyone LOVED it. Perhaps it's the scale? The acres of exposed sand? The crazy greens? It sure is unique!


So in the end I think I need to see Mid Pines again and see how it flows and compares. However, when in that area not sure I'd ever see it more than a notch below the others.

[Kyle Harris]

Because Pine Needles is better?

Easily the best Ross routing I've played.

[Edward Glidewell]

Because Pine Needles is better?

Easily the best Ross routing I've played.

If anything, the fact that Pinehurst has 5 or 6 other excellent courses vying for second place in the area behind #2 just shows that it's still one of the 3 or 4 best places in the country for public golf. Bandon is probably the only place in the country where you can go and play a collection of better courses.

[Brian Finn]

1. #2 a strategic masterpiece
2. Mid Pines the most replayable fun course in the area, one of golf’s best walks.
2. Dormie the best variety of greens with some truly great holes.
4. Southern Pines perhaps premature but with the best land and Kyle Franz’s work.
5. Tobacco Road bold, creative, fun Strantz’s gem.

This is almost exactly how I would list them, possibly with Pine Needles worked in ahead of Tobacco Road (although I do love TR). 

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