[Ronald Montesano]

A friend in da'biz asked me the other day why I would have any interest in playing Pinehurst #1 and #3, as they were filled with mundane, forgettable holes. I used the term "minimalist brilliance" to see if that would effect any change in attitude, but no dice. Mi amigo kept at it, asking if "minimalist brilliance" translated to "pretty ordinary." When pressed, he suggested that his favorite in the area is Mid South, by Palmer Group.

I scoured (if the Search field is considered scouring) this site for previous threads and, like Yukon Cornelius...Nothing. No "Courses By Country" write-up, not neither.

What does the population of the treehouse know about Mid South? Is it willing to share its thoughts? I'll stop typing and read your thoughts. Gracias de antemano.

[Jay Mickle]

Played it a few times 5+ years ago with friends who were members. even now the course remains memorable especially the 9th and 18th double green protected by a lake. There are, however, so many other courses in the area that I prefer that it is not high on my list. I would surely play it again. But to be fair we have a plethora of very fine courses.
#1 and #3 I have only played with hickories and found both most enjoyable. #3 has many greens to rival those at #2
Hard to go wrong here.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

I played it many, many years ago and remember it being good, but I don't remember enough about it to say that it must have been great.  I just can't recall that much specifics about it.  But let me see if I can help you get more clarification.

First off in doing your Yukon Cornelius search it might help you to know that the course was originally known as Pinehurst Plantation, however it along with its Jack Nicklaus designed neighbor Pinehurst National (that opened within a few years of each other) were sued by the village of Pinehurst and forced to cease and desist in using the word Pinehurst in their names.  Thus Mid South, and National Golf Club are the new names respectively.  That might help you in your search.

As I said I have not played either since right when they opened (probably back in the 1996-1998 time frame if I had to guess), but I have a friend that comes down from NJ to Pinehurst almost every year with a group of his buddies, and I think Mid South and National are on their rotation quite often.  I will put out a feeler to him to see what his thoughts are.

[BCowan]

Jay and Ron

    Not to get off subject, but can you tell me more about Pinehurst #1 and #3?  Are they just short Gems to play?  Hickories seem appropriate but i don't have them.  Have they been untouched Ross courses?

[Ronald Montesano]

Start here with #3...awesome work by GCA's Chris Buie:


http://www.golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/buie-chris-the-original-pinehurst-no-3/


Here is a thread on #1


http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?topic=52839.0

[Andy Ryall]

We based our IU MBA annual trip from Mid-South in September and stayed onsite in the very well-appointed condos.    The course reminded me a lot of Grand National - RTJ in Auburn/Opelika with a great deal of elevation change and large multi-tiered greens.    The clubhouse was sparse with limited service for the amount of resort play lined up for a beautful Friday.   There were a few cool holes, notably the risk/reward Par 5 15th, along with the aforementioned 9/18 double green.   It's not a easy walk but it's definitely walkable.  I would place conditioning and design ahead of Talamore but behind Pine Needles (obviously), but I think the rates were reasonable.   Not a must-play but a nice alternative.   Southern Pines would be preferable but is a little further away.

Andy

[Steve Kline]

Ron - remind me never to get course advice from your friend.

I've played Mid-South three or four times over the last decade. It's an okay course. It's definitely not in the top 10 in Pinehurst. And, it's designed by the Palmer Group. So, you know exactly what you are going to get. His courses have a lot of holes that are virtual carbon copies. Mid-South not as much, but the exact features are there.

[Matt MacIver]

I played two years ago and generally liked it - several interesting driving holes with fun angles and a few wild greens. Was in good condition.   Pretty generous fairways and width and while the course has some houses around it I never found a backyard, but they have a great local rule: hit it OB just take a stroke and play on!  Might not be Golf but it keeps things moving.

[Richard Hetzel]

I have heard that the Mid South club is OK from my friends, and while I don't mind Palmer courses, it's the Nicklaus courses I try my best to avoid. I am sure I will play it soon enough, but after I have exhausted all the Ross offerings as well as the Dormie Club.

[jim_lewis]

Daryl:

Just to clarify, it was not the Village of Pinehurst who sued Pinehurst Plantation and Pinehurst National. It was the Pinehurst Resort, who has the only legal right to the commercial use of the name "Pinehurst". They apparently felt that they may lose business as uninformed visitors were confused by others using their name. For a while they also put pressure on other businesses, even several located in Southern Pines and Aberdeen and not even in competing industries, but they later backed off in part due to negative publicity. They came across as a bully picking on much smaller businesses.

Jim

[Ronald Montesano]

It's definitely not in the top 10 in Pinehurst. And, it's designed by the Palmer Group.

What would be your top 10 in Pinehurst?

[Joe Sponcia]

Ronald,

It is good, but not great.  I played it last spring.  Fun, playable, but better choices in the area. 

[Steve Lang]

  Would rather play Palmer's Carolina Golf Course out by the airport...

[Brian Freeman]

I've played it, abut 5 years back. I don't remember anything bad about it, conditioning was fine, we enjoyed our day there, but I don't really remember anything great about it either.   Quite a bit of water hazards I believe, more than the typical Sandhills course.   I've also played Talamore, which I believe they are affiliated with.... And I liked Talamore better.

If MS has a problem, I would say it has the same "problem" a lot of solid but not spectacular clubs in destination locations have.   I'm not going to travel to Pinehurst just to play it, and if I'm the average golf tourist who is going to the time and effort to travel to Pinehurst I'm probably going to pony up to play 2, 4, 8, etc at the resort, Pine Needles, Mid Pines, etc., or try to get an in at CCNC.  

[Tom Fagerli]

It is clearly the best Palmer course in the area. I have not played it since they tenth hole was changed.  I have always enjoyed playing there even the time I finished double-quad at NC Am qualifying when bogey-bogey would do, Hmmm I haven't been back since. However I must say I would always play MidSouth before the Carolina! MidSouth has solid holes- nothing goofy. I much prefer it to its neighbor The National.

[Tom ORourke]

Good but not great. The doglegs make you choose angles off the tee that fit your game, so that works. But a modern looking course in the midst of all of the old classics like Southern Pines, Pine Needles, and the rest, seems like a jarring misfit. Good condos though. Just be ready for the $7 hot dogs.

[Steve Kline]

My top 10 (not in any order

I have played the following:
Pinehurst #2
Pine Needles
Dormie Club
Mid Pines
Southern Pines
Pinehurst #4
Pinehurst #8

And would add these that I haven't played (have an invite for Forest Creek):

Both courses at Forest Creek
Both courses at CCNC

Talamore and Mid-South are pretty equivalent to me. I probably like National and Legacy a little less than those. Tobacco Road use to be higher on my list. But, that was when I was a really good player. Now I don't like so many opportunities for lost balls.

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()