[PCCraig]

#2
Mid Pines
Pine Needles
Southern Pines
Dormie
Tobacco Road


The Cradle holds no real allure for me and I would rather spend an hour on Thistle Dhu.

This.
Plus.
As a single(or paired up), I would think playing a (perhaps)  less crowded twilight 9-18 on #1 or #3 would have far more appeal than a crowded, off mat 60ish yard set of holes on The Cradle, where a big part of the fun is who you're with and the game you're playing.
I have no issue with mats, 60 yard holes or a gambling, music filled, post round party scene-but I'd probably want to be with my own group for that scene, given how crowded it probably will be.

All things equal, I think you're WAY better off paying $100 for a twilight round at #3 vs. $75 to play 9 holes at the Cradle. #3 is super fun and has an insanely good set of greens.


I think multiple rounds at #2 is a wonderful idea, if price isn't an issue. Only tip I would give is to play it early as rounds get LOOOOOOOOOOONG in the afternoon. #2 is amazing but it's not 5 hours amazing.

[Will Spivey]

I'll echo most of what's been said here:


-#2 is a "can't miss round," but try to play early. The last time I played it was a 5 1/4 hour round (and every group on the course had a caddie).
-For what they charge, I'd skip both #4 and #8. A twilight spin around either #1 or #3 would be great. Also avoid #5 and #7 -- not worth anywhere near what they charge for those.
-Hang out at The Deuce, the new bar just behind the 18th green. Plan ahead as it closes early!
-Mid-Pines, Pine Needles and Southern Pines are better than anything else in area except #2
-Dormie is also very good, but I think with their recent "conversion" to private access may be an issue
-Tobacco Road is NOT my cup of tea, but any student of architecture should see it (once, and only once in my book)

[MKrohn]

Scott, a few of the lads have been talking about trips when we get out of lockdown, I've stayed and played in Pinehurst (post a few days at The Masters) but there are clearly more here who have an intimate knowledge. If I could add one thing, I have been back to play Tobacco Road which is everything my own course isn't and I think is a must if you are there.


In discussions, travel insurance has come up, whilst not exactly panicking, I'm concerned about the wallet damage that would result from a stay in a US hospital. It appears from a brief search that the insurance cover available does not include Covid related issues.


We are likely going to London and environs, we want to go anyway but also given the health reciprocity.

[Steve_Lovett]

I strongly suggest playing #2 at least twice. It takes one time to get a sense of the place and the greens and such. You'll better understand and appreciate it after playing it a second time.


I was there in late April and played #4 - and expected more. I wouldn't travel halfway around the world to play it.


Don't miss Pine Needles, Mid Pines or Southern Pines. Each is a wonderful representation of sandhills golf.


If you have time for more I would visit Tobacco Road over Dormie Club by a whisker. Given the choice, I might go for one more round on #2 over those two if it was the one trip of my lifetime to Pinehurst.


The Cradle is awesome. I played it first off in the morning - if you can do that I wouldn't miss it. Thistle Du is worth spending lots of time. The practice range at Pinehurst is one of the best anywhere.


Visit the Pinecrest Inn bar. It's always filled with people who love golf. Eat the pork chop, it's still remarkable. The new Pinehurst Brewery is a good place to visit. Walk the halls of the Pinehurst #2 clubhouse. Visit the Tufts Museum/Archives. Walk around the town. Go to Southern Pines - the heart of town is charming.


It's a special place. I hope you enjoy it all - whatever you do.

[Scott Warren]

Many thanks to everyone who is chiming in here with course opinions and apres golf recommendations.


It's all tremendously helpful.


A twilight loop of #3 definitely looks like a good option that I might not otherwise have identified. Looks really fun.

[Jay Mickle]

I really wish that they had prioritized #3 more throughout the years.

#3 was the Championship Course at Pinehurst in the 20s. When Ross dedicated his efforts on #2, # 3 took a back seat and in 1961 was split in half with 9 holes remaining on the original #3, the remainder to the new #5.

[Rob_Waldron]

Lots of great golf at Pinehurst as well as away from the resort. Other places to check out include breakfast at The Pinehurst Track Restaurant which Ran introduced me to many years ago. I make sure I stop by for blueberry pancakes whenever I am in town.
https://www.pinehursttrackrestaurant.com/
I also like the Villager Deli across from Dugan's for lunch.

You cannot go wrong with the Pork Osso Buco at The Pinecrest Inn

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Lots of great golf at Pinehurst as well as away from the resort. Other places to check out include breakfast at The Pinehurst Track Restaurant which Ran introduced me to many years ago. I make sure I stop by for blueberry pancakes whenever I am in town.
https://www.pinehursttrackrestaurant.com/
I also like the Villager Deli across from Dugan's for lunch.

You cannot go wrong with the Pork Osso Buco at The Pinecrest Inn

+1

[Peter Sayegh]

I forgot to recommend Midland Country Club, a nine-holer on Midland Rd.. A nice place to get in some more golf-quickly, and at a great price. Very low-key but a nice walk among people who just like to play.

[Kevin Pallier]

Scott


I stayed at Pine Needles with my family - Mid Pines is across the road. It's only about a 10 min drive to Pinehurst #2 from there. I was only in the area a couple of days but wish I'd stayed longer.


There's so much choice on offer. I'd say definitely do #2 & #4 at the main resort. Courses #1 to #5 are at the main complex. #6 & #8 are less than 10min north and #7 and #9 less than 10 min south.


I preferred MP over PN.


I didn't get to Tobacco Road nor Dormie nor Southern P.


So much history and so many courses in close proximity - you'll have a great time.

[Charles Lund]

I've done three trips to the Pinehurst area without playing at the Pinehurst Resort.  I've done multiple plays at Mid Pines, Pine Needles, and Tobacco Road.  I played Mid South on my first trip and played Dormie Club before it went private.  I played Southern Pines last March while under construction for the renovation. 


I might have a low bar for enjoyment and never felt deprived due to not accessing Pinehurst Resort courses.  The policy of same day booking for non-resort guests at #2 changed during my last trip, so it offered a free day to play Southern Pines.  The experience of seeing the course in a reconstruction state left me committed to returning when it opened in the fall.


I found a good flying situation with my favorite domestic carrier and decided to stay one night at the resort to try to fill in the options I had overlooked, with two rounds on the more highly regarded courses at the resort and a round at Southern Pines.  An additional option became available for a social get together and golf to round out some of what I missed from other trips.


We all have different preferences and ideas about GCA that relate to past experiences that shape how we approach golf travel itineraries and what we might be willing to do to access a course deemed special in the rankings.  The beauty of the Pinehurst area is the range of accessible playing options.  From the perspective of someone from the West Coast where Donald Ross apparently did not work, the Pinehurst area provides great options.


If anyone misses something or wants to partake of an experience again, they can go back.


Charles Lund

[Tom_Doak]

I was there in late April and played #4 - and expected more. I wouldn't travel halfway around the world to play it.

Honestly, how many courses would you travel halfway around the world to play?  And who has ever suggested Pinehurst #4 is one of them?   Those are some very high expectations that were probably impossible to meet.

[Will Spivey]

I was there in late April and played #4 - and expected more. I wouldn't travel halfway around the world to play it.

Honestly, how many courses would you travel halfway around the world to play?  And who has ever suggested Pinehurst #4 is one of them?   Those are some very high expectations that were probably impossible to meet.

I live less than 2 hours away and wouldn't make a special trip just to play #4...


FWIW, I will gladly drive down for the day to play #2, MP or PN (and I suspect the new SP will also fit that bill, but haven't seen it since the work).

[Tim Martin]

I was there in late April and played #4 - and expected more. I wouldn't travel halfway around the world to play it.

Honestly, how many courses would you travel halfway around the world to play?  And who has ever suggested Pinehurst #4 is one of them?   Those are some very high expectations that were probably impossible to meet.

I live less than 2 hours away and wouldn't make a special trip just to play #4...


FWIW, I will gladly drive down for the day to play #2, MP or PN (and I suspect the new SP will also fit that bill, but haven't seen it since the work).

The raves at opening for #4 have quieted. As time marches on a fair amount of play is migrating to the offerings in Southern Pines and shunning the resort completely. As a value proposition it’s tough to beat SP/MP/PN. No disrespect intended toward the resort as they have the crown jewel of the area with #2.

[Scott Warren]

I was there in late April and played #4 - and expected more. I wouldn't travel halfway around the world to play it.

Honestly, how many courses would you travel halfway around the world to play?  And who has ever suggested Pinehurst #4 is one of them?   Those are some very high expectations that were probably impossible to meet.

It’s gonna vary for everyone — and “what would you travel 15,000km to play?” might be an interesting thread — but for me it starts with the quality of the golf course itself but is also going to include a uniqueness or architectural dialect not available closer than that, some history or compelling modern story to learn, and a location where I will enjoy the non-golfing hours.

To fly 15,000km — I probably need there to be three courses matching the above description and a very good supporting cast of courses to complement them.

My trip is first and foremost to travel halfway around the world to go to The Masters, which has been #1 on my bucket list since I was 14, but also my route of Pinehurst > Charleston > Aiken > Atlanta looks like it might include three or four courses that match the above criteria, which is basically two bucket list trips in one!

[Tom_Doak]

It’s gonna vary for everyone — and “what would you travel 15,000km to play?” might be an interesting thread — but for me it starts with the quality of the golf course itself but is also going to include a uniqueness or architectural dialect not available closer than that, some history or compelling modern story to learn, and a location where I will enjoy the non-golfing hours.

To fly 15,000km — I probably need there to be three courses matching the above description and a very good supporting cast of courses to complement them.

My trip is first and foremost to travel halfway around the world to go to The Masters, which has been #1 on my bucket list since I was 14, but also my route of Pinehurst > Charleston > Aiken > Atlanta looks like it might include three or four courses that match the above criteria, which is basically two bucket list trips in one!

Scott:


That’s a very practical and well reasoned definition, but at the same time, I shed a tear thinking of some of the courses you’ll never see because you were so practical.


Of course, not everyone has the time or money to make a golf trip to India and Sri Lanka. 

[Mike Hendren]

Enjoying this thread as the 25th Other Senior Tour will be Pinehurst in April with rounds at SP, MP (2) and PN. Sorry but no spectators permitted.


Bogey

[Craig Disher]

The raves at opening for #4 have quieted. As time marches on a fair amount of play is migrating to the offerings in Southern Pines and shunning the resort completely. As a value proposition it’s tough to beat SP/MP/PN. No disrespect intended toward the resort as they have the crown jewel of the area with #2.

More likely that play is migrating to SP/MP/PN and others because PH#2 and #4 are booked solid for the rest of the year. It's hard to believe how far into the future the tee sheets are filled.

[Sean_A]

It’s gonna vary for everyone — and “what would you travel 15,000km to play?” might be an interesting thread — but for me it starts with the quality of the golf course itself but is also going to include a uniqueness or architectural dialect not available closer than that, some history or compelling modern story to learn, and a location where I will enjoy the non-golfing hours.

To fly 15,000km — I probably need there to be three courses matching the above description and a very good supporting cast of courses to complement them.

My trip is first and foremost to travel halfway around the world to go to The Masters, which has been #1 on my bucket list since I was 14, but also my route of Pinehurst > Charleston > Aiken > Atlanta looks like it might include three or four courses that match the above criteria, which is basically two bucket list trips in one!

Scott:


That’s a very practical and well reasoned definition, but at the same time, I shed a tear thinking of some of the courses you’ll never see because you were so practical.


Of course, not everyone has the time or money to make a golf trip to India and Sri Lanka. 

I spent 4.5 months bombing around India. Not once did it occur to me that playing golf was a good use of my time and money.

Ciao

[Kalen Braley]

I've been to India as well, and I'm curious what golf offerings it has, or any neighboring countries for that matter, to entice one to travel there.

I did get a round of golf in thou, but it was a DS 3 at best. It did have a neat short par 4 with a massive banyan tree blocking most of the green, that was different.

[Tim Martin]

Any thoughts on Mid South?

[John Blain]

Any thoughts on Mid South?

Tim-
I only played it once and it was several years ago. I don't remember the particulars but I do remember I was in no hurry to go back but in all fairness I had just come off playing MP, PN and Dormie so it's all relative. I believe it's an Arnold Palmer design. You don't hear much about it probably because of the neighborhood that it's in, just so many better options.
Hope you're well.
-John 

[Steve Kline]

Any thoughts on Mid South?

I have played it 3 or 4 times, but it has been well over a decade since the last time I played. There's nothing special about it. It will be a lot like any other Palmer course you've played. Just your average course in Pinehurst

[David_Moorhead]

All things equal, I think you're WAY better off paying $100 for a twilight round at #3 vs. $75 to play 9 holes at the Cradle. #3 is super fun and has an insanely good set of greens.

This was a great tip! When we couldn't get on The Cradle last Friday, we pivoted because of this comment and played a $65 twilight round on #3. If it had been one of our full rounds, we would have been disappointed, but it plays like a really good executive course, even more so because we picked different tees for each hole.  Pat is right: the holes, while short, are tons of fun and the greens are so good that, if this course had another 1,000 to 1,500 yards, it would be in everyone's Pinehurst rotation.  The greens had interesting movement to them despite being pretty small.  When looking at the packed Cradle, we were delighted to have #3 to ourselves [queuing an "is it overhyped" post in 10 years]


As for comments about Mid-South, it was in great shape, but it felt like we'd left the Sand Hills.  It's a manicured, residential development course with some challenging holes that are either long or make you think.  It felt like water came in play on a lot more holes than most Sand Hills courses.  I liked it, but it was the least popular in our group among PN, MP, SP, Tobacco Road, & Duke. 

[jeffwarne]

All things equal, I think you're WAY better off paying $100 for a twilight round at #3 vs. $75 to play 9 holes at the Cradle. #3 is super fun and has an insanely good set of greens.

This was a great tip! When we couldn't get on The Cradle last Friday, we pivoted because of this comment and played a $65 twilight round on #3. If it had been one of our full rounds, we would have been disappointed, but it plays like a really good executive course, even more so because we picked different tees for each hole.  Pat is right: the holes, while short, are tons of fun and the greens are so good that, if this course had another 1,000 to 1,500 yards, it would be in everyone's Pinehurst rotation.  The greens had interesting movement to them despite being pretty small.  When looking at the packed Cradle, we were delighted to have #3 to ourselves [queuing an "is it overhyped" post in 10 years]



This.
The Cradle could perhaps be described as an overcrowded, blaring stereo college kegger in some dude's baement where they charge $50 at the door, while all the girls are at a cool outdoor live music bar down the street.
Sheer genius on the part of the resort however.


It amuses me to hear #3 is usually described as "short" and is passed up daily in favor of a course that's 789 yards

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