Pinehurst, North Carolina is well-known for its golf courses. Some of them can challenge the best of the best and make for the perfect courses to host US Opens. If you want to compete with some of the bigwigs out there, you need to go to Pinehurst and try out their 10 best courses.
1. Pinehurst #2
Access: Semi-private
Book: pinehurst.com
Green Fee: $400
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available and required to play at Pinehurst #2 if you’re not a member
Pinehurst #2 is hands-down the best golf course in all of Pinehurst. In fact, it’s even considered the best golf course in all of North Carolina. It’s such a great course that it has hosted several US Opens and is the place professionals go to practice.
Not only is this the best course, but Pinehurst Resort also offers some best stay and play packages in Pinehurst. Its great deals, accommodations, and holes that you can only play at when you’re at the resort make it a clear winner.
2. Forest Creek North
Access: Private
Book: forestcreekgolfclub.com
Green Fee: $58-$78
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
It’s not easy to get on this course, but it’s well worth it if you get offered a chance. The North Course at Forest Creek Golf Club opened in 2005. From then on, it managed to stay in the top 100 residential courses in the country.
This is a great course for someone who wants just enough of a challenge to put their skills to the test. It’s a somewhat difficult course. Unlike Pinehurst #2, it’s a course to expand your skills rather than to test them.
3. Pinehurst #4
Access: Semi-private
Book: pinehurst.com
Green Fee: $395
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available and required to play at Pinehurst #4 if you’re not a member
Pinehurst #4 is a close second to Pinehurst #2. Like #2, the course is private. This means you either have to be a member or stay at their resort.
The course underwent some major renovations. No one seemed to agree about the design and the focus of the course until 1999. Then, Tom Fazio came in to completely rebuild the layout and make it shine.
4. Pinehurst #3
Access: Open to the public
Book: pinehurst.com
Green Fee: $100-$130
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available
Pinehurst #3 is often judged unfairly. It’s a short course that measures 5,155 yards. Many people believe it to be a course that lacks personality and flair due to its length.
While it is short, it still has some great holes and challenges. It works just fine on its own but you can also use it as a warmup for the other Pinehurst courses. The best part is that you don’t need a membership or to stay at the resort to play.
5. Pinehurst #8
Access: Semi-private
Book: pinehurst.com
Green Fee: $190-$285
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available and required to play at Pinehurst #8 if you’re not a member
Like Pinehurst #4, it was a relatively standard course until Tom Fazio got his hands on it in 1996. Now, it’s a stunning and unique course that offers a challenge while providing a great time.
The course has dramatic contours, various elevation changes, and movements along every fairway. You won’t be able to take your eyes off the course. This is a bummer for those who like birds, as the course is a Signature Sanctuary designated by the Audubon Society.
6. Cardinal at CC of North Carolina
Access: Private
Book: ccofnc.com
Green Fee: $130-$218
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
The Cardinal golf course at the Country Club of North Carolina is worth playing at if you can get someone to let you play. Almost every hole is notable and memorable. It manages to challenge all levels of golfers without being too easy for experienced players or too hard for beginners.
Nine of the holes (1-5 and 15-18) were designed by Willard Byrd in 1970. The other nine were designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior in 1981. The holes by Byrd tend to involve more water as a challenge, and they are a bit more forgiving off the tee.
7. Dogwood at CC of North Carolina
Access: Private
Book: ccofnc.com
Green Fee: $130-$218
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
Dogwood is the sister course to Cardinal. It’s been on the Golf Digest’s Top 100 for over 33 years. Willard Byrd and Ellis Maples came together to create this course, which was opened in 1963.
In 2016, Kris Spence did a renovation of the course. He managed to update the course and add new challenges while still keeping a lot of the original design true. While this is the more popular course, it isn’t necessarily the better of the two.
8. The Cradle at Pinehurst Resort
Access: Open to the public
Book: pinehurst.com
Green Fee: $50 with replayable rounds
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available.
To be fair, The Cradle at Pinehurst Resort is a fairly short course. It only has nine holes, though it does manage to encompass 10 acres. Despite being short, it packs a lot into each hole.
It’s not a course that one would travel from another state to come play but it is a great practice and starter hole. If you are already planning on visiting Pinehurst, this is a great warm-up course. It’s also rather simple, so it’s a good place to take your kids on to teach them the sport.
9. Forest Creek South
Access: Private
Book: forestcreekgolfclub.com
Green Fee: $58-$78
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
The South Course at Forest Creek Golf Club managed to rank as the third-best new residential course in the country right upon opening. The course is full of scenic waterways, gentle slopes, and wide fairways. It measures around 7,100 yards for the perfect course length.
While it’s not as popular as the North Course, it’s still a great place to play. It offers designs by Tom Fazio himself. It’s a little older and offers fewer unique challenges than the North Course, but it does have some unique features like the hog hole.
10. Pinehurst #9
Access: Semi-private
Book: pinehurst.com
Green Fee: $190-$285
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available and required to play at Pinehurst #9 if you’re not a member
Jack Nicklaus created Pinehurst #9. It has a lot of his classic designs, including wide fairways, rolling putting surfaces, and rich course conditions. The course measures a little over 7,110 yards.
Nicklaus decided that #2 was his favorite, as so many players do. When he created #9, he didn’t try to make it the best course. He did, though, use #2 as inspiration when making his own course.
Looking for a smoother experience with accommodation on site? We got you. Here’s our list for the best stay and play golf packages in Pinehurst. Check it out!
FAQS
Which Pinehurst Course Do the Pros Play?
The pros play at Pinehurst #2. This course is an extremely challenging but fair course that makes it the perfect place for pros to really put their skills to the test. The US Open and US Women’s Open Championship use Pinehurst #2 as their anchor site every few years.
In fact, many of Pinehurt’s courses make for the perfect place for pros to play. Pinehurst has served as the site of more single golf championships than any other course in America. This is why Course #2 is the main course used for the pros in the area.
How Many Golf Courses Are in the Pinehurst Area?
The Pinehurst area alone offers over 40 golf courses for people of all ages to play at. Because there are so many courses, almost any local accommodation is less than 15 minutes from the nearest golf course.
Out of those 40, half of them have at least a 4-Star Golf Digest “Places to Play” rating. No other place in the world can boast that.
Why Is Pinehurst #2 so Difficult?
There are many reasons why Pinehurst #2 is so difficult to play. For one, the native vegetation that sits along the fairways and the waste areas is a brutal punishment for anyone whose shots go off course.
The course’s shape and design leave little room for luck. If you miss a shot or judge incorrectly, you’ll find yourself punished hard. Almost every hit has to be perfect for you to have a chance on this course.
Is There a Pinehurst #1?
There is indeed a Pinehurst #1. It is the course that started it all. While it offers a piece of history, it’s a simple and relatively easy course. This means it doesn’t often rank high for players.
If you have extra time to kill, it’s worth a visit. It’s a great warm-up course before you get started on some of the challenges in the area (like the very next course). The first nine were designed by Dr. Leroy Culver, while John Dunn Tucker added the second nine. Then, Donald Ross connected the two halves together and added the finishing touches a few years later.
Where Do You Fly Into for Pinehurst?
The best airport to fly into to get to Pinehurst is the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. During peak hours and seasons, there are even shuttle services. Certain resorts and hotels also offer shuttles from the airport. Just make sure you take precautions while flying.
You don’t want to get to Pinehurst, ready to play several of the amazing courses in the area, only to realize that your golfing equipment is damaged. Make sure you’re equipment is safe by choosing one of the best golf travel bags.
