Pinehurst Resort

Lovers of golf should all pay a visit to Pinehurst at some point, if only to play the storied Pinehurst No. 2 Course, which has hosted more championships than any other in the USA, including the Ryder Cup, the US Open on three occasions and a PGA Championship.

Pinehurst No.2 is ranked as one of the best courses in America

The course opened for play in 1907 and from the outset, Donald Ross was clearly impressed with his efforts, referring to No. 2 as “the fairest test of championship golf I have ever designed.” Right up until 1948, Ross remained associated with his beloved course, constantly making improvements until he sadly passed away.

Best known for its crowned, undulating greens, which are some of the most difficult and widely celebrated in the world, it is clear that Pinehurst No. 2’s main design features were born out of Scottish influence, with Ross having cut his teeth at Royal Dornoch before he left for America.

The greens are small too, and are not for the faint hearted or the easily frustrated. With wicked fall offs around the edges of the putting surfaces, only the best approach shots will hold the greens, meaning solid iron play and a short game to match are the keys to scoring well around Pinehurst.

After the course had been taken in a direction not in keeping with the original Ross design, Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore were commissioned to return the course to its original 1930s glory. Renovation work included increasing the width of fairways, removing turf and areas of lush rough in order to restore the natural sandy waste areas that line the fairways, not to mention numerous bunker modifications. After the renovations had been completed and allowed to bed in, the US Open came to town in 2014, and the “new-old” Pinehurst No. 2 proved to be a formidable test for all but one player.

With an opening round of 65, Martin Kaymer put some distance between himself and the rest of the field, his second round of 65 put Kaymer 6 shots clear of Brendon Todd. Whilst many were expecting Kaymer to fall back into the field on Saturday as the course began to bite back but his round of 72 saw his lead cut by just 1 to 5 going into the final round with Erik Compton and Rickie Fowler his nearest competitors. Despite some ups and downs in his 3rd round Kaymer was able to regroup and hold his lead with his birdie on the 54th hole a huge confidence booster ahead of the final round. Kaymer's final round of 69 (-1), which contained 4 birdies, was good enough for a four-round total of 271 (-9) and an 8 shot victory.

With the course yielding just 959 birdies all week, it is safe to say that the USGA's set up was a very tricky examination. The toughest of all the holes were the par-3 6th hole which saw just 12 birdies and an average score of over 3.3. Unsurprisingly it was the par-5's which allowed a little respite for the players with the 5th hole providing 17 eagles, 144 birdies and an average of 4.8.

Signature Hole – No18: Par 4, 370 yards (Blue Tees)

It’s argued by many that there is no signature hole on Pinehurst No. 2. When compared to other American classics such as Pebble Beach, you don’t really get the breathtaking aesthetics. No. 2 certainly does prove though, that a golf course can offer much more than the sum of its parts.

If we were pressed however, it would be fair to say that the par 4 5th embodies all that is great about Pinehurst No. 2. This is arguably the most testing hole on the course and calls for sound strategy from tee to green, with little margin for error around the green.

The hole doglegs to the left and with a waste area on the inside corner and trees flanking down the right of the hole, your tee shot needs to be a solid one. The entire hole cambers to the left which makes the approach particularly difficult. Especially when you consider the fact that anything missing long and left will leave the most difficult of up and downs.

Though it only reaches 5,155 yards, Pinehurst No. 3 is a fascinating challenge; indeed, the great Ben Crenshaw is just one of the many admirers of the course, whose holes are crammed with character and charm. No. 3 is the perfect way to get used to the Pinehurst terrain before heading for the main attractions.

The No. 4 Course may have retained its name, but Donald Ross' original 1919 creation was essentially rebuilt by Tom Fazio in 2000. Some 140 pot bunkers pepper the new layout, which will be used for the 2008 US Amateur Championship. The best holes are the scenic, water-surrounded 13th and 14th.

Pinehurst No. 5 was created in 1961 by Ellis Maples, who stayed true to the fundamental design ethos of Donald Ross - that is, the natural character of the landscape dictated how the course was created. There are countless hazards and changes in elevation, but the 6,848 yard layout will be enjoyed by one and all.

In 2005, Tom Fazio's redesign of his original 1979 creation of the No. 6 Course was unveiled, with brand new putting surfaces and more astute bunkering. The rolling hills are beautiful, and the demanding back nine is classic Fazio.

Pinehurst No. 7 was opened in 1986, and spans some of the most rugged and beautiful land to be found around the resort. Designed by Rees Jones, and measuring 7,216 yards, No. 7 is a masterpiece that features challenging wetlands and fingered bunkers, demanding creative use of every club in the bag.

Pinehurst No.8 Course

Commissioned to commemorate the resort's centenary in 1996, No. 8 rounds off Pinehurst's impressive portfolio, and has been extremely well received since opening. Tom Fazio's creation is a tribute to Donald Ross, the heart and soul of Pinehurst. Gullies and swales around the greens are typical, demanding a delicate short game above all else.

Make sure your short game is tight at Pinehurst; the crowned greens, with their notorious closely mown run-off areas, demand the most delicate touch.

Pinehurst's first ever course was originally laid out by Dr. Leroy Culver and John Dunn Tucker but it is clearly Donald Ross’s touch that you feel as you play it.

Making liberal use of bunkers along the fairways and around the greens this 6,089 yard par 70 course will punish any wild drives or poor short game play

Pinehurst No.9 is an 18-hole championship layout set amongst the long leaf pines with classic Nicklaus design features of wide fairways and undulating greens to test your golfing ability.

Each hole has been customized to create a great diversity in the way it can be played. Added to this uniqueness are tall pines, grassy swales, groomed waste areas and a natural variety of lakes and stream beds beautifully fashioned to give No. 9 its own distinctive look.

Pinehurst's latest addition, No. 10, marks the first new course in almost thirty years. However, its creation has been a process spanning centuries, if not millennia.

Tom Doak's innovative design showcases the natural beauty of the land, featuring native wiregrass, expansive landscapes, and undulating hills shaped by geological forces. Additionally, the course incorporates the rugged dunes left behind by mining activities during the early 1900s, adding to its unique character.

As a result, golf enthusiasts can expect an extraordinary experience as they navigate the Sandhills, encountering a remarkable 75 feet of elevation changes along the way.