NFT: Golf Bachelor Party - Pinehurst NC Recs

We're going 2 weeks after the US Open. 6/28-7/1

who shoots in the 80s :)

In comment 16448015 GIANTS128 said:

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who shoots in the 80s :)

LOL

In comment 16448015 GIANTS128 said:

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who shoots in the 80s :)

my thoughts exactly although I can shoot 100 playing by myself in under 2 hours so that's good enough for me.

In comment 16448015 GIANTS128 said:

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who shoots in the 80s :)

Hack who shoots in the 80’s meaning:
Poor golfer that always ends up with perfect lies even if those lies must be aided by kicking ball out of rough, away from any obstructions such as trees, and the ball that clearly went into water somehow ended up just short of the hazard

In comment 16448079 BigBlueShock said:

Quote:

In comment 16448015 GIANTS128 said: Quote: who shoots in the 80s :) Hack who shoots in the 80’s meaning: Poor golfer that always ends up with perfect lies even if those lies must be aided by kicking ball out of rough, away from any obstructions such as trees, and the ball that clearly went into water somehow ended up just short of the hazard

There’s a few of those in this group. But hey, pace of play! Lol

I played there in high school with my Dad and his work golf buddies but pretty much zero fun. The guy who put it together was a former Marine so we played 36 holes a day for 3 days. I hated it, but it's a beautiful course so I am zero help! I'll see myself out.

For eats: Maxies Grill and Taproom, Pinehurst Brewery and the Ironwood Cafe are few.

Mid Pines and Pine Needles are both very nice. They recently renovated their third course but I haven't played it (Southern Pines)

Pine Needles is an LPGA US Open site. Also Donald Ross and very similar but nicer than Pinehurst IMO.

Call ahead (you can't get them day of because they need to be charged) and for $20 extra get a Finn Scooter. They look like motorcycles and you put your clubs on them. They're really fun. I wouldn't do it for both rounds, but do it for at least one just try try them.

The Cradle is probably the most interesting thing at Pinehurst and you can play that even if you're off property.

I would highly recommend golfzoo.com to book a trip. They can price it out for you and secure all your tee times and they actually usually come in cheaper than if you do it individually. I used them on my recent Florida trip to Bay Hill + others.
Finn Scooter - ( New Window )

just outside Pinehurst for over 15 years, I'm not a golfer so can't help there. As far as eating places, Pinehurst Brewery, drum and quill, Duggans, The Bell Tree, Chapmans, Ironwood is great but pricey..btw never heard of Maxies tavern Have fun

just outside Pinehurst for over 15 years, I'm not a golfer so can't help there. As far as eating places, Pinehurst Brewery, drum and quill, Duggans, The Bell Tree, Chapmans, Ironwood is great but pricey..btw never heard of Maxies tavern Have fun

it will be frkn hot … and humid. Play in the mornings and spend the afternoons by the pool.

Mid Pine, Pine Needles, and Southern Pines are cool...if you are going to do actual Pinehurst courses...2, 4, and 8 are awesome....6, 7 ,and 9 are fun and great too....play course number 3 after another round, it is short, par 68 i think, but this course is fun and will beat you a$$, real short, crowned greens, fun course to bet buddies on...

have fun.

And flying thru RDU I'd recommend Tobacco Road to or from the airport. It's a half hour northeast of Pinehurst so playing in morning on way out of town you're halfway back.

Chapman's is good for dinner. Bell Tree Tavern can be good for nightlife.

Southern Pines Brewing Tap Room in So Pines village is good too.

offers stay and play packages. Have you looked into that? Agree with others about mid pines. You can also ask your group if anyone is part of the Dormie Network. Dormie Club is right outside Pinehurst and they offer lodging, great spot

Personal rankings and comments of the listed courses I've played:
1. Pinehurst (PCC): 
#2  U.S. Open course.  Coined term GVR (greens visited in regulation).  Iconic, frustrating and expensive. USGA just planted hundreds of wire-grass plants just off the fairways that are diabolical if you land around them.  Caddies are often used, carts must stay on path.  Uses main PCC clubhouse. 
#4. Is like #2 lite.  It was used on the final 36 hole day of the US Amateur in 2019 (along with #2).  I refer to it as a more civilized #2.  Caddies are ofter used, carts must stay on path. Uses main PCC clubhouse.
#7. 2nd highest slope rating at PCC after #2.  A long course with a lot of elevated greens. Nice clubhouse for food/beer afterwards.
#8. The centennial course (built in 1995 - Pinehurst was founded in 1895) they are just beginning to build some rental condos on it.  Toughest par 5's at Pinehurst.  Another long course with a lot of elevated greens that are really unreceptive.  Nice clubhouse for food/beer afterwards but you’ll pay resort prices.
#9. Nicklaus course.  Nice clubhouse for food/beer afterwards. Different greens than the other PCC courses.  I like this course, it is a good test of golf.
#6. Home of the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open last year.  Clubhouse is not very nice.  I like this course, it is a good test of golf.
#1. Theoretically the easiest of all the PCC courses but I think it's really the most playable.  Fun course that won't get you agitated.  Uses main PCC clubhouse.
#3. Shortest PCC course PAR 68, no blue tees, white is 5155 yds.  Maybe toughest greens in PCC.  Crenshaw report-ably plays this whenever in Pinehurst because it's a good iron test for him.  Uses main PCC clubhouse.
#5.  Probably a cross between #1 and #6.  The first time I played this course the greens were punched and I've never gotten over it.  Many people like this course, it gets a lot of play.  Uses main PCC clubhouse.

2. Pine Needles - Iconic course that has hosted 2 (or 3) U.S. Women's Opens.  I've played it a few times, nice track, practice area and clubhouse.

3 & 4. Mid Pines / Mid South - Nice courses, always in good condition.  I played both once and liked them. Nice clubhouses for food/beer afterwards.

5.  Legacy - Many retired military here .  Nice course in good condition.  I played it once in a senior match and liked it. Nice clubhouse for food/beer afterwards.  A longer drive to get there.

6. Pinewild - 2 courses here, I've played the Nicklaus course.  It was a nice track but was not in great shape when I played. 

7.  7 Lakes - I played it once and can't recommend.  A longer drive to get there.

Of the other courses that I haven't played, I heard that Tobacco Road is one of those courses that most people love but some really dislike it.  It's target golf and is a longer drive to get there.  People I know have played Talamore and like it.  It's relatively close by and has a nice clubhouse.  I have not played Longleaf but it appears from the outside to be a pretty banal course.

#2 and #4 are great courses but at some point in the round you can’t help but feel aggrieved. All this depends on availability and $ but understanding the parameters I would probably recommend the following:
PCC (in order) #1, #9, #7, #5
Pine Needles
Mid Pines or Mid South
Talamore
....
Tobacco Road for the experience and if you get a wild hair up your ass (remembering that I haven't played it and it's a bit of a drive) 

ALSO:  Make sure to get at least 1 round on the PCC Cradle as an extra play on of the days. It's the 9 hole par3 course that's fantastic and is at the main clubhouse.  Great fire pits and outdoor bar.  I would play it in the evening and pair it with a day that you play either PCC #1, #5.

The Deuce Restaurant at the main PCC clubhouse restaurant is great. There are also sports bars like Char Bar 7 and Hickory Tavern nearby. Otherwise, there are 3 distinct towns to consider for dinner and evenings:
1. Village of Pinehurst - probably the closest to where you’ll be staying. It’s very small and very quaint. Some options are The Tavern, Lisi’s, Dugan’s Pub, Villaggio, Neko’s (Thai), Ryder Cup Lounge at Carolina Hotel and Pinehurst Brewery.
2. Southern Pines - the next closest town. Small but very nice and walkable. Some options are Chapmans, Sly Fox, Vito’s (cash only) and Red’s Corner (food trucks’ drinks and music).
3. Aberdeen - little further away bur becoming more and more popular. Some options are Workshop Tavern and Pizzeria Grazia.

Amazing Ross layout that was recently restored by Kyle Franz. It is a treat and will continue to get better as the restoration settles in.