I'm heading down to Pinehurst Labor Day weekend for my Bachelor Party. Despite being a lifelong North Carolinian and playing golf for the last 8 years or so, this is my first trip down there. (I know, I know. I can hear the boos raining down from all over the country.) We are hitting that month out mark where I can start to book some times so if anyone has any tips I would really appreciate it. Friday is a travel day for most guys but 7 or 8 of us take the day off and live close enough to get a round in. I've got tee times at Southern Pines Golf Club around noon. Any negative reviews on there? Looks like a fun Ross design. What's everyone's favorite course at Pinehurst excluding #2? I think I would like to play #3 but it looks like Pinehurst only books one week ahead for non resort members and The Cradle looks like 24 hours ahead is all you can do. On a holiday weekend, hard to know if we are going to make it. If we can't get on at Pinehurst, I'm thinking Mid Pines or Pine Needles . Anyone have a preference between the two? Any other tips on underrated public courses ? I am dying to play Tobacco Road but I think we might skip it this time. Overall the skill level in this group is decent enough to get around but there is some disparity and I hear that course can hurt great golfers. Must hit restaurants or nightlife? I know COVID restrictions might be affect the availability but I appreciate any thoughts from experienced Pinehurst travelers. I know Google is my friend and Pinehurst spots are well known even for the uninitiated but I thought I would take it to the experts. Thanks for any help!

#4 is hands down one of the best out there....it's a must if you can get on it!

From what I hear everyone loves the #4

Pinehurst Bachelor Weekend

DaHOF

@WB3 it's not even close, #4. Book it, book it, book it.

TFixer5

#4 rivals #2 IMO. If you can find a hookup, The CC of NC Dogwood course is fantastic.

Moni_SLO

TFixer5 I played CCNC when we were out there. I don't think Dogwood was open because it was being prepped for the AM but the course is amazing if you can get on. Forest Creek was also pretty awesome with hands down the best locker room I have ever been in.....

TFixer5

Moni_SLO Club I belonged to took two groups down for the Donald Ross Invitational at Pinehurst in 2015. We played #2, #4 and #8 and Dogwood mixed in. Good trip!

Moni_SLO

TFixer5 Legendary. I think we played Cardinal....is that the name of the other one? Also the homie I went to Pinehurst with played #8 while I was busy training for a stupid triathlon (yes I was running around the damn horsetrack for miles and miles in the July heat like an idiot) and said it was great!

TFixer5

Moni_SLO I’d have to look, but Cardinal sounds right.

huntingchris0000

I wouldn’t skip Tobacco Road. It is so much fun to play because it is different than almost every other golf course

WB3

huntingchris0000 I may have to pull the trigger. Luckily, I don't live too far and I imagine I will be frequenting Pinehurst often after this trip.

WB3

Thanks for all the replies!

#4 looks like the consensus at Pinehurst.

agadawg1717

I think Pine Needles is the most underrated out there. It’s one of my favorites!

DaHOF

agadawg1717 agree with this. Very underrated course.

WB3

DaHOF agadawg1717 This is hugely helpful! With all the other must hit places, we might only get to play Pine Needles OR Mid Pines so this is great input. Thanks!

Moni_SLO

DaHOF Yep we played Pine Needles as the last course out there. So fun!

mljones99

I'll agree... I play most of my golf in Pinehurst and Pine Needles is one of my favorites.

andyk856

I went down when covid first started, random road trip i had one day notice. We went to pinehurst to do the putting course the first day, played #4 the next day (met a member on the putting course and asked us to play with him got on for 180$) after #4 we did the cradle twice. We did Tabacco Road the next day (180$). Those 2 course's are worth every penny. we also played Tallamore and Mid Pines both great course as well.

suaviter

I would highly suggest playing Pine Needles / Mid Pines as the others have suggested. It is much more affordable than the Pinehurst resort courses and the best part is you can get around a $50-70 replay on either course. That makes for one of the best 36 hole days in the sandhills from a value perspective.

Don't go expecting crazy nightlife because there isn't much. You have to bring your own party for the most part which is fine. Unless you have 4+ days I'd skip Tobacco Road, it's just too much driving unless you are headed to Raleigh to fly back home.

mljones99

suaviter It's only 30 minutes from Pinehurst so not a big deal at all.

I play 90% of my rounds in Pinehurst or the area so here are my 2 cents if it matters.

@WB3 I'd skip Southern Pines Golf Club for now. There is potential there but it's in bad shape and the facilities are just flat out gross. I was just there a couple weeks ago. Unless you are paying less than $30... then knock yourself out. Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, Mid Pines, Dormie Club, any of the resort courses, Talamore, Mid South (private but can book times through GolfNow) are all solid choices.

WB3

mljones99 Good looking out on Southern Pines, man. I've been waffling on it because I've seen some reviews similar to yours. I'm a sucker for ticking Donald Ross courses but I will wait until Mid Pines/Pine Needles gets her back where she needs to be. I have that for a Friday round where our groups is smaller so hopefully shifting around will be easier. Nice tip on Mid South through GolfNow, as well.

Thanks man!

aharrelson358

mljones99 Headed that way in mid-October. Is it possible to get on the Dormie Club? I've heard amazing things and love a Coore & Crenshaw, but had always thought it was pretty exclusive.

mljones99

aharrelson358 honestly don't know what it's status is now. I've played it several times and is my favorite course but it has been a couple years since I was last there.

I think you can get on through one of the local travel groups at the very least. I think Talamore has a package that includes Dormie.