Pinehurst Hotel & Golf Resort, North Carolina - Reviews of Golf and Family Holidays at the World's Finest Golf Resorts and Golf Destinations

The Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina, USA

PINEHURST RESORT, N. CAROLINA, USA

PERFECT FOR

Family Vacations: A wide range of activities for youngsters and their parents to enjoy, together or independently; a man-made lake with a beach, several swimming pools, tennis, biking, horse-riding and other outdoor pursuits, plus a choice of comfortable family lodgings and dining options.
Romantic Breaks: Breath-taking scenery for walks, cycling and riding; a variety of his-and-hers activities; memorable dining; serene accommodations and a world-class health spa.
Golfing Groups: Some of the finest golf in America, not least the fabled No.2 Course; outstanding dining and socialising options; plenty of post-golf relaxation activities.

A GOLFER'S PILGRIMAGE TO PINEHURST

Pinehurst is recognised as the cradle of American golf. It ranks alongside St Andrews as the place most golfers hope to see. In fact, ‘tis said in US golfing circles that you don't go to Pinehurst on vacation; you go there on a pilgrimage. Some families have been going for generations.

The Pinehurst Resort is steeped in golfing history. Click here to read our brief account of how golf came to this beautiful corner of North Carolina.

LOCATION

Pinehurst is in the Sandhills area of North Carolina some 75 miles from Raleigh Durham, the nearest major conurbation (and international airport). The city of Charlotte, NC, which also has an airport, is 120 miles away.

Click here to see a local map.

ABOUT THE GOLF

For most golfers a dream would be to stay at Pinehurst for eight days and play each of the eight courses in turn. For those to whom such a dream is beyond imaginings, here's a hint of what they'll be missing. Try not to cry!

The courses have been a century in the making and so cumulatively they show the many styles of architecture that have evolved over that period, from the ancient to the modern.

The first four were laid out by Donald Ross, who learned his craft while assistant to Old Tom Morris at St Andrews. So although they have been up-dated over the years the Scottish influence is still apparent. Indeed, this has governed the philosophy of the great architects who followed Ross at Pinehurst, where short game expertise is paramount and the game is played mainly along the ground.

The early courses tend to be shorter, with smaller greens and distinctive bunkering but with nuances aplenty. Imagination and sound course management are imperatives and more important than length of shot. Indeed, as on many British links, it's easy here to run out of fairway into the pines. Courses No.1 and No.3 are classical examples of the genre and both are perfect for an unspoiled afternoon.

Donald Ross would recognise Course No.4 but he'd be scratching his head. His original routing aside, it's virtually a new course, designed by Tom Fazio as a tribute to Ross. It was the venue for the 2008 US Amateur Championship so if you're feeling frisky you might want to open your campaign here. But beware: 140 pot bunkers dot the landscape and there's water at the 13th and 14th holes, part of some of the most picturesque scenery at Pinehurst.

Opened in 1961, Course No.5 holds true to the Ross philosophy that Mother Nature is the best guide in golf architecture. Hence, there's lots of variety in the layout: uphill and downhill shots, left-to-right and right-to-left fairways, long and short par fours. The course has more water hazards than any other at Pinehurst and it is very playable and an enjoyable exercise if you are still a little rusty.

Course No.6 reopened in 2005 as a championship course after renovations by Tom Fazio that included new putting greens and re-bunkering of the entire course. The terrain here is more undulating and so a test from the tee, in fact the homeward loop is one the most difficult anywhere. It's a classical Fazio design.

Set on rugged land, No.7 is one of the more dramatic of Pinehurst courses. This Rees Jones gem uses the topography to both assist and challenge the golfer - shots down off many tees into the fairway, back up on a number of holes into the large, undulating greens. Add the wetlands that dot the landscape, along with vast expanses of the sand, and this one will leave you visually stimulated. You'll need to keep your wits about you here.

Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1996 to celebrate the Pinehurst centenary, Course No.8 replicates old-style Ross features such as dips and swales around the sloping greens. Like the old time links, the greens and tees are close together, making it a pleasure to walk. The venue for the PGA Club Pro Championship in 1997 and 1998, it is a proven championship course that daunts and delights all who play it. Located some two miles from the main clubhouse, it is a worthy celebration of a century of great golf.

What of Course No.2? The most famous (and challenging) of them all is fittingly left until last and deserves its own special treatment. Click here to read our editor-in-chief's preview of Pinehurst No.2 in the run up to the 1999 US Open.

NON-GOLFING ACTIVITIES

Health and beauty spa; croquet, scenic walks; cooking courses; helicopter rides; horse riding; carriage tours and quad biking.

For the more active, there's a 24 court tennis club and a croquet lawn; there's the 200 acre Lake Pinehurst for sail boating, swimming and fishing; there's a marina with paddle boats, and there are five swimming pools dotted about, plus several miles of nature trails.

There's a new $5 million spa and health and fitness centre, and there are shops within the hotel and also in the charming Pinehurst village - only a stroll away.

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

There is a kids’ club, where youngsters from ages 3-12 have supervised activities. In addition, there are bicycles, horse riding, hay rides, tennis, swimming pools and various activities on and around Lake Pinehurst. Children will have almost endless fun at Pinehurst: you'll have to drag them away at the end of your vacation.

WHERE TO STAY

Pinehurst has 427 guest rooms throughout its 2,000-acre property, located within three hotels (The Carolina, The Holly Inn and The Manor), 44 villa rooms and 30 condominiums. A 1,600 square feet Presidential Suite was added to the property in 2008. Guests seeking a more relaxed atmosphere would appreciate The Manor, a sportsman-style lodge. Families and larger groups would enjoy the spaciousness and comfort of the luxurious villas and condos.

DINING OPTIONS

Various, but The Carolina Room in the hotel is an imperative for at least one evening.

Alternatively, there are options in the village, which is a stroll from the hotel. They include the romantic 1895 Grille at The Holly Inn and the informal Tavern, also at The Holly, which is open for lunch and dinner each day. In addition, there are other informal options for casual meals, plus a pub, in the village of Pinehurst and the surrounding area of Sandhills.

WHEN TO GO

Unless there is snow, which happens occasionally, golf is playable year-round at Pinehurst. Mid-summer temperatures are as you’d expect in a southern state (July’s average high is 89F; the average low is 69F) but spring and autumn are perfect for golf and most sporting activities.

Click here to see average weather conditions throughout the year, and for a weather forecast for the next five days.

TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR HOLIDAY

Getting There

The nearest international airport is at Raleigh Durham, 74 miles away. Hire cars are available from Hertz and Avis at the airport. Altnernatively, a limousine transfer to the resort is available upon request.

Getting around

Once you're in the Pinehurst resort, the in-house transportation team offers complimentary shuttle service within the resort property. If you have a US or Canadian drivers licence, you may also enjoy complimentary use of an Acura for up to 3 hours off-property as part of Pinehurst's Acura Guest Drive Program. Limos are also available for daytime trips beyond the resort.

Packing Tips & Dress Code

Gentlemen are required to wear collar and tie for formal dining at the resort. Smart casual is required for golf but other than that the dress code is “resort casual” as it is known here. Shorts and tops should be worn over swim suits in the hotel areas.

Currency

US $. For current rates of exchange, click here.

Time Zone

Eastern (GMT-5 during winter, GMT-4 during summer).

Dialling Codes

The dialling code for the USA (and then Pinehurst) is +1-910, then add the local number.

Other Local Insider Information

"Sitting on a rockin' chair on the hotel porch, sippin' a mint julep and just watchin' the world have fun" is an enviable Pinehurst custom you might consider following...

A variety of vacation packages are available at Pinehurst: an assortment of golf packages to suit your needs; several spa packages; and a recreation package (including options for tennis, and packages designed specifically for romantic breaks). Mention your specific requirements when making a booking enquiry.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR VACATION

Request a Quotation or Use Our Recommended Golf Tour Operator

PGT can negotiate discounted rates and bonuses for our readers. Simply contact us giving details of preferred dates and your requirements and we will contact the resort on your behalf.

Alternatively you could

Book Through A Tour Operator

If you require a total holiday package including flights, transfers, accommodation and golf reservations PGT will recommend the tour operator who serves the resort or destination of your choice and negotiate any possible discount available.