Advice Needed... NC golf trip

[Big_M]

I am going to be in Chrarlotte for almost two weeks at the end of February and the first week of March, staying with family. My wife and I would like to take a three day trip to the Sandhills / Pinehurst Area to play some golf. I am looking for suggestions on which courses to play. But, keep these things in mind...

-price... need to keep it affordable
-I am relocating to the area, so eventually I will get to play ALL the GOOD / EXPENSIVE ones
-want to play at least one Donald Ross
-my wife... not a ton of forced carries, etc. (so not Tobacco Road)
-I like more traditional courses
-probably 3-4 18 hole rounds

courses I'm thinking about...
-Hyland Hills
-The Carolina
-Little River
-The Pit
-Seven Lakes
-Southern Pines
-Whispering Pines
-Beacon Ridge
-Longleaf
-Foxfire

any opinions much appreciated!

[rattdogg]

I am from Central Ohio and have played the Asheville area, the Winston Salem Area, and the coastal area. It depends on what time of year you are going. When are you planning your trip? The area between Asheville and Winston Salem off I-77 is loaded with nice courses at great prices. Try the website www.ncgolftrails.com

[Big_M]

I'm definately looking to play the Sandhills area, not just anywhere... It is my understanding that the area has its own unique flavor. I am mainly curious if anyone has played some of the courses on the above list, and if so, which ones did they like/dislike, and why?

[mikelz]

You must play Pine Needles - both courses. Donald Ross courses owned by Peggy Kirk Bell. You can stay there, too.

[mikelz]

The only good thing about The Pit is the fish chowder at the turn.

[wingchamps]

Most of the courses you listed are pretty ordinary...but Pine Needles is excellent. Pinehurst #2 is worth the price, and definitely hire a caddy. #8 is good also, most of the others are just fair. Keith Hills CC in Buies Creek is not too far away and it is excellent. Duke U course is about an hour away and is great also.

[iacas]

-Longleaf

Longleaf wasn't bad. I know the designer, had dinner with him there and got a tour, so it's a bit more special to me... but you listed some fairly inexpensive courses, and that was one of them. If you're looking for just $50/round, most of the ones you listed will probably be fine.

I second the opinions re: Pine Needles. If I was given 10 rounds to play in Pinehurst and I could play courses at Pine Needles, Mid Pines, and any of Pinehurst's courses, I'd play eight rounds at Pine Needles, one at Mid Pines, and one at Pinehurst #2. #2 is drastically over-rated. Pine Needles blows it out of the water. The only thing Pinehurst's got on it are the U.S. Opens... and really, how much does Michael Campbell matter? So suddenly all it has is one famous U.S. Open. Pine Needles is the better course. If I had one course to play the rest of my life, Pine Needles would be in the top three.

[Big_M]

yeah... I've heard Pine Needles is better than #2... and I will certainly eventually play both of them. I may be able to squeeze Needles into the budget since it is only about half the price of #2... probably $150ish. If I don't play them now, as I said... I'm relocating to Charlotte so I will get to them evetually. I just wanted to hear if there were any courses that I should avoid, or if one of these cheaper ones was significantly better than another.

[mikelz]

yeah... I've heard Pine Needles is better than #2... and I will certainly eventually play both of them. I may be able to squeeze Needles into the budget since it is only about half the price of #2... probably $150ish. If I don't play them now, as I said... I'm relocating to Charlotte so I will get to them evetually. I just wanted to hear if there were any courses that I should avoid, or if one of these cheaper ones was significantly better than another.

As I recall, Pine Needles and Mid Pines were around $100. I think Pinehurst #2 is priced about as high as Pebble Beach (around 275). The only way I could enjoy that round would be to shoot 64 and that ain't happenin'. Watching the other golf deprived souls from the Veranda at Pinehurst, it seemed 8 was a routine score on the 18th.

[wingchamps]

As I recall, Pine Needles and Mid Pines were around $100. I think Pinehurst #2 is priced about as high as Pebble Beach (around 275). The only way I could enjoy that round would be to shoot 64 and that ain't happenin'. Watching the other golf deprived souls from the Veranda at Pinehurst, it seemed 8 was a routine score on the 18th.

Played there about 18 months ago and while some think it is over rated, I loved it. I played well so that helped...and made a par at 18 at that!

[mikelz]

Played there about 18 months ago and while some think it is over rated, I loved it. I played well so that helped...and made a par at 18 at that!

I am not saying Pinehurst #2 is over-rated. I think I meant I can't afford it. It may be a while before I can say anything about it. Glad you got around it with your self-esteem intact. Watching those guys I saw, well, they looked haggard.

[iacas]

As I recall, Pine Needles and Mid Pines were around $100.

Probably more like $180 and $100.

[Guest]

Play Mid Pines if Possible. Mid South is a great Palmer design right down Midland Road from Mid Pines and Pine Needles. Some other great courses in the area listed in order of greatness.

Tobacco Road
Mid Pines
Mid South
Little River
The Pit


Have Fun!!!

[Dave]

Pine Needles is very nice if it's in your price range (check the various courses websites for specials). Played the Pit many years ago and it was very "tricked-up", played it last year and it was much better. I've played the Carolina many times and like it. Forget Keith Hills ... I've played it many times and will do so again (it's cheap), but it's not "golf trip" material. Also wouldn't bother with Hyland Hills or Foxfire.

I'd recommend The Carolina, Legacy, Pineneedles, Pinehurst 2 or 8. The Plantation course is nice too (can't remember if its gone private or not ... played it years ago). Anyhow, check to see if they have any special rate and have fun. Pinehurst is a great area.

[Big_M]

Booked it today... playing...

1) Pine Needles
2) Legacy
3) Whispering Pines
maybe squeeze in another

thanks for all the input fellas!

[mitchalo]

-price... need to keep it affordable

Tobacco Road is my absolute favorite course. It's not as bad as you would think as far as the forced carries, etc., but I've never paid attention to the ladies tees. If you don't want to play Tobacco Road, I wouldn't consider The Pit either. Same sort of concept, except TR is more like The Pit on steroids. Hyland Hills is one of the best plays for the money in this area, especially on their afternoon rate, and always in great shape. Little River is spectacular...of course my cousin is the superintendent. There are a couple shots over water there, but I think the ladies are safe

[mitchalo]

I am not saying Pinehurst #2 is over-rated. I think I meant I can't afford it. It may be a while before I can say anything about it. Glad you got around it with your self-esteem intact. Watching those guys I saw, well, they looked haggard.

Pinehurst #2.....hmmmmm...how do we rate this? This course is wide open, and not really that hard......until you get to the green. Even a bad tee shot into the pines can be recovered, but those greens!! We also MUST remember, that a US Open set up for # 2 is much, much different than an everyday set up. There is no way they can maintain that course year round the way it is set up for the Open.

Pinehurst # 2, to me, is more about the tradition of golf. There are courses I have enjoyed more, but none, that I have played, that I have respected more. Factor in that one of the greatest moments in golf (in my opinion) occured at #2 in the '99 Open, and it is hallowed ground for me. The going rate these days, with a forecaddie, I believe, is somewhere around $400 or $425. The problem is, as I understand it, you have to be a guest at Pinehurst Resort to get on, unless you know someone. I have only been there on a business outing. Pinehurst # 8 is a GREAT course, and is actually preferred by a lot of the Pinehurst employees and locals.

[NCGolfer]

Tobacco Road is my absolute favorite course. It's not as bad as you would think as far as the forced carries, etc., but I've never paid attention to the ladies tees. If you don't want to play Tobacco Road, I wouldn't consider The Pit either. Same sort of concept, except TR is more like The Pit on steroids.

Tobacco Road is Strantz's mildest course in NC. Too bad his best are in SC (Caledonia & True Blue) and not closer to home. Tot Hill is nearly unplayable at times.