Masters Weekend in Pinehurst?

[bowlind1]

I'm looking at heading down to the Pinehurst / Sandhills area for some golf over Masters Weekend (4/10 - 4/13). I have never played Pinehurst in the early Spring and am a little concerned about course conditions (aerification) and dormant, yellow Bermuda grass. Has anyone played in the Sandhills of NC around this time period who can help alleviate my concerns before I ask my buddies to shell out some cash and committ? The average daily temp for mid-April is in the low 70's, which sounds ideal. However, I recently learned that for Bermuda grass to come out of dormancy, the ground temp needs to reach and sustain 65 degrees Farenheit. I would rather save my $$ for a later trip than play or dormant fairways (browned-out) that haven't been overseeded. Is there anything else I should consider for this time of year? Course reccomendations? I've played and enjoyed Talamore, Mid-South, National, Tobacco Road, and Tot Hill Farm (on the trip down). I've heard rumblings about Pine Needles and Dormie Club, but never had the opportunity. I would be open to adding a new course or two in the rotation.. Any advice or guidance you could provide would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks all for your help! DB

[nevets88]

Pine Needles! I would ask if maint staff could tweet photos a couple of weeks before committing. Assuming it's not all booked.

[saevel25]

I'm looking at heading down to the Pinehurst / Sandhills area for some golf over Masters Weekend (4/10 - 4/13). I have never played Pinehurst in the early Spring and am a little concerned about course conditions (aerification) and dormant, yellow Bermuda grass. Has anyone played in the Sandhills of NC around this time period who can help alleviate my concerns before I ask my buddies to shell out some cash and committ?

The average daily temp for mid-April is in the low 70's, which sounds ideal. However, I recently learned that for Bermuda grass to come out of dormancy, the ground temp needs to reach and sustain 65 degrees Farenheit. I would rather save my $$ for a later trip than play or dormant fairways (browned-out) that haven't been overseeded.

Is there anything else I should consider for this time of year? Course reccomendations? I've played and enjoyed Talamore, Mid-South, National, Tobacco Road, and Tot Hill Farm (on the trip down). I've heard rumblings about Pine Needles and Dormie Club, but never had the opportunity. I would be open to adding a new course or two in the rotation..

Any advice or guidance you could provide would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks all for your help!

DB

I will be down at Pinehurst 12th to the 16th of April!!

My dad has been to Pinehurst 2-3 times in mid April and had nothing but rave reviews about it. So that as you will. I think that week might be earliest you'd want to go, but if you are that conce

My dad says Pine Needles is one of the best courses he's ever played. Its just old Donald Ross greatness. I can't wait, Donald Ross is one of my favorite course designers.

[iacas]

My dad says Pine Needles is one of the best courses he's ever played. Its just old Donald Ross greatness. I can't wait, Donald Ross is one of my favorite course designers.

Prior to the renovation to Pinehurst #2, if I had ten rounds to play in the Pinehurst area, between Pine Needles and #2, I'd have played Pine Needles 8 times and #2 twice.

[bowlind1]

Sounds like a great idea!  Hopefully I can also locate some recent reviews around that time as well.  Probably nothing a phone call down to the course can't take care of..

Thanks!

[bowlind1]

I will be down at Pinehurst 12th to the 16th of April!!

My dad has been to Pinehurst 2-3 times in mid April and had nothing but rave reviews about it. So that as you will. I think that week might be earliest you'd want to go, but if you are that conce

My dad says Pine Needles is one of the best courses he's ever played. Its just old Donald Ross greatness. I can't wait, Donald Ross is one of my favorite course designers.

Thanks for the thoughts and hopefully if things work out, we'll be out of this Central Ohio frost by then and posting scores in Pinehurst that week!  I would love to play Pine Needles, but when searching those dates it seems that all the tee times have been booked (or held) by the resort.

Any other recommended courses in the area or suggestions?  It's looking like Talamore, Mid-South, Tobacco Road, National, and Tot Hill are on the radar for us on this trip.

Thanks for the feedback!

[caniac6]

Tot Hill is really not that close to Pinehurst. It is at least an hour away, and it is the kind of course that you will either love or hate. Legacy is a Jack Nicklaus jr. course , and is a very fun course. Southern Pines Country Club, AKA ,The Elks Club, is short, but it is a Ross course that is very close to original.

[UpDown]

Last year I played Mid South and the National the end of February and both were recently punched.  Late February - Early March seems to be a popular time to aerify in the area but they would be nicely healed by Masters weekend.  All of April is a great time to be in Pinehurst, I'll be teeing it up at Pine Needles on April 6th.  Lots of great courses there which aren't affiliated with the resort.

[Wally Fairway]

Pine Needles! I would ask if maint staff could tweet photos a couple of weeks before committing. Assuming it's not all booked.

Lots of great courses to choose from beyond Pinehurst - when my golf group goes we like to play 36 one day at Pine Needles/Mid Pines, and last time we were there we played Dormie which is great.

When we played Dormie and my group had Jimmy G as our caddie; great guy, and last I heard he is now the also working Pine Needles. Anyway he runs a website (www.greenreadernow.com) that lists course conditions and aeration schedule for the Sandhills/Pinehurst area. It is well worth registering for the site to make sure you get the best out of your trip.

[Lefty-Golfer]

will be down in Pinehurst April 2 this year

Mid-Pines 2x, Tobacco Road 2x, Pine Needles, Mid PInes, Talamore and National are on the schedule, not worried at all about the grass!

[Lefty-Golfer]

Sorry mid-south 2x

[bowlind1]

Awesome!  Armed with this information it should be a GREAT trip!

Thanks everyone for the feedback and assistance!

DB