Pinehurst in April

[GolfLug]

Federal Club is a great course, miles better than Royal New Kent, if you play there don't say you weren't warned. That course stinks to high heaven.

Federal's on my list. Have had a few people recommend it.

[jsgolfer]

Federal's on my list. Have had a few people recommend it.

I play it any chance I get, friend of mine is a member.

[jsgolfer]

Lol, you are a trip man, but I hear you.

That I am.

[Rynrem]

Federal Club is a great course, miles better than Royal New Kent, if you play there don't say you weren't warned. That course stinks to high heaven.

Thanks for the heads up. Yes I love the Federal Club...and the clubhouse is actually being built now so that will make it even better...it would get a little cramped around the bar/proshop/pool house/restaurant after the rounds.

[Laurie W Davis]

I am a Pinewild resident. The Magnolia and the Holly are very different types of courses. Just depends on what you like.... Mag is longer and flatter. Holly is a different type of challenge - more hills, deep sand traps. And just for fun you guys might want to try the Azealia (9-hole par 3). I am sure you could find a way to make it interesting. Great practice facilities at PW as well. If you need suggestions for restaurants let me know!

[mvmac]

Played Pinehurst #9 (National Golf Club) a couple weeks ago before it snowed. Really good Nicklaus course.

[Lefty-Golfer]

Yea, I am happy about the comments we have gotten on Pinewild and i expect it will very nice...but I am going to miss the National, next year may have to add some PH courses.

[mdaugherty24]

Left-Golfer

Thought you might enjoy this article on one of my favorite Donald Ross Courses in the Pinehurst area. So many people overlook this course when they come play golf here. I grew up playing this track and still call it The Elks Club even though its now The Southern Pines Golf Club. Just my way of trying to convince you not to play Tobacco Road

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/southern-pines-golf-club-nc-usa/

[mdaugherty24]

Here are some articles for the other courses on your list. Pretty interesting reads on the history and layouts. Might help some of your buddies get to know what they are getting into haha!

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/pine-needles/

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/mid-pines/

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/tobacco-road-nc-usa/

[DaveP043]

Mdougherty, thanks for posting those links.  I found the Golf Club Atlas about 5 years ago, and I think its one of the best sites for great evaluation and photography of golf courses that I've seen.  I particularly like that they've reviewed MidPines after its recent renovation, the course looks and plays great.  MidPines also has the best veranda from which to watch other golfers in the area.

[jsgolfer]

After playing Pinehurst 5/21-5-24, we are playing with some folks on Sunday and Monday. Trying to keep it undress 100 for each round. If you could play both courses at Carolina Trace or CC of Whispering Pines, which ones would you play? Or do you recommend other courses?

[mdaugherty24]

To be honest, Whispering Pines CC and Carolina Trace are very similar. Both have 2 courses and if I had to choose, I would give the advantage to Carolina Trace. The greens are way better at Carolina Trace, tiny but firm and fast. Both courses have decent layouts but I would rate them middle of the pack in terms of rankings in the Sandhills area. I would recommend Foxfire Golf Courses over those 2. They also have 2 course and both are awesome layouts! They have similar rates and Foxfire is the sister resort to Whispering Pines CC.

[jsgolfer]

Thank you for the advice.  Looks like we talked the others in the group to play Talamore on Monday, so now just need one more course to play on Sunday.  Which of the Foxfire courses do you prefer?

[mdaugherty24]

The Red Fox (West) and The Grey Fox (East) are both hard courses. The Red is the hardest but thats my favorite by a slight margin.

[DaveP043]

jsgolfer, I have a condo at Talamore, I'm sure you'll enjoy your round there.  My go-to for reasonably priced golf in that area is the Southern Pines Golf Club (Elks Club).  I played the River Course at Whispering Pines around Thanksgiving last year, and thought it was nice, and a reasonable value, but its not special.  I have a similar impression of Foxfire, but its been quite a while since I played there.  Another that I've played for a very reasonable price is next door to Talamore, at Longleaf.  Again, some nice holes, decent shape, but not special.  I haven't played here in years, but Hyland GC out on Route 1 is bargain-priced too.  One last facility to consider is Woodlake, maybe a half-hour drive northward, in Vass.  They have two courses, a Maples design and a Palmer design.  Unfortunately, I don't remember which one has been recommended to me.  I do remember that it was the head pro at Talamore that had a definite recommendation, you could call Tag directly and ask.

Good luck

[jsgolfer]

Thanks Dave

[Lefty-Golfer]

Here are some articles for the other courses on your list. Pretty interesting reads on the history and layouts. Might help some of your buddies get to know what they are getting into haha!

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/pine-needles/

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/mid-pines/

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/tobacco-road-nc-usa/

i have played all of these before and i think the reviews are quite well done, i looked over a few other courses on the web site that i am familiar with and the guy does a real nice job. thanks for the link!

the biggest reason i prefer needles over mid pnies is the greens. coming from PA i am much more comfortable on besnt greens running fast then i am the grain and speed variations of bermuda.

tobacco road just sucks...would rahter do 36 at mid pines then split the day there.

[Lefty-Golfer]

Left-Golfer

Thought you might enjoy this article on one of my favorite Donald Ross Courses in the Pinehurst area. So many people overlook this course when they come play golf here. I grew up playing this track and still call it The Elks Club even though its now The Southern Pines Golf Club. Just my way of trying to convince you not to play Tobacco Road

http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/southern-pines-golf-club-nc-usa/

played southern pines once about 5 years ago...pulled up early one morning, 2 cars in the lot, proshop looked like something from a trailer park, the practice range had a bomb dropped on it...I have 3 clients with me. I am sitting there thinking to myslef should I pull the plug on this right now and go somewhere else...for whatever reason I didn't do it. While certainly not in the condition of needles, mid, or some of the other top courses we all enjoyed our round a lot, it was kind of like a fun course that you don't love but will always be happy to play... like the girl next in golf course terms - not super hot but happy hook up with!! Ross is my favorite designer so i guess i am not impartial.

I prefer it much more then the Road!! LOLI I have to quit complaining about that one, couple bloody mary's will do wonders for that!

only couple weeks to go.