Pinehurst in October 2017, 1st visit

[iSank]

So I'm dining with the wife (#1 golf partner) she says the company wants to send her to Charlotte, NC for training. When? During my fall break. OK we go. 

So now we are booked, still working on overnight accommodations but The Holly Inn looks agreeable. The deals are daily golf but to play #2 = +$190 each.  We have 4 or 5 other games so let me ask in the negative, what are 3 least favorite courses of the 9?

yea it's been a hell of year, I just look for opportunity. I tried to stay at the village while she went to training but that wasn't received as warmly as I'd hoped. 

Mahalo & Aloha,

Will

[iacas]

The area has a TON of great golf, and much of it is NOT located at the actual Pinehurst resort.

Pine Needles. Mid-South/Talamore. Mid Pines.

And so, so, so, so many others. Hell, even Tobacco Road is worth a visit one time.

[mvmac]

11 hours ago, iSank said:

The deals are daily golf but to play #2 = +$190 each.  We have 4 or 5 other games so let me ask in the negative, what are 3 least favorite courses of the 9?

1, 3 and 5. They're not bad, just short and pretty vanilla. I've never played them but that's what I'm told.

The ones to play are 2, 4, 6 and 8 (I think 4 is currently going through a remodel). 7 and 9 are private but I think you can still play them, they're good.

With the exception of No. 2, the other five courses I mentioned above are good but not exactly the most "Pinehursty" courses in the area. If you want the minimalist look, no rough, sand, fescue, wire-grass and pine needles check out Pine Needles, Mid-Pines, Dormie Club, Tobacco Road.

[saevel25]

23 minutes ago, mvmac said:

With the exception of No. 2, the other five courses I mentioned above are good but not exactly the most "Pinehursty" courses in the area. If you want the minimalist look, no rough, sand, fescue, wire-grass and pine needles check out Pine Needles, Mid-Pines, Dormie Club, Tobacco Road.

I haven't played Pine-Needles yet. Mid-Pines is fantastic.

[mvmac]

10 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

I haven't played Pine-Needles yet. Mid-Pines is fantastic.

Both are really good. Played Pine Needles about a month ago, I think I slightly prefer Mid-Pines.

 

[GolfLug]

I have played all PH (except #2 - too cheap to shell out $400) and Talamore courses now and think Talamore are better value since cost point lower with at least equivalent golf experience. I didn't think about the 'minimalistness' of Talamore in comparison to PH but now that it's mentioned I definitely second that. 

I will say this that if you are not a fan of turtle back greens then Talamore greens are MUCH less contrived. Being a less skilled golfer I had a hard time getting the ball to stop on #8 specifically. At PH, #4 and #7 are my favorites. 

[DaveP043]

I own a condo in the Pinehurst area, and have been visiting regularly for about 10 years.  First, I know you're coming from a long ways away, I think you've made a great choice staying at the Holly Inn.  This is the first of the Pinehurst Resort hotels to open, and I love the look and the feel and the location of the place.  Of the Pinehurst courses, (excluding #2), My favorites are #4 (currently being renovated I think), #8 (really good, designed with the Donald Ross features in mind, and #9 (a recently acquired Jack Nicklaus design).  I think #3 is also being renovated.  #1 and #5 are well conditioned, but not particularly special in my mind.  I've never played #7, so I won't comment on it.  I'll agree with @mvmac's suggestions for non-Pinehurst properties, with a hearty endorsement for MidPines as my favorite in the area.  My condo is at Talamore, and that's a a good solid course, along with our sister course at MidSouth, an Arnold Palmer design.

Many of the packages at Pinehurst include breakfast and dinner, but if you need recommendations for bars and restaurants, let me know.  Enjoy your time in Carolina (the OTHER state is SOUTH Carolina) and in Pinehurst in particular.  Its one of the good places in this world.

And for my friend  @GolfLug, I told you that the flop shot was NOT the right choice!!!  

[GolfLug]

12 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

And for my friend  @GolfLug, I told you that the flop shot was NOT the right choice!!!  

Aren't you supposed to have more senior moments and start forgetting things by now? 

[DaveP043]

I forget lots of stuff, just ask Mary Anne.  But not the important stuff!

[iSank]

Thanks for sharing the local knowledge. We'll spend more time on the east coast in a few years, this is kind of an impromptu trip, I'm off and her company is sending her. We heading back east a few weeks later for Thanksgiving and a couple football games, south east that is. So we wanted to keep it simple and the Holly package seems simple, plus it includes a 2 hour rental of an Acura. Not sure what that's about but there's gotta be a nice drive somewhere nearby. 

Mahalo!

[Lefty-Golfer]

#7 is well worth the time. it is a members course and it is somewhat more limited in available times but I have played it 3 times and really like it.

[iSank]

Sounds good, we set up the following six games in 6 days starting with #1 on Friday, then 9, 6, 2 on Monday, and 7 & 8 on our last two days. Looking forward to it! 

Big mahalo to everyone! 

[Lefty-Golfer]

number #1 is meh but it will be in fine condition, 9 is a bit tighter and seems to be endless dogleg right but it is high quality course, 2 is one of my top 5 just a great walk! and 8 is also an awesome golf course, that is a big boys course, make sure you play the proper T's for yourself because it will give you all you want!

[iSank]

Heading home tomorrow, what a slice of Heaven in the middle of Carolina. Warmed up on #1, then absolutely enjoyed 9,6, finally we loved 2, 7 & 8.