Pinehurst Resort Review

[sniper]

First, I have to thank you guys on Golfwrx. If I hadn’t been reading about Pinehurst, I wouldn’t have gone the Pinehurst website and read about the Summer Tee and Summer Spa packages. Then I have to thank my wife for when I jokingly said you can get 4 spa treatments and I can get 4 rounds at Pinehurst and she said let’s do it. We celebrated our 10^th anniversary in April, but put off doing something until this trip popped up. I know this will be long, but I’ll try to break it down into categories.

 

Accommodations

 

We stayed at the Carolina Hotel and they upgraded us to a suite for our anniversary. The Hotel is old school but very nice. Our room was a nice size with a king bed, sitting area and walk-in closet. The bathroom was spacious. The treatment and staff are exactly what you would expect. My one complaint would be the bed was extremely soft, but I’m being picky. We had a nice size TV, probably 50 inch. The Holly or Manor Inn are a little less expensive, but were not available when we booked. There are some villa’s that would work well for 4+ golfers, maybe better for a guy’s weekend.

 

Dinning

 

Our package included the breakfast buffet at the Carolina and dinner at one of the resort restaurants. The buffet is very nice, basically anything you could want for breakfast. Juices, Fruit, Pastries, Breakfast Meats, Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, Omelets. While the buffet is nice if it wasn’t included in the package I wouldn’t spend the money on the buffet. The atmosphere is nice with piano music while dinning.

 

We had lunch at the Ryder Cup lounge on the day of arrival. The food was good and not terribly overpriced. The RC lounge is a nice place to grab a few drinks. I would imagine that it is even better in cooler weather when sitting on the front porch would be more comfortable.

 

Our first night we grabbed dinner at the Tavern. Dinner was good and very similar to the RC lounge. I would say it is better than the typical bar food.

 

The second night we ate at 1895, the 4 diamond restaurant. This was a very nice meal and you are very well taken care of. This is truly fine dining and on the fancier side.

 

The last night our reservations were for the Carolina Dining Room. This was our favorite meal and we felt it was better than 1895.

 

Our package gave us a salad or appetizer, entrée, and desert and everything was top notch. I’m sure some would have a better appreciation of 1895 than I did. I just really enjoyed a nice steak at the Carolina. The drinks are similarly priced to something like Carrabba’s. I refreshed with a few gin & tonics after the rounds, and was back to my traditional Makers Mark before dinner. My wife keeps telling me about the peach smoothies at the spa and she brought me one back from the pool on Saturday. The peach smoothie was probably the best drink I had all week. The smoothie was made from local in season peaches. The 91^st Hole is a good place to grab some lunch.

 

Golf

 

I played my 4 rounds at #’s 2, 4, 7, and 8. All courses were in great condition. The greens on #2 were the best with 4 and 7 having the most ball marks and I’m assuming those two courses get the most member play.

 

Round 1 #8.

 

This is a good course with somewhat large and sloping greens. There are no homes and no OB on the course. The course is forgiving off the tee and a great course to start with. The person I was paired with cancelled so I played this by myself which wasn’t bad. I took my time and practiced putting. I made an eagle, two birdies, and two doubles to go along with pars and bogeys. Doubled 18 after a terrible chip shot to shoot 79.

 

Round 2 #2

 

I did take a caddie and this made for a pleasant experience. One guy in the group didn’t get a caddie and took a cart. I don’t think the two caddies in our group appreciated him doing this. Of course neither caddie wanted to carry his staff bag either. The course is fantastic. 16, 17, 18 are a great stretch of holes. The caddie told me to take enough club on 17 as the breeze coming down 18 will knock the ball down. Caddie told me don’t hit it in the right bunker and that they had a special name for the bunker. I asked the name for the bunker and he told me they call it the “Devil’s v*****”. Caddie had some other good stories for me. Two bad holes did me in. One the Caddie wanted me to hit driver and I snap-hooked a 3W, the other I got in a bunker, out to the other bunker, and then back to the first bunker. I did birdie 15 and shot 80 on the day. I was hitting my driver great all week, but I was a little tentative with my approach shots and putting. Overall a wonderful experience with outstanding conditions.

 

Round 3 #4

 

I really enjoyed #4 (second to #2). Something about the course I just really liked and it fit my eye. I thought the course would be playable for a range of skill levels and could have some speedy greens if they wanted. Funny story is that I was paired with an older member and after hitting a good drive on the par 5 13^thI had 246 into a breeze with water all down the left, so I lay up. The old man looks at me and says “No Guts”. I laughed then hit my wedge to a foot for a tap in birdie. Walking back to my cart I jokingly said to myself “suck it, Old Man River”. Of course he birdied the next hole and I made bogey. I once again struggled on 18, making double for a 78.

 

 

Round 4 #7

 

Another good course with a lot of elevation changes and a lot of uphill shots. This is where the slope edition range finder would have been nice. Forgiving enough off the tee. It was warmer the day I played #7 and don’t know if they had heavily watered, but the course was very wet. While this is a good course, it was my least favorite. Now saying least favorite is like me picking between Makers Mark, Woodford, or Knob Creek, all good bourbons and courses.

 

Thistle Dhu

 

Crazy putting course, lots of fun. I definitely would check this if on a trip. Would be a lot of fun with some cocktails and buddies.

 

Spa

 

My wife loved it; all I did was walk by.

 

Misc.

 

Merchandise was priced as you would expect (little high). There was every brand you would expect. I bought an UnderArmour shirt for $78 and a 2014 US Open Adidas shirt for $48. Bought my dad a cap for $28. They have a different pro shop with US Open gear.

 

Packaged included valet parking, so I never used my vehicle during the trip. You can catch a shuttle to any course, or hotel, so no problems. I actually walked to the clubhouse two mornings just to get the blood flowing.

 

Tipping. I wasn’t prepared for the tipping I needed more small bills. Didn’t mind the tipping, but I will know better next time.

 

While we did not take our son the resort is very family friendly and I would consider in the future.

 

The Titleist summer sales meeting was ending the day after we got there and I didn’t realize it or I would have been snooping around.

[jbrunone]

Good review, Its a trip I am looking forward to in the future.

[jtmagic]

Nice review. Makes me want to take a trip.

[dcmidnight]

[quote name='jeffalvarez' timestamp='1376361579' post='7664954']
Nice review. Makes me want to take a trip.
[/quote]
Cant believe the number of times I've driven all the way to Myrtle but never done a Pinehurst trip.

Me = idiot.

Thanks for the review.

[esketores]

I'm going the end of October. Never been there. Thank you for the review.

[mrfullwm]

Great writeup! I'm only a couple of hours from Pinehurst but I've never made the trip up there. I wouldn't mind playing in the summer heat so I may have to make the drive up there next summer.

[SheriffBooth]

Nice write-up. I'm heading there in November and looking forward to seeing the revamped #2 in person.

[Noles]

I was there 2 weeks ago for the US Kids golf world championship. Imagine that practice facility with 500+ kids all over it!

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Nice review. One of my favorite places on earth. I've made the trip with as many as 8 guys, and as few as just myself, enjoyed it everytime.

You didn't say, but did you get to experience any of the village, stop in the old gofl shop there, or at least have a drink at the Pinecrest Inn?

You played some great courses, No. 7 kicked our butt with the elevation changes the first time we played it. But it was the 2nd round of the day after walking No. 2 earlier.

Glad you got to experience it, you're wife's a keeper for agreeing to go!!

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='Noles' timestamp='1376400803' post='7666890']
I was there 2 weeks ago for the US Kids golf world championship. Imagine that practice facility with 500+ kids all over it!
[/quote]
Uhhhh...No thanks

[sniper]

We did walk around the Village. I have been to the area for trips in the past and have gone to Dugan's, Pinecrest, etc. I'm may be going back to the area in the fall and actually stay at the Pinecrest Inn. This was just my first time to stay and play at the resort.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='sniper' timestamp='1376402579' post='7667082']
We did walk around the Village. I have been to the area for trips in the past and have gone to Dugan's, Pinecrest, etc. I'm may be going back to the area in the fall and actually stay at the Pinecrest Inn. This was just my first time to stay and play at the resort.
[/quote]
Ok, gotcha..Does the wife want to go back, or was once enough for her?

[dieselmd]

80 on #2 is great! #2 is on my bucket list.

[sniper]

Wife is all about going back. She actually added a pedicure so she ended up with 5 spa treatments. One of her good college friends lives in the area so they spent time at the pool together. I think I will be making a Disney trip in the spring of 2015 but we will be going back again. I may try to work out a trip with guys before then but we are also looking at a Scotland trip for our 40th B-days.

[etakmit]

Great writeup!

I've wanted to get down there and now that my wife's game is shaping up I might be able to talk her into it! (or maybe if she's not feeling it - then get her the spa package!)

[Brianm423]

Great review! My wife and I are visiting her cousin & husband who live in the Pines area on Labor Day weekend. He asked me the other day if I was interested in playing a round at Pinehurst...what kind of question is that!!!! This review definitely gave me a quick idea of the layout of the courses. #'s 4 & 8 look like great choices. Looking forward to the visit.

Thanks again for the write-up.

[golfheaven69]

You played the four best tracks at the resort. All the others are not worth playing IMO especially for the price. Many other better options within 15-20 min.

The only thing you missed from your review is drinks at The Pine Crest Inn.

[SheriffBooth]

My package in November allows me to play #1, #3 or #5 for only $30 as a warmup prior to playing #2. Any of you guys played any of these three?

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='SheriffBooth' timestamp='1377271718' post='7731698']
My package in November allows me to play #1, #3 or #5 for only $30 as a warmup prior to playing #2. Any of you guys played any of these three?
[/quote]
I've not played them, but have seen several of the holes, from the clubhouse and along the road. From everything I've heard they are great "warmup" or get loose courses. And at that rate, they are phenominal warm up courses. You can barely hit a bucket of balls for $30 these days

They are realitively short, have interesting greens and always seem like they are in very good condition.

[SheriffBooth]

I'm thinking of teeing it up at #1 just to say I've done it. I think it would be the first course I've played built prior to 1900. Greens are bermuda, though, and everywhere else is G2 bent. #3 might be the better pre-#2 choice since it's a Donald Ross and has the same bentgrass greens.

[dumbdog]

#3 greens have been changed to Bermuda and are growing in now...

[sniper]

[quote name='dumbdog' timestamp='1377303153' post='7734611']
#3 greens have been changed to Bermuda and are growing in now...
[/quote]

Correct, they started on #3 the week I was there.

[Noles]

[quote name='SheriffBooth' timestamp='1377280159' post='7732651']
I'm thinking of teeing it up at #1 just to say I've done it. I think it would be the first course I've played built prior to 1900. Greens are bermuda, though, and everywhere else is G2 bent. #3 might be the better pre-#2 choice since it's a Donald Ross and has the same bentgrass greens.
[/quote] My so played #1 in early August. No real trouble aside from bunkers and homes. Greens were absolutely perfect!

[golfheaven69]

[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1376390304' post='7666252']
[quote name='jeffalvarez' timestamp='1376361579' post='7664954']
Nice review. Makes me want to take a trip.
[/quote]
Cant believe the number of times I've driven all the way to Myrtle but never done a Pinehurst trip.

Me = idiot.

Thanks for the review.
[/quote]

You can have a week at Myrtle for one round at #2.

[SheriffBooth]

[quote name='sniper' timestamp='1377310240' post='7735145']
[quote name='dumbdog' timestamp='1377303153' post='7734611']
#3 greens have been changed to Bermuda and are growing in now...
[/quote]

Correct, they started on #3 the week I was there.
[/quote]

Thanks for the heads up, guys. I guess I'll go with #1 for the historical value and the fun of it.

[Brianm423]

Just booked a round on #4 for this Sunday. My wife and her cousin will be totally surprised when they find out I also booked surprise massages for them at the Spa. My buddy and I are looking forward to it. Better get a practice round Friday after work before we hit the road!!! Looks like I should focus my practice on the sand....#4 has a lot of it. Just have to stay out of it...easy right?

[cristphoto]

[sup][size=5]I went last year and played 2, 7, and 8. All were great. Having a caddy on 2 saved me at least 5 shots. They really know the greens well. The first time I hit into a green with a 9 iron and ProV1 had a good flight, hit, bounced and rolled over the green. The caddy then hit me with the line, "we have a special stat at Pinehurst - greens visited". All the caddies had great stories to tell. Everything was first rate. We stayed in the condos along course #5. Top notch. Just dial a number on your phone and a bus comes right to your door in a couple minutes and takes you anywhere on the property. Food was excellent as previously stated. The first night we ate at the 4 star restaurant in the Holly (1895?). After that we had breakfast and dinner in the Carolina (all part of our package). It cost a good deal of money but I don't consider it "expensive" when looking at what the quality of everything included. [/size][/sup]

[Dhurley7]

Great review. I am lucky to live about 45 minutes from there.