Book it · Vibe: Organized fun · Home Base: Carolina Villas · Value: Fair
You won't want to leave on the last day and you will want to start planning another trip when you get home.
Verdict
Amazing area. You have Pinehurst, Tobacco Road and Southern Pines Golf Resort all within 20 minutes of each other. The courses were in incredible condition for late April. Book at least 3 nights.
Courses Played
- No. 3: Short course but a lot of fun. Send it for the greens on the short Par 4's.
- No. 2: Get a caddie if you don't know how to read grain. Incredible course and cusping the top of the hill on 18 with the clubhouse and 150 people watching you finish can't be beat.
- No. 4: Nicest weather round for us (besides the wind) - very fun course.
- No. 8: Coldest round for us (50ish and rain), but a lot of fun.
- No. 10: Rained the hole round but this course gives you everything. This would be on top of the list if returning
- Mid Pines: Wow. If you're staying at Pinehurst you need to make the short drive over. This was 50% of our groups favorite course.
- Cradle: Laid back, barefoot, sunset - Do not miss booking this.
Home Base
Stay in the Carolina Villas after we received a call 3 days before check in - free upgrade! I didn't ask why. We moved from the Holly Hotel to the Carolina Villas - 4 Bedrooms with 2 queens in each and their own bathroom, shared living room, shared dining room, and shared bath in the main room. This was an unexpected surprise and something I would try to do again in the future. It was awesome hanging out in the shared living space after rounds and allowed for easier planning for food and more.
What Surprised Us
The Good:
The seamlessness. From check in to checkout, we felt like we were being taken care of. Shuttles get you around anywhere you need to go around Pinehurst, the food was included with the Donald Ross package (breakfast and dinner). Dinners included Appetizer, Dinner, and Dessert for each person (a ton of food), golf bags were waiting for you at your tee time the following day.
The Bad:
There were a few missing items from our bags that may have fallen out: Club Head Cover, rain gloves, umbrella. We are not blaming the employees, we believe they were lose and fell off accidentally.
What we'd do differently:
We had 2 days where we played 38 holes (and walked). We were beat by the end of the day. If I went again, I would play 18 each day around 9:00 - 11:00 and then play the Cradle in the evening. This would allow time to check out downtown Pinehurst and spend a little more time with the full travel group.
Pinehurst Stay and Play: Worth it?
Book it - three nights minimum, walk a few rounds before you arrive and start practicing 30 yard chips with your putter!