Pinehurst Resort No.2 course opened for play in 1907 and its green sites are the ultimate test, legendary and quite unique.
Pinehurst Resort No.2 course opened for play in 1907 and its green sites are the ultimate test, legendary and quite unique.
Pinehurst Resort & Country Club played host to the 1951 Ryder Cup matches between the USA and Great Britain. Team Captains were Sam Snead (US) and Arthur Lacey (GB). Sam Snead often cited Pinehurst No.2 as his favourite course and the US Captain turned the event into a rout despite a rather bizarre interlude when the competition was suspended so that both teams could attend a football game. Arthur Lees spared the British embarrassment by scoring 2 points and Jimmy Demaret retired from Ryder Cup competition with the best unbeaten record (6-0-0) in event history. USA 9 ½ - GB 2 ½. The Ryder Cup was played at Ganton in 1949 and at Wentworth in 1953.
With more than 100 years of history and nine golf courses cleverly routed through 2,000 acres of North Carolina’s sandhills, you’ll need to schedule a little more time than usual to fully absorb the incredible Pinehurst experience.
Donald J. Ross made the trip from his native Scotland to America in 1899 with the objective of introducing the royal and ancient game to a burgeoning nation. Shortly after his arrival, James W. Tufts, the visionary behind the Pinehurst Resort, commissioned Ross and he stayed on at Pinehurst for a further 48 years.
In the early days, Pinehurst had a simple rudimentary 9-hole course but that was soon to change. Ross cut his golfing teeth at Royal Dornoch and their domed greens were soon to become his hallmark. Pinehurst No.2 opened for play in 1907 and its green sites are the ultimate test, legendary and quite unique. These average sized putting surfaces have been known to reduce a grown man to tears. With wicked fall offs around the edges, these greens are actually much smaller than they look and they will hold only the best or the luckiest approach shots. Vivid imagination and the finest skill are required to negotiate these greens in regulation.
So, is Pinehurst No.2 all about the greens? The short answer is no. No.2 course has a few world-class holes (5th, 9th and 16th) and as a complete course it has to be one of the most finely balanced and most difficult courses we have ever played. It’s no wonder it was the chosen venue for the 1999, 2005 and 2014 US Opens. And we’re sure many people will recall with affection Payne Stewart’s remarkable final hole putt, which secured the 1999 title.
“Americans, unlike the British, are not given to playing in the rain,” wrote Robert Trent Jones in The Complete Golfer, “but at Pinehurst they make what is perhaps their one exception. I dare say that more people play in the rain at Pinehurst than at any other golf course in America. In fact, if you have a wind-breaker and an umbrella, it’s a rather pleasant thing to do, because the sand underfoot makes for relatively dry walking. In the rain, the pine trees seem to glisten, making each hole an individual jewel.” Maybe playing in the rain at Pinehurst is not a bad idea... the greens will be more manageable perhaps?
The design firm of Coore and Crenshaw was engaged at Pinehurst with a brief to return the No.2 course to its 1930s sandy character. The renovation work was based on old aerial photographs, which included increasing fairway widths, removal of turf in the rough with sandy waste areas and numerous bunker modifications. The work started in spring 2010 and completed in 2011. The renovated Pinehurst No.2 staged the 2014 US Open and it proved to be a formidable test for all but one player. Martin Kaymer coasted to an eight-shot victory after shooting a pair of 65s in the opening two rounds, carding a 72-hole score of 271, the second lowest in U.S. Open history. Only three players finished the tournament under par.
The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
Florida, United States
Utrecht, Netherlands
North Carolina, United States
New York, United States
New York, United States
The biennial Ryder Cup matches have graced some of golf's most celebrated courses since 1927, creating an unparalleled legacy across two continents. These twenty-five championship layouts have witnessed the sport's greatest team battles, from crushing defeats to miraculous victories that have defined professional golf's most coveted team trophy. Each venue stands as a testament to architectural excellence and competitive drama. For comprehensive rankings of these legendary venues, explore our detailed analyses: Best European Ryder Cup Venues, Best USA Ryder Cup Venues, and the complete Top 25 Ryder Cup Venues ranking. Fancy a flutter on the Ryder Cup? Betway is dedicated to providing the best in online betting. Enhance your enjoyment of the Ryder Cup with Betway! The Ryder Cup - Golf's Ultimate Stage What began as a friendly competition between American and British professionals has transformed into the sport's most intense team rivalry. The inclusion of continental Europeans in 1979 revolutionised the matches, creating the modern era's nail-biting contests that have elevated these courses to legendary status in golf history. 1. Muirfield - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers Hosted: 1973 | Final Score: USA 19-13 Home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, established in 1744 as golf's oldest verifiable club, Muirfield broke new ground as Scotland's first Ryder Cup host. The East Lothian links, originally crafted by Old Tom Morris in 1891 and masterfully redesigned by Harry Colt in 1925, presented a formidable test that featured the competition's inaugural hole-in-one. 2. Oakland Hills Country Club - South Course Hosted: 2004 | Final Score: Europe 18½-9½ Michigan's Oakland Hills delivered European golf's most emphatic victory on American soil during the 35th matches. Donald Ross's 1918 masterpiece proved the perfect stage for Bernhard Langer's tactical brilliance, as Europe dominated from start to finish in what became a watershed moment for international team golf. 3. Pinehurst Resort No. 2 Hosted: 1951 | Final Score: USA 9½-2½ The North Carolina Sandhills witnessed American supremacy at its peak when Ben Hogan and Sam Snead's powerhouse squad demolished Great Britain. Donald Ross's crown jewel, which he proclaimed his "fairest championship test," provided the backdrop for one-sided matches that epitomised the pre-European era's competitive imbalance. 4. Bethpage State Park - Black Course Upcoming: 2025 A.W. Tillinghast's 1936 municipal masterpiece will make history as New York's second Ryder Cup host, representing public golf's highest achievement. The Long Island layout's democratic accessibility and championship pedigree embody American golf's inclusive spirit while promising to challenge the world's elite. 5. Oak Hill Country Club - East Course Hosted: 1995 | Final Score: Europe 14½-13½ Rochester's Donald Ross gem witnessed European hearts breaking American dreams when Philip Walton's nerveless final-hole performance secured continental glory. The New York venue's tree-lined majesty has welcomed every major championship, cementing its status among America's most versatile championship tests. 6. Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club Hosted: 1961, 1977 | Final Scores: USA 14½-9½, USA 12½-7½ Lancashire's railway-flanked links earned Bernard Darwin's immortal description as "a beast of a course, but a just beast." Royal Lytham & St Annes twice watched American dominance in the twilight years before European inclusion, with the 1977 matches marking the final Great Britain & Ireland contest. 7. Ganton Golf Club Hosted: 1949 | Final Score: USA 7-5 Yorkshire's heathland jewel showcased Ben Hogan's post-accident resilience as American captain while delivering Britain's closest challenge of the immediate post-war period. The inland links hybrid, blessed with North Sea characteristics, demonstrated championship golf's finest architectural principles during September's dramatic conclusion. 8. Royal Birkdale Golf Club Hosted: 1965, 1969 | Final Scores: USA 19½-12½, Tied 16-16 Southport's towering dunes provided the stage for sportsmanship's defining moment when Jack Nicklaus conceded Tony Jacklin's crucial putt, creating the competition's first deadlock. Royal Birkdale established the template for gracious competition that continues to influence modern matches. 9. Whistling Straits - Straits Course Hosted: 2021 | Final Score: USA 19-9 Wisconsin's manufactured links delivered America's most comprehensive modern triumph, with Lake Michigan's winds witnessing Dustin Johnson's historic perfect record. Pete Dye's artificial seaside creation proved that manufactured drama could match natural theatre in producing unforgettable championship moments. 10. Real Club Valderrama Hosted: 1997 | Final Score: Europe 14½-13½ Andalusia's cork oak-lined masterpiece shattered geographical barriers as the first continental host, with Seve Ballesteros orchestrating European triumph on Spanish soil. Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s precision-demanding layout proved the perfect canvas for continental golf's coming-of-age celebration. 11. Walton Heath Golf Club Hosted: 1981 | Final Score: USA 18½-9½ Surrey's emergency host delivered American dominance when construction delays forced a venue change from The Belfry. Walton Heath's heathland classic's strategic challenges couldn't prevent the United States' commanding performance during Europe's transitional period following continental inclusion. 12. Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Ocean Course Hosted: 1991 | Final Score: USA 14½-13½ South Carolina's windswept peninsula created the "War by the Shore," where Bernhard Langer's missed putt on the final green handed America victory in golf's most tension-filled conclusion. Pete Dye's oceanside links established the template for dramatic match finishes. 13. The Country Club - Brookline Hosted: 1999 | Final Score: USA 14½-13½ Massachusetts witnessed the "Miracle of Brookline" when Justin Leonard's impossible 45-foot putt sparked America's greatest comeback from a seemingly hopeless position. The historic Boston-area venue proved that championship golf's oldest venues could still produce modern magic. 14. Scioto Country Club Hosted: 1931 | Final Score: USA 9-3 Ohio's sweltering heat intensified American dominance during the competition's fourth edition, establishing patterns of home-soil success that would define early matches. 15. Olympic Club - Lake Course Future Host: 2033 San Francisco's fog-shrouded challenge will bring Pacific Coast golf to the international stage, promising that California's unique coastal conditions will test the world's finest players. Returning to California for the first time since 1959 (Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells), the Ryder Cup's return to the West Coast at the Olympic Club will be marvellous. 16. Muirfield Village Golf Club Hosted: 1987 | Final Score: Europe 15-13 Jack Nicklaus's Ohio tribute to Scottish Muirfield backfired spectacularly when Europe claimed their first American victory on the Golden Bear's home course. The designer-captain's strategic masterpiece couldn't prevent Tony Jacklin's tactical triumph in this watershed European success. 17. Ridgewood Country Club Hosted: 1935 | Final Score: USA 9-3 New Jersey's parkland test restored American confidence following Great Britain's 1933 breakthrough, demonstrating home advantage during the competition's pre-war consolidation period. 18. Medinah Country Club No. 3 Hosted: 2012 | Final Score: Europe 14½-13½ Illinois witnessed European golf's greatest resurrection when José María Olazábal's team overcame a commanding deficit through Sunday's extraordinary singles surge. The Chicago-area venue's championship pedigree couldn't prevent one of sport's most stunning turnarounds. 19. East Lake Golf Club Hosted: 1963 | Final Score: USA 23-9 Atlanta's historic venue delivered the most lopsided result in competition history, showcasing American professional golf's overwhelming superiority during the pre-European era. The Georgia course demonstrated how format changes couldn't address the fundamental competitive imbalance. 20. Wentworth Club - West Course Hosted: 1953 | Result: USA 6½-5½ Surrey's "Burma Road" provided early evidence of improving British competitiveness while maintaining American superiority during the 1950s. Harry Colt's parkland masterpiece has remained European professional golf's spiritual home through decades of championship hosting. 21. Hazeltine National Golf Club Hosted: 2016, Future: 2029 | Result: USA 17-11 Minnesota's championship layout will achieve unique status as America's first repeat Ryder Cup host when matches return in 2029. The 2016 success ended European dominance while establishing precedent for venue revisitation in the modern era. 22. Adare Manor Future Host: 2027 Ireland's luxury resort will showcase Tom Fazio's championship redesign when County Limerick welcomes golf's greatest team competition. The renovated course promises to combine Irish hospitality with world-class championship conditions. 23. Laurel Valley Golf Club Hosted: 1975 | Final Score: USA 21-11 Pennsylvania's exclusive venue marked the final overwhelming American victory before European inclusion transformed competitive balance. The mountain course's championship test couldn't prevent the predictable outcome that prompted format reconsideration. 24. Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club Hosted: 1933, 1937 | Final Scores: GB 6½-5½, USA 8-4 Lancashire's seaside links experienced contrasting fortunes during the 1930s, celebrating Britain's last pre-war triumph before witnessing America's inaugural overseas victory. 25. Moortown Golf Club Hosted: 1929 | Final Score: GB 7-5 Yorkshire's Alister MacKenzie design provided the stage for Great Britain's second victory, establishing early hope that would sustain the competition through decades of American dominance. Championship Legacy These legendary courses represent golf's architectural evolution and competitive development over nearly a century. From Scottish links tradition to American championship innovation, each venue has contributed unique characteristics to the sport's most celebrated team competition. Additional Championship Venues Beyond these top 25, several other distinguished courses have hosted Ryder Cup matches, each adding their own chapter to the competition's rich history: Le Golf National - Albatros Course (2018, Europe 17½-10½) - France's national course delivered European dominance in Paris, with Francesco Molinari's perfect record highlighting continental excellence. Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (2023, Europe 16½-11½) - Rome's Jim Fazio design showcased Italian hospitality while witnessing Europe's commanding victory in the competition's first visit to Italy. The Belfry - Brabazon Course (1985, 1989, 1993, 2002) - Warwickshire's purpose-built venue hosted more matches than any other course, becoming synonymous with European Ryder Cup success during four memorable encounters. Celtic Manor Resort - Twenty Ten Course (2010, Europe 14½-13½) - Wales' modern championship layout battled weather delays to deliver European triumph in the competition's wettest finish. The K Club - Palmer North Course (2006, Europe 18½-9½) - Ireland's Arnold Palmer design provided the stage for European dominance during an emotional week marked by Darren Clarke's inspiring performance. Gleneagles Hotel - PGA Centenary Course (2014, Europe 16½-11½) - Scotland's Jack Nicklaus-designed course witnessed a comprehensive European victory in the Highlands' championship debut. Valhalla Golf Club (2008, USA 16½-11½) - Kentucky's Jack Nicklaus design delivered rare American success during Europe's dominant period of the 2000s. Worcester Country Club (1927, USA 9½-2½) - Massachusetts hosted the inaugural official matches, establishing the competition's foundation with a decisive American victory. Champions Golf Club (1967, USA 23½-8½) - Texas witnessed overwhelming American dominance during the format's expansion era. PGA National Golf Club (1983, USA 14½-13½) - Florida's challenging layout produced the decade's closest contest during competitive balance emergence. Lindrick Golf Club (1957, GB 7½-4½) - Yorkshire's surprise hosted Great Britain's breakthrough victory, ending American dominance and revitalising competition interest. The Greenbrier (1979, USA 17-11) - West Virginia's Sam Snead course marked the European era's beginning with the first continental team inclusion. Old Warson Country Club (1971, USA 18½-13½), Portland Golf Club (1947, USA 11-1), Eldorado Country Club (1959, USA 8½-3½), and Thunderbird Country Club (1955, USA 8-4) each contributed to the competition's development during various evolutionary phases. The diverse collection demonstrates how great architecture transcends geographical boundaries, creating universal tests that challenge the world's finest players. As future venues prepare to join this exclusive fraternity, they assume the responsibility of maintaining the standards established by golf's greatest championship courses.
North Carolina has an unusually strong claim to being one of America's great golf destinations. From the historic courses around Pinehurst and Southern Pines to the more distinctive layouts scattered across the Sandhills, there is enough variety to suit almost any kind of golf trip. The only question is how much you want to spend. For this guide, Top100 has built three different two-night itineraries for a four-ball, with each one offering a different way to experience North Carolina golf. The budgets range from $750 to $2,000+ per person, with three rounds included in every trip. From three Donald Ross classics for less than $750 to the ultimate Pinehurst Resort experience, here's how to plan your North Carolina golf trip. $750 - The Sandhills Classics If you want to experience the Pinehurst area without spending a fortune, the $750 itinerary is the sweet spot. For four golfers sharing two rooms, two nights and three rounds, you can build a genuinely memorable Sandhills trip around three Ross courses that all feature prominently on the Top100 North Carolina ranking: Mid Pines (#7), Southern Pines (#11) and Pine Needles (#13). The beauty of this itinerary is its simplicity. All three courses sit within a few minutes of one another, so there is no need to spend half your trip behind the wheel. Instead, you can settle into Southern Pines and concentrate on the golf. Mid Pines is the highest-ranked of the three and makes an excellent starting point. It is a relatively compact course by modern standards, but there is plenty of variety in the holes and the undulating terrain means that the lie you leave yourself can be as important as the shot itself. The greens are a particular feature, with plenty of subtle breaks that aren't always obvious from the fairway. A few minutes away, Southern Pines Golf Club offers a different feel. It is less formal than its better-known neighbours and remains one of the more affordable ways to experience the area's historic golf. For golfers who want to see what Pinehurst was like before it became synonymous with luxury golf travel, this is an essential stop. The final round is at Pine Needles, a course with considerably more championship pedigree. It has hosted the U.S. Women's Open four times, most recently in 2022, and provides a slightly more polished resort experience while retaining the strategic qualities associated with Ross's work. The numbers work surprisingly well too. The three-course Bell Golf Package at Pine Needles bundles two nights' accommodation with all three rounds, breakfast, dinner and carts. At approximately $585 per person, there is still room within the $750 budget for a rental car, fuel and a few extras where necessary. For a first taste of the Sandhills, this is difficult to beat. You get three Top100-ranked courses, three distinct takes on classic North Carolina golf and barely any wasted time travelling between them. $1000 - Tobacco Road and the Strantz Experience The middle itinerary moves away from the traditional Sandhills experience and towards three more varied public-access courses: Tobacco Road (#5), Talamore and Tot Hill Farm. Tobacco Road is the obvious starting point. Mike Strantz's course is one of the most distinctive in the country, and its unconventional layout makes it unlike the other courses in this series. Blind shots are part of the design rather than an occasional feature, while the dramatic changes in elevation and extensive sandy areas give the course a character all of its own. It is a course that can feel intimidating on the first tee, but once you accept that not every shot needs to be conventional, the strategy begins to reveal itself. Talamore provides a useful contrast. The course is more conventional, with a mix of woodland and open holes and enough water and bunkering to keep the round interesting. It also has the practical advantage of being part of a resort operation, making it straightforward to combine with accommodation. The third round at Tot Hill Farm brings the trip back towards Strantz territory. Like Tobacco Road, it makes extensive use of the natural terrain, although the course feels less polished and more remote. The course winds through dramatic terrain and uses the natural landscape to create a succession of memorable holes. It is a good complement to Tobacco Road rather than simply another version of it. The three rounds should cost approximately $650 per person, based on fall rates of around $300 for Tobacco Road, $200 for Talamore and $150 for Tot Hill Farm, including the latter's cart fee. Accommodation for two nights and a shared rental car should bring the overall trip to roughly $800-$900 per person, leaving some headroom within the $1,000 budget. This is the itinerary for golfers who want to see a less conventional side of North Carolina golf, with Tobacco Road providing the clear centrepiece. $2000+ - The Ultimate Pinehurst Experience For golfers prepared to spend more than $2,000 per person, there is no need to look beyond the resort that put North Carolina on the golfing map. A two-night stay at Pinehurst Resort, combined with rounds on Pinehurst No. 2 (#1), No. 4 (#9) and No. 10 (#16), delivers the ultimate version of the Sandhills experience. No. 2 is the historic centrepiece and the course most golfers will have seen on television. Its crowned greens and sandy waste areas are immediately recognisable, while its U.S. Open history gives the round an additional dimension. The challenge is less about finding a way to overpower the course than avoiding the difficult positions that can quickly lead to dropped shots. Around the greens in particular, the difference between a good approach and a slightly misplaced one can be significant. No. 4 offers a different experience. It is a larger, more expansive course, with wider corridors and a greater sense of scale. The course has undergone a major transformation in recent years and now sits comfortably among the best courses at the resort. No. 10, meanwhile, is the newest of the three and provides a different perspective again. The Coore & Crenshaw design occupies a quieter part of the property and makes extensive use of the natural sandy terrain. Its inclusion also means the trip isn't simply a greatest-hits tour of Pinehurst's past; you are seeing where the resort's golf story is heading. Pinehurst's Donald Ross Golf Package includes two nights' accommodation, three rounds, breakfast and dinner, with supplements for No. 2 and No. 10. For four golfers sharing two rooms, the trip is likely to come in at around $2,800-$3,000 per person once the package, course premiums, rental car and fuel are accounted for, before any additional discretionary spending. While it’s a substantial investment, this is not simply three rounds of golf. It is a stay at one of America's great golf resorts, playing three of the best courses in North Carolina, including the state's No. 1 course. For golfers looking to make Pinehurst the centrepiece of a Carolina trip, this is the premium option. Each itinerary is based on two nights and three rounds for four golfers sharing two rooms. Prices include accommodation, green fees and food where appropriate, but exclude flights.
Words by Michael Wharton Palmer Sketches by Lauren Coffey Edited by Jasper Miners In the world of golf, the mere mention of the name Pinehurst conjures images of dramatic and historic US Open finishes on a traditional Donald Ross golf course set on wonderful sandy soil, meandering through Carolina pines. Since its inception in 1895 as the vision of Boston businessman James Walker Tufts, Pinehurst has become synonymous with Southern charm and first-rate resort accommodations. Not originally intended to be a sporting retreat, Donald Ross first integrated the game of golf into the resort in 1897, completing his renowned Pinehurst No. 2 in 1907. The resort now houses 10 soon-to-be 11 courses, all of which prosper under the Pinehurst umbrella, each with its own identity and charm, but all wonderfully maintained and served by the various accommodations that the Pinehurst Resort offers. The post-COVID boom of the game and accompanying stunning growth in the number of social media golf-related posts has only heightened the awareness of Pinehurst as the Cradle of American golf. The standard look of the Pinehurst clientele has changed along with the post-COVID boom, as a crowd of cash and credit-rich thirty-somethings continue to discover the game and are attracted to the magnet that is Pinehurst. Nowhere is the change of average age of the clientele better illustrated than at the resort's hub of activity, the wonderful Himalayan-type putting green and recently opened short course, The Cradle. Its marvellously relaxed atmosphere is a sight to behold, often shoeless golfers walking around, drinks in hand, soaking up the sun, a sight early 20th-century elitism upon which Pinehurst was built would simply fail to comprehend. Pinehurst has managed to blend the classical etiquette and modern-day casual beautifully; the two appear to exist in joyful harmony. Amidst the often obnoxious and braggadocious social media postings of logo-emblazoned 'merch' with its headcovers, quarter-zips, Yetis and caps, there is a segment of the golfing community who still cherish the simplest of golf course memorabilia. The simplicity of the scorecard, pencil and the glorious tee - and NOWHERE does the golf tee better than Pinehurst. This is golf tee heaven, so much so that there lies the underground aura of The Pinehurst Tee Collection. The Complete Pinehurst Tee Guide: Course by Course The Cradle Collection The "SHORT" – Standard tee from The Cradle course. The original and everyday tee from the wonderful 9-hole short course designed by Gil Hanse. The "FALL" – This tee is issued at The Cradle for a short time at the change of summer to autumn. The "SPRING" – Short-time issue also at The Cradle for the start of the spring season. The "CRADLE CROSSING" – This tee can be found at the comfort station on The Cradle, which is a junction within the course and the centre of post-game activity with fire pit libations and storytelling. Championship Course Tees The "2" – Speaks for itself: the tee for the prestigious Pinehurst No. 2, host of four US Opens and Donald Ross's masterpiece. The "3" – From Pinehurst No. 3, Ross's 1910 design featuring the smallest greens at the resort. The "4" – Pinehurst No. 4, Gil Hanse's 2018 restoration ranked among America's top 100 courses. The "8 BALL" – Exclusive tee to Pinehurst No. 8, Tom Fazio's Centennial Course. The "SANDMINE" – Exclusive tee of Pinehurst No. 10, so called to pay homage to the sandmines upon which Tom Doak's newest course was built. Accommodation Tees The "COTTAGES" – Tee found only at The Cottages of No. 8, new accommodation on site at that course. The "CAROLINA" – The signature tee from The Carolina Hotel, the wonderfully elegant flagship of Pinehurst Resort since its construction in 1901. The "MANOR" – So called as it can only be found at The Manor, the charming resort accommodation Manor House, built in 1923, featuring the popular Hackers at Pinehurst sports bar. The "HOLLY" – Only available to guests at The Holly Inn, with its Southern charm and culinary excellence, which was the original accommodation built at Pinehurst, opening in 1895. Special Edition Tees The "NEST" – Originates from the halfway house on Pinehurst No. 4 and pays homage to the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species that is prospering under the protection of the Pinehurst area and longleaf pines. The "PUTTER BOY" – This tee can be found throughout the resort, in the pro shop, on the range and in locker rooms. The "NORTH SOUTH" – This tee is only available to competitors of the North South competitions held annually at Pinehurst since 1901. The "COTTAGE" – Probably the grail of all the tees at Pinehurst. Found exclusively inside the Dornoch Cottage, which is located adjacent to hole 3 on Pinehurst No. 2 and designed and built by Donald Ross himself. Pinehurst's Golf Course Portfolio: 10 Championship Designs With 10 championship courses, Pinehurst Resort offers unmatched variety for golf enthusiasts. Each course provides its own unique challenge and, of course, its own commemorative tee. Pinehurst No. 1: Where It All Began (1898) The resort's founding course, originally designed by Dr. Leroy Culver in 1897 and later refined by Donald Ross. At just over 6,000 yards, this par-70 layout features Ross's signature small, elevated greens and strategic bunkering inspired by his Scottish heritage. The perfect warm-up for Pinehurst No. 2. Pinehurst No. 2: The Crown Jewel (1907) Donald Ross's masterpiece and host of four US Open Championships. At 7,588 yards, par 72, this iconic course features the famous turtleback greens surrounded by sand and native wiregrass. After the 2010 Coore & Crenshaw restoration, Pinehurst No. 2 returned to its natural Sandhills aesthetic, creating one of golf's most cerebral challenges. Pinehurst No. 3: Ross's Precision Test (1910) The shortest course at Pinehurst at just 5,155 yards, par 68, but don't be fooled. Ross designed minuscule elevated greens averaging just 4,500 square feet each, demanding exceptional accuracy. Pinehurst No. 3 underwent renovations in 2017 to restore its traditional sandscape appearance. Pinehurst No. 4: Gil Hanse's Modern Classic (Restored 2018) Originally a Donald Ross routing from 1919, Pinehurst No. 4 was completely reimagined by Gil Hanse in 2018. The 7,117-yard, par-72 course features over 140 pot bunkers and native sandscapes similar to No. 2. Golf Magazine ranks it as the 92nd best course in America and co-host of the 2008 and 2019 US Amateurs. Pinehurst No. 5 (1961) Designed by Ellis Maples, Donald Ross's protégé, this 6,848-yard par-72 course features the iconic "Cathedral Hole"—the par-3 14th with a pond-fronted green encircled by towering pines. Pinehurst No. 5 showcases more water hazards than any other Pinehurst course and favours longer hitters. Pinehurst No. 6: The Fazio Family Design (1979) Tom and George Fazio's 7,053-yard, par-72 creation offers dramatic elevation changes, water features, and undulating terrain. Pinehurst No. 6 departs from the traditional Pinehurst style with its parkland character, yet maintains distinctive Sandhills appeal with native wire grass and a challenging back nine. Pinehurst No. 7: Rees Jones's Bold Challenge (1986) Built on the most rugged terrain at Pinehurst, this 7,216-yard par-72 course features 75 bunkers and 25 acres of wetlands. Pinehurst No. 7 showcases the famous "Jones' Fingers" bunker on the signature 16th hole and boasts more elevation changes than any other Pinehurst course. Tiger Woods claimed his only Pinehurst victory here at the 1992 Big I Junior Classic. Pinehurst No. 8: The Centennial Course (1996) Tom Fazio designed Pinehurst No. 8 to celebrate Pinehurst's 100th anniversary. This 7,092-yard, par-72 course is the most secluded at the resort, cut from a nature preserve with no housing development. Fazio incorporated Ross-inspired features including crowned greens with greenside swales and false fronts, earning recognition among America's top 100 public courses. Pinehurst No. 9: The Nicklaus Signature (1989) Originally the National Golf Club, this Jack Nicklaus design was acquired by Pinehurst in 2014. At 7,118 yards, par 72, Pinehurst No. 9 is the only Nicklaus course in the North Carolina Sandhills region. It features wide, tree-lined fairways, undulating bentgrass greens (the only bentgrass at Pinehurst), and dramatic water features. Pinehurst No. 10: Tom Doak's Sandmines Masterpiece (2024) Pinehurst's newest course, designed by Tom Doak and Angela Moser, opened in April 2024. This 7,020-yard, par-70 walking-only course sits on the 900-acre Pinehurst Sandmines property and features over 75 feet of elevation change—unprecedented at Pinehurst. Named Best New Public Course of 2024 by Golf Digest, Pinehurst No. 10 showcases rugged mining dunes and native Sandhills landscape. The Cradle: Gil Hanse's Short Course (2017) A 9-hole par-3 course featuring holes ranging from 56 to 127 yards. Located mere steps from the resort clubhouse, The Cradle has become one of Pinehurst's most popular amenities, offering barefoot golf, cocktails, and a relaxed social atmosphere. Thistle Dhu: The Himalayan Putting Course The wonderful Himalayan-type putting course features 18 holes of mind-bending journeys designed to entertain everyone, from golfing beginners to scratch players. Play is free to resort guests. Plan Your Pinehurst Golf Experience Whether you're seeking the cerebral challenge of Pinehurst No. 2's turtleback greens, the dramatic elevation of Pinehurst No. 7, the Jack Nicklaus pedigree of Pinehurst No. 9, or the walking-only experience of Tom Doak's Pinehurst No. 10, America's premier golf resort delivers unforgettable golf—and collectable tees to remember it by. Pinehurst Resort remains the Cradle of American Golf, where history, championship golf, and yes, even the humble golf tee, are celebrated with unmatched reverence.
