March trip to Pinehurst area

Hello, thinking about making a trip to the Pinehurst area this spring. Plan is to fly in either Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Play Thursday, catch the Blues - Hurricanes game in the evening then play Friday, Saturday, Sunday. It looks like sunset it late enough to play 36 one day.

A couple questions I had. How is the conditioning and weather at that time? Is it pretty hit and miss or is it good more than bad in late March?

I had a trip planned last year that fell apart. I think Tobacco Rd is a definite, mid pines seems that way too. I'd love to play Pinehurst 2, but that may be a trip for another time as I will not be staying at Pinehurst. So for 5 rounds, Mid Pines and Tobacco Rd being 2 how you would fill out the others?

First of all, Let's Go Blues! Blues fan here.

I will be in Pinehurst around the same time (mid March), flying in on Saturday, flying out on Friday. Playing #2, mid pines, pine needles and tobacco road. From what I understand, conditions will be good, but probably still brown/dormant. Looks like we are just as likely to catch a few days in the 60's as in the 40's. One thing is for sure, it should be better than mid-March in Missouri.

I went to Pinehurst last March for my bachelor party. Conditions were good but everything was still pretty brown/dormant. Mid Pines was the greenest of the courses. We flew in Thursday, went straight to Tobacco Road. Friday we played #2 in the morning and then did the Cradle all afternoon (3-4 loops). Saturday we played Dormie in the morning and #4 in the afternoon. Played Mid Pines on Sunday on the way back to the airport. Temps for our trip weren't too bad at all. I played in pants everyday with a golf shirt and pullover and was fine. Each afternoon I ended up in just pants and short sleeved shirt finishing our round. It rained the afternoon we played the Cradle, but it was no big deal for us. You are going to love the trip. We weren't staying at Pinehurst but rented an Airbnb that was on course #3 I believe and the owners were kind enough to book our round at #2 for us 30 days out so we were locked in on the tee sheet.

It could be a mess. It could be really nice. Looks like you are coming the later part of March which is better. The grass will still be dormant, but it will start warming up by that time, It could be 50s, but more likely 60s and maybe 70s. The mess factor depends on how much rain we have had. If we have had a lot of deluges over the winter, it ruins dormant grass. Past couple of winters have been bad with the El Nino. The winter so far has been moderate. The pinehurst area drains well as there is a lot of sand in the soil. Either way, Tobacco Road, Pinehurst, Mid Pines, Pine Needles, and Dormie are all worth a play in any conditions.

Thank you for the info!

MidPines overseeded its fairways, so you'll see green there, possibly the same at Pine Needles. When we played Dormie, Tobacco Road, and PH 1 at Thanksgiving, neither had overseeded. A number of courses will use paint to provide green greens and fairways, including Talamore and Mid South. Apparently it s healthier for the Bermuda, it doesn't have to compete with the rye overseed when ht comes out of dormancy in the Spring.

I don't mind courses being brown. Green isn't important to me as long as the courses are still playing well. But that is good to know! Thanks.

Conditions have been fine when I've visited in February, you'll be fine in March. Along with Tobacco Road and Mid Pines, Pine Needles and Dormie are the most respected public courses (Dormie may be more private, but I think there are still ways to book it). I like Mid South pretty well, probably #8 and #9 at Pinehurst if you can book those. Companies like Tobacco Road Tavel or Talamore Resort (I own a place at Talamore) can get discounted greens fees when combined with lodging, but you may do just as well staying at an AirB&B and booking golf at the rack rate. Let me know if you need restaurant recommendations.

Thank you for this! I believe when I had my last trip booked that had to be canceled it was through Tobacco Road Travel. I couldn't remember which company it was, but it was a good deal so I am going to try that again.

As I understand it, TR Travel gives you a number of lodging options, including the condos at Talamore. If you prefer hotels, or if its just one or two guys, I'd go that way. If you'd like a 2 BR condo with a full kitchen, consider contacting Talamore directly, their prices will be competitive with anyone. And yes, I'm suggesting an option where you might stay in my condo, full disclosure.

Not to criticize the Talamore condo idea, as I'm sure they're great, but also consider the Pine Crest Inn and its associated outbuildings. The Pine Crest was originally owned by Donald Ross, and remains in the ownership of his descendants. At the very least, have a drink in their tiny bar and enjoy the local ambiance.

I love the Pinecrest, and I love its setting in the Village, walking distance to lots of stuff. You could also try chipping golf balls into the fireplace, if they still allow that.

Have done Pinehurst trips 3 times now. First was at Homewood Suites, second was an AirBnB in Southern Pines, and third was a stay-and-play package at Pinehurst. If you want to play Pinehurst courses it's worth staying with them (unless you find a house rental from a member who is kind enough to book times for you). If you're more interested in the other courses (i.e. Mid Pines, Pine Needles, TR, Dormie, MidSouth, Talamore, Southern Pines GC) then just go house rental or hotel. If you've got a non-golfing significant other with you, I can't recommend enough an AirBnb/VRBO walking distance from downtown Southern Pines. Super cheap and my lady liked the fact that she could walk to coffee/food/shops while I had the car.

TR and Mid Pines are definite in my book. If you're not doing Pinehurst courses then I'd recommend Pines Needles, Dormie (if it isn't full private now), MidSouth and Talamore. Also don't sleep on Southern Pines GC, it's a Donald Ross public that can be had for $50-$80. Or spend a day playing The Cradle (at $50 with free replays I like to get at least 3 loops in to feel like I didn't get robbed) and putting on Thistle Dhu.

Pinehurst courses in order IMO: #4, #2, #8 or #9. Not sure what they're pricing #4 at now. When I played last Feb it was cheaper than #2. If they're priced the same I'd recommend #2 only for the history. I think #4 with the Hanse redesign is more fun.

Thanks. It is my wife and me. We are staying in an AirBnB in southern pines. The plan is book our golf through Tobacco Road Travel and to play Tobacco Rd, Dormie, Mid Pines and then we have 1 open day to try and get a tee time at Pinehurst on 2 or 4. If not possible then we will find somewhere else to play.

I am pretty sure #4 is like $50 cheaper than #2.

It’s been a really mild and dry by NC standards winter. If it stays like this March could be great.

Weather should be fine.

Putting aside No. 2 & No. 4 — Dormie Club, Tobacco Road and Mid Pines are all great. Pine Needles a half notch behind. Can't speak to Southern Pines or Midsouth but have heard good things, though I would consider all the others first.

Don't skip The Cradle, consider that paired with an 18-hole round vs. 36 one day.