Need info Mid Pines Area

[macrock7]

Friend and I are looking to go to the mid areas in October to play for a few days... Would like to get some recommendations on courses and where to stay... Thanks

[mattw387]

Mid Pines Inn, as in Southern Pines, NC? Budget? Just the two of you?

[davep043]

I'm going to self-promote just a bit. I own one of the "villas" at Talamore, which is about a mile from Mid Pines. The villas are 2-BR 2-bath units set up with 2 beds in each bedroom. Full kitchen, so you can cook for yourself if you choose, or at least keep cold beer in the fridge. There's a lot more room than a typical hotel room, and with the COVID issues you may be spending more time in your lodging than you would normally. There are gas grills on the property for you to use if you like, and a covered pavilion with gas fireplaces and TVs and seating for close to 100 (with normal interpersonal distancing, not the COVID rules). Talamore Golf and Travel can book you on almost all of the courses in the area, including Talamore and MidSouth, MidPines, Pine Needles, Tobacco Road, Southern Pines, and many more. I believe the prices are competitive with most other packagers, although its cheaper per person for four golfers than it is for two.

So there's one recommendation, give a call to Talamore and see if something is available, and get pricing for a golf-inclusive package. The courses I mentioned up there in bold are my favorites outside of the Pinehurst ownership. The other booking agency I read good things about is Tobacco Road Travel.

[Jlender21]

Dave

 

we are planning a trip down there next year, what courses are must play? We are looking at pine needles, mid pines, Tobacco Road, maybe pinwild? we would be staying 3 nights and 6 rounds total. All low single handicaps. Looking go down in June or July. Thanks

[davep043]

I like every one of those courses. I've played both courses at Pinewild, but can't remember having a preference for one or the other, both are good. Understand that I'm a bit prejudiced, I'm an out-of-town member at Talamore and MidSouth, and I think they're both very solid. I'd probably put MidSouth ahead of either of the courses at Pinewild, and based on distance between courses, a 36 hole day playing both MidSouth and Talamore is reasonable. If you can still book Dormie Club, its worth playing. You'll be hard-pressed to combine Tobacco Road into a 36-hole day with another Pinehurst course, but you cold consider playing there twice. Its a lot easier to understand the second time around.

[Jlender21]

Ok thank you, how are the courses in June and July?

[davep043]

I've only been down there once at that time of year, for the July 4 weekend a few years ago. As far as I remember, the Bermuda tolerates the heat pretty well, and it WILL be hot. I'd guess that the rough will be alive and growing (its dormant when I go at Thanksgiving), the fairways and greens will be firm and fast, and the restaurants won't be too crowded. Bent grass greens may not be so good. The MP/PN greens are Bermuda, Talamore and MidSouth too. I think Tobacco Road may be bent, I'm not sure. REading their webpage, at least one of the Pinewild courses has bent greens, and I'm pretty sure Dormie does too.

[Jlender21]

Awesome. Thank you!

[jpbova]

On 8/4/2020 at 4:48 PM, Jlender21 said:

Ok thank you, how are the courses in June and July?

 

Sandhills courses are awesome in June and July.  The Bermuda loves the heat.  The thing is do you love it as much as the grass does.  Becareful when planning your trip, most courses will punch around 4th of July

[Jlender21]

So when is the best time to go down during the summer?

[spineshank]

On 8/4/2020 at 6:36 PM, davep043 said:

I've only been down there once at that time of year, for the July 4 weekend a few years ago. As far as I remember, the Bermuda tolerates the heat pretty well, and it WILL be hot. I'd guess that the rough will be alive and growing (its dormant when I go at Thanksgiving), the fairways and greens will be firm and fast, and the restaurants won't be too crowded. Bent grass greens may not be so good. The MP/PN greens are Bermuda, Talamore and MidSouth too. I think Tobacco Road may be bent, I'm not sure. REading their webpage, at least one of the Pinewild courses has bent greens, and I'm pretty sure Dormie does too.

 

Do you play the black Friday event at Pinehurst?

[jpbova]

12 hours ago, Jlender21 said:

So when is the best time to go down during the summer?

 

The best time is fall or late September.  But if you are choosing between June or July.  I'd take late June.  Seems like the courses punch right after the 4th.  I have been playing a lot the sandhills courses, and they were playing best in late june.  Mid-South was playing fast and hard, and the condition of the course was amazing.  We have had a rainy July and August this year though

 

Dormie has bent grass greens, so they do not punch in the summer BTW

Edited August 24, 2020 by jpbova

[jpbova]

On 8/4/2020 at 6:36 PM, davep043 said:

I've only been down there once at that time of year, for the July 4 weekend a few years ago. As far as I remember, the Bermuda tolerates the heat pretty well, and it WILL be hot. I'd guess that the rough will be alive and growing (its dormant when I go at Thanksgiving), the fairways and greens will be firm and fast, and the restaurants won't be too crowded. Bent grass greens may not be so good. The MP/PN greens are Bermuda, Talamore and MidSouth too. I think Tobacco Road may be bent, I'm not sure. REading their webpage, at least one of the Pinewild courses has bent greens, and I'm pretty sure Dormie does too.

 TR is bermuda, I think.  No fans out there and they are never soggy.  Some one correct me If I am wrong.  Dormie is the only big time course in there area with bent greens

[spineshank]

On 8/24/2020 at 9:30 AM, jpbova said:

 TR is bermuda, I think.  No fans out there and they are never soggy.  Some one correct me If I am wrong.  Dormie is the only big time course in there area with bent greens

TR is Bermuda. I remember when they were Bent though. I believe Dormie punches late April/early May.