Pinehurst Trip in April

ecdh · January 9, 2021

Haven’t been yet, but looks to me like The Cradle is ideal for your purposes. A nine hole short course that everyone seems to enjoy. It only takes 1.25-1.5 hours to play so they have tee times late into the afternoon, and it’s around $50.

3 minutes ago, gmerrick15 said:

Is there any 9 hole/evening break in the rates at the actual resort? I'm going in late March and I'd really like to get off the plane and go play #3 around 4:00 but it doesn't seem like that's a cost-effective idea.

gmerrick15 · January 9, 2021

4 minutes ago, ecdh said:

Haven’t been yet, but looks to me like The Cradle is ideal for your purposes. A nine hole short course that everyone seems to enjoy. It only takes 1.25-1.5 hours to play so they have tee times late into the afternoon, and it’s around $50.

I think we're going to try the Cradle a day or two later and I kind of want to see what #3 is all about so that's priority 1. But you're right, I may just end up sneaking over to the Cradle anyway and hitting some balls to get my full swings in.

TFavor · January 20, 2021

On 1/9/2021 at 12:13 PM, gmerrick15 said:

I think we're going to try the Cradle a day or two later and I kind of want to see what #3 is all about so that's priority 1. But you're right, I may just end up sneaking over to the Cradle anyway and hitting some balls to get my full swings in.

Number 3 was not my favorite. Sort of one of those municipal short courses between houses or neighborhood private courses that are really cheap to join.
I would probably never go to pinehurst and play number 3 again. I was driving greens on par 4’s with 5 woods. Kinda gimmicky imo. I wish I’d checked out Nicklaus number 9 or something.

CDM · January 20, 2021

On 11/28/2020 at 12:01 PM, TFavor said:

If I only had one course to play it would be Tobacco Road. Great time!

Compared to the others on the list not sure that statement is true 😃 Played them all like most and would say TR is a one time play for sure but not in the league of the others. A local I played it with the first time called it "The Disneyland of Golf"...... lol

TFavor · January 21, 2021

6 hours ago, CDM said:

Compared to the others on the list not sure that statement is true 😃 Played them all like most and would say TR is a one time play for sure but not in the league of the others. A local I played it with the first time called it "The Disneyland of Golf"...... lol

I’ve played the Pinehurst courses. They’re cool, but Tobacco Road is one that sticks with you. Pinehurst wasn’t THAT impressive to me that I would want to play it over and over again. TR on the other hand I need to play it again and again as soon as possible!

To each their own I suppose..

CDM · January 21, 2021

11 hours ago, TFavor said:

I’ve played the Pinehurst courses. They’re cool, but Tobacco Road is one that sticks with you. Pinehurst wasn’t THAT impressive to me that I would want to play it over and over again. TR on the other hand I need to play it again and again as soon as possible!

To each their own I suppose..

100% true. It comes down to what you prefer. If you like traditional or visual. Played many courses and have always prefer traditional after testing both boundaries.

TR is interesting. Actually have played it 3 times now.

* First time thought it was a joke. 11-12 holes that are great and then 6-7 WTF holes, with blind shots and no clue on run out or what happens after you hit because you cant see.

*Second time knew better and shot probably 7-10 shots better and that was all based on not taking a penalty or being in a sh*t position from not knowing the first time around.

*Third time realized it is an easy course, just a target course and hit to the correct spot and to the green. Actually makes it boring to some extent as you know the greens have "bowls" so hit the right location on the green and easy putt.

There is risk reward to a number of holes but also a lot of situations where you can hit a great shot and get completely screwed based on conditions as was the issue the first time around it.

If someone misses they should get penalized, 100% agree on that., BUT if you hit a great shot and the course layout aspects OR conditions sends the ball in a 10-15' deep hole on a green or trap is that really great golf?

EDIT: Granted I will say, everyone has to try it twice....first time will either love or hate it. Second time or even third time you will know the course and realize to score on the course you ignore the visual aspect with some oddities and hit the right spots on the green tiers.

Edited January 21, 2021 by CDM