Playing Pinehurst w/o Staying at Resort

[bobcat88]

I know that you technically can play Pinehurst without staying at the resort, but No. 2 especially, is limited to calling 24 hrs ahead of time to see if there are available tee times the next day. Has anyone done this, or know how likely it is to find a tee time there in let's say February during the down season? 

[krtgolfing]

1 minute ago, bobcat88 said:

I know that you technically can play Pinehurst without staying at the resort, but No. 2 especially, is limited to calling 24 hrs ahead of time to see if there are available tee times the next day. Has anyone done this, or know how likely it is to find a tee time there in let's say February during the down season? 

Are you looking to go out as a single or a group(s)? 

 

I played pinehurst # 2 in February years ago, but I stayed at the resort. When I played the tee sheet was packed, but the weather was in the 60s. 

[bobcat88]

1 minute ago, krtgolfing said:

Are you looking to go out as a single or a group(s)? 

 

I played pinehurst # 2 in February years ago, but I stayed at the resort. When I played the tee sheet was packed, but the weather was in the 60s. 

Foursome. We're looking to be in Pinehurst for 4 or 5 days, so I was hoping we could get on one of those days. We'd stay at the resort, but a friend is letting us use his house so it kind of was a no brainer.

[krtgolfing]

9 minutes ago, bobcat88 said:

Foursome. We're looking to be in Pinehurst for 4 or 5 days, so I was hoping we could get on one of those days. We'd stay at the resort, but a friend is letting us use his house so it kind of was a no brainer.

If you are going to be in the area 4 to 5 days I think one day you should be able to get on.

Edited October 14, 2020 by krtgolfing

[tjblue]

Played as a 2some in February on a 70 degree day and the twosome who was playing with us no-showed. I would give it a go if you are there 4 or 5 days.

Edited October 14, 2020 by tjblue

[cristphoto]

Every time I've been to Pinehurst the #2 course was clearly more crowded than the other courses. It seems to always be full as would be expected.  Pace of play is pretty quick as the caddies are helpful at keeping things moving without being pushy. I always stayed on site and got a package deal.  It tends to be a bit pricey but its also an excellent value if that makes sense.  Food was first class, service first class, course conditions first class, great lodging. Don't know how busy they are in February but getting a full foursome on #2 at the last minute will always be tough.  The other courses shouldn't be a problem.   

Edited October 16, 2020 by cristphoto

[Cincy_Ken]

I called 24 hours in advance as a single a few weeks ago and was told it was the only one available but that was on a weekend in the heart of golf trip season so you may have more luck depending on the time of year and day of week.

[Drwoods2017]

I think it really just depends on when you're going.  It's not impossible to get on but it's much harder as a foursome especially for #2. Right now the sun goes down around 6:45 so they'll have less openings since the last tee time will be essentially 2.  What I would do is get a tee time on #4 as a back up.  It's a great course and I believe you can book it out a little further than #2.  Also give the cradle a go.  It's day of booking but they often have open spots.

[exgolfpro]

This doesn't answer your question directly, but I went as a single the first of March this past year.  The weather was not very good, but I had several openings to choose from when I booked 24 hours in advance.  I went out with another single (as a twosome) and the group in front of us was a 3some.  My point is, the tee sheet was not packed.  I would feel confident that in February you could get a foursome on, unless the weather ended up being beautiful, then all bets are off!

[Seth Pistol]

i was in pinehurst all of last week.  there were no tee times available almost every single day on #2 and #4.  even the cradle didn't have a lot of times available.  note that its a very popular time to go to pinehurst right now as well as there were multiple events going on (symetra tour event, hickory event, barstool classic).  i go yearly in early November and have had some luck but its rare and in the COVID era, its become harder.    

 

depending on when you go in Feb might effect your chances.  if youre going early Feb rather than late or during presidents day weekend, you might have a better chance.  

 

note that there are so many other good courses in the area so even if you dont get on, plenty of good golf to be played, especially if you have a membership at home (most clubs are good with reciprocals in Pinehurst).  i played 5 rounds last week, not a single one at Pinehurst - played midsouth, mid pines, pine needles, and dormie (2x).  

[Tanner25]

Get out at 1:30. Green fees are half priced late in the day in the winter. I believe you have to make the tee time the same day or within 24 hours. It probably doesn't apply to #2 though. Haven't done this in a few years. I assume the deal is still available.

Edited November 16, 2020 by Tanner25

[Armour248]

Resurrecting this thread to see if anyone has insight on the following...

 

How early can members make guest tee times?  We are heading down to Pinehurst but not staying at the resort.  I have a friend of a friend that is a member and I' think he'd be willing to make us a tee time or two if anything is available.  From what I've read they allow unaccompanied "guests"...I'm just curious if anyone knows when those guest tee times open up for members so that I'm not bothering him about it too early.  Thanks!

[truexbeliever]

On 1/10/2021 at 11:47 AM, Armour248 said:

Resurrecting this thread to see if anyone has insight on the following...

 

How early can members make guest tee times?  We are heading down to Pinehurst but not staying at the resort.  I have a friend of a friend that is a member and I' think he'd be willing to make us a tee time or two if anything is available.  From what I've read they allow unaccompanied "guests"...I'm just curious if anyone knows when those guest tee times open up for members so that I'm not bothering him about it too early.  Thanks!

 

30 days out. Had a member book tee times for me last year in late Feb for a late Mar trip, but ended up having to cancel for obvious reasons. 

[Armour248]

On 1/15/2021 at 11:56 PM, truexbeliever said:

 

30 days out. Had a member book tee times for me last year in late Feb for a late Mar trip, but ended up having to cancel for obvious reasons. 

 

Thank you!

[Thunder Dan]

just call the starter 24 hours in advance, you will have no problem doing this unless there is an outing or the course is closed. You will likely be paired up with a member

[krtgolfing]

6 minutes ago, Thunder Dan said:

just call the starter 24 hours in advance, you will have no problem doing this unless there is an outing or the course is closed. You will likely be paired up with a member

 

If you are a single you would not have an issue. If you are a 4some you might have some issues. When I played the course I talked to the starter and the tee sheet only had 2 single spots available. 

[Armour248]

On 1/19/2021 at 1:06 PM, krtgolfing said:

 

If you are a single you would not have an issue. If you are a 4some you might have some issues. When I played the course I talked to the starter and the tee sheet only had 2 single spots available. 

 

Yeah four of us are going down and I think two of us would have no problem playing as singles and getting paired up with others.  The other two guys would probably rather play together and just play a different course if they have that option.  Looks like I may be making my first trip to Pinehurst and not even play #2...we'll see what happens.  Thanks for the info though!

[tte720]

Has anyone tried this recently? Looking on their website it says the following:

 

“Pinehurst reserves advance tee times for members and resort guests. To play courses No. 2 or No. 4, you must be a resort guest or a member. ”

 

it would appear that they aren’t allowing these bookings anymore. I assume the tee sheet is always full but I can’t imagine they would turn down the money to fill openings 

Edited May 24, 2021 by tte720

[phsgolfguy]

On 5/24/2021 at 11:50 AM, tte720 said:

Has anyone tried this recently? Looking on their website it says the following:

 

“Pinehurst reserves advance tee times for members and resort guests. To play courses No. 2 or No. 4, you must be a resort guest or a member. ”

 

it would appear that they aren’t allowing these bookings anymore. I assume the tee sheet is always full but I can’t imagine they would turn down the money to fill openings 

 

We called about this on Sunday after seeing this updated language on the site and with a trip to the area in 3 weeks hoping for a chance to get on either of them. Agent told us this was the updated policy and basically that there haven't been tee times available 24 hours out for months now so they changed it to prevent people having to call about it.

[Chanceman]

As a matter of interest what is current thinking on the ranking of the Pinehurst courses, obviously #2 is numero uno but where do the others rate? I believe there have been a number of rehabs so the pecking order may reflect that. In other words which course would be must-plays over a limited stay.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

35 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

As a matter of interest what is current thinking on the ranking of the Pinehurst courses, obviously #2 is numero uno but where do the others rate? I believe there have been a number of rehabs so the pecking order may reflect that. In other words which course would be must-plays over a limited stay.

My personal ranking would be 

2

8

4

6

7

9 -To be fair I haven’t played it yet. 
1,3,5 never played.  But hear any of them are nice “warmup” rounds if you get in town in the afternoon the day of arrival.  
 

Although I’m not sure how they were affected by The Cradle.  One of them might have been shortened. 
 

Guess I’ll find out In September when I’m there.  We are playing 2,4 and 8 and of course The Cradle. 

[gmayo11]

3 hours ago, Chanceman said:

As a matter of interest what is current thinking on the ranking of the Pinehurst courses, obviously #2 is numero uno but where do the others rate? I believe there have been a number of rehabs so the pecking order may reflect that. In other words which course would be must-plays over a limited stay.

I was pretty underwhelmed by 8.  Don't get me wrong, it is a good golf course (we played when it was extremely wet however).  I just felt like it was a nice course that I could find anywhere in the country, I didn't feel like I was in the Sandhills.  I also really enjoyed #3.  It is not a stand alone round, but it is a great second track for a day.  It's a pleasant walk, still requires strategy on the course, but is not backbreaking.  The cradle was so enjoyable as well.  We did not have a tee time, but the starter was able to get us on.

[tte720]

8 is a fantastic course. When I played it on a buddies trip it was after 2 and 4. I appreciated it being somewhat remote - no houses or resort stuff anywhere in sight. Pretty chill vibe too.

 

I disagree with the notion that it didn’t feel like a Sandhills course. A few holes with solid waste areas and a few of the severely sloping, almost turtle back greens.  I don’t live that far from pinehurst, and no 8 would be my choice to play if I were going down there randomly, or if I were staying off property. 

[teetuna]

Hoping to spark this convo again for a similar ask. Group of 8 of us staying off-resort, planning to play mid pines / pine needles one day and hopefully get on pinehurst the other.

 

We don't have ambitions to play 2 or 4 (this time, well be back) but moreso were hoping to get on 1 or 3 and pair that day with the cradle. Bottom line, are the odds for back-to-back foursomes on No.1 or No.3 for off-resort tee times called 5 days in advance pretty solid? Our weekend is in August. Any advice is appreciated!

[Drwoods2017]

12 hours ago, teetuna said:

Hoping to spark this convo again for a similar ask. Group of 8 of us staying off-resort, planning to play mid pines / pine needles one day and hopefully get on pinehurst the other.

 

We don't have ambitions to play 2 or 4 (this time, well be back) but moreso were hoping to get on 1 or 3 and pair that day with the cradle. Bottom line, are the odds for back-to-back foursomes on No.1 or No.3 for off-resort tee times called 5 days in advance pretty solid? Our weekend is in August. Any advice is appreciated!

 I would say you've got a pretty good chance for #1 or #3.  The cradle might be a little harder since you can only book it 1 day in advance.  I would say play #3 over #1 if you have the choice.  It's a lot of fun and gives the #2 feel without having to pay the extra cost.