Pinehurst #2

[Don Ross]

Thoughts following my round

I took great pleasure in playing Pinehurst No. 2 yesterday. I want to share some quick thoughts and observations.

The Crenshaw/Coore renovation has dramatically changed the course. They have removed virtually all of the rough, replacing it with sandy waste areas populated by wire grass. The reduction in irrigation has created firm and fast fairways which reward a well struck drive with a trampoline effect adding significant yardage. The risk is that the fast fairways also often result in your drive rolling out and into the waste areas. These areas are a true penalty. With only a 30% chance of having a clean lie these areas need to be avoided. Even with a clean lie the sandy lie calls for a shot many of us have not mastered. The result is often another duffed shot further into the waste area. The design is visually striking with sandy areas scultured into the landscape, some resembling waves breaking on the beach.



The green complex remain the courses best defense. With false fronts and turtle backed greens, precision in approach shots and short game are at a premium. I strongly recommend using your putter from off the green whenever possible. Reading the greens of Pinehurst No. 2 is an acquired skill. The caddies knowledge is worth the price. I often was at a total loss of the simple up hill down hill question. Seeing the right/left breaks was extremely subtle. Having a preconceived fear of the speed of the greens I often left up hill putts and chips significantly short resulting in too many three putts. Do putt them all out; those 12-15 inch putts are much more difficult than you might imagine.



The course is not long, but do choose the correct tees; it will be a rewarding challenge regardless. Being able to approach the greens with something other than a fairway metal or hybrid will make for a much more pleasant round of golf. Bring your good humor; be able to laugh as your ball rolls back to your feet following a less than perfect shot.



A great historic course and a five star facility located in one of the most charming little towns in the world. Life is good in Pinehurst.

[NJGolfer33]

Great review. Will be heading there in October and can't wait. There has been some debate because of cost that we should play #4 instead of #2, but I ultimately I think #2 will win out. Did you play any other courses in the area? We have rounds scheduled at Tobacco Road, Little River and Carolina Trace County Club.

[Don Ross]

I am a resident and member of the club. I try to stay abreast of current golf info regarding the 42 local courses, but it is challenging. I am sure you know the relative quality of the courses you have scheduled. Some are great and some are no;, likely this is reflected in the prices you are paying.

You might consider playing Pine Needles or Mid Pines instead of adding #2 and keep #4. I would also look into adding Southern Pines Cpuntry Club; this is a great course at a great price.

Hope you enjoy, likley see you around the Pine Crest.

[Poser]

[quote name='Don Ross' timestamp='1335133853' post='4769538']
I am a resident and member of the club. I try to stay abreast of current golf info regarding the 42 local courses, but it is challenging. I am sure you know the relative quality of the courses you have scheduled. Some are great and some are no;, likely this is reflected in the prices you are paying.

You might consider playing Pine Needles or Mid Pines instead of adding #2 and keep #4. I would also look into adding Southern Pines Cpuntry Club; this is a great course at a great price.

Hope you enjoy, likley see you around the Pine Crest.
[/quote]

I love the pinehurst courses I live right up the road. I just can't believe how much they charge to play #2 is just insane. Pine needles is for sure a favorite and Legacy is another one with the new bermuda greens. Glad you enjoyed #2 I haven't played it with the new renovations yet but, I have played the new Dormie club which is by the same guys that renovated #2. I may try to get out and play it when they drop the price down to something in the 2 digit range which probably won't be till it's 30 degrees out.

[3eagles18]

Played 1, 2, 7 and 8 last August. I was very disappointed in #2. Other than historical significance, I did not care for the course.

[tnord]

has all that wire grass grown up yet? i was on it last april right after they opened the course back up and being out in the waste area wasn't THAT penalizing. the caddy told me that all the wire grass they planted was going to get much taller making being off the fairway far more difficult. in your first picture it looks like it's coming in pretty well, in the others it looks like it's gradually getting there.

[bafana87]

[quote name='NJGolfer33' timestamp='1335043738' post='4764516']
Great review. Will be heading there in October and can't wait. There has been some debate because of cost that we should play #4 instead of #2, but I ultimately I think #2 will win out. Did you play any other courses in the area? We have rounds scheduled at Tobacco Road, Little River and Carolina Trace County Club.
[/quote]

The Dormie course is pretty awesome.

http://dormieclub.net/

[bwb]

Don Ross,
Thanks for the post. I played #2 this past Sept and have spent a little time everyday since trying to figure out how I was going to get back and play again. There is a reason it is a Doak 10 and near the top of almost every list ever done and it is a lot more than the history.

[BayofSpain]

Recently spent a few days at Pinehurst. Great experience.

#2: It's a box checking/bucket list round. The greens defend the course because the waste areas aren't that difficult to get out of and there are only 21 bunkers on the entire course - the remaining areas are wast areas where you can ground your club. The greens are tough to keep it on the surface, but if you can, they roll true and 90% of the time you're uphill given the construction of the greens.

Recommendation: Play #4. By far my favorite of the courses. Fazio design and the most aesthetically pleasing course I played. Perfect conditions, tons of bunkers and lots of choices for drives, layups and approaches. More risk reward here than any of the others I played. Not a bad lie to be found anywhere. Par 3s are are gorgeous.

#1 - easy track, straightforward. wide fairways. easy to score.

#8 - solid track.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Don or others a question for you. On Friday May 11th I will be in town for a graduation. I most likely will have time for a mid to late morning tee time. One round one day. Should I:

1) Pony up the $$$$ for No. 2
2) Play Dormie
3) Play Lonnie Poole
4) Stay in Chapel Hill and play UNC Finley (see screen name!! although it may be packed with Alumni and family for graduation weekend. Also could be an issue at Lonnie Poole All 3 schools have graduation that weekend, who the heck planned that ??

Consider the following.
I have played No. 2 numerous times, although not since the renovation.
Have never played Lonnie Poole or Dormie.
Love all things UNC and have played Finley many times.
Will be staying in Raleigh with other family coming from out of town.

[bwb]

[quote name='Carolina Golfer 2' timestamp='1335301203' post='4782608']
Don or others a question for you. On Friday May 11th I will be in town for a graduation. I most likely will have time for a mid to late morning tee time. One round one day. Should I:

1) Pony up the $$ for No. 2
2) Play Dormie
3) Play Lonnie Poole
4) Stay in Chapel Hill and play UNC Finley (see screen name!! although it may be packed with Alumni and family for graduation weekend. Also could be an issue at Lonnie Poole All 3 schools have graduation that weekend, who the heck planned that ??

Consider the following.
I have played No. 2 numerous times, although not since the renovation.
Have never played Lonnie Poole or Dormie.
Love all things UNC and have played Finley many times.
Will be staying in Raleigh with other family coming from out of town.
[/quote]

Carolina Golfer 2,
If you have not been to Dormie, I think you should make that the priority. I do not know the time line, but at some point it is going to go back to private, so unless youI have access you should take advantage of the public play. It is a fantastic course and I am sure you will not be disappointed. Be warned, I planned on only play 18 and half way through ended up making calls to change plans and play 36. #2 is the best course I have ever seen, but I would put Dormie right behind it.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='bwb' timestamp='1335309218' post='4783298']
[quote name='Carolina Golfer 2' timestamp='1335301203' post='4782608']
Don or others a question for you. On Friday May 11th I will be in town for a graduation. I most likely will have time for a mid to late morning tee time. One round one day. Should I:

1) Pony up the $$ for No. 2
2) Play Dormie
3) Play Lonnie Poole
4) Stay in Chapel Hill and play UNC Finley (see screen name!! although it may be packed with Alumni and family for graduation weekend. Also could be an issue at Lonnie Poole All 3 schools have graduation that weekend, who the heck planned that ??

Consider the following.
I have played No. 2 numerous times, although not since the renovation.
Have never played Lonnie Poole or Dormie.
Love all things UNC and have played Finley many times.
Will be staying in Raleigh with other family coming from out of town.
[/quote]

Carolina Golfer 2,
If you have not been to Dormie, I think you should make that the priority. I do not know the time line, but at some point it is going to go back to private, so unless youI have access you should take advantage of the public play. It is a fantastic course and I am sure you will not be disappointed. Be warned, I planned on only play 18 and half way through ended up making calls to change plans and play 36. #2 is the best course I have ever seen, but I would put Dormie right behind it.
[/quote]

Thanks BWB...That's pretty much where I was leaning. I have heard nothing but great things about it. And you're right the fact that it may be private within a year or so makes it more of a priority. I honestly will only have time for one round as I'll have to be back up the road for a dinner that night in Raleigh.