Destination Guide
Pinehurst, North Carolina
The cradle of American golf. Nine resort courses on one property, a charming village that’s walkable in 20 minutes, and a pace of play that feels like a different era. Pinehurst is bucket-list territory done right.
Best time to visit: March — May, September — November (mild temps, ideal conditions)
Best Courses
Top picks for groups
Pinehurst No. 2
Bucket listDonald Ross’s masterpiece. Two US Opens and counting. The turtleback greens will humble your best putter.
$350–500/round
Pinehurst No. 4
PremiumGil Hanse redesign opened 2018. Fast, firm, and unforgiving — a modern counterpart to No. 2.
$200–350/round
Pinehurst No. 8
PremiumTom Fazio design with dramatic elevation changes. Wide landing areas reward the bold.
$150–250/round
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
Mid-rangeDonald Ross gem next door. Host of three US Women’s Opens. Friendlier than No. 2, equally memorable.
$100–200/round
Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
Mid-rangeSister course to Pine Needles. Classic Ross layout, outstanding value, throwback atmosphere.
$80–150/round
Tobacco Road Golf Club
BudgetMike Strantz’s wildest design. Blind shots, massive waste areas, and zero forgettable holes.
$70–120/round
Partner Activities
What non-golfers do in Pinehurst
Village of Pinehurst Shops & Cafes
Charming walkable village with boutiques, galleries, and coffee shops. Half a morning gone, pleasantly.
Free
Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
15 acres of themed gardens at Sandhills Community College. Peak bloom in spring. Completely free.
Free
Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve Hiking
Old-growth longleaf pine forest with easy to moderate trails. Wildlife spotting and real quiet.
$5/person
Spa at Pinehurst Resort
Full-service resort spa with golf-recovery treatments. Book the half-day package for best value.
$150–300/person
Wine Tasting at Cypress Bend Vineyards
Small family winery 30 minutes out. Guided tasting in a relaxed setting. No pretension.
$15/person
Historic Carthage Walking Tour
Moore County’s charming courthouse town, 15 minutes away. Antique shops and a proper Main Street.
Free
Where to Stay
Hotels near the best courses
The Carolina at Pinehurst Resort
The grande dame of Southern resort hotels. On-property access to all nine courses. Groups love it.
$300–600/night
Pine Needles Lodge
Stay where the pros played. Classic lodge rooms, package rates include rounds. Excellent for groups.
$150–280/night
Hampton Inn & Suites Pinehurst
Solid, predictable, half the price. Good for groups spending the budget on the courses not the pillows.
$100–180/night
Packing Guide
What to bring to Pinehurst
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pinehurst golf trip FAQ
How much does a golf trip to Pinehurst cost?+
What is the best time of year to golf in Pinehurst?+
Is Pinehurst No. 2 worth the price?+
What do non-golfers do in Pinehurst?+
How many courses does Pinehurst Resort have?+
Plan your Pinehurst trip
5 questions, dual itinerary, one shareable link.
From the blog
Further reading
Best Bachelor Party Golf Destinations (Ranked Honestly)
Where Pinehurst ranks for bachelor golf trips and who it's the right fit for.
Golf Trip Budget Breakdown
Pinehurst sits in the mid-range. Full cost breakdown by destination here.
Pinehurst for Non-Golfers: A Partner's Guide
The full partner-side guide. Village walking, Tufts Archives, the spa, Seagrove pottery, Southern Pines.
Pinehurst vs Pebble Beach: Which Should You Pick?
A friendly head-to-head with the West Coast bucket-list option.
Pinehurst vs Bandon Dunes: Which Should You Pick?
East Coast tradition versus West Coast links. Heritage vs pilgrimage.
Golf Trip With Non-Golfers: How to Plan It
Pinehurst Village is charming — here's what partners actually have to do.
What to Do on a Golf Trip If You Don't Golf
Pinehurst activities for non-golfers, including the Village and Lake Tillery.
Not sure about Pinehurst?