Pinehurst Resort & Country Club - No. 2

A round on this course would be special any time, but being here on a US Open year made our day exceptional. While walking the fairways of 2 you cannot help but sensing the history and replaying the moments. Molinari's Ace, Rory's miss, and Bryson's sensational up and down. Playing here is like nothing I have ever experienced.

This course is big, it is unique, and it is immensely challenging. The fairways are generous and it's always driver off the tee. The approaches are the real testers. The putting surfaces are large, but they are realistically much smaller than they appear. The slopes around the edges are treacherous. Getting a ball to stick on the putting surface is a win, and for me a two-putt was a triumph.

I have never been more frustrated with so many apparently easy golf shots that had no chance of staying on the putting surface. It is amazing to think of how good the pros are after playing out here one morning. While I had a tough day on the greens, I still loved the challenge.

Setting the difficulty aside, the course is absolutely spectacular. There is no doubt that this is golf Nirvana. The routing is magnificent and it is such an enjoyable walk through history.

Our day ended on the par 3 9th as we had an alternate tee start. When I finally holed out I had to take some time to process what had just taken place. I can't recall a round of golf that ever put me into such deep contemplation of my round. The course frustrated and enthralled me. It was beautiful and disheartening. It was golf in it's purest form, and I am so lucky to have experienced this place.

So many people told me get ready to be "beat up" when playing Pinehurst #2 but that was not my experience. Yes, it was a challenging course and if you're game is not in a good place I can see it "beat you up" but otherwise I was pleasantly surprised by the course.

First, a good caddie makes a big difference. If you go, ask for Chris - he was amazing, great at reading the greens. Also, if you are not a good sand player - get good (practice) -- because odds are you will be in sand at some point around a green. Now it helps to be in the fairway, but if you are in a waste area (and not up against love grass) then it's not that hard to advance the ball a good distance because the waste area is fairly hard sand.

From the forward tees, some of the distances are just plain hard to get to the green in regulation. The hardest was #17, Par 3, 167 yards (per the Caddie) from the forward tees. That's a driver for the average bogey female golfer.

The greens are fast but we experience much faster greens at #8 (which are newer). Again, with a good caddie giving you a read, it wasn't too bad. The bigger issue is the approach shot on to the green (it's hard to hold a green if you are using a wood or hybrid).

Hole 16 (Par 4/5) was the only hole with water but from the forward tees it's only 105 to carry. It's a par 5 hole for women at 416 yards.

My favorite thing about #2 was the walk...we were off at 8.10 am (2nd group) and it was the fastest round of our four rounds of golf that week (most were over 5 hours but #2 was 4 hours 20 mins and it would have been faster but they were sending off grounds on the 10th hole so it slowed us down on the back nine).

The walk is easy because most of it is flat (some hills as you reach greens). A much easier walk than #4 or #8 where most golfers seemed to take a cart.

So bottom line, I really loved #2 and all my worries about it beating me up were nothing. Yes, I had hard holes - Tip our caddie said the first six holes are the hardest. He was right - my back nine score was 7 strokes lower. :-)

The whole experience of walking the course, with a great friend, experienced caddie, and perfect weather made it a great bucket list course.

The greatest golf courses provide the greatest pleasure to the greatest number of golfers. By that measure, Pinehurst No.2 is world-elite, especially since its 2010 restoration that widened the fairways and reintroduced the sandy areas native to the Sandhills. Not only is it an exacting and endlessly interesting test for low-handicap players, but the width and near-total lack of lost-ball trouble means even a new golfer could have a fun time while being taught the values that are important in the game (specifically, approach and short-game play!). I could play No. 2 every day and never get tired of it, and I'd have the benefit of becoming better and ever more appreciative golfer to boot. It is one of my favorite golf courses anywhere.

If you are a serious golfer you have to take the challenge of PH2. It challenges you in every way tee to green and you enjoy every minute of even the worst breaks. Everyone should be lucky to play a course like this to remind you, you got it good on your home track!

The fourth round of our NC trip was at the fabled Pinehurst No 2.

So much has been said about this course, and it's history is so well known that I'll keep it brief... PLAY THIS COURSE!

It's a tough track, worthy of hosting major championships. It will ask you to be creative, committed, and patient. It will make you angry and ecstatic. It is golf in its purest form.

If you're planning to play #2, your probably dreaming of its extensive championship golf (pro & amateur) history, its consistent top 10 rating and all the kudos the Crenshaw/Coore remodel has received.

You're probably well aware of the $400-$600 you'll drop to play.

What you're probably not thinking about are the forced minimum 5+ hour rounds, greens that are built for scratch golfers and the roll of the dice luck with the love grass in the sandy waste areas.

If you've never played and love golf history, then it's definitely a bucket list course. The restoration made great improvements to a great course. But the goal of this course is to host championships, not your average resort or club golfer. The greens and surrounds are not built for hybrid and long iron approaches. Unless your a single digit handicap, I would not recommend the white tees (6300 yards) even though the length is reasonable - move up to the white/green or the green to give yourself a chance to hold the greens (and almost always just shoot for the middle of the green) and shoot a "happy score".

The tee shots are not overly demanding, though our group found the sandy waste areas far too often and it's 50-50 whether you can do anything but a punch out. The greenside bunkering is usually fair. But you have to be able to hold the greens or you'll have a challenging recovery shot (many times you'll be able to use your putter vs. chipping off thin lies).

#2 (like #4) is cart path only and the paths are set well back from the fairways. Trolleys are available, but if you can afford it, taking a caddie is well worth the advice you'll get and not much more walking than taking a cart.

Unfortunately like too many bucket list courses, management is trying to maximize revenue (see other reviews about rain checks) and sets playing time at 2:30 a side (tee times off both #1 and #10 from 8:00 thru 10:20). After taking our time and having a ranger ask us to slow down, we finished the back in 2:10, waited 25 minutes at the turn and played the front nine behind the last #1 tee time in 2:45.

So do you play #2 or play 4 other very solid Pinehurst area courses for the same money? I leave that choice to the reader.

The course refused to return each of our $300 deposit after determining that hurricane Dorian wouldn’t affect the golfing. Unfortunately, they didn’t make this determination until the day that we were supposed to play. This was a golf trip planned with 8 guys and the timing of their decision would not have allowed us a chance to cancel flights and make any new golf reservations. It basically left the group hanging. This was a very inconsiderate action to paying guests. Be very careful when planning a trip during hurricane season as you will likely lose your money if a hurricane hits NC.

Yes, it's a bucket list course. Yes I get the "it's the whole experience" thing. Facilities are second to none, caddie and walking the course is the way golf should be played. Everything about Pinehurst is great. But if just talk about the course, #2 isn't that "great." Greens are borderline goofy golf, and the rest is beautiful, and can played at several other courses right down the road. Nothing different about it than Pine Needles? Dormie's a way better Track. It's a beautiful above average track with goofy greens. Was the experience great, yes. I Paid $195 + $65. And am satisfied with checking it off my bucket list. But I wouldn't pay it again. And NO WAY would I pay $400+. And you wantto know how nice Pinehurst Management is, there is a sign right where you pay, No rain checks given for any reason. If you pay for your round and they tell you to get off the course because of lightning, no refund. That is a ridiculous policy and definitely not customer friendly. I'm glad I played it and the "experience" is amazing, but it's just not that great of a course. Sorry, very nice but over rated. No way #2 should be in the Top 50 courses.

What can be said that hasn't already been said about Ross' finest work of art in #2? I can tell you this much, no picture or video or painting can do it justice if you haven't seen it for yourself. It is like stepping back in time and playing something that is out of a golf course design museum.

Conditions were a perfect 10 and as one caddie said, it is US Open ready right now. So much has been said about the greens and rightfully so, they are unlike anything you have ever seen. When you miss and you will miss(or not hold) a green, your chip shot will be hit with no perspective for distance, It will inevitably be up hill without sight of the hole and off a tight lie. It is something to behold.

Tee to green is fair but the fairways are on the tighter side and a miss will be left to fate in the copious amounts of sand and wire grass where you will undoubtedly find your ball but be praying for a good lie while looking.

This is a course that demands precision and short games will be exposed. Still no matter the score, the more you reflect on it, the more you will love it. It is an experience akin to the Old Course, Muirfield, Pebble, etc. It is a must -do and one you will want to do again. No trip to Pinehurst is complete without a visit here.

After your round, you will sit on the veranda, cocktail in hand and watch this beauty as the sun sets and the pines cast their shadows across the landscape. You will reflect on shots made and missed, then yearn to walk it again,

Great variety in the par 5s and 4s. Par 3 holes are slightly repetitive in yardage if the wind isn't blowing. Turf conditions great, greens rolled perfectly. Great course but I was slightly unimpressed for whatever reason.

Words and pictures can not describe this place. When you walk up the stairs and see this place you just get the chills from all the history at Pinehurst.

The amenities and people are amazing. The driving range is really nice the putting green is so cool, (make sure you play the putting course called Thistle Dhu so much fun and so crazy)

We walked the course with 2 great caddies that filled us in on lots of tips, history, and crazy things the USGA does for the US opens ex: putting mortar on the fairways to make it fast.

From the tee shot to your final putt every shot is a grind because the moment you get out of position especially around the greens big numbers show up. I believe each guy in my group had a putt roll back to their feet when putting from off the green.

As I try to come up with which hole is my favorite I realize I cant because they all were so amazing and memorable. I suggest taking your time and soaking it all in. The walk up 18 was priceless just knowing the history just gives you the chills.

I highly suggest playing here if you get the chance. This is bucket list course and place that will not disappoint. Just soak it all in. Also we didn't play the cradle but it looked awesome and seemed like they had speakers all around the course playing great music. Pinehurst a place I wanna retire to someday.

I had played Pinehurst #2 after the redesign in the 90's when it had rough and now playing with the Coore Crenshaw redesign it made for a true test of my game. Honestly, the fairways are not that tight so you can hit driver off of most tees with knocking your knees together too much. The test is when you hit it into the waste area, when you miss the greens and putting on lighting fast surfaces. It was great to have a caddie, he really helped with the reads. The problem for me was, coming from the northeast, I am not used to putting from 10-15 feet off of greens. Most courses in New England have rough around the greens that you can chip from but everything at Pinehurst #2 is shaved and the greens are all elevated. My lack of knowing how to play those putts made for some sub-par scores on holes I played well to that point. You should play this course if you get the chance, even at the $500 all in price point.

I've lived an hour and a half away for 12 years and had never played #2. Decided to go ahead and do it this summer. Course is very playable but there is trouble everywhere particularly around the greens. Lots of subtle and not so subtle breaks. Putted off the green 2 times. Had a caddie, which definitely saved me a half dozen strokes at least. Definitely worth doing one time, though it is expensive. Great experience and I'll always remember it.

No matter what anyone says about #2, you are playing there. How could you not want to try your hand at a place that hosts US Opens. There is so much history there with championships that you will be in awe.

Ok...now to the golf. The course is beyond tough. You need to hit the fairway so you have a shot to hold the greens. The greens fall off on all sides, so hitting it in the right spot is your only goal when you are in the fairway. That spot is not always so obvious and is likely small. You also may have to land it in a bad spot to roll it in a good spot.

As you can see from the above, you need a caddie. They can take a handful of strokes off for you not only on green reading, but getting you to hit the right spots in the fairways and greens.

The amenities and staff are very friendly at Pinehurst. It is a premium resort experience, so they know how to treat you.

The conditions on the course were great as well. As you would expect from #2.

Finally, the only real issue is the price here. You are paying $400 for the round BEFORE another $100 for a caddie (including the tip). Is it a $500 experience? It isn't too often you get to play a US Open course, so yes, it is worth it once. Would I play it day in day out? No, the value isn't there for ongoing play...especially with how challenging it can be.

Enjoy your round and know it will live up to what you expect of #2.

The crowning achievement of Donald Ross, restored by Coore/Crenshaw to resemble its beginnings. Spectacular holes, easy to walk layout, challenging greens, and history walks with you as a playing partner.

Played #2 as walking threesome with caddies in four hours. Every step was a treat. The course is in great condition and a challenge to all. It is also a great walk and a classic second shot course. The fairways are wide, but you need to hit the proper side for the approaches to the turtle back greens. There are shot options for apporoaches, but just aiming for the middle is helpful. Taking a caddie will also help as they can let you know the miss or the place to aim so that the ball rolls to the appropriate section.

Unlike many courses which allow you to ease into your round, holes 3-5 and quite frankly 1 and 2 will challenge you right off the bat. What separates Pinehurst from other courses is the fact that you can play the same ball for a whole round. Hazards exist, but since they are not water, you won’t lose a sleeve. The green sites and the difficult recovery for par ensure that it is not a pushover but pleasurably interesting.

Having played and loved Dornoch, you can see that Ross brought the challenge of those green sites over to the States. This place has everything you could want and spending time at the putting course and in the halls reading the history on the walls is time well spent.

If you want a taste of American Parkland golf of the highest order, then play #2. It is a great walk, a rewarding course and just everything that a day should be. The restoration has brought back Ross architecture of the highest order.

There's basically nothing that hasn't been said about No. 2. It's historical significance to the game of golf in the USA is almost unmatched.

The course, to the untrained eye, could probably be construed as "nothing special". There isn't really a "signature" hole. But that's not the point of the course. As I made my way around the course from the Blue tees (one tee in front of the US Open tees) I'd keep saying to myself, "well, this isn't that special". And then I'd get up to the green. Where each and every one is a work of art. The course is intentionally pretty generous off the tee but is also easy to get stuck hitting from waste area to waste area.

The greens can be comical at times. For example, on the very first hole I hit a piped a perfect drive down the right center. Hit my approach pin-high to the right just off the green. I proceed to hit what i thought was a great chip (rolled across the green into the bunker) hit out from the bunker and then 2-putted from 30 feet for 6...all after being in Position A off the tee. That is to say the real work comes around the greens.

I feel it's also the type of course you admire and appreciate the more you play it. However, at such steep prices, not sure many people have that opportunity.

As for Bucket List, I'm glad I played it and hope to play it again some day, just think there are others that might come before it.

If you love golf and appreciate the nuances of classic design, then No. 2 is a must, especially after the renovation/restoration a few years ago by Coore-Crenshaw. This is a golf course that has truly withstood the test of time. Of course, this isn't a course for novices. You don't have to be single digit, but you do need to be able to stop the ball on these upside-down saucer-like Donald Ross greens. I was able to do that, but I also putted one into a bunker, too, so you have to pay attention. And that's the beauty of a golf course like this. It's a whole new ballgame once you get to the greens. And this is where the caddie really helps, especially with reads and just determining whether a putt is downhill or uphill (it's really not that easy to tell at times).