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4.9
278 Reviews (278)
5 Stars
97
4 Stars
110
3 Stars
31
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.2
Pace
4.8
Amenities
4.1
97.7%
Recommend this course
225 out of 278 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 71
Length 6354 yards
Slope 129
Rating 70.2

Southern Pines Golf Club boasts a Donald Ross design that is considered one of the best courses in North Carolina. The diverse layout will please traditionalists while also rewarding creative shot-makers. Originally opened in 1906 as a nine-hole course, it was later expanded to a full 18 holes in 1910. At 6,300 yards, the golf course is short by today's standards, but it will definitely test all of your shot-making skills. The course requires everything from bump-and-runs to tricky tee shots that favor accuracy over distance. There are a variety of ways to play each hole, making strategy a key element to doing well. The rugged and beautiful terrain provided by the North Carolina Sandhills is the perfect setting for golf. Not only are the surroundings lush and scenic, the rolling landscape offers a bevy of natural hazards.

Course Details

Year Built 1906
Golf Season Year round
Architect Donald Ross (1906)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in North Carolina (2024 #4)
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Reviews

4.9
278 Reviews (278)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Solid Donald Ross course

A favorite course when I’m in Pinehurst. First time back in a couple of years. Conditions (fairways and rough) are improved from then. Greens were in very good shape. Pace of play was no issue. Will definitely return here.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome spot

We had a buddies trip down to pinehurst and were debating on playing #9 after playing #4 in the am. We decided on southern pines for the price and recommendation by a caddy. It was AWESOME! Course was kept in incredible shape and layout was 10/10. Fun golf course to play and doesn’t break the bank. Clubhouse is not nearly as nice as the course itself. When pulling up it looks like it may be a dog track due to club house but the course will blow you away! Will be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 33
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 348
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 50
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing place

This place is absolutely amazing! Every hole is a challenge in itself. We played 36 holes and I couldn’t get enough of this golf course! Greens rolled true and fast. There are no easy shots here and the par threes are very demanding from the tips. Play and enjoy this Donald Ross masterpiece as I’ll be back soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Just a special place

I’ve played SPGC a few time over the past year and typically take different friends with me to introduce them to a true Donald Ross hidden Jen. Today I took my son and he summed it up in just a few words. After the first 12 holes he looked over and said “ just look around Dad, it’s something about it, it’s just a special place isn’t it! This course is pure Donald Ross so add it to your must play list in Moore County

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

A demon Ross design

Excellent place to play. So much value for money. Staff phenomenal

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great value

Loved the wide open fairways and hills that gave generous rolls. Excellent value for the money. Enjoyed enough to return the following day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Layout and fun to play

This course is very fun to play and has a great layout. Reggie was great in the clubhouse. Enjoyed our round immensely.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Classic

A little soft, a little wet. Overall in good shape for the time of year. Paired up with a great guy who appreciates the history of the course as much as I do. Had a great time. And the loaded hot dog after the round was awesome.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 325
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

New ownership on horizon

Southern Pines is one of the few untouched Donald Ross designs left in the area, which drew me to play here today. It is fun to study this course’s features and imagine how it would have played with the equipment of the early 1900s.

Earlier this month, the course’s owners reached an agreement to sell the club to an investment group that includes the CEO of Pine Needles. The sale is expected to close in February 2020. It would be great if the new ownership infused some cash into this historic course and “revealed” what Ross created. A similar facelift, like those occurring at Mid Pines and Pine Needles would elevate this club’s status in the Sandhills.

That is important, because this region is billed as the St. Andrews of America. And it is indeed appropriate. But what makes a trip to St. Andrews special is the lesser-known courses that compliment loops around the Old Course or Kingsbarns. Places like Crail and Elie. This is what Southern Pines is: an architectural marvel with befuddling green complexes.

There is a tremendous amount of elevation change too, something not seen over at the Pinehurst Resort. The collection of par 3s were a highlight and extremely challenging. No wedges - I had 6 and 7-irons in.

Current conditions are good for this time of year. Fairways are overseeded. Tee boxes could use some TLC, but no big deal. Greens were tremendous.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 325
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

So underrated

This was my third trip to the Pinehurst area, and the trip was not golf-centric, so we tried to include a couple of rounds at some of the peripheral courses in the area.

I was so impressed with Southern Pines. The layout is top notch. Ross’ design is superb and right now, at least, you are getting one of the last untouched Ross designs in the area. The ownership at Mid Pines and Pine Needles is taking over. Hopefully, they use the discretion they took at those aforementioned tracks and uncover the obviously rich bones that are in place.

Honestly, the conditioning for this time of year was not bad. Fairways were a little bare, as well as around the greens, but the greens were stellar.

The course itself, will, demand that you work the ball, but the course’s defense lies in the greens. Typical Ross: looks like he threw a blanket where the green should be then copied the rumpled facsimile. I never three-putt as much as I do on a Ross course. I will see a left to right break, then the ball will inexplicably go left at the hole. Deal with it.

Fairways are wide. Bunkers are thin. Second shot course. Hit it in close in proximity to the hole or pay the price.

I loved it. Highly underrated. Great value.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
First Time Playing

A Donald Ross gem

I had heard many good things about this course and finally had a chance to play it. I was not disappointed. Typical of Ross designs, it's fairly straight forward tee to green;; it's the green complexes that provide the challenge. This layout has lots of elevation changes. The greens are tricky with undulations and subtle breaks galore and are well bunkered. I recommend playing this course when in the Sandhills. I will definitely play it again.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Old Master Still packs a Punch

Great course with tricky places to avoid.

A big reward for staying below the hole, however sneaky long on up hill pitches to the pin.

Lots of fun.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good value in Pinehurst

This course has a wonderful layout. Designed by Donald Ross, the holes are varied and interesting. The conditions could be better. Not terrible but not pristine. The price was great. The staff is very nice.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The course layout is great. However, the pace of play was terrible, which takes away from the enjoyment.

No one in the pro shop on a busy Saturday, and no Marshall helping with the pace of play seemed odd.

Efficiency of this facility has diminished from years past., but a great golf course.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 126
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Iowa Advisor
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

5 Star Architecture, 1 Star Conditions

I was really excited when I was able to get a deal to play Southern Pines for $49. A classic Donald Ross design for $49 seemed too good to be true! Sadly, it was.

First off, Southern Pines is one of the best courses I've ever played from an architectural standpoint. The layout is fantastic! The course tumbles up, over and around the hilly property, and the greens are pure Donald Ross. It's so good.

Unfortunately, the conditions of the course were so bad that they were hard to look past. While I am usually not one to be overly critical of conditions, I feel like I have to here. The greens were the worst, with dead spots, weeds and scalped old cups all over the place.

The rest of the course had thin fairways and burnt out bermuda rough. They had overseeded recently, and some of the overseed was coming in, especially on the tees. But the overseed hadn't been mowed. On some tees it was difficult to tee it high enough!

I would play Southern Pines again, and I do recommend it because of it's architectural significance. But, I would love to see this course under new ownership that recognizes what they have and invests to keep it in the condition it deserves.

My favorite hole is the par 4 8th hole. It's a downhill par 4 that, if you're aggressive, you can get a short approach. The green is 100% Donald Ross...and don't go long!

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Not 4 Stars!

This is the first time we have been totally unsatisfied with a course booked on GolfNow. The course was rated 4 stars...so we had no problem paying the $70 per person when we booked based on past 4 star experiences. Honestly, it was maybe worth half that. The layout was good...and we could tell this was a nice course at one time. However, today the fairways had been over seeded, greens were not bad but also not great. The rough was in bad shape...many bald spots around the course. The bathrooms were portable toilets.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages

Talamore Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Talamore Golf Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Mid South Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Pine Needles Golf Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Pine Needles Golf Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Francis Marion Hotel Stay & Play

FROM $187 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Francis Marion Hotel and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of RiverTowne Golf Course, Charleston National Golf Course, Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, and Stono Ferry Golf Course.

Wild Dunes Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $197 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Wild Dunes Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, RiverTowne Golf Course, and Charleston National Golf Course.
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