The Country Club of Whispering Pines

The seventy minutes it takes to drive from my home to the Country Club of Whispering Pines is a journey I look forward to making as often as I possibly can. There are two course from which to choose, both are links style, both are walkable and both are in the best of shape from Tee through Green.
This day I played for the first time the Pines Course, previously named the East Course. Although booked as a single I was fortunate to have paired with a couple of local guys Charles and Roger, who showed me around the eighteen (when you play 18 you have to play 9, just saying) in just under four hours. A bit of apprehension sat in as we stood on the first tee box and watched the last group of the Ladies' Day tournament play the first hole, however, by the time we reached the third tee we saw only dust as those girls were not messing about, we saw them once again as we played the tenth and they were hitting approach shots to eleven green; never saw them after that glimpse. We were never pressured from behind until sixteen green when a twosome caught us as I made double bogey on the easiest hole on the course, e gads.
This is a club to which I would consider membership if I lived closer. The staff are always at their best, smiling and offering help and never to busy to work with a visitor or a member. Dave and Paula in the pro shop greet you as a friend and Mr. Willie the cart guy will crack you up with a joke.
The practice areas are, as you might imagine, well used as there seems to be a few people using the facilities all the time. The driving range was in need of 'haircut' the day I was there but the maintenance crews were busy on other parts of the two courses.
The fairways are just that fair, hit it and you have a fine lie on some nice turf; miss the fairway and you can find yourself in the sand, love grass and pine straw just like Pinehurst Number Two since the restoration by Coore and Crenshaw. The bunkers are not so many but well place and well kept by the members; it is as though they take time to properly repair the bunker after playing out, a concept you will not find at most public courses.
The greens on this day were running about ten on the Stimpmeter and since Ellis Maples studied with Donald Ross they are small and undulating. (I had five one putts and two three putts) If the members have the staff speed the greens a bit you would see handicaps increasing.
When you visit the Sandhills area of North Carolina take time to savor a fine couple of courses from the 1950s in the Country Club of Whispering Pines. Perhaps I will see you there and we can have a pint in the grill after our round.
"GO PLAY!"

As an avid fan of designer Ellis Maples, I was very happy to have an opportunity to play the Country Club of Whispering Pines and their 'River Course' which was originally known as the West Course. The name (River) is a bit of, in my opinion, a misnomer in that water is truly "in play" on four holes of the eighteen although another four have boundaries where an errant shot could reach the hazard areas.
My playing partner and I paired with another twosome (we played all 18; how can you not play 9 when playing 18?) who had some knowledge of the course layout, as we were first timers and they were local residents. Course knowledge is a good thing to have, especially on the eleventh tee; water there comes into play twice, on the tee shot as well as the approach shot.
Course conditions were as we have come to expect from a true country club course, almost perfect in every way tee through green, including the bunkers. It is as though the members actually take the time to use the rakes provided and meticulously repair the sand for the following player who has the opportunity to practice their sand play. What a concept!
This course does have some elevation changes but at 500 feet above sea level, those holes are few. As with most courses of the 1940 and 1950 era the trip from green to tee is minimal allowing for walkers to enjoy a fine round without calling for a taxi or EMT.
The staff with whom I had the occasion to interact were friendly, smiling, helpful, and attentive to every request; from the arriving cart attendant to the pro shop operator to the hostess in the bar and the departure cart attendant. (Ms. Paula was great at check in and Mr. Willie was a hoot at the cart return.) We departed with tears of laughter from Willie's joke, knowing we will return in short order to again experience the fine sort of atmosphere and great golf that is known as the Country Club of Whispering Pines.

My only regret/disappointment was the Ellis Maples Grill was closed by the time I completed my round. I would have loved to sample from their menu which looked quite delicious. (the bar however, was nicely stocked)

A special thanks to Charles and Curtis, the guys who showed us around the course.

Overall not a bad track. For us it is a little out of our way from Holly Springs. The back 9 is definitely a much better 9 than the front. The greens were very slow, but that was due to the lack of rain in the area. All in all, a pretty nice place to play for $25.

I've played both the Pines and now the River course. Both are great, they really take care of their greens and fairways. The river is a little short but it's a challenging course. Especially the back 9...

This is a great course! I have played it many times ,and I have never been disappointed. There are some tough holes on this course ,but there also some easy holes too! It's a fair balance. My one and only complaint would be how SOFT the greens were. It was difficult to put because I felt like I had to hit the mess out of the ball ,and it still didn't make it to the hole! But other than that it was great! I ended up shooting 80 so, I was happy! I would definitely recommend Whispering Pines Country Club! It's one my favorites.

I've played here several times and I'm never let down.

they continued to water while players were playing and it was very wet - I do understand that it is June and very hot but it made playing very hot and humid and the ball laid in some nasty wet ground --- I would definitely play here again when the area and would recommend to my friends!!

The whole course was in excellent condition, especially the greens. The greens weren't fast, but not slow either. No bumps, all putts rolled smooth.

A nice couple of courses to get in a very reasonable couple of rounds near Pinehurst in one day. The lunch buffet was only 11 dollars and a good value also. I would like to go back on my next visit from Atlanta.

greens excellent , overall condition was great! Maples classic layout is fun.

I have found this course to be one of the best in the Pinehurst area.

Will play again, nice layout, requires good iron shots to the green with good position in the fairways

This is a shot makers course, smaller greens but in good condition year round.

Staff is very friendly..

We have played this course twice in December. The course is well maintained and staff is friendly. We hope to play it again while we are in the area.

Great courses, The two Whispering Pines are always in great shape.

Great layout, greens were excellent. Loved the par threes.

Fairways recently overseeded and look great. Rough off fairway trimmed nicely, so few lost balls. Greens were suberb. Best I have seen this course.

Good layout and in good condition. No warning about overseeding. Cart path only. Not a returning nine and halfway house closed, with no warning.

Well laid out course in quite good condition. Greens would be very nice except people are not repairing ball marks. A good test of golf ability.

The course was in very god condition. The greens were quick and the rough challenging. Great bargain at golf now prices.