Pinehurst Area

Calling it out upfront: if you want the strongest overall golf trip in the Pinehurst universe, don’t start with the Resort; start with Southern Pines.

That’s the controversial version of the itinerary, but it holds up once you play it. Staying in Southern Pines gives the trip a “living town” feel; coffee shops, real restaurants, a little nightlife, and the sense you’re in a community that happens to be surrounded by great golf, not a self-contained campus designed to keep you on-property. And from a purely golf-first perspective, it puts you in striking distance of a rotation that’s deeper and more diverse than people expect.

The anchor of the area stay is the three-course core: Pine Needles, Mid Pines, and Southern Pines. They share the same sandy DNA; firm turf, running approaches, and greens that reward placement over brute force; but each has its own personality. Pine Needles is the “grown-up” test of the group: confident architecture, subtle pressure on every swing, and the kind of routing that feels honest even when it’s asking a lot. Mid Pines is the charming assassin; shorter, more intimate, and relentlessly clever in how it tempts you into slightly the wrong angle. Southern Pines is the shot-maker’s bonus round, with a modern restoration feel that still reads as classic Sandhills golf: strategic lines, crisp visuals, and a sense that the ground game is not optional.

Then you go full contrast mode and drive to Tobacco Road, the most polarizing course in the region and the one everyone talks about first. It’s not subtle. It’s not trying to be subtle. It’s big visuals, daring lines, and the golf equivalent of turning the volume up until the speakers crackle. Some people call it gimmicky; others call it liberating. The truth is it’s simply different; and on a multi-day trip, that change of cadence is a feature, not a bug. If you’re playing 36, Tobacco Road is a perfect “one-round statement” paired with something more traditional either the morning or the next day.

If your group is willing to chase the modern-cult conversation further, Tot Hill Farm adds another jolt of personality. It’s the kind of place that feels like a golf road trip inside the golf trip; quirky, dramatic, and memorable in a way that doesn’t require you to shoot a number. And Mid South Club rounds out the set as the more private-club flavored day: polished conditions, strong design bones, and a change of texture from the sandy public/resort rhythm.

Now; none of this is an argument against Pinehurst Resort golf. It’s an argument for sequencing it. Pinehurst #2 is non-negotiable. It’s the reference point: crowned greens, surgical short-game demands, and the feeling that every shot is being graded by an invisible examiner. #10 is the modern exclamation mark; a bold, contemporary counterweight that still fits the Sandhills, and absolutely worth the extra effort. If you need to stay a night at the Resort to make those tee times happen, do it. In fact, it’s the ideal “mid-trip upgrade”: base in Southern Pines for the local horsepower, then bookend with a Resort night to knock out #2 and #10 and let everyone feel like they completed the assignment.

Seasonally, the Sandhills shine in spring and fall, when the turf is lively and the air is crisp enough to make you want an extra loop. Summer works if you start early and embrace the heat, and winter can be sneaky-good when the weather cooperates. As for pacing: 36 a day is very feasible here, because the courses are close, the walking isn’t as punishing as seaside links, and the trip structure lends itself to a morning classic followed by an afternoon wildcard.

The best part of the Southern Pines version of Pinehurst isn’t that it avoids the Resort. It’s that it treats Pinehurst #2 and #10 as the premium add-on they should be; while the rest of the week is built on variety, personality, and the kind of golf you’ll want to replay before you even leave town.

A Pinehurst-area trip based in Southern Pines is already loaded with character—Southern Pines, Pine Needles, Mid Pines, plus the modern chaos of Tobacco Road (and Tot Hill Farm if you extend). But if you want to tack on one or two true “big-stage” rounds, the Pinehurst Resort courses are the cleanest upgrade, and they’re close enough to add without turning the week into a driving trip.

The must-add, if you can get it, is Pinehurst No. 2. It’s the iconic test and the purest version of Pinehurst golf: firm turf, demanding greens, and a round where strategy and short game matter more than anything. If your group wants one “pilgrimage” day, this is it—and it’s absolutely worth adjusting the plan to make happen. Or for a modern counterpunch, Pinehurst No. 10 is the best complement. It’s more aggressive, more athletic, and more fun off the tee than the classic resort courses, with a modern design energy that keeps the trip feeling fresh. But keep in mind you often need to stay at the resort to play these courses. Add one night there for a complete Pinehurst trip.

If you want depth without the grind, Pinehurst No. 4 is the polished, complete resort round—strong throughout and a great “competitive day” course. Pinehurst No. 8 is the steady, enjoyable option that plays big but fair, and it fits especially well as an extra round when you want quality without another stress test.

Bottom line: your Southern Pines base is already the best version of the region, but adding No. 2 or No. 10 is how you turn it into a true “Pinehurst bucket list” week—without meaningfully complicating logistics.