PINEHURST, 1895
GOLF RESORT
Almost like St Andrews Old Course to Scotland's golf legacy, Pinehurst is considered by many to be the birthplace of American golf.
The Scottish north highlanders discovered this picturesque area in Moore County (North Carolina) characterized by its rolling terrain and sandy soil, to found Pinehurst and transform this small site into the epicenter of United States golf.
While Pinehurst design began in 1898 with Dr. Leroy Culver and John Dunn Tucker, there was one determining factor in this late 19th century story: Donald Ross. The great designer raised in Dornoch, north of Inverness, brought all his knowledge and experience to develop his fields in this area.
Pinehurst soon became an iconic place, visited by citizens from all over the country, who came to learn golf, take classes, buy clubs and learn design, and then return to their cities with a view to founding their own club.
GOLF
Its 9 own courses make Pinehurst an inexhaustible golf mecca. The following are the most outstanding.
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Recalling his Scottish heritage, Ross made liberal use of bunkers, both on the fairway and on the green. #1 was a great start for Pinehurst, and it is a great start for your visit.
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The Pinehurst Resort masterpiece has hosted the US Open, the US Women's Open Championship in 2014, and the Ryder Cup in 1951. This course is emblematic for its complicated, mostly convex and undulating greens, recognized as the most complex in the world. To the point that only a small portion of its surface contains the approaches, while in the rest the ball will run until it leaves the green. Due to this particularity, it requires great handling of "aproach and putt" and local caddies are so important.
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The tiny elevated greens demand precision: it is a great approach and putt preparation to then face the great test of # 2. An interesting combination of shorter par-3s and par-4s provide ample opportunities to play aggressively for a low score.
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Impressive visually from the tee, its greens blend with exposed areas of sand and huge crossed bunkers with the undulating topography. The lines of the natural ridges of the site create spectacular views and very strategic options in each hole.
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It is one of the longest courses and it is developed on a mountainous terrain with wetlands in the low areas, such as the one located next to the tee of hole 4. It also has the "Devil's Gut" that must be cleared when approaching the short par 4 of the 7th hole or the "Fingers" bunker that requires great precision on the 16th.
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A visually captivating course, challenging and fun to play. It is known for synthesizing all the elements of the Pinehurst golf experience into one design. It has twice hosted the PGA Club Pro Championship.
PLANNING
When to travel
The best time to travel to this destination is during autumn, due to its pleasant temperatures and low humidity. We always recommend booking at least 90 days in advance for May.
How to get there
Unfortunately, it does not have many international capitals with direct flights. While the small Fayetteville regional airport is only 50 km away, the major airports to connect to are Raleigh and Greensboro (approx 100 km) or Charlotte 130 km away.
