Championship resort course · Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst No. 2
Pinehurst No. 2 is Donald Ross’s landmark design, opened in 1907 and restored by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2011. It is a strategic, walking-friendly course built around wide fairways, native sandscape, wiregrass and famously crowned “turtleback” greens. For most visitors, the best plan is a thr
KNOW THE COURSE
What to know
WHY IT MATTERS
A championship golf landmark
No. 2 has hosted more single golf championships than any other course in America, including the U.S. Open in 1999, 2005, 2014 and 2024. The course rewards strategy and imagination more than brute force.
HOW TO PLAY IT
Think from green to tee
The greens are the main defense. Before every approach, identify the safest section of the putting surface, then choose the club and landing area that give you the best angle. Favor the front or low side when possible and avoid chasing tucked pins.
Ask HH about this→ON THE COURSE
Use the ground game
No. 2 has very little conventional rough. Misses often finish in sand, pine straw or wiregrass, where the lie may still be playable. Around the greens, bump-and-run shots and putter approaches are often smarter than high wedges.
PRACTICAL TACTICS
Prepare for demanding putting
The greens feature strong slopes, fallaways and subtle sections that can make three-putts easy. Spend meaningful time on the practice green before playing, especially learning the pace of downhill putts.
ACCESS
Stay at the resort
Playing No. 2 generally requires being a Pinehurst Resort guest or member, and the resort reserves advance tee times for guests. A minimum two-night stay is required to play No. 2, with some weekends requiring longer stays.
Ask HH about this→THREE-NIGHT PLAN
A balanced itinerary
Build the trip around one relaxed arrival day, two strong golf days and No. 2 as the main event. This keeps the trip memorable without turning every round into a test of endurance.
- Day 1: Arrive, check in, practice, then play The Cradle or visit the Village of Pinehurst.
- Day 2: Play Pinehurst No. 4 or No. 8; enjoy dinner at the resort.
- Day 3: Play Pinehurst No. 2; allow extra time for the clubhouse, caddie experience and post-round meal.
- Day 4: Play No. 1, No. 3, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 9, No. 10 or No. 11 before departing.
WHERE TO STAY
Choose the experience level
The Carolina Hotel offers the classic Pinehurst experience, while The Holly Inn and The Manor Inn provide different styles and price points. Resort packages can combine lodging, meals and golf, often simplifying the booking process.
OFF THE COURSE
Leave room for the village
Pinehurst is compact and easy to enjoy between rounds. Plan time for Southern food, the resort’s putting course, the Village of Pinehurst, and a relaxed evening rather than filling every hour with golf.
Ask HH about this→ON THE COURSE
Holes to know
- 2
Early strategic test
A strong opening stretch begins quickly, asking you to manage position and approach angle.
- 5
Long par 5
A demanding hole where placement and a controlled approach matter more than simply attacking distance.
- 16
Late-round pressure
The closing stretch puts a premium on choosing the correct side of the green and avoiding costly short-side misses.
- 18
The finishing hole
A memorable final test that rewards a composed tee shot and disciplined approach strategy.