Nestled within the coronary heart of North Carolina’s Sandhills area lies a golfer’s utopia, Pinehurst – a spot the place the echoes of golf historical past resonate by way of its rolling fairways and each stride looks like a step by way of time itself. This hallowed floor, celebrated because the “Cradle of American Golf,” beckons golf fans from close to and much.
For golfers in search of the last word golf-centric weekend getaway, Pinehurst is the undisputed vacation spot of alternative. Right here, amidst the backdrop of towering longleaf pines and whispering Carolina breezes, you’ll discover not simply golf programs. With each swing, you’ll observe within the footsteps of greats who’ve walked the fairways, leaving their mark on the very turf beneath your ft.
However Pinehurst’s attract extends past the greens. Amidst rounds of championship golf, you’ll uncover culinary delights that tantalize the style buds, cozy lodging that present respite after a day on the hyperlinks, and a wide range of actions that may preserve you immersed within the Pinehurst glamour all week lengthy.
Right here, golf isn’t only a pastime; it’s a lifestyle. So, for those who’re prepared for an prolonged weekend steeped in {golfing} splendor, Pinehurst awaits you.
Your Itinerary for a Lengthy Weekend in Pinehurst
Day 1: Your prelude to Pinehurst…
Breakfast
Whether or not you’re in the hunt for the right morning croissant, a comfy spot for a espresso and dialog, or a choice of mimosas to start your trip, Agora Bakery & Cafe (conveniently situated within the Village of Pinehurst) delivers on all fronts. We recommend savoring their bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit alongside a freshly baked cinnamon roll to start your day on an particularly tasty notice.
Morning Actions
Whereas we perceive the attract of Pinehurst No. 2, we advocate beginning your golf expertise with a spherical on the equally legendary Pinehurst No. 4. Though it could not command the identical degree of fame, many gamers discover themselves favoring No. 4 over No. 2.
Following a redesign by Gil Hanse, No. 4 showcases a masterful reimagining of a traditional Pinehurst format. As you step onto its meticulously manicured fairways, you’ll end up surrounded by beautiful landscapes and rolling terrain, all expertly woven right into a difficult but eminently playable course. Pinehurst No. 4 checks your strategic prowess with its well-placed hazards and undulating greens whereas offering a visible feast of North Carolina’s pure magnificence.
Lunch
If you happen to’ve managed to withstand indulging in scorching canines on the course, we propose visiting The Villager Deli for a tasty lunch. This informal eating spot is all about beneficiant parts and recent components. What extra may you need?
Afternoon Actions
Up for some procuring? The Village of Pinehurst, and neighboring downtown Southern Pines, options boutique outlets, artwork galleries, and memento shops. Take a leisurely stroll by way of the quaint streets and decide up some distinctive finds.
Dinner
After a implausible day of golf and procuring, Pinehurst Brewing Firm is the right spot for a well-deserved wind-down. Right here, an distinctive array of craft beers brewed on-site await your discerning palate. Complementing the libations is a luxurious smokehouse menu, providing pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs, and rooster – all smoked on-site.
The place to Keep
Pinehurst boasts a various vary of lodging, from enchanting inns to luxurious grand lodges. To make sure you benefit from the full spectrum of experiences, we’re excited to supply lodging suggestions for every evening of your keep.
To spherical off your first day in Pinehurst, take into account staying at The Manor Inn – only a 5-minute stroll from the brewery. This historic gem acquired a recent makeover in 2019, and now presents a pleasant mix of consolation and allure in its cozy rooms. And for those who’re up for a nightcap, don’t miss The Manor’s North & South Bar, the place you possibly can discover a powerful assortment of over 100 bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, and extra.
Day 2: The head of Pinehurst…
Breakfast
Day two is right here, and it’s shaping as much as be stuffed with pleasure. And for a day like this, you possibly can’t go fallacious with a hearty breakfast on the native favourite, Pinehurst Monitor Restaurant. It’s only a hop, skip, and soar away from the Pinehurst Clubhouse, proper on the outskirts of the Pinehurst Harness Monitor.
Now, this spot would possibly appear to be your typical mother ‘n pop joint, however don’t let its unassuming look idiot you. It’s a hidden gem that manages to attract in fairly a couple of skilled athletes. And let’s not neglect about their world-famous blueberry pancakes – they’re an absolute must-try.
Morning Actions
Girls and gents, the second we’ve all eagerly anticipated has arrived – it’s now time to step onto the hallowed fairways of Pinehurst No. 2. Thought of the crown jewel, Pinehurst No. 2 is a storied masterpiece, conceived by the revered designer Donald Ross. The course’s contours are a canvas, each rise and fall, each undulation, a deliberate stroke in Ross’s inventive imaginative and prescient.
The greens, legendary for his or her vexing intricacy, demand a golfer’s utmost precision. Ross’s diabolical contours, identified affectionately as “Turtleback” greens, are the crucible the place champions are cast and pretenders humbled.
One can not assist however be profoundly moved by the gravity that envelops you when enjoying No. 2, the place the indelible reminiscences of Payne Stewart’s triumphant fist-pump in ’99 and different iconic moments reverberate by way of your thoughts. It’s right here, amid the rolling fairways and unforgiving greens, that golfers discover not only a course however an everlasting connection to the essence of the sport itself.
Lunch
If the attract of No. 2 nonetheless holds you in its grasp following your spherical, relaxation assured, we foresaw this want. Which is why your engaging lunch possibility for day two will take you to The Deuce – one of many preeminent nineteenth holes on the planet of golf. It’s thoughtfully located behind the 18th inexperienced of No. 2 and presents indoor seating together with an expansive seating part on the veranda – the right vantage level to look at incoming golfers concluding their rounds. Between teams, savor an ice chilly North Carolina microbrew and attractive pub fare. It’s the right setting for sharing tales of outstanding photographs and near-miss putts, reliving the highs and lows of your spherical, and swapping tales and laughter that transcend the scorecard.
Afternoon Actions
Following your spherical on No. 2, pamper your physique and spirit with a go to to the Spa at Pinehurst Resort. Right here, a world of leisure and rejuvenation awaits. Immerse your self in a soothing therapeutic massage, refreshing facials, and an array of wellness therapies.
Dinner
A rare day warrants an equally distinctive night, and what higher technique to cap off day two than with a go to to Ashten’s Restaurant & Bar in Southern Pines? Ashten’s menu showcases a harmonious mix of regionally sourced components and revolutionary culinary methods, leading to dishes which are each acquainted and delightfully creative. Whether or not you’re savoring a wonderfully grilled steak or sipping a thoughtfully crafted cocktail, Ashten’s guarantees a memorable eating journey that celebrates the wealthy flavors of the area whereas embracing fashionable gastronomic tendencies.
The place to Keep
The Carolina Resort, affectionately often called “Queen of the South,” is greater than only a place to put your head. It’s a significant chapter in your Pinehurst golf story. As you step into its grand foyer, you’ll immediately end up transported to a bygone period outlined by timeless allure, refined sophistication, and the quintessential heat of Southern hospitality. Boasting 230 4-Diamond rooms with lately refurbished interiors, The Carolina Resort ensures your consolation is second to none, whereas its unwavering dedication to service perpetuates a legacy of excellence. And don’t neglect to seize a couple of images on the resort’s entrance garden, the place iconic bushes artfully spell out “Pinehurst.”
Day 3: Farewell, fairways…
Breakfast
As you step by way of the inviting doorways of Betsey’s Crepes, you’ll be greeted with a pleasant smile and the irresistible aroma of scorching bacon, recent waffles, and – you guessed it – crepes! This quaint brunch spot is situated snugly within the coronary heart of Southern Pines and stays a favourite amongst locals and guests alike.
Morning Actions
For sure, your go to to Pinehurst requires some souvenirs to commemorate your time within the space. So, wander over to the resort’s professional store able to embrace a little bit of retail remedy. Right here, indulge your self with Pinehurst-branded hats, fashionable polos, distinctive ball markers, and maybe a considerate present or two for these again residence who lengthy to share in your Pinehurst journey.
Following your pleasant procuring spree, enterprise a couple of paces away to Thistle Dhu, the resort’s thrilling placing course, for some lighthearted competitors.
Lunch
Your remaining day in paradise is all about enjoyable, and lunch isn’t any exception! Drum & Quill, a cherished institution within the coronary heart of Pinehurst, is a residing tribute to the age-old Irish custom of the Public Home. The guts of Drum & Quill resides in its bar, nestled inside the partitions of a historic 130-year-old Justice of the Peace decide’s chamber. Right here, the attract of over 150 spirits, essentially the most in depth assortment within the area, awaits to captivate your palate.
Afternoon Actions
Slip off your footwear, seize your favourite beverage, and give up to the rhythm of music filling the air; we’re wrapping up your Pinehurst golf odyssey at The Cradle. Pinehurst’s legendary nine-hole quick course is a vibrant hub of enjoyable. Whether or not you may have a pleasant wager to settle or just search a couple of extra swings, The Cradle awaits.
Crafted by the illustrious golf architect Gil Hanse, The Cradle’s attraction lies in its strategic design, that includes well-placed bunkers and greens that undulate like rolling waves. Its shorter size is cunningly misleading, because it poses a singular problem in case your quick sport is slightly rusty.
However what actually units The Cradle aside is its inclusivity. Right here, you’re inspired to take swings, take a look at your mettle, and benefit from the technique of enchancment. Replay rounds should not simply welcomed; they’re celebrated. Furthermore, The Cradle extends its heat embrace to the following era of golfers, with youngsters aged 17 and below (if accompanied by an grownup) permitted to play without spending a dime.
Within the spirit of Donald Ross, whose philosophy formed Pinehurst’s {golfing} ethos, The Cradle stands as a testomony to his perception that golf must be a pleasure, not a penance.
Dinner & The place to Keep
Because the solar units in your Pinehurst journey, an distinctive eating expertise awaits you downstairs out of your advisable lodging for the night, too. To conclude your unforgettable journey by way of Pinehurst, we suggest a night of scrumptious eating and a tranquil evening’s keep at Pine Crest Inn.
With a storied historical past that features possession by the legendary Donald Ross, Pine Crest Inn has earned popularity of its delectable eats, welcoming neighborhood bar, intimate lodgings, and pleasant employees. Right here, friends even have the distinctive alternative to chip golf balls into the foyer’s hearth, all inside arm’s attain of the bar. And for those who thought chipping across the greens of Nos. 2 & 4 was a problem, simply wait till you strive it indoors, after a couple of grownup drinks, with dozens of onlookers cheering you on.
When it’s time to retire for the evening, your charming lodging await only a quick climb upstairs. Adorned with Pinehurst historical past on the partitions, they supply a comfy setting for a restful evening’s sleep. And earlier than you depart within the morning, don’t miss the chance to strive Pine Crest Inn’s famend breakfast, a scrumptious and satisfying technique to gasoline up earlier than your journey residence.
Pinehurst actually leaves an indelible mark on all who go to. In any case, it’s not only a vacation spot; it’s a paradise for individuals who dwell and breathe the sport. It’s a spot the place your {golfing} desires come to life. It’s a spot that extends an irresistible siren name to golfers everywhere in the world.
So, as you bid farewell to the storied fairways and whispering pines, keep in mind that Pinehurst awaits your return, able to welcome you again with open arms.
