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 appears like a step by way of time itself. This hallowed floor, celebrated because the “Cradle of American Golf,” beckons golf lovers from close to and much.
For golfers searching for the final 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 quite a lot of actions that may maintain you immersed within the Pinehurst glamour all week lengthy.
Right here, golf isn’t only a pastime; it’s a lifestyle. So, if you happen to’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 seeking the right morning croissant, a comfy spot for a espresso and dialog, or a collection of mimosas to start your trip, Agora Bakery & Cafe (conveniently positioned within the Village of Pinehurst) delivers on all fronts. We propose savoring their bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit alongside a freshly baked cinnamon roll to start your day on an particularly tasty observe.
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 structure. As you step onto its meticulously manicured fairways, you’ll end up surrounded by gorgeous landscapes and rolling terrain, all expertly woven right into a difficult but eminently playable course. Pinehurst No. 4 exams your strategic prowess with its well-placed hazards and undulating greens whereas offering a visible feast of North Carolina’s pure magnificence.
Lunch
When you’ve managed to withstand indulging in scorching canine on the course, we recommend visiting The Villager Deli for a tasty lunch. This informal eating spot is all about beneficiant parts and recent substances. What extra might 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 choose up some distinctive finds.
Dinner
After a unbelievable 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 hen – all smoked on-site.
The place to Keep
Pinehurst boasts a various vary of lodging, from enchanting inns to luxurious grand accommodations. To make sure you benefit from the full spectrum of experiences, we’re excited to supply lodging suggestions for every night time 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 provides a pleasant mix of consolation and allure in its cozy rooms. And if you happen to’re up for a nightcap, don’t miss The Manor’s North & South Bar, the place you may discover a powerful assortment of over 100 bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, and extra.
Day 2: The top of Pinehurst…
Breakfast
Day two is right here, and it’s shaping as much as be crammed with pleasure. And for a day like this, you may’t go fallacious with a hearty breakfast on the native favourite, Pinehurst Observe Restaurant. It’s only a hop, skip, and bounce away from the Pinehurst Clubhouse, proper on the outskirts of the Pinehurst Harness Observe.
Now, this spot may appear like 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 just a few skilled athletes. And let’s not neglect about their world-famous blueberry pancakes – they’re an absolute must-try.
Morning Actions
Women 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 solid and pretenders humbled.
One can not assist however be profoundly moved by the gravity that envelops you when taking part in No. 2, the place the indelible recollections 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 a permanent 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 attractive lunch choice for day two will take you to The Deuce – one of many preeminent nineteenth holes on this planet of golf. It’s thoughtfully located behind the 18th inexperienced of No. 2 and provides 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 engaging pub fare. It’s the right setting for sharing tales of exceptional 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 rest and rejuvenation awaits. Immerse your self in a soothing therapeutic massage, refreshing facials, and an array of wellness therapies.
Dinner
A unprecedented day warrants an equally distinctive night, and what higher strategy 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 domestically sourced substances and revolutionary culinary strategies, leading to dishes which might be 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 traits.
The place to Keep
The Carolina Lodge, affectionately generally known as “Queen of the South,” is greater than only a place to put your head. It’s an important 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 Lodge ensures your consolation is second to none, whereas its unwavering dedication to service perpetuates a legacy of excellence. And don’t neglect to seize just a few pictures 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 positioned snugly within the coronary heart of Southern Pines and stays a favourite amongst locals and guests alike.
Morning Actions
Evidently, 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 just a few 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 is not any exception! Drum & Quill, a cherished institution within the coronary heart of Pinehurst, is a dwelling tribute to the age-old Irish custom of the Public Home. The guts of Drum & Quill resides in its bar, nestled throughout 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 intensive assortment within the area, awaits to captivate your palate.
Afternoon Actions
Slip off your sneakers, 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 will have a pleasant wager to settle or just search just a few extra swings, The Cradle awaits.
Crafted by the illustrious golf architect Gil Hanse, The Cradle’s enchantment 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 novel problem in case your quick recreation is a bit of rusty.
However what really units The Cradle aside is its inclusivity. Right here, you’re inspired to take swings, check your mettle, and benefit from the strategy of enchancment. Replay rounds usually are not simply welcomed; they’re celebrated. Furthermore, The Cradle extends its heat embrace to the subsequent era of golfers, with children aged 17 and below (if accompanied by an grownup) permitted to play at no cost.
Within the spirit of Donald Ross, whose philosophy formed Pinehurst’s {golfing} ethos, The Cradle stands as a testomony to his perception that golf needs to 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 really useful lodging for the night, too. To conclude your unforgettable journey by way of Pinehurst, we suggest a night of scrumptious eating and a tranquil night time’s keep at Pine Crest Inn.
With a storied historical past that features possession by the legendary Donald Ross, Pine Crest Inn has earned approval for its delectable eats, welcoming neighborhood bar, intimate lodgings, and pleasant workers. Right here, visitors even have the distinctive alternative to chip golf balls into the foyer’s fire, all inside arm’s attain of the bar. And if you happen to thought chipping across the greens of Nos. 2 & 4 was a problem, simply wait till you strive it indoors, after just a few grownup drinks, with dozens of onlookers cheering you on.
When it’s time to retire for the night time, 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 night time’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 strategy to gas up earlier than your journey residence.
Pinehurst really leaves an indelible mark on all who go to. In spite of everything, it’s not only a vacation spot; it’s a paradise for many who stay and breathe the sport. It’s a spot the place your {golfing} goals 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.
