Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in the Sandhills of North Carolina is the birthplace of American resort golf, a complex of nine championship courses surrounding a Victorian village that has hosted more USGA championships than any other venue in the world. The resort was founded in 1895 by Boston soda fountain magnate James Walker Tufts, who hired Frederick Law Olmsted to design the village streets and Donald Ross to shape the courses that would define an era of American golf architecture. Pinehurst No. 2 — the centerpiece course — is considered by many golf historians the finest inland course in the United States, defined by its crowned and contoured greens, wire-grass native rough, and naturalized longleaf pine fairways. It hosted the U.S. Open in 1999, 2005, and 2014, when both the men's and women's Opens were held in the same week in an unprecedented double championship. The resort village retains its original Olmsted-planned character with white-painted cottages, the Donald Ross Memorial Fountain, and the Carolina Hotel — a National Historic Landmark. Non-golfers can enjoy croquet on the formal lawn, lawn bowling, multiple pools, and spa facilities. The World Golf Hall of Fame Pinehurst Experience within the resort provides exhibits on the property's competitive history. Dining options range from the Ryder Cup Bar and Grille to formal meals at the Carolina Dining Room.
Good to know
- Hours
- Courses open daily dawn-dusk; clubhouse 7am-9pm
- Best time
- Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) for ideal golf weather
Location
80 Carolina Vista Dr, Pinehurst, NC 28374
35.1943, -79.4701 View on map
Highlights
- Pinehurst No. 2 — Donald Ross's masterwork and five-time U.S. Open venue on wire-grass Sandhills terrain
- Nine championship golf courses spanning multiple difficulty levels and architectural periods
- The Carolina Hotel, a National Historic Landmark at the center of the Olmsted-designed resort village
- World Golf Hall of Fame Pinehurst Experience with course history and championship memorabilia
- Croquet, lawn bowling, spa, and multiple pools available to non-golfers staying at the resort
Tips for visiting
- Tee times on Pinehurst No. 2 book months in advance, especially in spring and fall; plan well ahead.
- Non-golfers can walk the village paths, view the courses, visit the spa, and use pool facilities on a day-visitor basis.
- The resort operates a complimentary shuttle between the village, hotel, and courses to avoid parking complications.
- Golf packages bundling lodging, meals, and multiple rounds offer the most economical access to several courses.
- Midweek and winter off-season rates are significantly lower than peak spring pricing.
- Dress codes apply in dining rooms and at the courses; collared shirts are required on all Pinehurst greens.
When to visit
April and May bring ideal golf weather with mild temperatures and courses in prime spring condition. September and October offer similar conditions with autumn color in the Sandhills pines and typically lower room rates than spring peak.
Accessibility
The resort village is largely flat and accessible to wheelchair and mobility device users on paved paths. The golf courses are not designed for wheelchair use without adaptive equipment. Accessible guest rooms are available in the hotel; contact the resort directly to discuss specific accessibility requirements for activities.
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Frequently asked questions
Do non-golfers have reason to visit Pinehurst?
Yes — the resort village has a distinct architectural character, the spa and pools are open to non-golfing guests, and the surrounding Sandhills area offers cycling and access to the Seagrove pottery district nearby.
What does a round of golf at Pinehurst No. 2 cost?
Green fees vary by season but typically range from approximately $275 to $500 per round without a resort stay package. Other Pinehurst courses range from around $130 to $350 per round.
What is the most famous moment in Pinehurst golf history?
The 1999 U.S. Open, won by Payne Stewart with a birdie putt on the final hole, is considered one of the most iconic moments in American golf. Stewart's bronze statue stands near the 18th green commemorating the win.