Pinehurst, in Moore County, North Carolina, is one of the most storied golf destinations in the world—a village purpose-built in the 1890s and home to the Pinehurst Resort's nine championship courses. From Raleigh, Pinehurst is 73 miles southwest via US-1 South, a drive of roughly 1.5 hours. From Charlotte, the distance is similar via US-74 East and US-15/501 North.
The centerpiece is Pinehurst No. 2, designed by Donald Ross and host to more combined USGA championships than any other course in history, including the 1999 and 2005 US Opens, the 2014 US Open and US Women's Open in consecutive weeks, and the 2024 US Open. Green fees at No. 2 run approximately $500–$600 per round for resort guests; No. 4, No. 8, and other Pinehurst Resort courses offer more accessible options. Visitors who are not golfers can walk the Village of Pinehurst, a National Historic Landmark district with shaded lanes lined by historic cottages, the Holly Inn (built 1895), and the Tufts Archives at the Given Memorial Library, which documents the resort's history through photographs and correspondence.
For non-golfers, the nearby town of Southern Pines—15 minutes north on US-1—offers antique shops along Broad Street and access to Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve for walking trails through longleaf pine forest. The village center has several restaurants within walking distance of the resort, including Dugan's Pub and the Carolina Dining Room.
A day arc for golfers: tee time at 8 a.m. on one of the resort's more accessible courses, followed by lunch at the Ryder Cup Bar and Grille at Pinehurst No. 4. Non-golfers might spend the morning in the Village and Tufts Archives before driving north to Southern Pines in the afternoon.
How to get there
- Car rental from Raleigh RDU or Charlotte CLT; Pinehurst has Uber/Lyft limited availability
Location
Pinehurst Resort, 80 Carolina Vista Dr, Pinehurst, NC 28374
35.1943, -79.4701 View on map
Highlights
- Play or walk Pinehurst No. 2, the Donald Ross masterpiece that has hosted more USGA championships than any other US course
- Explore the Village of Pinehurst National Historic Landmark, a late 19th-century planned community with shaded cottage lanes
- Visit the Tufts Archives at Given Memorial Library for the history of golf and resort development in the Sandhills
- Drive to Southern Pines (15 minutes north) for antique shops on Broad Street and Weymouth Woods longleaf pine trails
Tips for visiting
- Golf tee times at all Pinehurst Resort courses must be booked at pinehurst.com; No. 2 fills weeks in advance during spring and fall
- Non-golfers can walk the Village of Pinehurst freely; the Tufts Archives is open Tuesday–Saturday without an admission charge
- Southern Pines, 15 minutes north on US-1, has more casual dining and antique shops than the resort village itself
- The Pinehurst area has no public transit; a personal vehicle is essential for this day trip
- Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are peak seasons; summer heat and humidity slow the pace of play considerably
When to visit
Late March through May and mid-September through November deliver the finest golf conditions and the most pleasant walking temperatures in the Sandhills. Weekday visits avoid the resort's busiest tee-sheet days and shorter waits at village restaurants.
Accessibility
The Village of Pinehurst has flat, paved footpaths between shops and restaurants. The Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives are wheelchair accessible. Golf cart availability at the resort courses accommodates golfers with limited mobility; contact the resort in advance for specific arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Do visitors need to be golfers to enjoy Pinehurst?
No. The Village of Pinehurst is a designated National Historic Landmark walkable without any golf involvement. The Tufts Archives, local restaurants, and the nearby town of Southern Pines provide full non-golf itinerary options.
How much does it cost to play Pinehurst No. 2?
Green fees for Pinehurst No. 2 are approximately $500–$600 for resort guests during peak season and require advance booking at pinehurst.com. Other Pinehurst Resort courses range from $130 to $350 per round.
Is there public transportation to Pinehurst?
No public transit serves Pinehurst from Raleigh or Charlotte. A personal vehicle or rental car is the only practical way to visit.
What is the best season to visit Pinehurst?
Spring (late March through May) and fall (September through November) offer the ideal combination of mild temperatures and firm turf conditions for golf. December through February sees the fewest visitors and lowest green fees.
Are there non-golf accommodation options in Pinehurst?
The Pinehurst Resort offers the Carolina Hotel (the flagship, built 1901), the Holly Inn, and the Manor Inn. The nearby towns of Southern Pines and Aberdeen have additional hotels and bed-and-breakfast properties at lower price points.