Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club is a classic place in the history of golf in America. Owned by the Bell family since the 1950's, the resort has hosted the U.S. Womens Open 3 times. Peggy Kirk Bell put the place on the map with her legendary clinics for Women, and the clinics are now popular with Men and Children. The result is a very family oriented atmosphere, with patrons returning year after year. It is located off historic Midland Road in Southern Pines just 5 miles from Pinehurst. The Lodge offers great accomodations and it even features grass courts for the tennis purist.
The Donald Ross course is challenging and when played from the Pro tees (7,015 yards, 73.5/135), it is very difficult. The Gentlemans' tee positions are called the "Ross Tees" (6,436, 70.6/126). The Regular tees (5.985, 68.5/120) make for a much easier round at Pine Needles. Pine Needles is a classic course built on gently rolling terrain through mostly pine forest. It's always in great shape. The course loops all the way out and the front nine does not return to the clubhouse, although there is a great halfway house on the 9th tee. The most difficult holes are the 4th (Par 4 with an intimidating tee shot across the water, followed by an uphill approach shot), the 5th (long Par 3), the 10th (Par 5). The long Par 3 - 13th hole starts a stretch of closing holes that are very difficult except for the par 5 - 15th hole which presents a good birdie opportunity. 14 and 17 are very hard par 4's if you are a mid to high handicapper playing from the Ross or Pro tees - even good drives on these dogleg fairways can leave you with a very long shot to the green (sometimes from a bunker).
My favorite holes are the 3rd hole (a 135-145 yard Par 3 that is visible from the road); the 14th and 17th (the difficult Par 4's that play like Par 5's for me); the 10th (Par 5 with a tee shot over a lake) and the 18th, a downhill Par 4 with a beautiful approach back to the Lodge.
The owners and staff at Pine Needles are great and they will go out of their way to make your experience memorable. Winter rates are very low for a course like this (around $100). High Season rates are over $200 per round. Although not quite as difficult as it's neighbor Pinehurst No. 2, this is a much more playable course with a rare opportunity to play a U.S. Open venue. It is also much more scenic than Pinehurst No. 2 and the experience is a lot more personal.
When you finish your round, enjoy a meal in the grill room, where you can order from the bar menu or the dining room menu. The food is great and once again, the staff is the best in the area.
The course weaves its way through the historic Knollwood Heights neighborhood, where houses range in price from the $200,000's to over $1 Million.
If you are interested in playing at Pine Needles, give them a call at 910-692-7111 or call our office and we'll make arrangements for you to play. Visit us at http://www.mcdevitttownandcountry.com if you are interested in purchasing or leasing property in or around Pinehurst. You can also give us a call at 800-788-8814 or 910-693-7901.
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