Pine Needles is the *different* U.S. Open take a look at in Pinehurst, and it is completely well worth the go to.
Connor Federico
Within the quickly increasing world of vacation spot golf, one space qualifies as a bonafide American traditional: Pinehurst.
The “Dwelling of American Golf” has develop into one of many epicenters of the golf journey world within the years for the reason that pandemic — a reality solely aided by an all-time U.S. Open in June to kick off an expanded partnership between the area, the USGA, and the brand new World Golf Corridor of Fame.
At the same time as Pinehurst No. 2 basked in Bryson and Rory’s historic highlight, a groundswell of epic golf was effervescent to the floor simply exterior the resort gates. In August, as Pinehurst’s red-hot summer season reached a sweltering level, GOLF editors James Colgan and Josh Sens visited the area to seek out “all the things else” — the good golf that ISN’T No. 2, the cool spots that not sufficient vacationers go to, and sure, even a local-favorite Martini (or three). They have been joined for a part of their journey by longtime native resident – and GOLF structure editor, Ran Morrissett–who doubled as a tour information.
That is the primary half in that collection, starting with a dialog on the world’s different legendary main championship host: Pine Needles.
Josh Sens, GOLF senior author: On the morning of our first spherical within the Pinehurst space, we confirmed up at Pine Needles in pouring rain. It had been dumping for hours. However then the skies cleared, and 20 minutes later, we went out on a course that was amazingly dry, given how a lot rain had fallen. I assume they don’t name this space the Sandhills for nothing, eh?
James Colgan, GOLF information and options editor: As somebody who as soon as labored on golf programs within the northeast, I discovered it mindblowing to see a golf course go from underwater to totally playable within the time it took to sip a cup of espresso. This is the explanation why each golf course designer from right here to Australia is chasing that treasured sandy soil. We have been hoping to see what makes the Sandhills stand out, and we acquired a glimpse earlier than we hit our opening tee shot.
However as soon as the golf acquired began — it was actually good. Even after the rain, Pine Needles confirmed us loads of enamel as, behind Pinehurst No. 2, the world’s preeminent “championship” take a look at. I’ll admit, Josh, that I’m not one of the best individual to articulate the variations in golf course particulars. Possibly we must always name in our pal Ran.
Ran Morrissett, GOLF structure editor: A enjoyable reality about Pine Needles not each golfer is aware of is that it was a part of Pinehurst Resort. It was considered one of a number of programs Ross constructed exterior the village of Pinehurst, together with Southern Pines and Mid Pines. Pine Needles opened in late 1928, which was poor timing for positive. The Nice Melancholy took a heavy toll on the world, and one yr later, each Pine Needles and its neighbor, Mid-Pines, have been bought to take monetary pressure of Pinehurst Resort. Pine Needles was later bought by Warren and Peggy Kirk Bell. The latter was one of many founders of the LPGA Tour. She additionally knew Donald Ross. Pine Needles has been beneath the care of the Bell household ever since.
Sens: That appears solely becoming. It’s additionally fascinating that you simply deliver up the reference to Pinehurst Resort, as a result of I feel when most golfers image a Donald Ross course, they image Pinehurst No. 2, with its well-known turtleback greens. Ross constructed that course on fairly sedate land, and so it made sense to defend the course with these pushed-up placing surfaces. At Pine Needles, I feel it’s honest to say he had extra dramatic topography. And so he took a distinct strategy.
Morrissett: Ross knew find out how to work on all types of terrain, and he made nice use of the land’s pure motion at Pine Needles. A peculiarity of the course is what number of instances the excessive level of the opening falls in its midsection. Loads of Ross programs characteristic an elevated tee, a decrease fairway and an uphill strategy. Right here, the golfer drives uphill at holes 1, 4, 6, 7, and 12, ideally carrying the crest of the hill and having fun with a scoot ahead together with his/her tee ball. Conversely, should you can’t fairly carry the hillcrest, your tee ball deadens into the upslope and the course performs for much longer than the scorecard suggests. Complementing these 5 holes, you could have holes like the twond and 18th that play steadily downhill and others like 4 that cost uphill. The toughest of the bunch is likely to be the 17th, which, surprisingly, can be the course’s flattest gap. Backside line: It’s the number of ways in which the holes hit the land that make Pine Needles a standout take a look at for each driving and strategy photographs. No marvel the USGA has deemed it the proper host website for the US Ladies’s Open, which has been there 4 instances not too long ago, in 1995, 2001, 2007, and 2022.
Colgan: I’m glad you deliver that up, Ran, as a result of I really got here to Pine Needles for the Ladies’s Open in ‘22, and I used to be *blown away* by the standard of the golf course throughout that week. It’s manner extra psychedelic than the format at No. 2, and due to that, there’s much less sense that EVERYTHING comes all the way down to the crispiness of the greens.
In numerous methods, when the tees are arrange correctly to problem the size of the course, it’s extra various than No. 2 as a significant take a look at.
What made this one-of-a-kind Pinehurst journey so particular
Sens: That’s a part of what makes this space a lot enjoyable to take a look at. You get to check out completely different flavors of Donald Ross. After all, not all of the golf in and round Pinehurst is Ross. However I can’t consider one other a part of the world that has such a excessive focus of works by a single architect.
Colgan: The completely different properties even have completely different feels to them. In the event you consider Pinehurst as golf Disney World, then Pine Needles is summer season camp. The vibe is outdated, musty and laid again — you may virtually hear Centerfield by John Fogerty by means of the bushes. The programs mirror it, too.
Sens: There’s positively a throwback air to Pine Needles from the second you pull up, a country time-capsule really feel. Like, if Scooby-Doo ever did a golf-themed episode, Pine Needles could be the place the place the eccentric innkeeper would greet you on the bag drop.
Colgan: The golf is noticeably distinct, too. As a golf nerd, I view golf journeys by means of the identical lens I view meals: after I’m in an space, I need to strive all of the variations of the native delicacies. Underneath these guidelines, an excellent location, then, is one thing that has greater than the identical “well-known” burger-and-fries at every cease. Every of the Pine Needles programs — Needles, Mid-Pines and Southern Pines — is distinctly (and delectably) its personal. (Sarcastically, although, the burger on the Pine Needles resort is likely to be one of the best in your entire county.)
Sens: I’m glad we acquired to do some literal grazing round city throughout our go to. We’ll get into these stops within the subsequent two movies. Earlier than we wrap up, although, I wished to select up in your golf nerd remark, James, as a result of, should you’re a golf nerd, is there a extra acceptable place within the U.S.? In every single place you flip in and round Pinehurst, you stumble upon some type of golf-related enterprise. Golf memorabilia outlets. Artwork galleries with golf-y works.. Golf-themed pubs and bars. To punctuate that time, proper after our Pine Needles spherical, we made a fast beeline to GolfPride headquarters and acquired our putters regripped. After the best way I rolled the ball that first spherical, I do know I wanted to make a change. I feel numerous guests should go trying to find that type of curse, as a result of the place was leaping.
