Pinehurst No. 2
Pinehurst, NC • Public

Stephen Szurlej


Dom Furore

Stephen Szurlej

Dom Furore

The 13th hole at Pinehurst No. 2.
Courtesy of the resort

Dom Furore

Dom Furore
Overview
In 2010, a team lead by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw killed and ripped out all the Bermudagrass rough on Pinehurst No. 2 that had been foolishly planted in the 1970s. Between fairways and tree lines, they established vast bands of native hardpan sand dotted with clumps of wiregrass and scattered pine needles. They reduced the irrigation to mere single rows in fairways to prevent grass from ever returning to the new sandy wastelands. Playing firm and fast, it was wildly successful as the site of the 2014 Men’s and Women’s U.S. Opens, played on consecutive weeks. Because of its water reduction, the course was named a Green Star environmental award-winner by Golf Digest that year. In 2019, Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4 hosted another U.S. Amateur Championship, and the USGA announced Pinehurst No. 2—in addition to hosting the 2024 U.S. Open—will also have the 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047 U.S. Opens.
About
Awards



Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1966. Ranked among the Top 40 since the inaugural edition in 1985.
2023-'24 ranking: 29th (since 2019).
Highest ranking: 9th, 1995-2002.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2003.
Current ranking: 6th since 2017.
Highest ranking: 2nd, 2003-2006.
Best in State: Ranked Top 5 in North Carolina since 2011.
Current ranking: 1st, since 2023.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“It has been years since the incredible changes by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to bring it back to the original designs of Donald Ross. That time has only enhanced the course's firmness, aesthetics, and challenge around the greens. You can try to attack the greens in softer conditions and still get bitten by good shots rolling off. It is only then you can truly test your short game. If there were no other tee times, you could simply spend an hour putting around on green 3 to see the true brilliance of the design from Donald Ross."
Read More2024
Review
“The ultimate Donald Ross design that must be played at least once."
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent golf course. The variety of tees allows all level of players to enjoy the design. And it is fair but challenging through out the round."
Read More2024
Review
“Pinehurst #2 is timeless and classic perfection. The basic strategy is simple…hit quality shots. Within that strategy, put the ball in positions to take advantage. It’s all about angles. No one shot on the course is daunting, unfair, or overt. Every shot is important and demands your complete attention. Pinehurst #2 is challenging enough to have hosted multiple US Opens and fun enough that thousands of average players visit every year to fulfill their bucket list wishes. The front-9 is more challenging. The back-9 is more scenic. Even in late January, with the grass a dormant golden brown, conditions were excellent from tees to bunkers to greens. Balls rolled in fairways and good shots held on the famous and sometimes misleading crowned and false-fronted putting surfaces. They will be much more difficult when running faster. The game, here, really begins when you miss a fairway or a green. Course offers options for recoveries and redemption. This is short game heaven. No…just heaven. It will never be boring."
Read More2024
Review
“the golf course is outstanding but they pack you in every 8-10mins making it feel extremely crowded. Our round took 5hrs 25mins. Yes the course is difficult and stunningly brilliant in its design, but it is a very slow round, and you will see 2-3 groups on every hole/"
Read More2023
Review
“Not many better that you can play. A truly amazing walk and opportunity to play."
Read More2023
Review
“A true Top 10. Classic design; impeccable conditions; extremely professional, humble and friendly staff from the pro shop to the caddies to the 91st hole staff. Pinehurst #2 is the definition of what golf should be!"
Read More2023
Review
“My favorite place to play golf in America - the resort is magnificent (but bring your credit card as it's on the expensive side). The choice of golf courses on and off the property is hard to beat, the Thistle Dhu putting green, Cradle Par 3 course, the service levels, and the food - second to none as a place to stay and play IMO."
Read More2023
Review
“Amazing challenge and architecturally strong. The green complexes are some of the most difficult I've ever played. My biggest knock is that all the holes look the same and are not very memorable."
Read More2023
Review
“A course with tremendous history and a great challenge. You can only play if you’re a guest of a member or a resort guest."
Read More2022
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