Stephen Denton
Courtesy of Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst Resort
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Pinehurst #4
Pinehurst, NC • Public
Pinehurst #4
80 Carolina Vista Dr
Pinehurst, NC 28374
United States
Telephone
Overview
Like a football team searching for the right coach, the resort could never settle on the right identity for the #4 course despite a series of major alterations by different architects. It was first laid out by Pinehurst doyen Richard Tufts in 1952, then remodeled by Tufts and son Peter a decade later. Rees Jones reinvented it in the '80s, and Tom Fazio took it apart and put it back together as a stylized botanical garden in the late '90s. It finally found its match when it hired Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner to carry out a full-scale blow-up and rebuild in 2018 that infused it with the sweeping sand-and-pine character we identify with Pinehurst, while initiating a style of shaping in the greens and bunkers that’s confident and distinctly its own.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-'14, and since 2021.
Highest ranking: 162nd, 2021-'22.
Previous ranking: 171st.
2025-'26 ranking: 190th.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked from 2003-'16 & since 2021.
Highest ranking: 28th, 2023-'24.
2025-'26 ranking: 32nd.
Best in State: Ranked Top 10 in North Carolina since 2021; Top 15 from 2013-'14; Top 20 from 2011-'12 & 2015-'16.
2025-'26 ranking (and previously): 9th.
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
“Built next to the more famous Pinehurst #2, #4 has land which is way more interesting. More elevation change on this side of the property leads to arguably a more interesting routing. The false front on hole 5 was a bit unnecessary as coming into that uphill green with a 3 wood has no chance to trundle on, even with a perfect strike. the false front on 16, on the other hand, seemed way more appropriate as you'd better have good distance control coming into that green with a short iron or wedge. Tough finish with the long par 5 17th with OB left and the long par 4 18th."
Read More2025
Review
“Pinehurst No 4, despite it's neighboring No 2, shouldn't be discounted in any way. Gil Hanse did a masterful job of fitting the Pinehurst theme with his own unique style. The course plays similar to other Pinehurst courses, but features unique greens and elevation changes - making it stand out to other courses the resort offers. The Par 5 second has such a fun, undulating putting surface, encouraging any type of approach or short game shot. This is a theme throughout the course, with most approach play enabling creativity. A great course that fits the area well."
Read More2025
Review
“Played it the week after it opened following a 5 month renovation on the greens and bunkers. It was in amazing condition and a great layout! A mnust play while at Pinehurst Resort"
Read More2025
Review
“Pinehurst #4 recently completed a renovation of their greens, which are excellent - firm but willing to accept a well-played shot at fast for only being open a month, running in the 10's. The design has 15 very solid golf holes and three that are average at best. Enjoyable to play, #4 provides the option to play the ball through the air or along the ground for the less skilled player or when playing from the natural areas. A must play when visiting Pinehurst."
Read More2025
Review
“Pinehurst #4 just completed a renovation of their greens, which are excellent - firm but willing to accept a well-played shot at fast for only being open a month, running in the 10's. The design has 15 very solid golf holes and three that are average at best. Enjoyable to play, #4 provides the option to play the ball through the air or along the ground for the less skilled player or when playing from the natural areas."
Read More2025
Review
“Fabulous layout marred by greens that were spray painted green covering a coat of mud. Here's to hoping the renovation brings them back to health (and they have)!"
Read More2025
Review
“Pinehurst #4 did not seem like a Hanse course. I would have never known that he did the renovation. It's still a very solid course. Some holes seemed like a Mackenzie layout, as bunkers were hidden when looking back to the tee from the green. Eight to ten were my favorite holes, as number nine looks like a tamer "Hells Half Acre". The cross bunkers in the fairway were very cool on hole number eight. The greens were the disappointment. They were not extreme in movement or size like most Hanse coourses."
Read More2025
Review
“There is no way one can hope to challenge Pinehurst #2 but Gil has done a great job in complementing it. While it does have some Fazio feel to parts of it, the overall design provides a good challenge and some fun risk/reward opportunities."
Read More2024
Review
“Very enjoyable golf course. Demands placement and thinking. Good Gil Hanse design."
Read More2024
Review
“A fun Pinehurst course that is not too difficult, has some nice elevation change, nice layout, good variety and was in very good condition."
Read More2024
