Pinehurst No. 8 is one of ten courses at Pinehurst Resort, a historic golf resort anchored by the main lodge – the Carolina Hotel. Designed from 1898 to 1961, the first five courses surround the main golf club. No. 2 is the most well-known course, designed by Donald Ross in 1898. A greens fee between $300 and $600 depending on time of year, reflects its history of hosting major championships including the US Men’s and US Women’s Open in 2014. No. 2 is difficult, especially the upside-down saucer greens.
However, the other nine courses are challenging, yet more playable and lower priced. We played the four modern courses, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8 and No. 9, originally built from 1979-1996 in separate locations up to four miles from the Clubhouse.
Pinehurst No. 8 is a Tom Fazio design that opened in 1995. Designed to celebrate the centennial year of Pinehurst Resort, there are no houses on the course.
The clubhouse is dramatic. Traditional white Adirondack Rocking Chairs on the brick veranda overlook the eighteenth hole.
Bunkering is significant with several large but shallow fairway bunkers. But other holes have smaller, deeper but more numerous bunkers such as those found on Hole #3.
The Pinehurst reservoir runs along the Par3 Hole #5 providing a magnificent backdrop. You cross a large marsh wetland on the short Par 4 Hole #12. Bite off as much as you dare. Enjoy the fantastic view of the closing hole.
Pinehurst No. 8 includes multiple extensive wetland areas unique to this Pinehurst Resort course. Well-manicured with a distinct flavor, it’s one of our favorites at the Resort. We rank it third behind No. 2 and the Gil Hanse refurbished No. 4 as the best courses to play at Pinehurst Resort.
If You Go:
• Course Info – Pinehurst No. 8 has five tee grounds from 5153 yards to 7099 yards. The blue tee rating is 72.3 with a slope of 131. The white tee rating is 70.3 with a slope of 128.
• Location – Pinehurst No. 8 is three miles north of the main lodge and golf club. In the Village of Pinehurst seventy-five miles southwest of the Raleigh-Durham airport and seventy miles south of Greensboro, NC
• Lodging – Pinehurst Resort has four lodging alternatives, the historic Carolina Hotel, the Holly Inn and the Manor Inn. The Condos at Pinehurst are another choice for larger groups.
By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012