Pinehurst Resort Course Guide

Built in 1907, Pinehurst No 2 is largely considered Donald Ross’s greatest masterpiece. It has served as the site of more single golf championships than any course in America including the US Open and the Ryder Cup Matches.

No 2 is best known for its crowned, undulating greens, which are some of the most complex and widely hailed in the world. In 2011, the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw completed a restoration of the course returning the natural areas and strategic shot values that Ross originally intended.

HOLE-BY-HOLE GUIDE

Par 70 | 7 548 yards

HOLE 1

PAR 4 | 395 YARDS

A fairly gentle opening hole, at least from the tee. The putting green complex offers a bold introduction to the challenging nature of Ross’ design.

HOLE 2

Par 4 | 504 YARDS

A very demanding par 4 that played as one of the most difficult holes during the 2014 US Open. A well-played tee shot will finish in the left side of the fairway to open up a preferred angle for the 2nd shot.

HOLE 3

Par 4 | 387 YARDS

Find the fairway with a lay-up tee shot and a birdie is possible. Do not miss this green long! Played as a drivable par 4 for two rounds in 2014.

HOLE 4

Par 4 | 528 YARDS

A downhill tee shot on this par 4 makes the hole play a bit shorter, but the left to right sloped fairway is a tough target. This hole played as a par 5 during the 1999 and 2005 US Opens.

HOLE 5

Par 5 | 588 YARDS

Another good chance to pick up a shot, or maybe two, as Martin Kaymer did in Round 3 on his way to the 2014 US Open title! That said, miss this green left and it’s very easy to make a bogey or worse.

HOLE 6

Par 3 | 228 YARDS

A significant false front must be negotiated on this, the longest of Course No 2s par-3 holes. An expansive tee allows for great setup flexibility and can result in a 30+ yard difference from day to day. This was the most difficult hole for the week in 2014.

HOLE 7

Par 4 | 426 YARDS

This sharp dogleg right requires a precise tee shot but likely played with something less than driver. Don’t sleep on this seemingly flat green. Although it has a few bold contours there is a good bit of subtle movement throughout that can sometimes confuse.

HOLE 8

Par 4 | 488 YARDS

This par 5 for the resort guests plays as a stout par 4 for the US Open. The drive zone tilts from right to left and while the putting green complex does not have an adjacent bunker, it falls off significantly left and behind the green.

HOLE 9

Par 3 | 184 YARDS

The shortest par 3 on the scorecard offers a diabolical target. The well-bunkered green is bisected by a steep ridge which effectively results in two distinct targets.

HOLE 10

Par 5 | 617 YARDS

Most players will play this as a three-shot hole. As a result, they will play their third shot with a wedge to the largest putting green on the golf course.

HOLE 11

Par 4 | 482 YARDS

A challenging driving hole. A large bunker obstructs the right side of the green but is a good bit short of the putting surface.

HOLE 12

Par 4 | 486 YARDS

A really good driving hole, but finding the fairway is just the start! One of the most challenging 2nd shots on the golf course as the green, due to the fall offs all around, plays much smaller than its square footage.

HOLE 13

Par 4 | 381 YARDS

Most players will view this as the last good birdie opportunity. A layup tee shot of some 250 yards will yield an approach in the range of 135 yards. However, that approach plays uphill such that a view of the putting surface is not available, as a significant false front will stare the players right in the face. Stay below the hole and a realistic chance at birdie awaits.

HOLE 14

Par 4 | 472 YARDS

A picturesque tee shot awaits the players here. The largest sandy natural area on the golf course awaits drives that stray to the right. This very long, narrow green requires precision with the approach shot.

HOLE 15

Par 3 | 197 YARDS

Another par 3 where Ross utilized a false front to protect an otherwise accessible green. A miss long or right will also require an exacting recovery to avoid dropping a shot.

HOLE 16

Par 4 | 530 YARDS

This hole was the most difficult of the par 4s in 2014 playing to a stroke average of 4.34. The putting green is open in the front such that a 2nd shot can be bounced onto the green, but a false front is present for the first 10 yards; a ball that doesn’t get past that measurement will trundle back off the putting surface.

HOLE 17

Par 3 | 207 YARDS

The 17th hole proved pivotal during the first two US Opens played at Pinehurst No 2. The putting green sits slightly below the tee and is very well protected by bunkers. A precise tee shot is a necessity.

HOLE 18

Par 4 | 448 YARDS

The home hole offers a demanding – some might say awkward – tee shot. The clubhouse is plainly in sight from the tee, but the drive zone is not. Players must negotiate the aiming bunker that sits into the hillside on the right, but if they bail out to the left, they are likely to run out of fairway and finish in the sandy natural area.