Michigan Golf Journal November 2021

Michigan Golf Journal 4 Days in Pinehurst Pinehurst No. 2: When checking a place like Pinehurst off your golfing bucket list, it’s easy to feel a little uneasy heading into your day. But rarely have I felt so comfortable in an iconic location for golf. The staff and the overall ambiance felt very relaxing for a place steeped in so much potentially intimidating history. The best thing I heard all day came at the first tee when our caddy said, “you’ll only need to carry three golf balls today”... His way of saying there are so few places on No. 2 to lose your prized white circular possessions. My stretch of three favorite holes on the front nine were 3-5, and on the back nine 15-17. The third hole is a par 4 with the green set right of the fairway with an elevated green surrounded by bunkers front left and sand waste front right. Donald Ross’ former home is to the left. No.4 starts at the most- elevated tee box on the course to start a very long downhill par four hole (474 yards from the tips). Then hole 5 is a medium length par five that turns left for the final approach shot to a somewhat crowned green that’s hard to hold. On the back, No. 15 is a par 3 with a classic Donald Ross depression running across the front of the green complex. But what jumps out is seeing the long par five No. 16 in the background as if it’s a continuation of the hole, both of course framed by stately tall pines. No. 16 is the most picturesque hole on the layout with a pond to clear off the tee before the fairway gently turns left. The green complex is very harrowing with a combined massive bunker and sand waste area guarding the right side – and of course a severe Donald Ross false front. No. 17 is another stunning par 3 with challenging sand bunkering and waste areas to avoid left and right – but for photo purposes is very pleasing to the eye. Note : The Cradle Short Course (all par 3s) at Pinehurst Resort was a ton of fun and loaded with golfers of all ages, including many women. It equally rivals the Bootlegger at Forest Dunes, which plays a little longer on most holes.