Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
Southern Pines, NC • Public
Dom Furore
Chris Keane
Overview
Pine Needles used to lurk quietly in the Pinehurst background before the USGA chose to put it in their regular women’s championship rotation. It got another big boost in 2017 after Kyle Franz reworked portions of the course, putting the Pinehurst touch on the borders, cross hazards and bunkers. Though it lacks the intimacy and connectivity of its sister course, Mid Pines, with the holes wandering far afield due to a being part of a 1920s residential development, it’s grown into a big, championship worthy course (most recently hosting the 2019 Senior Women’s Open and 2022 U.S. Women’s Open) with arguably the best set of greens after No. 2.
About
Awards
100 Greatest: The course was part of our original 200 Toughest Courses list in 1966.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-2014.
Highest Ranking: 173rd, 2013-2014.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked from 2003-2004 & since 2007.
Highest ranking: 43rd, 2007-2008.
Previouus ranking: 73rd.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 63.
Best in State: Ranked Top 20 in North Carolina from 2011-2016 & since 2021; Top 25 from 2017-2020.
Current Ranking: 20th.
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
“A very good Ross designed course in the Sandhills of North Carolina. The course has often been thought of as a mini #2 and was the best of the other courses in the area. With the renovations of Southern Pines and Mid Pines, they are all three must play courses when you are in the Sandhills."
Read More2024
Review
“Just a wonderful place to come and enjoy the Game."
Read More2024
Review
“Pine Needles is an amazing golf course. Set aside the history of the course and the events it has held, it is a course that is both challenging and fun at the same time. A ton of variety in all aspects of the course - green complexes, hole shapes, hazard placements, length, etc. An absolute gem!"
Read More2024
Review
“Fast, firm, fair and most importantly fun! A must visit on the pilgrimage to Pinehurst area. With sister courses Mid-Pines and Southern Pines you may not even need a visit to the more famous big brother venue."
Read More2023
Review
“A fun and challenging Ross course. Was impressed by the overall course condition especially given the number of rounds played. Several holes here are as good as Pinehurst #2."
Read More2023
Review
“Very enjoyable golf experience, set-up and conditions the most similar to Pinehurst #2. Excellent example of Donald Ross design in the sand hills."
Read More2023
Review
“Good Ross course with great greens. A public course that has a private club feel."
Read More2023
Review
“Great Donald Ross Golf Course. Layout and conditions are great."
Read More2023
Review
“A resort that exudes golf. Top Tracer Technology on the range. A four hole par three course. Really good short game area. Respected venue for great teachers of the game. Two time venue for the Women's US Open. Nice variety of holes. You are required to shape the ball both left and right throughout the round. Typical of Donald Ross greens: A trip to Pine Needles, Mid Pines and Southern Pines CC is something to look forward to."
Read More2023
Review
“A must on any Donald Ross pilgrimage to the Southern Pines region that includes the Pinehurst Resort courses. Only two exits up the highway from Pinehurst, this Ross gem has hosted four U.S. Women's open including 2022's. Owned by the family of LPGA founding member Peggy Kirk Bell, now run by her son-in-law former PGA tour player Pat MacGowan. It exudes history and understated southern comfort. The course has all the Ross hallmarks in abundance, but is somehow just a bit gentler than more famous courses down the road. For this reviewer, a fairer, less random, but still exacting examination. Go, you'll be glad you did."
Read More2022
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