Pinehurst No. 8 is one of nine 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 $435 greens fee reflects its history of hosting major championships including the US Men’s and US Women’s Open in 2014. No. 2 is tough especially the upside-down saucer greens.
However, the other eight courses are challenging but more playable and much 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 – The Centennial
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 on the closing hole.
Pinehurst No. 8 includes multiple large wetland areas unique to this Pinehurst Resort course. Well manicured with a different 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.
Explore other Carolinas golf course profiles from Quintessential Golf Magazine.
