Pinehurst No. 6 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 at No. 2 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. 6
Pinehurst No. 6 is a George and Tom Fazio design that opened in 1979. The first course located away from the main golf club, the purpose was to sell real estate. A grass practice range and a small but excellent short game area adjoins a modest clubhouse.
The course meanders through the typical Pinehurst forested Sandhills surrounded by smartly designed homes. Although the fairways are undulating, the consistent but gentle uphill elevated greens often have false fronts . Take an extra club on approach shots. And typical Fazio green-side bunkering adds to the challenge. No holes are awe-striking. The fairways are generous. The bunkers are large and well placed. Green-side areas often slope away downhill.
Pinehurst No. 6 is not as striking as the other Fazio design No. 8. But it’s no piece of cake. The uphill elevated greens, frequent on the front nine, are frustrating to reach. It’s the farthest from the main lodge, yet only four miles away. Not as busy as other courses, you’ll find the perfect place to start a Pinehurst Resort vacation.
Explore other Carolinas golf course profiles from Quintessential Golf Magazine.
