A Hallmark to Women's Championship Golf

Nestled in the charming towns of Pinehurst and Mid Pines, Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club holds a special place in North Carolina’s rich golfing tapestry. Known for its history, beauty, and strategic design, Pine Needles has hosted the U.S. Women’s Open a record four times, cementing its place as a staple in women’s championship golf.

"The difference between their skill level and that of an average golfer becomes glaringly obvious when playing a championship-caliber course like Pine Needles."

Traveling from Atlanta, GA to Philadelphia, PA, the Pinehurst area offers a perfect stopping point for any golfer traversing I-95. North Carolina, as a golf destination, is unparalleled in its accessibility to top-tier public courses. Unlike states like Pennsylvania, where exclusivity often locks out many, North Carolina embraces the everyday golfer.

My decision to play Pine Needles in July 2022, just a few months after it hosted the U.S. Women’s Open, felt like the fulfillment of a promise I’d made to myself years earlier. Having chosen Tobacco Road on a prior visit, Pine Needles was always next on my list. Playing from the 6,660-yard tees, which closely resembled the yardage used in the U.S. Women’s Open, gave me a chance to see how my game measured against the pros (spoiler alert: not great).

Finding Pine Needles is an experience in itself. Tucked away in the woods and secluded from main roads, the course exudes privacy and serenity. Across the street lies Mid Pines, another sister course on my Pinehurst bucket list, while nearby Southern Pines rounds out the family.

Course Facilities & Notable Design Changes

The clubhouse at Pine Needles is a treasure trove of history, with memorabilia celebrating its U.S. Women’s Open legacy. From photos of champions to replica trophies, it’s a tribute to the course’s storied past. The on-site restaurant offers sweeping views of the course and serves as a delightful pre- or post-round dining spot. For those staying overnight, the accommodations range from traditional lodges to individual cabins, which exude coziness and charm.

The practice facilities were equally impressive. The driving range, with its stable-like bays, is a nod to classic design while providing welcome shade from the North Carolina heat. The expansive putting green, likely enhanced for the professionals, is a standout feature, offering plenty of space to practice without feeling rushed.

Pine Needles is as challenging as it is beautiful, with a layout that demands precision, strategy, and adaptability. While I didn’t bring my best game to the course that day, the difficulty was unmistakable. Locals mentioned that Pine Needles’ sister course, Mid Pines, is even tougher— a thought that’s hard to fathom given how much Pine Needles tested me.
Reflecting on Minjee Lee’s performance at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, where she shot an incredible 13-under par, was humbling. It’s one thing to admire the PGA TOUR’s bombers, but watching the women on the LPGA Tour manage a course like this with precision and finesse is equally awe-inspiring. The difference between their skill level and that of an average golfer becomes glaringly obvious when playing a championship-caliber course like Pine Needles.

What makes Pine Needles so difficult? The crowned greens and false fronts. Donald Ross’s signature design elements create an uphill battle for amateurs like myself. These greens demand accurate approach shots, as even slight miscalculations will cause the ball to roll off into collection areas or tricky rough.

From the tee, the course doesn’t cater to a single shot shape. Some holes reward a fade, while others strongly favor a draw. This shot-shaping requirement is part of what makes Pine Needles an elite test of golf. Take hole 17, for example— while you can technically stick to your natural shot shape, doing so makes the landing zone much smaller. If you don’t have a draw in your arsenal, this hole becomes significantly harder. Colin Morikawa famously forced himself to play a draw at the PGA Championship in Tulsa, and Pine Needles similarly encourages creativity and adaptability.

The course’s design forces you to think strategically, especially on holes where the wind plays a major factor.

Speaking of design, the 2018 restoration returned Pine Needles to its roots, enhancing its visual appeal and strategic depth. Among the most notable changes:

• Hole 4: Shrinking the right fairway and adding "Pinehurst-style" bunkers created a more challenging driving hole. The new design feels uniquely North Carolinian.
• Hole 9: The addition of new bunkers along the fairway punished my baby fade, proving Ross’s design changes were as tactical as they were aesthetic.
• Hole 13: The reshaped bunkers and smaller green make this hole harder and more picturesque.
• Hole 18: While changes here were minor, expanding the bunker around the green added both visual appeal and additional challenge.

Highlights from the Round

The 1st hole is a "sleeper" par-five— deceptively simple but capable of punishing a poor approach. A greenside bunker can turn what should be a birdie opportunity into a frustrating bogey.

"While it may not have the length to host a men’s major, it remains a perfect fit for the women’s game and a shining example of Ross’s architectural brilliance."

The 18th hole, meanwhile, offers an exciting finish. A good tee shot is critical, as missing left or right brings severe trouble. The downhill approach provides a thrilling final challenge for players hoping to end on a high note.

Par-Three Perfection
The par-threes at Pine Needles are among my favorite collective sets of short holes:

• Hole 3: Simple and beautiful, though a gust of wind can turn it tricky.
• Hole 5: A demanding par-three where hitting the green is non-negotiable.
• Hole 13: Another picturesque hole that embodies Ross’s design philosophy.
• Hole 16: A straightforward par-three that can yield birdies late in the round.

Short Par-Four Standouts
The 8th and 11th holes are classic risk-reward par-fours. While driver is tempting, a well-placed iron or fairway wood is often the smarter play. Both holes reward accuracy over aggression, particularly if the wind is in play.

Starting my day with a disastrous +4 after 3 holes, I quickly realized that Pine Needles wasn’t going to let me coast. The crowned greens and false fronts tested my short game, and a lack of local course knowledge left me scrambling on several occasions.

One of my favorite holes was 17, a long par-four that forced me to hit a perfect draw to find the fairway. The challenge of shaping shots around hazards, combined with the pressure of the closing stretch, made for a thrilling conclusion.

Ultimately, I nearly failed to break 90—a testament to the difficulty of the course and my need for a better game plan. I left with a renewed appreciation for the skill of LPGA professionals, who managed 13-under par in U.S. Open conditions just months earlier.

Parting Thoughts from the Pine

Pine Needles deserves its reputation as a hallmark of U.S. Women’s Open golf. Its blend of beauty, challenge, and strategic variety makes it a must-play for serious golfers. While it may not have the length to host a men’s major, it remains a perfect fit for the women’s game and a shining example of Ross’s architectural brilliance.

For spectators, the course’s layout may make it difficult to accommodate large crowds, but watching the U.S. Women’s Open on TV was a treat. As a player, I look forward to returning to Pine Needles— and perhaps testing myself on Mid Pines and Southern Pines as well. Until then, I’ll treasure my round at one of the most fair, beautiful, and challenging courses I’ve ever played along the East Coast.