Our golf travel specialist, Robin Couchman, has travelled extensively to the USA playing many of the top golfing venues. Here's Robin's review of the best golf courses in Pinehurst.
Often referred to as America’s home of golf, its no wonder many choose Pinehurst golf holidays for their first golfing trip across the pond. I have been fortunate enough to visit Pinehurst many times over the years. The area is actually known as Sandhills, composing of three villages, Aberdeen, Southern Pines and of course, Pinehurst.
It is a simple destination to get too with direct flights from London into either Raleigh Durham or Charlotte and after just an hour or so, you have arrived at a tranquil golfing piece of heaven. Many of the famous course designers have all managed to get their hands on some land here to produce some excellent layouts that are a joy to play.
We are all familiar with the famous Carolina Hotel with the Pinehurst logo written in the grounds in front, but there are two other properties linked to the Resort at the boutique Holly Inn and the more informal and relaxed Manor Inn. You have to stay on site to play any of the numbered courses from 1-9, which naturally includes the “world famous” Pinehurst No 2 and host to numerous prestigious events. Having played it twice, I can tell you it lives up to all expectations, and the changes to the course made a few years ago have enhanced the playing experience.
There is no more heavy rough, but instead a first cut and then waste and scrub, which means you will more than likely find your ball, but the lie may be tricky! The greens have been commonly referred to as “upturned saucers”, and while they are fast and slopey, with a bit of thought and planning, you soon adjust to the superb conditions of these fantastic greens.
To get the best value out of your trip to this area, then I highly recommend a two-centre stay within the village, either at the well-appointed Springhill Suites or in one of the lodges or condos at Mid South and Talamore. With over 20 courses in the area, you can get to play some fantastic tracks such as Mid Pines, Mid South, Talamore and Legacy, or test yourself at one of my favourites “Tobacco Road”. All of these are highly recommended, and the accommodation is also of the best quality and keeps the cost down to be able to afford the high-light Number 2.
The area of Sandhills is becoming more and more popular for residential living and so with that, comes more restaurants and bars. Even though there is that lovely village feel with many residents driving around from their homes to the course or shops in their golf carts, it is still possible for those that want it, to find the livelier atmosphere and mix with the locals.
Discover the Three P’s…Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and Torrey Pines! Our golf travel specialist, Robin Couchman, has travelled extensively to the USA playing many of the
Nothing beats staying at a resort which has its own 18-hole championship golf course in Hilton Head. How about staying at a resort which is home to a golf course which features regularly on the PGA Tour?
That’s precisely what you can do at the Sea Pines Resort in South Carolina. There are in-fact three championship golf courses to choose from plus a choice of accommodation including villas and apartments.
Sea Pines Resort boasts swimming pools, tennis courts, gym, restaurants, shopping, two marinas, beaches, walking trails and a nature reserve.
Before reading on Eagle Golf Tours is an established specialist and offers South Carolina golf holidays including resorts and hotels golfing packages.
Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head has been welcoming golfers from all over the world since the 1970s. If you are looking for the perfect combination of southern hospitality, beaches and golf, you will struggle to find a better venue than Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.
There are three 18-hole championship golf courses to choose from, and you could easily spend a week here playing golf. However, you will want to include some of the other activities available with swimming pools, tennis courts and water sports all on offer.
The accommodation includes one, two, three and four-bedroom villa-style apartments and several homes with private swimming pool.
Those looking to experience the full southern experience will not be disappointed when staying at The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Located within Charleston‘s short drive, this luxury accommodation has been designed in the original seaside mansion tradition.
You will enjoy the first-class southern hospitality, and the resort includes fine dining, swimming pools, fitness centre, shopping and a spa. There are nine fabulous suites and many luxurious guest rooms available. Enjoy your pick of five top golf courses including The Ocean Course and Osprey Point Golf Course.
If you are looking for a Myrtle Beach golf package and prefer to stay in your own private accommodation when playing golf in South Carolina, Myrtlewood Golf Villas come highly recommended.
Only a mile from the heart of Myrtle Beach, the villas come with a wealth of facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, jacuzzi, gym and two on-site golf courses. However, packages are available to book, including the pick of the top golf courses in Myrtle Beach such as Grande Dunes, Pine Lakes Country Club and Myrtlewood Palmetto.
The range of villas are suitable for one to eight guests and come with fully-equipped kitchens plus free internet access.
The Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort offers a selection of guest rooms and suites. Opt for a room with a balcony, and you will have lovely ocean views to enjoy every evening following a round of golf. There are two oceanfront restaurants but being located so close to all the attractions. You may wish to dine out every evening.
Arguably the best feature of this accommodation is the location and you are just minutes away from several of the top South Carolina golf courses. Arcadian Shores Golf Club is a good example, and this is adjacent to the resort.
When on your golf travels, please consider South Carolina golf resorts as they feature some of the best in the world. The 3 key regions are Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Kiawah Island near Charleston. In this guide, our expert team will walk you through the best golf resorts in South Carolina on offer.
Our golf travel specialist, Robin Couchman, has travelled extensively to the USA playing many of the top golfing venues. Here's Robin's review of three of the most famous courses on the US Open circuit, including advice on accommodation and the local area.
With the US Open returning to Pebble Beach this year to celebrate 100 years since the course opened, I am sure you will be tempted to play such an iconic venue and it may not be as expensive or difficult as you first think! Not only that, but two other recognisable courses, Pinehurst Number 2 and Torrey Pines are also on the US Open rota and more amazing golfing experiences that are easily possible.
I first played Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2012 and there is that warm and fuzzy feeling as soon as you enter the town of Monterey and see the stunning coastline come into view, that features on so many of the holes.
The main lodging options are the Lodge and Inn at Spanish Bay and each cater exceptionally well for golfing groups or couples and have their little nuances that make you feel you are somewhere special, however, it’s the golf course that blows you away.
One of the most notable things, not overly publicised, is the nature surrounding this course, from dears wandering the fairways to tiger sharks in the ocean to humped back whales in the distance spouting their appreciation of my birdie for sure! The stretch from 11th – 16th does give a slight element of respite before finishing with the superb 17th and 18th holes where so many tournaments are won and lost, and I am sure will once again play a part in this years’ event.
Planning a Pebble Beach golf trip? Eagle Golf Tours can offer Pebble Beach golf holidays to include hotels and playing the course.
My best advice to do this same thing yourself is to twin centre the stay both here and in Monterey where you can stay downtown for a few days completing a 7-night stay and playing some local courses that are of a very high standard. Flights are direct on British Airways to San Jose (and free golf club carriage with Eagle Golf) means that this is a lot more affordable and a chance to walk the steps of the games’ greatest players.
It is considered an innocuous start with the first four holes leading you into this false sense of security that you might tame this beast. Only for you to play the 5th hole Par 3 across the shoreline and you suddenly realise that there is a tough stretch ahead tracing the rugged coastline …even the 7th, one of the shortest Par 3s in Championship golf is so exposed that you have to keep your wits about you (which I might add I did, making a 2 of course!).
From £2,475
Having been to Pinehurst three times you can already tell that I am a fan; not only of the resort with its name spelt out on the grass banks, or the Number 2 course recently restored to its original natural beauty, but of the whole village.
The village exudes an ambience gives you this overwhelming feeling of nostalgia and that it’s been like this for years and at any moment Donald Ross might pop put of his house (alongside hole 3) to say “good shot”.
The three different accommodation options suit all needs from the classic Holly Inn or elegant Carolina to the relaxed Manor Inn where groups of guys can talk about the difficulty of “those” greens! I have played Number 2 twice now, and each time I have come away feeling bruised but not beaten, it does have somewhat tricky greens that you need to be conscious of, whether you are going in with a four iron or wedge. The natural waste areas make it difficult to lose a ball, and with errant shots, you hope you have a decent enough lie to make it to the green.
Once again, this is another trip that I highly recommend you twin centre with other properties in the village such as Talamore, where they have some superb villas and golf courses to match…this is the Scotland of North America with more hidden gems than you can shake a flag stick at! Flight options are direct into Raleigh or Charlotte with American Airlines from Heathrow, and you too can be enjoying this golfing mecca.
Interested in playing Pinehurst no 2 course and would like to know what golfing packages are available? Eagle Golf Tours can offer Pinehurst golf holidays to include hotels and playing the course.
From £1,695
Torrey Pines South is the US Open venue of 2021 and last played in 2008 (Tiger Woods of course!) and slightly different in that it is owned by the state. Unlike Bethpage, we can book your tee times in advance when staying at the Lodge, and this is what makes the trip so enjoyable.
The rooms have this rustic and yet modern feel, and the whole ambience makes you feel like you are at home and in the right frame of mind to tackle what is regarded as one of the tougher courses in the state. The South course is a monster from the tips and with the wind blowing it is best to give yourself a chance and play from a more reasonable length which I felt was the “green tees” at 6,600 yards. As with all US Open courses, missing the fairway can mean you struggle to find your ball, but regarded as some of the most generous around, so the rest is down to you
The name as you can imagine comes from the Torrey Pine trees that are native to this area, and a prominent feature of the course and this combined with some stunning views make it another one to add to the bucket list.
My recommendation once more is to combine a couple of nights at the Lodge with five nights in San Diego playing some excellent local courses that we highly recommend and can book with ease and the direct flights are available once again on BA making this a serious contender to rival the two I have already mentioned.
If you would like to play Torrey Pines golf course and stay over, Eagle Golf Tours can offer The Lodge at Torrey Pines accommodation which is ideal for a golfing trip.
From £1,695
There have been many other US Open Golf venues across the years, staged on a variety of course layouts. Often on of the harder major championships with punishing rough and tough pin positions. Other hosts include Winged Foot, Oakmont Country Club and Shinnecock Hills. Great winners in history of the open include Jack nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Curtis Strange and Lee Trevino.
Enjoy the US Open 2019 and let’s see who conquers this famous links and maybe with this little insight, you might also final be tempted to go yourself. The final mention is for a course that I played just last week and another venue that albeit only hosted once, will definitely be having the tournament again in years to come and that is Erin Hills…I will leave that taster with you and do not hesitate to give me a call about that or any of these and many more US golfing delights, as I have been there, done that, bought way to many t-shirts (well golf shirts) and only left me wanting more.
With year-round sunny weather and a plethora of championship golf courses in Orlando, this is the ideal vacation spot for golfers. It’s no surprise, then,
Classic golf courses in North and South Carolina make this destination a must for travelling. Myrtle Beach, the golfing state, offers a huge range of
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