The Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina, was established in 1895 when Boston’s James Walker Tufts purchased 598 acres for $1.25 per acre to create a health resort. Five years later, Tufts hired Donald Ross to develop golf at his resort. More than 120 years later, Pinehurst Resort operates nearly one dozen golf courses. Nestled only six miles away is the Town of Southern Pines, North Carolina, which was formed in 1884 with similar aspirations to Tufts’s plan. That dream wasn’t fully realized, but both golf and the local equestrian community thrive here today. If you’re not in a rush, you can even take the Amtrak Floridian route between Chicago and Miami and arrive right in the heart of Southern Pines.
I have been fortunate to make Moore County my home for three years now and have to continually remind myself that I live in a golf wonderland. Between designs, renovations, and restorations from Ross, Mike Strantz, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Tom Fazio, and Kyle Franz, the variety of golf to experience is extensive. Thanks to growth in the area fueled by golf, equestrianism, and the military presence of nearby Fort Bragg, there are more dining options than ever before (and I have done my best to explore all of them).
Walking through the Village of Pinehurst always reminds me of small-town romance movies and novels, and the resort is seamlessly written into the script. Whether you stay at a resort property or happen to snag a short-term rental, everyone and everything is centered on golf. I always recommend dining at a variety of on- and off-resort properties, and the local businesses have leaned into the special area. Of note: If you want guaranteed tee times on any of the Pinehurst Resort courses, you have to stay on property.
If you want a better balance of time on and off the golf course, may I recommend a stay in Southern Pines? As of 2025, the options for hotels in Southern Pines are not strong, but stay tuned for the recently announced joint venture of Mid Pines Inn and Pine Needles Lodge with the Marine & Lawn Hotels group. Until those renovations are finished, there are a plethora of welcoming short-term rentals prepared for golfer stays in the area. The equestrian community is another beautiful backdrop to the region, with thousands of acres to drive alongside on Youngs Road, and restaurants like Ashten’s pay homage to the second most popular hobby in Moore County.
From these recommendations, you’ll see that I typically choose to spend my time off the golf course in Southern Pines, but the charm of Pinehurst is hard to ignore. In this guide, I'll first take you through Pinehurst and wrap up with Southern Pines.
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This hotel underwent a recent renovation to bring the accommodations up to par with its nickname, the “Queen of the South.” You can walk to the village or take resort shuttles across the properties from The Carolina Hotel, which also has a massive breakfast every morning for you to fuel up before your round.
With so many hotels as part of the resort’s accommodations options, it was great to see on-course cottages open at No. 8. For those who want the house experience for their buddies trip, the rec room and back patio are ideal, and these can sleep four to eight people.
This converted church is not a resort property, but it is in the heart of the village. This place is huge and can sleep up to 14 people. It’s an open floor plan with a big yard for cornhole (not bags) and grilling.
The Manor is one of my favorite places to stay after its tasteful renovation was completed in 2019. On the first floor is The North & South Bar, which makes my favorite dirty gin martini (with blue cheese olives), despite being known as a whiskey bar. The Pinehurst Brewery is just behind this location.
This resort hotel sits in the middle of the village and has plenty of old-school charm. The rooms are a bit older in what is Pinehurst’s first hotel, opened in 1895. But the location is prime and an antique bar in the Holly Tavern is the perfect place to close your evening.
If you want to stay on a resort property but get that bed and breakfast experience, the Magnolia Inn is an intimate retreat. The ground floor is home to the Villaggio Ristorante & Bar, but I can tell you from experience that noise isn’t an issue.
This is the first restaurant I recommend to anyone visiting the area, which is inside the Theater Building in the village. They don’t take reservations, but you can visit their in-restaurant bar, Augie’s, while you wait. Once you’re seated, be sure to order the fried meatballs for an appetizer. All of their pasta dishes are fantastic.
While ordering sushi may not seem ideal in a landlocked location, Neko Thai & Sushi is delicious and has solid cooked dishes, too.
After your round and before dinner, grab a glass of wine, beer, or coffee at the Village Wine Shop. Their patio out front is great for people-watching and the space behind the building is good for larger groups. It’s worth trying the frozen espresso martini for a treat.
There is plenty of patio seating at the Deuce, which is situated behind the 18th on Pinehurst No. 2 in the main clubhouse. You’ll see everything from heckling to cheering all afternoon through the evening. It has an elevated sports-bar menu and I’d recommend sharing the tater tots for the table. There are also Adirondack chairs lining the wraparound porch if you want to sit back and take in the scene.
The Pinehurst Brewing Company is located in an abandoned steam plant that dates back to 1895. They brew about 10 of their own beers and the space is great for accommodating groups between the indoor dining and beer garden. Their food menu features smokehouse offerings, but the beer cheese pretzel sticks are a personal favorite.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area, 195 American Fusion has fine dining dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Start your meal with the tuna tacos and give their cocktail menu a shot.
This gastropub leans into its British inspiration with really fun twists on traditional pub food. The menu is extensive, offering healthier options and a solid burger after a long day on the course.
Ashten’s is a farm-to-table restaurant that touts its ‘global cuisine from a southern perspective.’ Whatever they’re making, I’m eating, and the restaurant is BYOB despite having a full bar menu. Their menu changes frequently with seasonal flavors, but my favorite appetizer, the crispy tempura portabella fries, is a staple.
If your group wants a steak dinner that they can reserve in advance, Southern Prime can accommodate larger groups and is a white tablecloth option that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
One of the more elegant options in town, Chef Warren’s Bistro has a unique menu that also features vegan dishes. I love watching meals being prepared in the open kitchen and it is a favorite spot among locals for a nicer meal. When on the menu, I go for the mussels and fries or however the chef is preparing the Hokkaido scallops.
New to the area, Cork is a cocktail bar in the heart of downtown Southern Pines that took over a historic theatre building. It’s darker and intimate, but they have plenty of space. They don’t serve food, but outside food and food deliveries are permitted.
It’s always busy at Chapman’s, but you shouldn’t have to wait too long for a table. It’s another solid pub-style restaurant with lots of menu options.
Another fantastic coffee shop, Amor Ciego serves Colombian-style coffee, along with tea and the best croissants in the area. You have to be there early for the croissants that typically come in multiple flavors!
One of a few coffee shops in Southern Pines, Maisonette brews Black and White Coffee Roasters and always tempts me with its baked goods. If you’re early enough, they have a daily quiche, sausage roll, and other breakfast items available.
If you have kids in tow, Red’s Corner gives you options for everyone in the family. It’s a food truck park that typically hosts five to six vendors, ranging from Greek food to barbecue, as well as a beer garden.
If you’re hankering for some pizza, SoPies is the best in town and they’ll deliver to any of the spots listed in this guide that allow it. Get the wings, too.
A staple of the area, Southern Pines Brewing Company is a craft brewery with around a dozen beers on tap, along with frozen beverages. They have a wrap-around deck with plenty of seating and firepits, and it’s another spot that allows you to bring food or have it delivered.
Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the pillars of American golf—the home of the most prolific golf architect in American history, Donald Ross, and a newly chosen “anchor site” for the U.S. Open. For anyone who can afford its lofty price tag, it is among the few publicly available opportunities in the U.S. to play a Hall of Fame architect’s best work. -Andy Johnson
No. 3 is the shortest 18-hole regulation golf course at Pinehurst Resort and was originally designed in 1910 by Donald Ross. It’s a great test of precision with its tiny and undulating greens, and I’ve seen many break out the hickory sticks to switch it up for a round.
A dream lineup of Pinehurst Resort courses would be to play No. 2, No. 4, and No. 10. No. 4 was originally designed by Donald Ross in 1919, with many redesigns and restorations in between its redesign by Gil Hanse in 2018. It’s a hilly walk with wide fairways and elevated greens that complement the challenge of its more famous neighbor, No. 2. Of note: Check out The Nest, a halfway house behind the ninth tee and give the Woodpecker drink a try!
When you book a package with Pinehurst Resort, they often add their centennial celebration course, the Tom Fazio-designed No. 8. Admittedly, the course wasn’t my favorite, but in 2022, the resort restored bunkers, redid the greens and removed invasive trees, which makes for a much more delightful experience especially in the final stretch of holes.
In 2010, Pinehurst Resort acquired 900 acres in Aberdeen, North Carolina, about five miles south of its main resort complex. The hilly site, formerly a sand-mining operation and later occupied by a Dan Maples-designed golf course called The Pit Golf Links, is now home to Pinehurst No. 10, a striking 18-hole course designed by Tom Doak. Under the supervision of longtime Doak associate Angela Moser, No. 10 was built with remarkable speed and opened in April 2024. -Garrett Morrison
Find yourself a golf course that can do both: A great place to test your short game and kick off your shoes with a beverage in hand and a Sunday bag on your shoulder. Gil Hanse’s nine-hole course, The Cradle, is fun any time of day, and after you’ve paid the greens fee, you’re welcome to play as many times as you want until dusk. If someone with you isn’t playing golf, the Adirondack chairs and fire pits behind the third green offer a great hang. -Abby Liebenthal
This Coore and Crenshaw design is in a secluded area adjacent to Pinehurst, where you’ll recognize the sandy terrain. You have to be invited by a member to play here, as well as stay on property for access to the golf course. Dormie Club has leaned into its southern charm. The details across the property, the generous halfway houses, and quiet reprieve from the surrounding area make it a memorable experience.
While we have heard much about the major championships played across Pinehurst and Pine Needles, the Country Club of North Carolina boasts fantastic champions like Jack Nicklaus (1972 U.S. Professional Match Play), Hal Sutton (1980 U.S. Amateur), Ben Crenshaw (1971 Southern Amateur), Webb Simpson (2007 Southern Amateur), Doris Chen (2010 U.S. Girls Junior), and Nick Dunlap (2021 U.S. Junior Amateur Champion). The property is home to two courses, the Dogwood (Ellis Maples, William Byrd) and Cardinal (William Byrd, Robert Trent Jones).
Tom Fazio designed both golf courses at Forest Creek Golf Club on what used to be a 3,000-acre family estate. The North course stretches throughout the property, winding through waste bunkers and the pines. The South course was actually built first in 1997 and welcomes you with wide fairways, but has multiple forced carries and penal bunkering. Be sure to finish any bets on the Hog Hole, the par-3 19th that brings you back to the clubhouse.
Another Donald Ross gem, Pine Needles was restored by Kyle Franz in 2017 and has hosted four U.S. Women’s Open championships. It is much more stretched out across residential areas compared to its sister courses, Southern Pines and Mid Pines, but it is still a challenging test worth visiting.
Golf on the current property of Southern Pines Golf Club dates back to 1906 when a primitive nine-hole course was laid out by two of Donald Ross’ assistants, later expanded to 18 holes by the duo. Finally, SPGC was transformed significantly by Ross in 1914. A rebuilding of the greens in the 1990s took the course further from what Ross had built with its modern multi-tiered green design. In 2020, SPGC became the third piece of the Southern Pines trio of courses alongside Mid Pines and Pine Needles when Kelly Miller purchased the course from the local Elks Club. -Matt Rouches
In contrast to the subtle topography of the Pinehurst courses, the property at Mid Pines Golf Club is undulating and varied. Perhaps inspired by the excellence of the terrain, Ross produced one of his finest routings. The course alternates nimbly between the high and low sections of the property, presenting a balanced array of uphill, downhill, sidehill, and ridge-to-ridge shots. Ross’s use of the land is the primary source of Mid Pines’ challenge. In order to score well, players must hit precise approaches from all manner of uneven lies. -Garrett Morrison
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