Pinehurst Titleist Package

Pinehurst just announced their winter promo without the Titleist Get Fit package.
2 nights / 3 rounds $733 from November 2021 - Feb 2022.
I would bet Team Titleist will follow with the same offer as last year.

I went to Pinehurst as part of a group of four from February 22-25 and thought I would share my thoughts on the trip for those that have considered a Pinehurst trip. I booked the trip prior to the Titleist promotional package being announced, and it turned out the rates we paid were almost identical to the Titleist package when considering the pro shop credit. We arrived the afternoon of February 22 and got in a practice session as it was too late to play. We played the following three days and flew home after our round on the last day. We had an hour or so of light rain on first day of golf, a cold mist on the second day of golf and fog when we teed off on the last day that cleared by the time we finished the first hole. So all things considered, good weather for this time of year.

Golf
1. Course #2- This was our first round on the trip. We had caddies for the round. They generally double bag unless you really want your own caddie. Both caddies were great and really helped with picking lines off the tee and into the greens, as well as reading putts. I could not imagine playing this course without caddies due to the difficulty level. You really need advice and someone carrying your bag on a course this challenging. Plus, its cart path only if you ride in a cart which really disrupts the round IMO. The course was fantastic. Great condition and the greens were as challenging as advertised. I really liked how there was plenty of room off the tee and if you hit it off the fairway, you had a good chance of getting a good lie in the waste area or on the pine straw. I think I was stuck in a wire grass bush only once. The shots into the green required precision that I unfortunately did not have on this trip. I drove the ball as well as I have in a long time but the iron play was not there. I got the hang of the chipping halfway through the round and found that a PW or 9-iron bump and run worked well for me. I could have used the 56-degree to pitch the ball on a few shots but decided to play it safe. I recommend playing course #2 first when you are fresh on the trip. Several people told me to play it first or last, and I recommend playing it first on your trip. Course #2 is as good as advertised.

2. Course #8- We played #8 in the morning on our second day of golf. Several people told me Course #8 was their favorite. The course was great but maybe my expectations were too high. The front 9 seemed more like a parkland course and the back nine had more of the sandy turf and waste areas. I think the issue I had with the course was the really soft conditions and almost muddy conditions in some spots around the greens. I believe they are starting on renovations and maybe planting new grass so maybe that was the issue. It was a fun lay-out and I enjoyed the back nine. Don’t get me wrong, this is an outstanding course but I rank it behind #2 and #4.

3. Course #1- We played Course #1 in the afternoon after the round on #8. Short course, 6,000 yards from the tips, with very wide fairways. Greens were also much less severe. We really enjoyed this course as it was nice to take a little break from difficult courses and the short game was a more conventional with flatter greens and not many steep run-offs. Course was in great shape and it was a nice way to end Day 2 of golf.

4. Course #4- I have not heard anyone say Course #4 is their favorite at Pinehurst but it is my favorite, as well as the favorite of the rest of the group. It was a less difficult version of Course #2. Very similar look off the tee with some severe greens and run-offs but lower degree of difficulty from Course #2. Plenty of room off the tee but iron play had to be pretty good. Really glad we finished on #4. We used push carts as this course is cart path only also. The yardage book came in handy without caddies. Next time I may get a caddie on this course.

5. The Cradle- This is the 9-hole par 3 course. We played this on the first day of golf after playing course #2. We had to hit off mats and I’m not sure if that is normal or just due to the time of year. The course is fairly basic compared to other resort par 3 courses like The Preserve and Bandon Dunes. But it’s a fun way to end the day. Grab a couple of beers after the round on the hill overlooking the course.
Practice Facilities
Great practice facilities with only downside being mats-only at driving range. Not sure if this is the norm or just due to time of year. Chipping areas were nice and the big putting green with the putting course were in great shape. Overall, great practice facilities.

Room/Hotel
We stayed at The Manor as the rooms looked a little more recently updated. Great looking rooms with comfy bed and a large walk-in shower. Great rooms for a golf resort. Nice bar downstairs with comfy chairs and couches. I believe they are renovating the other 2 hotels on the property. May consider those on future trips.

Meals
The food was OUTSTANDING. Two dinners in the Carolina dining room were fantastic. Our meal plan included 3 of the following 4 courses: appetizer, salad, entrée, desert. Appetizers were very good and the wedge and Caesar salads were excellent. I had steaks both nights and I have had very few steaks on that level. We hit Pinehurst Brewing Company one night which was good. The breakfast buffet at the Carolina was as good a breakfast buffet as you will have. Omelet station and many other choices.

Pro Shop
They had a lot of different merchandise in the pro shop but they were lacking in my size- XL. I think they could go with fewer individual items with more of each. Maybe the supply chain issue is part of the problem. I did snag a nice T-shirt, golf shirt and bag tag to commemorate the trip.

Overall Resort
I don’t think the golf experience can be done better. Great, friendly customer service, outstanding golf courses and facilities plus great restaurants and bars. If you have been thinking about a Pinehurst trip, then do it. I heard nothing but great things about Pinehurst and went in with high expectations. My expectations were exceeded. My only complaint is my bad iron play for the week, LOL.