
Pine Needles Course
Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club

About this course
Pine Needles stands as a testament to the enduring vision of Peggy Kirk Bell, a champion who shaped the club’s welcoming spirit and championship pedigree. Nestled in the heart of North Carolina's Sandhills, the course is a classic example of Donald Ross's Golden Age design, marked by its strategic bunkering and crowned, undulating greens that demand thoughtful approach play. This is not a course of overwhelming length, but its cunning placement of hazards and the subtle breaks on the greens reward precision and strategic thinking. Ross's design has been carefully preserved and enhanced, most notably by John Fought, ensuring the course remains true to its original character while meeting the demands of the modern game. Pine Needles has been the stage for multiple U.S. Women's Opens, each adding another layer to the course's storied history. The challenge is not to overpower the course, but to navigate its nuances, rewarding thoughtful play over brute force. More than a championship venue, Pine Needles carries a distinct Southern charm, reflecting Bell's philosophy that golf should be both challenging and enjoyable. The club embraces a relaxed atmosphere where camaraderie flourishes, further cemented by the tradition of post-round gatherings on the clubhouse veranda, a setting as integral to the Pine Needles experience as the golf itself.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in NC
Quick facts
- Location
- Southern Pines, NC, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1928
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Donald Ross, John Fought
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 7,015 yards
- Difficulty
- 77.2/137
- Course Vaults score
- 8.4
Getting there
The journey to Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club mirrors that of its storied neighbor, beginning at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDH) and unfolding over an hour-and-a-quarter drive south through the gently rolling Sandhills. Private arrivals touch down at Moore County Airport, a discreet gateway mere minutes from the property. The final miles trace quiet two-lane roads beneath cathedral canopies of longleaf pine, the landscape growing softer and more secluded until the understated entrance reveals itself - a fitting threshold to one of American golf's most cherished and intimate retreats.

FAQ
Common questions about Pine Needles
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Pine Needles has a Course Vaults score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 474 logged golfers.
Pine Needles was designed by Donald Ross and John Fought.
Yes. Pine Needles is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Pine Needles is 71.
Pine Needles plays 7,015 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Pine Needles is 137.




