Pinehurst No. 2 Course Guide: History, Holes and Visiting Tips

Few courses carry as much American golf history as Pinehurst No. 2. This Pinehurst No. 2 course guide covers where the course came from, why it plays so differently from most championship venues, the holes worth knowing and a few tips if you are lucky enough to visit the Sandhills of North Carolina. Whether you are planning a trip or shopping for someone who already has, it helps to understand what makes this layout special.

The short version: No. 2 is a Donald Ross design that opened in 1907, has hosted four men's U.S. Opens, and was restored by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to look and play much more like the course Ross intended.

A short history of Pinehurst No. 2

Donald Ross is often described as the most prolific architect in American golf history, and No. 2 is the landmark of his career. He designed the course in 1907 and kept refining it for decades; his home sat beside the third green, and he reportedly tinkered with that green for years. The original greens were oiled sand, and they were converted to Bermuda grass in 1935.

After Ross died in 1948, tastes in course design and maintenance changed. Over the following decades the course was renovated by Robert Trent Jones in 1974 and Rees Jones in 1996, and its presentation shifted toward narrower fairways framed by thick Bermuda rough, a look far from the sandy, open character Ross had worked with.

That changed with the restoration led by Coore and Crenshaw, which began in 2010 and reopened in 2011. The team removed most of the Bermuda rough and replaced it with sandy native areas dotted with wiregrass. The result is a course that uses less turf and fewer resources, and one that once again looks like it belongs in the Sandhills.

Championship pedigree

Pinehurst has hosted some of golf's biggest events. Denny Shute won the 1936 PGA Championship there, and the 1951 Ryder Cup was held at the resort. No. 2 has hosted four men's U.S. Opens:

• 1999: Payne Stewart, whose winning celebration is captured in a statue beside the 18th green
• 2005: Michael Campbell
• 2014: Martin Kaymer, followed the next week by Michelle Wie's win at the U.S. Women's Open on the same course
• 2024: Bryson DeChambeau

In 2020 the USGA named Pinehurst its first "anchor site," with future U.S. Opens scheduled for 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.

What Pinehurst No. 2 is like to play

The defining feature of No. 2 is its greens. They are often called turtleback greens: pushed up from the surrounding grade, with edges that shed slightly mis-hit approaches into collection areas below. A shot that looks good in the air can roll off the front, side or back and leave a tricky recovery from a tight lie. Each green also has its own internal contours and pockets, so the angle you approach from matters a great deal.

Off the tee, the sandy waste areas are the other big story. Miss a fairway and you may find a lie that is hard to advance, or a firm, clean lie that invites a creative shot. The good news for everyday golfers is that balls are easy to find in these areas, so penalty strokes are rare. What you lose is control, not golf balls.

Par is 70, and the course can stretch past 7,500 yards for a U.S. Open, though shorter tees make it far more manageable for most players.

Signature holes to know

• No. 2: A diagonal green with a large central bump. The safer tee shot down the right leaves a shallow target, while challenging the left side opens up a deeper, wider green.
• No. 3: The green next to Ross's former home, the one he reportedly kept adjusting.
• Nos. 4 and 5: Coore and Crenshaw swapped their pars during the restoration, so No. 4 is now a par 4 and No. 5 a long par 5 of about 576 yards. Many players count No. 5 among the best holes on the course.
• No. 7: A classic risk-reward choice. A driver pushed near the green can leave a short wedge, but laying back improves your odds of finding the fairway.
• No. 11: One of the narrowest fairways on the course, demanding a precise drive.
• No. 18: The finishing hole, with the Payne Stewart statue nearby as a reminder of one of the U.S. Open's most famous putts.

Tips for visiting

• Hit fairways. It sounds obvious, but finding the short grass is the single biggest key to scoring on No. 2.
• Aim for the middle of greens. Pick conservative targets on approach shots and swing freely. Aggressive misses near the edges are punished.
• Bring a putter, or a hybrid, for chips. From the collection areas a bump-and-run is often safer than a high pitch.
• Consider a winter trip. When the Bermuda grass goes dormant, the course often plays firm and fast, with more ground-game options.
• Plan for a long round. Reviewers frequently note that pace of play can be slow, so leave room in your schedule.
• Book through the resort. Check Pinehurst Resort directly for current tee-time options and policies, which can change.

Pinehurst No. 2 is one of many great layouts in the state. If you are exploring Tar Heel golf, browse our North Carolina golf course prints for more courses.

Our Pinehurst No. 2 print

Our Pinehurst No. 2 print is a mid-century style map of the course, with every hole drawn and numbered from real map data, so you can trace the routing from the first tee to the Payne Stewart statue at 18. It is available in 12x16, 18x24 and 24x32 inch sizes, unframed on museum-quality matte paper or framed in black, white or green and ready to hang. It makes a meaningful gift for someone who has played the course, or a reminder of the trip still on the list. Golf Print House is independent and not affiliated with Pinehurst Resort.

FAQ

Who designed Pinehurst No. 2?

Donald Ross designed Pinehurst No. 2, which opened in 1907. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw led a restoration completed in 2011 that returned the course to a more Ross-like character.

What is par at Pinehurst No. 2?

Pinehurst No. 2 plays as a par 70. For the 2024 U.S. Open it measured about 7,548 yards, though everyday tees are much shorter.

Which U.S. Opens has Pinehurst No. 2 hosted?

The men's U.S. Open was held there in 1999, 2005, 2014 and 2024. The 2014 U.S. Women's Open was played there the following week, and future U.S. Opens are scheduled for 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.

What are turtleback greens?

Turtleback greens are domed putting surfaces raised above the surrounding ground. Their edges shed slightly errant shots into collection areas, which is why approach accuracy and a good short game are so important at Pinehurst No. 2.