Pinehurst is less a golf course than a golf town — a cluster of numbered courses built into the North Carolina Sandhills, most famously the Donald Ross–designed layouts that have hosted more national championships than almost anywhere else in the country. It's an easy trip to build around, since the resort and the village around it are set up entirely for golfers passing through.
Where to play
Pinehurst Resort's No. 1 Course is the resort's original layout and a good entry point if you're new to the property — a real Sandhills course, without the wait or price tag attached to the resort's most famous numbered course.
Carolina and Centennial are two more courses in the immediate Pinehurst area worth pairing with your main round.
The village is also ringed by well-regarded private clubs — Forest Creek, Midland Country Club, National Golf Club, Pinewild, and the Country Club of North Carolina among them. Worth knowing they're there if you've got a member connection, but plan your trip around the resort and public courses rather than counting on access.
Where to stay
Staying in the village of Pinehurst puts you walking distance from most of the courses and the town's restaurants. Browse hotels near Pinehurst Resort's No. 1 Course to find something close to whichever course is anchoring your trip.
When to go
Spring and fall are the sweet spot for a golf trip to Pinehurst — warm enough to play comfortably, without the humidity of a Carolina summer. Both seasons also line up with the area's biggest tournament crowds, so book tee times and rooms early if you're coming during a big event.