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. Ross’s masterful design was expertly restored in 2011 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in one of the most important golf course projects of the 21st century. Coore & Crenshaw peeled back years of lush conditioning to reveal No. 2’s original aesthetics of wire grass and sandy native areas. Through this work, the course has become more natural and sustainable, maintaining less turf and requiring fewer resources and inputs. Pinehurst No. 2 is the rare high-profile championship venue that challenges elite players while also setting a responsible example for the golf course industry as a whole.

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Take Note…

“Ross greens.” Pinehurst No. 2’s unforgiving turtleback greens, which repel even slightly wayward shots into collection areas, are core to the course’s championship identity. This style of green design is often associated with Ross, but it’s actually the exception rather than the rule in his catalog. No. 2’s greens evolved into their contemporary shapes over time, and Coore & Crenshaw decided to honor that evolution rather than trying to recapture their exact initial forms.

Casa Ross. Donald Ross’s Pinehurst home sits just left of the spectacular third green. The architect reportedly tweaked this green continually through the years.

Par is a social construct. As part of their work at No. 2, Coore & Crenshaw flipped the pars of the parallel fourth and fifth holes: No. 4 is now a par 4 and No. 5 is a par 5.

Dormant dreams. Pinehurst’s Bermudagrass goes dormant in the colder months and plays wonderfully firm and fast. If you can find a pocket of dry weather, winter is the best time to visit the resort. The wider range of shot options around the greens makes for a delightful experience. It’s thrilling to employ a Scottish-style bump-and-run and not see the ball grab on summer Bermuda. Another benefit to the winter is that lighter crowds mean somewhat faster play, but no matter when you show up, be prepared for a lot of waiting on No. 2.