Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club
A Donald Ross original in the heart of the North Carolina Sandhills, and the first resort to host four U.S. Women's Opens. Pine Needles runs over the sandy, rolling pine country that Ross loved, a few miles from Pinehurst, its crowned greens and natural lines a masterclass in the architecture that made the region the cradle of American golf.
Photo: Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Donald Ross laid out Pine Needles in 1928 on the sandy, longleaf pine country of Southern Pines, the same Sandhills soil that produced his masterpiece at Pinehurst No. 2 a short drive away. It is a par 71 of around 7,015 yards, and it is pure Ross: holes that follow the natural roll of the land, greens crowned and falling away at the edges, and a test that rewards thought and a sharp short game over brute strength. Four U.S. Women's Opens, in 1996, 2001, 2007 and 2022, confirm its championship pedigree.
What makes Pine Needles such a pleasure is that the genius is quiet. There are no tricks, just well routed golf over handsome ground, with the turtleback greens asking precise approaches and clever recovery from the player who misses. Paired with its sister course Mid Pines and the lodge between them, it is one of the most rewarding and most welcoming stops on any Sandhills golf trip.
Pine Needles at a glance
- Opened
- 1928
- Designer
- Donald Ross
- Type
- Sandhills
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- Around 7,015 yds
- Green fee
- Seasonal, see note
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort and leading course databases. Pine Needles is a Donald Ross design of around 7,015 yards and has hosted four U.S. Women's Opens. Green fees vary by season; stay and play packages start from around 167 US dollars per person per night including golf and lodging in the 2026 calendar. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Pine Needles asks its questions through the green rather than off the tee. The fairways are generous enough, but the crowned greens, falling away to closely mown collection areas, mean the approach is everything, and a ball that finishes on the wrong side leaves a testing little recovery.
Ross routed the holes over the gentle Sandhills terrain so that few lies are dead flat and the angles constantly shift, asking you to work the ball and pick the right miss. The par 3s are a particular strength, each green defended so that distance control off the tee is at a premium, the kind of holes that decided four U.S. Women's Opens.
Around the greens the short game is tested as much as anywhere in American golf, with the firm turf and the run offs demanding deft chips and confident putting. Pine Needles is a course to study and to enjoy, a Ross original that gives up its rewards to the golfer who plays it with patience and imagination.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A resort course; open to lodge guests and to visitors by tee time booking |
| Green fee | Seasonal; stay and play from around 167 US dollars per person per night including golf (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book ahead for spring and autumn, the prime Sandhills golf seasons |
| On the day | Carts and caddies available; the course walks well. Smart golf dress |
| Getting there | In Southern Pines, around 1.5 hours from Raleigh Durham airport in the North Carolina Sandhills |
| Best months | March to May and September to November for the best conditions |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with the club or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is Pine Needles Lodge itself, set between the Pine Needles and Mid Pines courses, an unfussy, golf first resort that has welcomed players to the Sandhills for generations. Staying here puts both Ross courses on your doorstep.
The wider Pinehurst and Southern Pines area is the densest concentration of quality golf in the United States, with Pinehurst No. 2 and many more within a short drive. A few days here can take in a string of celebrated courses without ever straying far from the lodge.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Pine Needles and Southern Pines.
Build a Sandhills golf trip
We pair Pine Needles with Mid Pines, Pinehurst No. 2 and the best of the Sandhills, book the lodge and arrange the tee times in the right order. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Pine Needles questions
Who designed Pine Needles and when did it open?
Pine Needles was designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1928, on the sandy longleaf pine country of Southern Pines in the North Carolina Sandhills, close to his celebrated Pinehurst No. 2.
What is the par and length of Pine Needles?
Pine Needles is a par 71 of around 7,015 yards, a classic Ross layout defined by crowned greens that fall away at the edges and put a premium on the approach and short game.
How much does it cost to play Pine Needles?
Green fees vary by season. Stay and play packages start from around 167 US dollars per person per night including golf and lodging in 2026. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
Can visitors play Pine Needles?
Yes. Pine Needles is a resort course open to lodge guests and to visitors by tee time booking. Booking ahead is wise in the busy spring and autumn seasons.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.