The Venue
Southern Pines, North Carolina· Donald Ross (1928)
Pine Needles is a classic 1928 Donald Ross design routed through rolling longleaf-pine corridors in the Sandhills of Southern Pines. Playing to par 71 at 7,015 yards from the Medal tees, its defense lies in Ross's crowned green complexes and the demand for correct angles rather than sheer length. It is one of America's premier championship venues, host of four U.S. Women's Opens (1996, 2001, 2007, 2022).
| Out | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 35 |
| Yds | 504 | 481 | 145 | 403 | 218 | 459 | 455 | 360 | 385 | 3,410 |
| In | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 |
| Yds | 525 | 414 | 412 | 208 | 454 | 530 | 180 | 461 | 421 | 3,605 |
Par 5 · 504 yds
An opening par 5 reachable for longer hitters; position the tee shot to open the angle for a go-or-lay-up second.
Par 4 · 481 yds
A long, demanding par 4 — one of the toughest two-shotters on the front nine, requiring a solid drive and long-iron approach.
Par 3 · 145 yds
A short par 3 where club selection and pace matter; favor the center of the crowned green rather than chasing the pin.
Par 4 · 403 yds
A mid-length par 4 where finding the correct side of the fairway opens up the best angle into a Ross-style elevated green.
Par 3 · 218 yds
The longest par 3 on the course; a stout long-iron or hybrid is needed to hold a green that sheds offline shots.
Par 4 · 459 yds
A long par 4 that places a premium on a powerful, accurate drive to leave a manageable approach.
Par 4 · 455 yds
Another lengthy two-shotter; aim for the proper side of the fairway to attack the green from the best angle.
Par 4 · 360 yds
A shorter par 4 where accuracy off the tee beats power — consider less than driver and focus on the approach.
Par 4 · 385 yds
A mid-length par 4 closing the front nine; the crowned green rewards an approach landing in its center.
Par 5 · 525 yds
A rolling par 5 with an uphill drive and a dogleg left; longer hitters can gain ground but must respect the contours.
Par 4 · 414 yds
A solid par 4 that starts the back nine; correct fairway positioning sets up the approach into the protected green.
Par 4 · 412 yds
A mid-length par 4 where the green complex defends par — aim for the safe middle rather than tucked pins.
Par 3 · 208 yds
A picturesque, slightly downhill par 3 with two bunkers short-right of a narrow, long green that slopes right-to-left.
Par 4 · 454 yds
A long par 4 demanding a strong drive and a precise long approach to a green that punishes misses.
Par 5 · 530 yds
The longest hole on the course; a reachable par 5 for big hitters, but pine corridors demand accuracy off the tee.
Par 3 · 180 yds
A par 3 that plays uphill and longer into the prevailing southwest breeze, with bunkers flanking both sides; a slight draw can feed off the front-left hollow.
Par 4 · 461 yds
The longest par 4 on the course, a sharp dogleg left with interior bunkers guarding the turn; carrying the left bunkers gains a downslope kick, while laying right leaves a longer approach.
Par 4 · 421 yds
A sweeping downhill dogleg-left finisher; front-left pins favor approaching from the right side of the fairway, while middle/back pins give the green light to rip driver.
