Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2)
Donald Ross’s masterpiece and the first permanent "anchor site" of the U.S. Open — a par-70 in the North Carolina Sandhills defined by fiendish crowned greens, host to Opens from Payne Stewart’s 1999 triumph to Bryson DeChambeau’s 2024 win.
Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2) in photos
Can I play Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2)?
Yes — but effectively as a Pinehurst Resort guest. No. 2 is open to the public in principle, yet tee times funnel through resort stay-and-play packages, and in peak season an on-property stay (historically a two-night minimum) is the practical route to the first tee. Walking with a caddie is the traditional way to play it.
How to book: Book through Pinehurst Resort (pinehurst.com or the golf reservations line), usually as part of a lodging-and-golf package. Adding a No. 2 round to a package that does not include one carries a surcharge; a second (replay) round is discounted. Caddies and forecaddies are strongly encouraged and booked separately. Reserve months ahead for spring and autumn.
About Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2)
Course No. 2 opened in 1907 and was reworked for decades by Donald Ross, who lived alongside it and considered it his finest work. Its defining feature is the set of domed, "turtleback" greens that shrug away anything less than a precise approach, leaving the game’s most demanding short-game tests. A 2010–11 restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw stripped out modern rough in favour of sandy, wiregrass waste areas, returning the course to its rugged Ross character in time for the 2014 U.S. Open. In 2020 the USGA named Pinehurst its first permanent Open anchor site, with the men’s championship set to return in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.
Signature hole
The crowned "turtleback" greens are the whole course’s signature — anything slightly off is repelled into a collection area. The par-4 5th is a brute, and Payne Stewart’s winning putt on the par-4 18th in 1999 is immortalised in a bronze statue behind the green.
What makes it special
The turtleback greens
Ross’s crowned greens, shaped like inverted saucers, are the course’s genius: land near an edge and the ball trickles into a collection area, turning every approach into a nerve test.
Payne Stewart’s statue
His 15-foot par putt to win the 1999 U.S. Open is captured in the fist-pumping bronze behind the 18th green — one of golf’s most beloved images.
The U.S. Open’s forever home
As the USGA’s first anchor site, No. 2 will host the men’s Open in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047, so you can play the exact championship ground.
Tournament pedigree
- U.S. Open 1999 (Payne Stewart)
- U.S. Open 2005 (Michael Campbell)
- U.S. Open 2014 (Martin Kaymer)
- U.S. Women’s Open 2014 (Michelle Wie)
- U.S. Open 2024 (Bryson DeChambeau)
- PGA Championship 1936
- Ryder Cup 1951
- Future U.S. Opens: 2029, 2035, 2041, 2047 (USGA anchor site)
Need to know
Best time to play
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) for ideal turf and weather; summer is hot and humid but cheaper, winter mild and quiet.
Dress code
Collared shirt, tailored trousers or shorts; no denim, soft spikes. Traditional resort standards apply.
Good to know
The 2010–11 Coore & Crenshaw restoration tore out acres of rough for sandy, wiregrass-covered natural areas — there is essentially no rough, but plenty of trouble. Walking with a caddie is the classic experience. Eleven courses share the resort (No. 2 through the newer No. 10), so plan a multi-day trip.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Raleigh–Durham International (RDU) ~1 hr 20 min / 75 miles; Fayetteville (FAY) ~50 min; Charlotte (CLT) ~2 hr.
On arrival
In the Sandhills of central North Carolina, in the Village of Pinehurst. Most golfers fly into RDU and drive about 75 minutes southwest; the resort can arrange transfers.
Stay near the course
The Carolina Hotel (the resort’s grand "Queen of the South"), The Holly Inn and The Manor are Pinehurst’s own lodgings and the simplest way to lock in No. 2 tee times; all sit within the village.
A taste of the luxury stays near Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2) — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Pinehurst — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Pinehurst.
Explore PinehurstFrequently asked questions
Can I play Pinehurst No. 2, and how do I book?
Yes, in practice as a resort guest. Book through pinehurst.com or the golf reservations line, usually as part of a stay-and-play package (historically a two-night minimum in peak season). Caddies are strongly encouraged and booked separately; reserve months ahead for spring and autumn.
How much does it cost to play?
Roughly $500–650 per round in peak spring and autumn, dropping to about $250–400 off-peak, usually bundled into a resort package and quoted per guest, with the caddie fee and tip on top. A discounted replay round is available. Confirm current package pricing on the official site.
Do I have to stay at the resort?
In practice, yes — especially in peak season. No. 2 tee times are prioritised for resort guests on stay-and-play packages, and an on-property stay (historically two nights) is the reliable way to secure one.
What makes it so hard at only par 70?
The crowned greens. There is little rough after the 2010 restoration, but missing a green leaves slick, repelling chips from tight lies and sandy hollows — precision, not power, is rewarded.
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Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
- Pinehurst Resort — Course No. 2 (official)
- Pinehurst Resort — Wikipedia
- What it costs to play Pinehurst No. 2 — Golf.com
Guide updated 2026-07-27.