Pinehurst No. 4
Gil Hanse's bold, sand-splashed reimagining of a Donald Ross original, the acclaimed sibling of legendary No. 2, playable to any golfer staying at Pinehurst Resort.
Pinehurst No. 4 in photos
Can I play Pinehurst No. 4?
Yes, Pinehurst No. 4 is playable, but access is reserved for Pinehurst Resort guests (and members), so you book it as part of a stay at the resort rather than as a walk-up public round. The Gil Hanse redesign is a bold, sandy Sandhills course and the celebrated sibling of the famous No. 2. There's no handicap requirement.
How to book: Book No. 4 when you reserve your resort stay, resort guests can arrange tee times up to a year in advance by phone. It's typically bundled into stay-and-play packages, with additional/standalone rounds available. Day visitors not staying at the resort can play Nos. 1, 3, 5 and The Cradle, but No. 4 requires resort-guest status.
About Pinehurst No. 4
Pinehurst No. 4 dates to 1919 and a Donald Ross routing, but its modern identity comes from Gil Hanse's dramatic 2018 'retrovation', which stripped the course back to raw sand, wiregrass and sweeping cross-bunkers in the classic North Carolina Sandhills style. Reopened to acclaim, voted a Best New Course and chosen to host the 2019 U.S. Amateur, it's widely rated among the most enjoyable of Pinehurst's eleven courses and the natural companion to the world-famous No. 2. As part of the resort it's playable by any guest staying on property, with no membership required, though day visitors without a resort booking cannot access it. Firm turf, exposed sand and huge greens make it a strategic, thoroughly modern Sandhills test.
Signature hole
Hanse's sprawling networks of natural sand and wiregrass, cross bunkers spanning multiple holes, give No. 4 its dramatic, exposed Sandhills character.
What makes it special
Gil Hanse reimagining
A bold 2018 redesign of a Donald Ross original, full of natural sand and wiregrass.
Sibling of No. 2
The perfect companion round to Pinehurst's world-famous championship course.
U.S. Amateur venue
Hosted the 2019 U.S. Amateur soon after reopening.
Tournament pedigree
- U.S. Amateur (2019)
Need to know
Best time to play
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the finest weather and are peak season; summer is hot and winter mild, both quieter and cheaper.
Dress code
Collared shirts and tailored golf attire; no denim. Soft spikes.
Good to know
No. 4 is walkable with caddies available, or carts can be taken. The restored sandy waste areas and wiregrass reward accuracy off the tee; pair it with No. 2 for the full Pinehurst experience and allow around four and a half hours.
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 (RDU) ~1 hr 15 min; Fayetteville (FAY) ~45 min; Charlotte (CLT) ~2 hrs.
On arrival
Pinehurst sits in the North Carolina Sandhills, about 75 minutes southwest of Raleigh-Durham airport. Most visitors drive in; the resort's courses cluster around the village of Pinehurst, so a car is useful but not essential once you've arrived.
Stay near the course
Stay at the resort itself, The Carolina Hotel, The Holly Inn or the villas and cottages, which is what unlocks access to No. 4 and its sister courses. The village of Pinehurst and nearby Southern Pines have additional lodging and dining.
Search hotels near Pinehurst No. 4Plan 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. 4 without being a member?
Yes, you don't need to be a member, but you do need to be a Pinehurst Resort guest. No. 4 is not open to day visitors who aren't staying at the resort.
How much does it cost to play?
It's generally bundled into stay-and-play packages, with additional rounds around $395; effective per-round cost runs roughly $350, $450 depending on season and package. Approximate and seasonal.
How do I book a tee time?
Reserve No. 4 when you book your resort stay, guests can arrange tee times up to a year in advance by phone through Pinehurst golf reservations.
When is the best time to play?
Spring and autumn bring the best weather and are peak season; summer and winter are quieter and less expensive.
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More to plan and book around Pinehurst, all on Event Escapes.
Sources & pricing note
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 No. 4, Official site
- What it costs to play every Pinehurst course, Golf.com
- Pinehurst Resort, Wikipedia
Guide updated 2026-07-27.