johnsojl

Played yesterday for first time post-restoration. This course was already a favorite in the area beforehand, but now it sits just behind #2 and #4 for me. I think this course sits on the best piece of land in Pinehurst and has the most potential because of it. The layout and topography of the place remind me of Augusta - I'm serious. Removing trees really opened up the course and especially helped the par 3's, which I consider now to be absolutely top-notch. The new greens were perfect yesterday, and the resurfacing made them play much smaller than they appeared. Overall, I always felt this course could be so much better than it was, and it was already a great Ross course. I'm glad someone was able to invest the proper resources to help this place reach its potential. It's not fully there yet since it's only a month into reopening, but you can tell it's not far off.

Played here with my dad twice in the last 2 weeks. Compared to the other Ross courses in the immediate area, for the money, Southern Pines is hard to beat. Sure, it's not meticulously maintained like No.2 or No. 4 but it doesn't cost anywhere near those either. It's in better than good-enough condition. We were asked to keep carts off fairways as much as we could, as they just overseeded for the winter, and the fairways had filled in significantly since our previous round 2 weeks earlier. The Bent greens were all in excellent shape and the layout is, IMO, as good as any Ross course I've played. If you're in the area and have any interest in non-resort courses, play here. The mgt team behind Pine Needles and Mid Pines just bought the course, so it won't be this much of a screaming value for long.

Played here as a father's day gift with my dad. They'd just punched the greens, so we had a surprise $50 18-hole rate. The course is awesome - probably the best I've played on, even with aerated greens. If anything, it slowed the greens down a bit and made them easier to putt on and hold approaches. It really is a beautiful golf course - Donald Ross / sandhills golf at its best. Top-notch practice facilities, too. If you live within driving distance or are looking to fit one last course into a pinehurst trip, this one's perfect.

Played here last weekend with my dad. The 2 of us were the 2nd group off the tee, so pace was great - we finished in 3hrs 15mins. The course was in excellent shape. The fairway grass was full and plush and the greens were soft and rolled great. It's a really fun layout, too - not your typical straightaway, wide-open course at all. I hadn't played this course since 2015 and it's miles better than it was then. I will definitely be playing here more often.

Played as a single last weekend. Pro shop staff and stgarter were friendly. Course layout was fun and required some strategy, especially off the tee. Water / hazards prevent you from wailing on driver all day. Also, be prepared to hit all your clubs. Greens were recently aerated but are mostly recovered. Course overall was pretty lush with a few thin spots on some fairways. A few nice views of the waterway/river on some holes. It'll definitely stay in my beach course rotation.

Been coming to Holden Beach my whole life but finally played Lockwood for the first time this weekend. Fun layout that demands strategy - water and hazards dictate most of your tee shots and many don't allow for driver. I appreciate courses that makes me hit most/all of my clubs. Greens were recently aerated but were mostly recovered. Course was pretty lush overall, with a few thin spots on fairways. Pro shop staff and starter were friendly. Carts were pretty new, as well. I'll definitely be back.