#96 (Public) Pinehurst No. 8

November 21, 2014

Originally I was supposed to play the Number 8 course on my second day at Pinehurst.  But, a downpour led to me extending my golf trip by one day and rescheduling the round to my final day on the resort.  All week, I had Pinehurst employees telling me it was generally considered the favorite course for employees to play. I heard from numerous employees that it was the embodiment of the "Pinehurst Spirit." After playing it, I understand why.

After playing the other eight courses over a week, one would think they might start blending together. They don't. That is what makes Pinehurst Resort an exceptional and special golf vacation. All nine courses are unique and memorable in their own way. Number 8 was challenging but fun. It had quite a few, very interesting holes and not one really boring hole. It was my second favorite course of the nine and an exceptional way to finish my trip. The Centennial Course was opened, in part, to help commemorate 100 years of golf at Pinehurst. From talking with the employees in the pro shop, they really wanted Number 8 to encompass everything that's represented by golf at Pinehurst Resort. One thing that really stood out during my round is there are no real estate interferences or distractions. Number 8 is definitely a course for the purist, for the golfer, of whatever skill level, who wants to experience the game as it was intended to be played - for the sheer sport of it. In my opinion, they succeeded in capturing the essence of what Pinehurst is all about and it is likely one of the top reasons most employees at Pinehurst will advise it is their favorite course.

My last day at Pinehurst was cold - bitterly cold. It was 28 degrees when I teed off. One thing about a clear day in November is that it makes terrific photos but it also likely means the temperature has fallen a good bit. And that is exactly what happened after the rain showers earlier in the week. It wasn't the coldest day I played (the round at Number 9 was 22 degrees at tee off), but it made me thankful I had purchased a skull cap and winter golf gloves.

Pinehurst Number 8 is located off-site and is a five minute shuttle ride from the Carolina Hotel. The course is a Tom Fazio design and was opened in 1996.  If you go into Number 8 expecting it to rival Number 2, you will, of course, be disappointed. Instead, go into the round looking forward to a different kind of Pinehurst golf. The large wetland areas on the back nine cannot be found anywhere else at Pinehurst, and the course is strengthened because of the presence of those wetlands.

Even though Pinehurst Number 8 doesn't have a hole ranked among the top 500 holes in the world, it does have some interesting bits of trivia surrounding it.  It served as the site of the former Pinehurst Gun Club, where sharp-shooter Annie Oakley would hold demonstrations during her visits. It was the first golf course in North Carolina to achieve Audubon Certified Signature Sanctuary. There are only 30,000-35,000 rounds played annually, and most fairways do not play parallel or close to one another, so the course really feels like it's yours for the day in most spots. Now let's look at some photos and a few brief comments about each hole.

There are five sets of tee boxes at Number 8. From back to front, they are gold, blue, white, green, and red. As I am not a long hitter, I opted to play from the white tee boxes and all measurements are from that tee box.

A look down the fairway from the 1st tee box.

A well-struck tee shot to the right center of this fairway is a good start to the opening hole. The large green slopes from front-to-back. A ridge that runs from front-to-back divides the green into left and right sections.

A look into the 1st green from 75 yards out.

A look down the fairway from the 2nd tee box.

This best choice for your drive on this par 5 is down the left center of the fairway. If reaching this green in two is not an option, the second shot should be played to the center of the fairway to allow for a flat lie. The front plateau of this green hides the undulation in the center of this green. The predominant slope of this green is from right-to-left.

A look into the 2nd green from 75 yards out.

A look down the fairway from the 3rd tee box. 

The ideal tee shot on this par 4 should favor the right center of the fairway. Distance control is imperative on this uphill approach and will likely require one more club than normal. Any shots coming up short will collect below the putting surface. This green is bisected by a ridge that runs from front-to-back, causing the green to slope left and right from the middle.

A look into the 3rd green from 50 yards out. 

A look down the fairway from the 4th tee box.

The safe play is down the center, but some distance can be cut off by carrying the tee shot over the corner of the large waste area on the left. The second shot will be downhill. This green slopes from back-to-front.

A look into the 4th green from 100 yards out. 

Avoiding the bunker in the front of this green makes club selection important on this deceptively difficult par 3. This green slopes from back-to-front and right-to-left.

A look onto the green from the 5th tee box. 

A look down the fairway from the 6th tee box.

The tee shot should be played towards the center of the fairway to allow for a good angle for the second shot. The landing area for the second shot is well-guarded. The second shot should be played up the right side to avoid the large bunker on the left and to allow for the right-to-left slope. Approach shots should favor the center of this right-to-left sloping green.

A look towards the 6th green from 300 yards out.

A closer look at the left-side fairway bunker.

A look into the 6th green from 120 yards out.

A look down the fairway from the 7th tee box.

A solid tee shot will leave a second shot off of a slight downhill lie. Distance control is important with a deep bunker guarding the front left and a severe drop-off at the back of this green. The green slopes predominately from left-to-right.

A look into the 7th green from 150 yards out.

A look into the green from the 8th tee box.

This long par 3 requires accuracy to a large deep green or the chances of scoring par or better will be difficult. Tee shots should favor the left of the green. Avoid the deep bunker and hazard to the right. The green is fairly flat but does slope from right-to-left slightly.

A closer look from the tee box. 

A closer look at the green.

A look down the fairway from the 9th tee box. 

The ideal drive is just over the left edge of the large waste area on the right. Club selection for your approach shot is imperative. The green is divided by a ridge that runs throughout the middle from front-to-back. Any shots that come up short will collect well below the putting surface. The left side of the green slopes away and the right side of the green is relatively flat.

A look towards the green from 200 yards out.

A look into the 9th green from 100 yards out.

A look down the fairway from the 10th tee box.

This downhill par 4 begins the back nine. The optimum position off the tee is to favor the right center of the fairway. The approach shot will be from a slight downhill lie. The opening in the front of the green will allow a shot to bounce on to the green. The center hole location will rest in a valley that runs from right-to-left.

A look towards the green from 200 yards out.

A look into the 10th green from 125 yards out. 

This long par 5 generally requires three good shots to reach the green.  My tee box photograph was blurry so I have not included it in this blog. The tee shot should find the center of the fairway. The ideal second shot should favor the right-center of the fairway. Steer clear of the deep greenside bunker on the right. This green slopes from front-to-back and right-to-left.

A look into the 11th green from 75 yards out.

A look down the fairway from the 12th tee box. 

Accuracy is essential on this short par 4. The tee shot should favor the left side of the fairway utilizing the left-to-right sloping fairway, while avoiding the waste areas on the right. This shallow green is well guarded by bunkers, so accuracy with your approach shot is a must.

A look into the 12th green from 100 yards out.

A look into the 12th green from 65 yards out. 

This medium-length par 3 is straightforward with a waste area guarding the front right. You want to avoid being over this green where the ball will settle well below the putting surface. The slope of this green is from front-to-back, and is fairly flat, so most putts will be uphill on this large green.

A look into the green from the 13th tee box.

A look down the fairway from the 14th tee box. 

The drive on this hole is across a large, marshy area. The optimum position off the tee is left-center so that any hole location is accessible. With the exception of the back-right pin position of this green, the slope is from back-to-front and from right-to-left.

A look into the 14th green from 100 yards out.

A closer look at the 14th green.

This par 3 plays a little downhill but the deep green and unpredictable winds will require proper club selection. The right green-side bunker and marsh will catch any shots fading to the right. Shots slightly miss hit to the left will receive a generous kick back toward the green.

A look into the green from the 15th tee box. 

A look back at the 15th green from the 16th tee box.

A look down the fairway from the 16th tee box. 

The ideal drive will favor the left half of this well-bunkered fairway and will give you a full view of the green. The second shot will be to a well-crowned green that has three distinct sections. The right half of this green is higher than the left and a ridge separates the left front from the back.

A look into the 16th green from 75 yards out.

A look at the green from just off the right side.

A look down the fairway from the 17th tee box. 

A drive that finds the center of the fairway is the best beginning to this reachable par 5. If going for the green is not an option, the second shot should be played to the center of the landing area. The landing area begins to narrow at 100 yards. The left side of this green is higher than the right with a ridge running from front-to-back.

A look towards the green from the top of the landing area. 

A look into the 17th green from 120 yards out.

A look down the fairway from the 18th tee box.

This solid finishing hole requires a strong drive that favors this right center of this fairway which slopes from right-to-left. The demanding second shot may require a long iron or fairway wood up the hill to the well-bunkered green. The spacious green has a large undulation in the middle that divides this green into three sections.

A look onto the 18th green from 50 yards out.

Overall, my experience at Pinehurst Number 8 rounded out a simply fantastic trip to Pinehurst Resort.  If you have the time, I definitely recommend playing Number 8 multiple times during your visit. It truly stands out as unique from any other course at the resort. Added to that, that there are no houses or other developed real estate, it really does lend to the specialness of the place and is a great way to start and finish a visit to Pinehurst. It probably should be ranked higher than #96 on public courses in the U.S., and with additional tournaments added to it, I believe it will eventually move up to the mid-60s.