Golf season is in full-swing across most the U.S., and with it comes course rankings from two of the world’s leading golf publications.
GOLF Magazine just released its highly-anticipated “Top 100 Courses You Can Play,” while Golfweek dropped its “Best Modern,” “Best Classic” and “Best You Can Play” lists in its latest Ultimate Guide.
Here’s the breakdown of how our courses fared in the latest editions of these prestigious compendiums.
Available in the May issue, GOLF’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” features our famed No. 2 Course at No. 2 (not a typo), while our reimagined No. 4 Course is ranked 26th. No. 2 ranks third in Golfweek’s “Top 100 You Can Play,” while No. 4 ranks 38th, up from 41 last year.
No. 2 is ranked 16th on Golfweek’s rankings of the “Top 200 Classic Courses” in the U.S. for courses built before 1960. No. 4, revamped by golf course architect Gil Hanse, ranks 88th in the “Top 200 Modern Courses” for those built after 1960. In less than three years since the unveiling of its new-look layout, No. 4 has moved up 27 spots.
Four Pinehurst Resort courses made Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” state-by-state rankings. No. 2 and No. 4 captured first and second, respectively, while No. 8 is ranked seventh and No. 7 11th. No. 9 was also favorably reviews by raters and just missed making the state’s top 15.
Pinehurst No. 4, 2nd and 5th HolesAs for how the lists are compiled …
Golfweek’s elite team of more than 850 course evaluators surveys over 3,600 facilities each year, grading courses in accordance with its strict standards of evaluation including design integrity, shaping, routing, memorability and conditioning. North Carolina is one of the most golf-rich states in the country, with more than 600 18-hole equivalent courses.
And from GOLF Magazine:
“We empower and hold accountable a group of 97 well-traveled — and well-connected — golfers/aficionados, each capable of expressing their own sense of design excellence at the highest level. The group is seasoned and experienced — we look for raters who know what’s out there, what’s changing and what’s coming down the pike.”
Pinehurst No. 4, 6th and 7th HolesBoth media outlets’ lists, along with Golf Digest’s various rankings, have long been go-to resources for golf bucket list trip planning.
Our Donald Ross package is a great way to play No 2, No. 4, No. 7, No. 8 or any of our nine 18-hole regulation courses. The popular stay-and-play includes a two-night stay, three rounds of golf, breakfast buffet and three-course dinner, daily.
A Pro Tip from Pinehurst Resort: you’re mostly likely to find lodging and tee time availability booking Sunday-Tuesday or Monday-Wednesday.
In between rounds, there’s plenty of time to hone your iron- and short-games at The Cradle, while tuning up your putting on Thistle Dhu.