The Carolina hotel at Pinehurst ResortThe Carolina hotel at Pinehurst Resort

 

Pinehurst no 7. is part of the legendary Pinehurst Resort in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

The Resort currently boasts nine courses including the iconic Pinehurst no 2, designed by Donald Ross.

Pinehurst No 2. has hosted many championships including some very famous U.S. Opens.

 

No 7. is probably the boldest and most dramatic golf course at Pinehurst.

Designed by Rees Jones, the course is located on some of the more rugged land around the village of Pinehurst, giving a mountainous feel to a course that literally abutts the famous no 2, which has much gentler movement throughout.

No 7. opened in 1986, but was renovated by Rees Jones in 2002.

 

In building the course Jones found evidence of bunkers on the site, and found that the land once housed an employee course.

Remnants of those bunkers can be found behind the tees on the fourth hole.

 

Pinehurst Resort- Course no 7Pinehurst Resort- Course no 7

 

The up and down nature of the site encouraged Jones to design a course which challenges golfers to play different shots.

At times you will be required to flight your ball to carry all the way, and at times times can bounce the ball in

A number of the tees sit on ridges so the golfer hits down into the fairways only to find the green sitting above him.

 

There is nice variety in the terrain, too, with a number of wetland areas in play, as well as tracts of exposed sand.

The bunkering is strategic, and natural- framing the fairways and greens nicely.

The green complexes seem to fit the land, and we found the greens beautifully manicured- like all the courses at Pinehurst.

There was enough movement to make putting interesting, but not overdone.

 

Notable holes include:

 

- hole 7, a short par 4 that requires a layup short of a water hazard and an accurate approach to a shallow green.

- hole 8, a dogleg par 5 with a burn running across in front of the green.

 

Pinehurst no 7- hole 7Pinehurst no 7- hole 7

Pinehurst no 7- hole 8Pinehurst no 7- hole 8

 

 

- hole 9, an uphill par 3 over water which is both challenging and pretty.

 

Pinehurst no 7- the par 3 ninth holePinehurst no 7- the par 3 ninth hole

 

- hole 16, the signature hole at no 7. is the par 3 called Jones' Fingers (after the architect Rees Jones).

The tee shot must carry a large tract of sand to an elevated green.

The sandy wasteland has a number of fingers of sand projecting in different directions to catch the errant ball.

It is a memorable hole.

 

Pinehurst no 7- hole 16Pinehurst no 7- hole 16

 

 

- hole 18- Pinehurst No 7 concludes with a pretty par 5 to a green sitting in front of a pond.

 

Pinehurst no 7- hole 18Pinehurst no 7- hole 18

 

Courses 7 & 9 at Pinehurst are well used by members and not as many tee times are made available to the public.

Maybe this is why no 7. flies under the radar....

From my perspective I would place number 7 in the top echelon of courses at Pinehurst and a 'must play' on any visit to 'the home of golf in the USA'.

 

Golf Tours

The Travelling Golfer offers group tours to Pinehurst & The Sandhills of North Carolina.

We can tailor a trip to suit your group!

For further information on suggested itineraries see Golf Tours: Pinehurst & The Sandhills of North Carolina

 

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