Pinehurst Resort – A Beautiful Place For More Than Just Golf Enthusiasts
We’ve been going to Pinehurst Resort in the Sandhills of North Carolina for 25 years. We first went on the final day of the 1999 US OPEN, the Payne Stewart US OPEN. We were standing off to the left of the 18th green as he made the famous putt and gesture now depicted by the statue on the grounds. Pinehurst is a wonderful spot for golf lovers.
How Far Is Pinehurst From Augusta
If you play golf, and you play somewhat often, Pinehurst has to be on your bucket list of places to go. If you’re in the CSRA reading this, the resort is less than 3:45 by car. As a matter of fact, with the improvements to the roads because of the various US OPENS that have been and will continue to be conducted there, the drive has actually become about 3:30. Plus it’s really simple. Take I-20 to exit 98 in South Carolina, the Camden exit. Take a left, get into Camden, take a right on Hwy 1 and stay on Hwy 1 until you reach Pinehurst. It couldn’t be easier.
Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, for this trip, no golf was going to be played. After the last three weeks of Masters prep, Masters week and post Masters week, there was some much-needed downtime required. That’s one of the wonderful things about Pinehurst, as great as the golf is, and believe me it is, you can have a wonderful time with the various other aspects at the resort.
There was a little business on the trip. I was invited by the United States Golf Association to take a tour of their brand new facility. They’ve set up shop as Pinehurst became the first “anchor location” for future US Opens. This first class facility also houses their new clubs and balls testing labs.
Do Couples Enjoy Pinehurst Resort?
I mentioned that we had been going to Pinehurst for 25 years. Lisa loves it there. She gets asked occasionally, “What is it about golf resorts you like? You don’t play”. Her response, “Have you ever been to a golf resort? Many times, they’re some of the best resorts in the world.”
We spent our time on this trip, taking care of a little bit of business, driving about an hour to spend some time with lifelong friends. On Saturday, with no schedule, we took in the sights, we sat on the porch and had a couple of drinks. One of the best restaurants we’ve ever been to is in one of the hotel properties, the 1985 Grille in the Holly Inn. The breakfast buffet at the Carolina is widely regarded as one of the best buffets in the country. You will not lack for fine dining in Pinehurst.
You should know that the village is very quaint and small. The charm of Aiken’s downtown at about half the size. You can spend the better part of an afternoon exploring. You can also visit the quiet and lovely downtown area of Southern Pines, about 5 miles away from the village. A few more shops and dining establishments, but still with the same small-town feel.
How Does Someone Go About Playing Golf
Most of the people playing golf at the resort are doing so on a golf package. Pinehurst offers a variety of packages with pricing varying throughout the years. Prepare to pay a little more in the spring and fall.
We’re biased because it’s become one of our favorite places to visit. And we’ve been there so often that we know our way around. Pinehurst may be a little to our north, but the southern hospitality we know, and love is alive and well there. As they’re found of saying, “It’s a Beautiful Day In Pinehurst.”
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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