PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Mid Pines Club

Course strategy, tee-specific yardages and a hole-by-hole game plan for Mid Pines Club in Southern Pines, NC.

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Mid Pines Club golf course

Mid Pines Club

Southern Pines, NC
Medal Tees tees · 6,670 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Mid Pines Club

Designed in 1921 by Donald Ross and impeccably restored in 2013 by Kyle Franz, Mid Pines Golf Club is a quintessential Sandhills layout in Southern Pines, NC. Built seamlessly into the natural rolling pine terrain, the course is defined by wide fairways bordered by sandy native waste areas and wiregrass, natural elevation changes, and intricate, crowned green complexes guarded by flashing bunker sandscapes.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Mid Pines Club

Off the tee

Tee shots are generally forgiving with generous fairway width, but positioning is critical to secure the proper approach angles. Native sand waste areas and longleaf pine forests border the corridors, punishing wide misses or aggressive lines that attempt to cut corners.

Elevation & terrain

Rolling natural topography introduces frequent elevation changes, creating downhill tee shots, ridge-to-ridge hits, and distinct uphill approaches. Uneven lies are common, and uphill shots into elevated greens routinely require taking extra club.

Approach play

Approach shots demand precise distance control and trajectory due to firm surfaces, false fronts, and crowned green perimeters. Ground-game run-up options are available on many open green entrances, while aerial approaches must carry front bunkering.

Around the greens

Greens feature classic Ross contours, false fronts, subtle ridges, and collection runoff areas. Precision wedge work and creative shot selection—including putter or bump-and-run options from short grass—are vital to saving par.

Best way to play it

Prioritize strategic positioning off the tee to hit approaches from the favorable side of the fairway. Respect false fronts and green slopes by favoring the center of green complexes rather than firing directly at difficult corner pin locations.

Key takeaways

  • A pure 1921 Donald Ross design restored by Kyle Franz to restore expansive native waste areas and original green shapes.
  • Generous fairways require thoughtful placement to secure optimal angles into challenging greens.
  • Dynamic topography creates frequent uneven lies and uphill approach shots.
  • Firm, crowned greens with false fronts demand strict distance control on approach.
  • Short-game recovery requires creativity around run-off areas, collection hollows, and flashing bunkering.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
403
5
Aim down the center of the fairway off the tee to secure a level lie, then select enough club on the approach shot to cover the uphill elevation and front green bunkering.
Your 240 yd driver · ~163 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
3
185
15
Favor an extra club on tee shot to clear the right front bunker, taking aim toward the center of the green where subtle misses are less severe.
3
4
434
7
Target the left-center portion of the fairway off the tee to avoid blocking yourself out behind the inside tree line, then play an extra club up the hill to reach the elevated green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~194 yards remaining by raw distance.
4
4
308
13
Aim left of center on the tee shot to bypass the right-side sand hazard, setting up a short, lofted approach shot to the blind green surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~68 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
5
5
477
9
Play a draw up the right side of the fairway to catch the slope for extra roll; if laying up, play short or wide of the fairway narrowing near the water hazard.
Your 240 yd driver · ~237 yards remaining by raw distance. The green may be within range for your second shot depending on lie and conditions.
6
5
491
1
Shape a drive right-to-left around the bend, then position the second shot down the flat fairway corridor to give a clean angle into the wavy putting surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~251 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
7
4
395
3
Favor the left side of the fairway off the tee to clear the right sand and unlock an optimal angle up to the open-front green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~155 yards remaining by raw distance.
8
3
175
17
Use proper club selection to carry the front-guarding bunker, or utilize the right-side green contours to channel the shot toward the hole.
9
4
328
11
Lay back with a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee to stay in the fairway short of the corner, setting up a short iron into the front-to-back sloping green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~88 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
10
5
515
2
Avoid the right fairway bunker off the tee, lay up to a preferred wedge distance short of the green, and carry the steep false front on the approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~275 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
11
3
176
18
Prioritize exact distance control off the tee to carry the front false front while keeping the ball below the pin on the elongated green.
12
4
402
8
Aggressive lines down the left side off the tee reduce approach length; favor the left side of the putting surface to clear the right greenside bunker.
Your 240 yd driver · ~162 yards remaining by raw distance.
13
3
235
10
Play for the open front entryway on long iron or hybrid shots, aiming down the center ridge to let the green slope carry the ball toward the hole.
14
4
360
16
Favor the left side of the fairway off the tee to counteract the rightward slope, then take an extra club into the blind crowned green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~120 yards remaining by raw distance.
15
5
551
12
Drive straight through the pine tree chute onto the wide fairway to set up a go at the green or a short layup pitch into the back-to-front sloping green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~311 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
16
4
442
6
Aim for the wide center fairway off the tee without over-challenging the dogleg corner, ensuring a solid approach over the false front.
Your 240 yd driver · ~202 yards remaining by raw distance.
17
4
389
14
Play a slight fade off the tee aimed at the far left fairway bunker to stay in short grass, leaving a controlled approach to the crowned green surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~149 yards remaining by raw distance.
18
4
404
4
Shape a drive right-to-left down the center-right side of the fairway to avoid left trees, then take enough club on the uphill approach to carry the front false front.
Your 240 yd driver · ~164 yards remaining by raw distance.

Course information and strategy are provided for planning purposes. Yardages, course setup, hazards and playing conditions can change. Always confirm current course information before your round.