PLAYROUND COURSE GUIDE

How to Play Southern Pines Gc

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

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Southern Pines Gc golf course

Southern Pines Gc

Southern Pines, NC
Blue Tees tees · 6,541 yards
COURSE OVERVIEW

About Southern Pines Gc

Southern Pines Golf Club is a historic Donald Ross design in the North Carolina Sandhills originally established in 1906 and comprehensively restored in 2020-2021 by architect Kyle Franz. Distinct from many area layouts, it features dramatic, rolling topography across bold sand ridges and knolls. Wide fairways framed by native sandscapes, wiregrass, and loblolly pines lead to heavily contoured Bermudagrass greens with false fronts, subtle knolls, and strategic cross hazards that reward thoughtful positioning over brute strength.

COURSE STRATEGY

How to play Southern Pines Gc

Off the tee

Fairway corridors are generous following the restoration, but exposed sand wastes, wiregrass, and restored cross hazards punish poor tee shots. Shaping drives to fit doglegs and reverse-camber slopes provides advantageous approach angles.

Elevation & terrain

The layout moves continuously across rolling sand hills and ridges, producing dramatic downhill plunges and steep uphill climbs. Topography heavily influences club selection and creates several semi-blind approach shots.

Approach play

Receptive yet perched Bermudagrass greens require disciplined distance control to carry false fronts and hold elevated green pads. Missing on the short side or above the hole creates severe recovery challenges.

Around the greens

Green surrounds feature steep false fronts, sharp run-offs, deep bunkers, and shaved Bermudagrass collection areas. Golfers must use creative shot-making, including ground-game bump-and-runs or lofted wedges, to salvage par.

Best way to play it

Plan each hole backward from green to tee to secure optimal approach angles into Donald Ross's undulating putting surfaces. Focus on controlling approach trajectory and favor conservative green-center targets over tight pin locations.

Key takeaways

  • Comprehensive 2020-21 restoration by Kyle Franz restored Donald Ross's original design, expansive sandy wastes, and reclaimed green perimeters.
  • Features more dramatic elevation changes and rolling sandhill terrain than many neighboring Pinehurst courses.
  • Restored fairway cross hazards test distance control and tee-shot strategy throughout the round.
  • Heavily contoured green complexes with false fronts and run-off collection areas punish aggressive pin hunting.
  • Includes a bonus 'Lost Hole' par 3 with an authentic sand green between holes 4 and 15 for a historic 9-hole loop option.
YOUR GAME PLAN

Hole-by-hole game plan

Hole
Par
Yards
HCP
Strategy
1
4
358
11
Favor the right-center portion of the fairway off the tee to secure a superior angle into the green when the pin is positioned behind the left greenside bunker.
Your 240 yd driver · ~118 yards remaining by raw distance.
2
5
563
7
Drive into the open fairway while taking care to avoid restored fairway cross hazards on layups. Play approach shots carefully to an elevated green with pronounced central mounding.
Your 240 yd driver · ~323 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
3
3
195
13
Account for the downhill drop when selecting a club and target the center of the green, as deep front bunkers and waste sand punish short shots.
4
4
381
3
Favor the left side of the fairway to avoid native sandy waste areas along the right. Take an extra club on the approach to reach the elevated, back-to-front sloping green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~141 yards remaining by raw distance.
5
5
532
5
Shape a draw off the tee to catch the downslope and gain extra run down the hill. Avoid the fairway cross hazard if laying up, and target the green center on approach.
Your 240 yd driver · ~292 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
6
4
446
1
Hit a power fade off the tee to follow the contour of the fairway. Rely on the re-contoured front slope of the elevated green to roll long approach shots onto the putting surface.
Your 240 yd driver · ~206 yards remaining by raw distance.
7
3
186
17
Select enough club to clear the steep front slope and carry fronting bunkers, aiming for the center of the green.
8
4
406
9
Position your tee shot along the crown of the ridge fairway to avoid side slopes. Control distance precisely on approach to stay out of the back bunker and right-side gully.
Your 240 yd driver · ~166 yards remaining by raw distance.
9
3
200
15
Aim for the safe center of the green, ignoring pin positions tucked near the front-left bunker or right-side false edge.
10
4
366
10
Hit a gentle draw off the tee to counteract the fairway's left-to-right slope and set up a clean approach shot into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~126 yards remaining by raw distance.
11
4
318
14
Choose between a conservative fairway club off the tee or an aggressive driver over the sand. Aim approach shots toward the higher left side of the green, allowing the severe left-to-right slope to feed the ball toward the pin.
Your 240 yd driver · ~78 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
12
4
407
2
Carry or play short of the cross hazard off the tee, then hit an accurate approach into a well-bunkered green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~167 yards remaining by raw distance.
13
4
416
8
Fly your approach shot directly onto the green rather than trying to run it up, as the restored approach mound creates unpredictable bounces.
Your 240 yd driver · ~176 yards remaining by raw distance.
14
3
176
18
Target the center of the green and avoid missing right or short into the deep greenside bunker.
15
5
493
6
Keep tee and layup shots straight down the corridor to avoid sandy wastes and wiregrass. Aim approach shots precisely into an elevated green where missing right creates a tough recovery.
Your 240 yd driver · ~253 yards remaining by raw distance. Plan this primarily as a three-shot hole.
16
4
314
16
Favor the left-center side of the fairway off the tee to account for the rightward slope and secure a clear angle into the green.
Your 240 yd driver · ~74 yards remaining by raw distance. Favor position and approach angle over extra tee-shot distance.
17
4
432
4
Drive into the fairway center to avoid pine trees and sandy waste. Play a high approach shot to hold a well-bunkered green complex.
Your 240 yd driver · ~192 yards remaining by raw distance.
18
4
352
12
Drive down the downhill fairway to leave a short approach into the amphitheater-style green complex while avoiding greenside bunkers.
Your 240 yd driver · ~112 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.