The Best Golf Courses Around Pinehurst (That Aren’t Part of the Resort)
Tobacco Road - Sanford, NC
Talamore Golf Resort - Southern Pines, NC
Pine Needles Golf Course - Southern Pines, NC
When golfers plan a trip to Pinehurst, the resort’s famous courses like No. 2 and The Cradle usually top the list. But here’s a secret: some of the very best golf in North Carolina isn’t inside the resort gates.
The Sandhills region is home to incredible public-access courses designed by legends like Donald Ross, Tom Fazio, and Mike Strantz. If you’re looking to add variety to your trip — or simply want to avoid resort-only tee times — these are the best courses near Pinehurst that aren’t part of the resort, ranked from my personal experience.
1. Tobacco Road – The Wild Child of Carolina Golf
If Pinehurst No. 2 is the classic, Tobacco Road is the rebel. Mike Strantz’s masterpiece is dramatic, bold, and unlike anything you’ve ever played. Towering sandhills, massive bunkers, blind tee shots — it’s golf on the edge, and it’s unforgettable.
Love it or hate it, one thing’s for sure: you’ll never forget it.
👉 Must-play if you’re in the area.
2. Pine Needles – A Championship Classic
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club has hosted multiple U.S. Women’s Opens, and it feels every bit the championship test. A Donald Ross design, it blends strategy with beautiful rolling fairways and greens that demand precision.
If you want a course that combines history, pedigree, and pure Carolina charm, Pine Needles is hard to beat.
3. Talamore Golf Resort – A Surprising Standout
Talamore doesn’t always get the same hype as its neighbors, but it’s one of the most enjoyable rounds in the Sandhills. With creative risk-reward holes and great conditions, it exceeded my expectations and easily earned a top-three spot on this list.
4. Mid South Club – Private Club Feel, Public Access
Designed by Tom Fazio, Mid South Club feels like a private course but is available through stay-and-play packages with Talamore. Wide fairways, pristine conditioning, and a strong finishing stretch make it a great add-on to your trip.
5. Southern Pines Golf Club – A Restored Ross Gem
Another Donald Ross design, Southern Pines recently underwent a thoughtful restoration. It has that classic walkable routing, vintage bunkering, and plenty of charm. While not quite as polished as Pine Needles, it’s a solid round for Ross fans.
6. Mid Pines – Historic but Slow
Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club has all the history and character you’d expect from a Ross design, but the pace of play was painfully slow during my visit. The architecture is wonderful, but if your time is limited, the other courses on this list offer a better overall experience.
Final Ranking
Here’s how we’d rank the best non-Pinehurst courses around the Sandhills:
Tobacco Road
Pine Needles
Talamore
Mid South Club
Southern Pines Golf Club
Mid Pines
Why Play Beyond the Resort?
While Pinehurst Resort is legendary, these nearby courses give you:
More variety (Strantz drama, Ross classics, Fazio flair)
Easier access (no resort stay required)
Better value (public-access rates vs. resort packages)
In fact, many golfers build entire trips around these “outside the gates” courses — and for good reason.
