We planned a Pinehurst golf trip; here’s the one thing we’d do differently for better travel
A Three-Day Golf Getaway
The writer organized a summer golf trip with GOLF senior editor Jessica Marksbury, who had covered the back-to-back men’s and women’s U.S. Opens in 2014 and had taken several trips south for golf. The writer grew up an hour from Pinehurst and acknowledged having a possibly biased perspective, especially about barbecue.
On the second day, the group played 18 holes at Talamore. They also hand-fed retired llama caddies living beside the 13th green, which the writer described as the most unusual experience they had had on a golf course.
A Memorable Finish At Pine Needles
The group ended the trip at Pine Needles, where the writer praised the challenging layout and course conditions. The course’s history, the writer added, helps make a round there memorable.
Before playing, the group had a short lesson with Donna Andrews, a major champion, six-time LPGA winner and two-time Solheim Cup competitor. They worked on a low-running chip, a shot the writer said is useful at Southern Pines courses.
The Change To Make Next Time
During the lesson, the writer realized the group should have scheduled instruction before its first round. In hindsight, that was the one change they would make to the trip plan.
The writer said a few pointers before the first round can help improve the golf and the overall trip. Pinehurst and Pine Needles offer golf academies and group lessons, providing options for a whole group to learn together.
Key points
- The three-day girls’ trip included golf at Talamore and Pine Needles.
- At Talamore, the group hand-fed retired llama caddies beside the 13th green.
- Donna Andrews led a short lesson on a low-running chip.
- The writer would schedule a lesson before the group’s first round.