Here’s why Pinehurst is the perfect venue for a golf getaway with your girlfriends
Pinehurst Resort is the perfect getaway destination for a girls' golf trip.
Courtesy Pinehurst
Pinehurst — the venerable home of American golf, and one of GOLF’s Top 100 Resorts in North America — has long been lauded as a fantastic buddies trip destination (In fact, it comes in at No. 2 in GOLF’s ranking of the best golf resorts for buddies). But there are a number of things that make it an ideal locale for a golf getaway with your girlfriends, too.
Buddies trips and girlfriend getaways share the same core purpose: using golf as the primary means of connecting with your friends and family. But whereas men often like to play from sunup to sundown, women tend to enjoy incorporating secondary activities, like spa visits, shopping and cocktail hours. Pinehurst is one of the few golf resort destinations in the country that ticks every box for both men and women to experience maximum enjoyment.
Pinehurst Country Club Assistant Professional Gabby Weiss played collegiate golf at James Madison, knows the property front to back, and is the ultimate insider when it comes to planning a perfect itinerary for female groups. Her insight is priceless because — let’s face it — with 10 courses on property (including the nine-hole short course The Cradle), it’s very easy to overextend yourself. The key to planning a great trip, Weiss says, is to keep it simple.
“I’d recommend starting with an afternoon round on The Cradle on arrival day to ease into the trip and have some fun,” she says. “The next day, you could play Pinehurst No. 3, especially if you plan on playing No. 2 and want to get used to the Donald Ross-style greens. No. 8 is also popular with our women golfers because it is so remote, quiet and beautiful.”
Another popular course choice for female guests is Pinehurst No. 1, which features one of the resort’s shorter layouts and has an equestrian feel, with a horse track, barns and stables. And of course, no stay at Pinehurst is complete without playing historic No. 2, though Weiss also recommends No. 4, which is often noted for its beauty.
Unless playing 36 holes a day is how you want to spend your time, staggering your rounds is recommended. Playing one round a day in the morning or afternoon gives you a chance to enjoy a leisurely meal, browse the boutiques in Pinehurst Village, sunbathe at the pool, or bike around the resort grounds before or after golf.
With three lodging options onsite (the Carolina Hotel, the Holly Inn and The Manor), there’s something to suit everyone’s taste, but Weiss says the Carolina is a favorite for most women. The inviting wrap-around porch offers the perfect setting for mid-afternoon or evening girl time, with a cocktail or glass of wine in hand.
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