Pine Needles and Mid Pines Review: A video tour
In October of 2014, AmateurGolf.com visited the sand hills of North Carolina for the second-straight year to play four spectacular Donald Ross gems. As usual, we experienced the warm hospitality of our host resort - Pine Needles and Mid Pines.
I could play their two courses every day and not get bored. Pine Needles, from the Ross tees at 6450 yards, is pretty tame. But the Donald Ross green complexes add plenty of intrigue no matter how short an approach shot you're hitting.
Take the 9th hole as an example. The green looks welcoming from 125-150 yards out, where a well placed tee shot with a 3-wood will leave you. But miss the green right by just a foot and you'll find yourself looking up at the green from six feet below in a collection area. (The pitch shot might be as difficult as your previous one.)
Go back to 7000 yards, and Pine Needles changes character altogether, especially if you throw in a little wind. All of a sudden, the approach shots get longer and the mistakes magnified. The closing stretch of 16, 17, 18 play tougher too, especially the dogleg-left 17th, one of my favorites on the course.
This video will let you walk in our footsteps and think about joining us in 2015!