Pinehurst #8 is considered “off property” at the resort but it is only a short 12 minute drive to the course. If I were to go back to Pinehurst this would be a course I would definitely add to my golf itinerary. It’s a very enjoyable track because although the total yardage is 5153 (only 107 yards shorter than #4) the yardages for the individual holes provide more opportunities to get on greens in regulation.

We were the third group off at 8:20 in the morning and it was 43 degrees! We were paired with a father and daughter from the New York/Pennsylvania area. Now we started on Hole 10 and my starting holes were giving me fits because I was not feeling my game which was frustrating because I was striking the ball so well the first two days at Pinehurst #4 and Tobacco Road. It also didn’t help that we were already waiting on every hole and the gentleman in our group was complaining about the wait incessantly. Plus, when play is slow, I have a tendency to rush when I do finally get over my ball (something I am aware of and trying to correct). I was worried this was just going to be one of those days that I didn’t have my game.

My first hole,10th hole (Par 4), I tripled even though I had a putt at par (UGH). Hit my drive right, my approach shot went right into the green-side bunker, got out of the bunker and stood over a putt for par; and what did I do? I three putted. That was when I realized the greens were way faster than Pinehurst #4 or tobacco Road. Hole 11 (Par 5) I got on in regulation but 30 feet from the hole and again had three putts. The Hole 12, three putts again. When discussing #8 with the caddie at #2 (the next day) he said with the new turf the greens at #8 are really hard to read and lightening fast.

Finally I just told myself to slow everything down and on the par 3 13th hole (my fourth hole), I settled down a bit and made a regulation par. However, it really wasn’t until we made the turn that I finally felt like my body was loose and moving better. I’ll use the excuse it was 43 degrees when we teed off and I just wasn’t ready to play in cold weather. Thankfully on the back nine I began to play well.

The course reminded me of many of the courses I play in the foothills of South Carolina. You had to pay attention to the direction of the slope on the fairways, the greens had some interesting undulations but only one green (on hole 9) stood out as “crazy” because of the huge hump at the front of the green kicking the balls in different directions. There were not as many waste areas (only seven holes had waste areas compared to every hole on #4 and #2 with waste areas). If you missed the fairways you were more likely to be in the pine trees w/pine straw to hit off. I hit 11 of 13 fairways. I had one shot out of the trees that went well but I remember telling myself I don’t want to be in the trees again.

The most memorable holes for me on Pinehurst #8 were the par threes. I had a chance to birdie three of the four par 3s. Now, I will say that on the first two attempts the gentleman we were paired with would say to me (right before putting), “this is for a birdie” or “lets see that birdie.” This is my biggest pet peeve with other players — I hate it because I’m trying to focus on my putting process not what the putt means to my score. I missed both birdie putts short on those first two attempts. After the second miss, I nicely ask the gentleman not to tell me if I’m putting for a birdie. The third birdie putt attempt, he kept his mouth shut but it was a 15 foot putt so the percentage of making it was not high; however, I gave it my best try and it made it to the hole and lipped out. I really wanted that last birdie but at least I had another par.

Hole 2 was the other memorable hole because it was a par 5 and I made a one putt for the par. Below are images from the yardage book of two (out of four) of the holes I parred – Hole 2 (Par 5) and Hole 13 (longest Par 3).

We thought the pace of play would be great given we were out in the third group but we waited on every hole. The ranger came by and told us the first group out at 8 am was holding up the whole course. We wondered why the ranger could not get the first group moving? My guess is that the first group was either struggling or they “paid” their money and they were going to take as much time as then wanted to on the course.

The other thing that was surprising was that the golf carts did not have GPS and so I was very glad I had my range finder. I was giving everyone yardages in our group. And, I love yardage books as souvenirs so I just happened to have purchased books for #2, #4, and #8 the day before at the main Pro Shop. Fortunately, I decided to put the Pinehurst #8 book in my golf bag that morning.

Final thoughts on my game at Pinehurst #8 – Overall I recovered from the poor start in the morning. Shooting a 51 on the back nine (our first holes) to rebounding with a 44 on the front nine (our second nine holes) for a total score of 95 made me happy. A score of 95 was four over my target score of 91 (or Par 72 plus my course handicap of 19). I was also happy to have four pars for the round.

Photo Gallery of Images from the Course – I posted photos on other social media sites but want to share them here too. Click on an image in the gallery to enlarge images.