Planning a Girls Golf Trip to Pinehurst? Here's Everything We Learned

Last year, my girlfriends and I packed up our clubs and headed to London, Ontario for our very first girls golf trip. We had so much fun that before the weekend was over, we decided it needed to become an annual tradition.

This year, we chose Pinehurst, North Carolina.

None of us had ever been before, and after spending four days there, I completely understand why golfers from around the world put it on their bucket list. If you're thinking about planning your own golf getaway, here's my honest review, along with a few things we wish we'd known before we arrived.

Is Pinehurst Worth It?

Absolutely.

Yes, the golf is world-class, but what surprised me the most wasn't the golf.

It was the people.

I've traveled quite a bit, and I honestly don't know that I've ever experienced better customer service. Every shuttle driver, restaurant server, golf employee, spa therapist, and resort staff member made us feel genuinely welcome and they were excited we were there!

The best way I can describe Pinehurst is this:

It's like Disney and the Four Seasons had a golf baby.

The hospitality alone made the trip memorable.

Getting There (And Why We Didn't Rent a Car)

The four of us flew into Raleigh-Durham International Airport and took Pinehurst's shuttle to the resort. The drive was about an hour and a half, and at $100 per person each way, we thought it was completely worth it.

Once we arrived, we never needed a car.

Pinehurst offers complimentary shuttles all over the property, making it easy to get to the golf courses, restaurants, spa, and Village.

One little tip we accidentally discovered was a bill exchange machine. It came in handy because we quickly realized we needed a lot more $1s and $5s than we expected for tipping shuttle drivers, bag attendants, etc.

Where We Stayed

We stayed in the St. Andrews Condos.

Would I describe them as luxurious? No. They're definitely dated.

Would I stay there again with this group? Absolutely.

The beds were comfortable, we had a beautiful view overlooking Course No. 5, and the biggest advantage was having a shared living room, balcony and kitchen.

Every evening we'd gather around the table, pour a cocktail, play Euchre and Sevens, and laugh until bedtime.

For a girls trip, I'd choose that setup over separate hotel rooms every time.

Which Courses Should You Play?

We played Courses No. 8 and No. 7.

Pinehurst No. 8

No. 8 was my favorite.

We had a forecaddie, which made the round so much more enjoyable. The course was still challenging, but it felt fair, incredibly scenic, and just plain fun to play.

Interestingly, every shuttle driver we talked to also said No. 8 was their favorite course on the property.

The clubhouse is beautiful, the pro shop is one of the best we visited, and after our round we grabbed drinks at Pl8te before heading back. It was the perfect way to relax after 18 holes.

Pinehurst No. 7

Then came No. 7...

Let's just say it humbled me.

There was so much elevation, elevated greens, bunkers that felt six feet deep, and without question the fastest greens I've ever putted.

We learned very quickly that almost every approach shot required taking one more club than you thought.

It was difficult.

Really difficult.

But I loved it!

More than anything, it reminded me just how incredibly talented the best golfers in the world really are.

The Restaurants We Tried

One thing we loved was eating outside almost every evening. It made every dinner feel like part of the vacation.

Wiregrass

We ate at Wiregrass our first night.

It's a new farm-to-table restaurant, and personally, I really enjoyed it.

The rest of my group wasn't nearly as enthusiastic. The menu is fairly limited and definitely a little outside the comfort zone if you're looking for more traditional options.

Pinehurst Brewery

If our group had to vote on a favorite meal, I think Pinehurst Brewery would win.

The barbecue was excellent, the atmosphere was relaxed, and after a day on the golf course it hit the spot.

Lisi Italian

On our shopping day we had dinner at Lisi Italian in the Village.

The girls all ordered pizza while I had the veal.

I thought it was good...not great.

I'd eat there again, but it wasn't necessarily a destination meal for me.

One thing worth mentioning is that they only serve beer and wine.

The Deuce

Our final dinner was at The Deuce.

I would call this, elevated bar food. However, I ordered the beet salad topped with grilled shrimp, and it ended up being one of my favorite meals of the trip.

Sitting outside overlooking the practice area and The Cradle made for a great final evening.

Don't Skip the Spa

We planned one day with no golf.

Instead, we shopped, relaxed, and visited the spa.

The spa was actually under renovation while we were there, but honestly, you would never have known it from the treatments.

I had both a facial and a massage.

The facial was outstanding.

The massage was wonderful, although I'd describe it as more Swedish than deep tissue. Since I personally love a really deep massage, I'd probably request more pressure next time.

My Morning Routine

One thing I love about traveling is proving to myself that I can still keep some healthy routines.

Each morning I walked about a mile to the fitness center, completed my FASTer Way workout, then walked over to the breakfast buffet before making the walk back to our condo.

Breakfast was included with our package, and it was fantastic.

The omelet bar quickly became my favorite morning tradition.

Those extra steps made me feel a little less guilty about the cocktails later.

The Village of Pinehurst

I absolutely loved wandering through the Village.

The boutiques are adorable, it's incredibly walkable, and it gave us a nice break from golf.

If we had another afternoon, I'd also make time to explore nearby Southern Pines. I've heard there are even more great restaurants and shops just a short Uber ride away.

The Cradle

One thing we didn't get to do—but definitely will next time—is play The Cradle.

If you're not familiar with it, The Cradle is Pinehurst's famous 9-hole short course. Every hole is under about 130 yards, so it's meant to be fun, social, and something golfers of every skill level can enjoy.

In the evenings it takes on almost a party atmosphere with music playing, people hanging out after their rounds, and everyone just enjoying the game.

One thing that made me smile was seeing so many golfers walking around barefoot near The Cradle and the practice green. It perfectly captured the vibe.

Pinehurst takes golf seriously, but it also reminds you that golf is supposed to be fun.

One Observation...

I texted a couple of my single girlfriends while we were there and told them they might want to book a trip.

For the single gals...golf isn't the only attraction. 😂

I've never seen so many men in one place.

We Barely Scratched the Surface

As much as we packed into four days, I honestly feel like we just scratched the surface.

Next time I'd love to spend an afternoon at the pool, explore Southern Pines, try a few restaurants off property (I'd definitely schedule an Uber), play The Cradle, and experience a couple more golf courses.

Pinehurst currently has ten courses, with an eleventh already in the works, so there are plenty of reasons to come back.

As a Bonus…

After taking the shuttle back to Raleigh for my flight home, I had enough time to spend the afternoon/evening catching up with my cousins before heading to the airport. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.

Would I go back?

Without hesitation.

In fact, I already know I'd do a few things differently.

Because after one visit, I have a feeling we only experienced a small piece of what makes Pinehurst so special.