If you can’t afford to play Course #2…or #3, or #4, or #5, or #6, or #7, or #8, or #9, or #10, then The Cradle is your course of choice. As you approach the grounds, the sign states, “the footprints of American Golf began on this ground”. Thus this area became known as The Cradle of American Golf. So from this very point, these four senior golfers started their own golfing journey – Golfing Carolina Past our Prime!
The Golf Channel called it “The Most Fun 10 Acres in all of Golf”. The holes range from about 50 yards to 115 yards depending on how evil the groundskeeper wants to make it that day. For $50 you can play a short course with “Scottish-feel” bunkers, and plenty of undulation on the greens. Want to play more than 9-holes? Play again for free and speaking of free…kids under 17 playing with an adult play at no cost. Let’s examine the course a little closer…
Shot Value: Always tough to judge on a par 3 track, but the bunkers and greens will test the accuracy of any golfer.
Design Variety: Short, long, various bunker placement, undulating greens…you get the picture.
Memorability: It’s Pinehurst!
Conditioning: This course gets a high volume of play. Due to this you have to tee off mats. The greens however are in excellent shape. Fairways? If you are hitting from them, your iron game is in need of a lesson!
Ambience: The Cradle is located next to the main clubhouse and just a wild slice from Hole #1 on Course #2. Once again…It’s Pinehurst!
Rating – Ace: The Cradle is a fun course to: 1) Unwind after a grueling day on #2; 2) Play with your kids; 3) Practice your iron game; 4) Play a golf game after a few beers; 5) Warmup for the afternoon round on #2; 6) Save a few dollars and still say you played Pinehurst.
The Deuce Restaurant and the main clubhouse are a pitching wedge from hole #1 and what day wouldn’t be complete without trying the 18-hole putting course – Thistle Dhu.
1 Carolina Vista, Pinehurst, NC 28374; 1-800-ITS-GOLF; www.Pinehurst.com
