Recently I had the pleasure of playing Courses #2 and #8 (thanks Dan!) at Pinehurst Resort. To access these courses you need to: stay at the resort; plan ahead; and take out a second mortgage to pay for your rounds. During our current trip we started at The Cradle, Pinehurst’s 9-hole par 3 course that is a more reasonable $50, but tee times can only be made one day before play. Securing a time can occasionally be difficult due to the high volume of play it receives.
Day 2 found us traveling five miles down the road to Knollwood Fairways and Driving Range in Southern Pines. What a difference five miles can make! Knollwood does not take tee times (we’ll see how that worked out), and you can stay at the Econolodge (however, we chose a great Airbnb on Course #5). Their website describes Knollwood Fairways “as becoming the center of golf in the Sandhills.” This seems a bit of a stretch with Pinehurst Resort just down the street!
We arrived to a full parking lot and since we were on a tight schedule, I began to wonder if I had made the correct decision. As we approached the clubhouse, I realized why “and Driving Range” is included in the name. The range was packed; the course was not, and we were able to get right out.
Holes #1 and #2 – the course starts a little quirky. The first hole is a short par 3 over a pond. You have to be careful and plan your shot as there is a busy road down the left side. The second hole is also a par 3, but it’s 185 yards. Another busy road parallels the left side, so again be careful. It is probably smart to take the driver out of everyone’s hand at the first two holes!
Besides the busy road down the left, the numerous trees to the right, and the bunkers left and right of the small green, it’s a fun ride at the par 4, 266 yards third hole. The third par 3 in the first four holes is 142 yards from the white tees. The fourth hole is surrounded by trees as is most of the course. Hole #5 is a par of 289 yards and is very representative of the course so far: large tree-lined fairways which require precise driving skills. Hole #6 is the first of consecutive par 5’s. The 394 dogleg left has a generous landing area before the fairway tapers on your second or third approach shot. The “turtle-back” green is challenging and will only hold expertly placed shots!
Hole #7 is the number one handicap and after attempting to play it, I understand why. The fairway first snakes to the right; then after the bend, it wanders to the left. If your drive doesn’t reach the dogleg, the next shot has to carry a pond that has trees littering its bank. This is one crazy hole! To top it off, at the end of this hole you find a minuscule putting surface.
Hole #8 is visually appealing, but a difficult drive. It’s a short par 4 (290 yards) but very tight. To find the fairway you must carry a road and pond that fronts the teeing area, and then find the precarious, tree-lined fairway. A fun risk/reward hole! Another tight, tree-lined fairway greets you at the ninth hole. Your best ball placement is to the right side as the fairway curves a little to the left.
Rating – Birdie (42 out of 60): For the most part this is a fun course. You have to be a straight hitter of the ball or you will find tree (or car) trouble most of the day. The layout is somewhat funky, but I like funky. The greens were in excellent shape, but the fairways were spotty on a few holes. However, the $12 was well worth it considering the golf right down the road.
1470 Midland Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387; 910-692-3572;
www.knollwood-midland.com
