The Verdict is Out on Pinehurst No.10, Early Reactions are out

The story of Pinehurst No. 10 is a tale of transformation and vision. Nestled about four miles south of the Pinehurst Resort’s main clubhouse, a sprawling 900-acre property stretches out, a testament to the Dedman family’s foresight who purchased it in 2011. This land, once a sand mine and home to a polarizing golf course known as ‘The Pit’, has been reborn under the careful stewardship of Pinehurst President Tom Pashley. Today, it stands as the resort’s ‘Field of Dreams,’ a repository of “every idea that we have now can exist down there,” as Pashley puts it.

As Almost Average Golf reported here, in the late spring of 2024, the former Pit property reopened to the public with a new layout designed by Tom Doak: the 10th 18-hole championship course at the iconic resort. This new addition, Pinehurst No. 10, is not just a golf course; it’s a testament to the evolution of golf itself, embracing not only traditional design but also fun, engaging, and increasingly trendy secondary options like a short course (or courses) and possible putting course.

Pinehurst has always been a name synonymous with golfing excellence. From its flagship No. 2 course, which underwent a major restoration in 2011, to the introduction of its nearly two-acre Thistle Dhu putting course the next year, Pinehurst has continually pushed the boundaries of what a golf resort can be. The hugely popular Cradle par-3 course, opened in 2017, brought an even more friendly, casual vibe to the historic property. Music plays throughout the par-3 course, where golfers, some with bare feet, play with drinks in hand thanks to an open-air bar called “The Cradle Crossing.”

Pinehurst No. 10: A Symphony of Opinions

As the newest addition to this illustrious family, Pinehurst No. 10 has already begun to make waves in the golfing community. The course, designed by Tom Doak, is a masterful blend of the traditional and the innovative. It’s bigger, bolder, and more dramatic, offering a unique golfing experience that has left players divided.

Some golfers praise the course’s challenging layout and the strategic thinking it demands. The property that was home to the Dan Maples-designed curiosity known as The Pit from 1985 through 2010 boasts rugged dunes and native sand, natural ridgelines, towering longleaf pines, wiregrass, streams, and ponds. Topographically, it’s quite distinct from the other Pinehurst courses, with about 75 feet of elevation change and expansive views from its highest point over the rest of the area.

Others, however, find the course’s difficulty off-putting. They argue that the course’s complexity and the high level of skill it requires can make it less accessible to casual players. Yet, even these critics cannot deny the course’s beauty and the clear passion and thought that went into its design.

Here is how Derek Duncan of Golf Digest described it:

“The land is the show. Fairways cascade over long, bending, sometimes rumpled slopes and wander into tighter compartments surrounded by the bizarre mining archeology. Drives repeatedly play blind or semi-blind over crests and sand washes that obscure the landing areas, so players must select foreground or background targets for orientation.”

“Greenside bunkers are few, with most pulled back 10 or 20 yards, and #10 practically begs golfers to play the ball on the ground on and into the greens. Most are surrounded by short grass and broad safety areas, though series of mounds sometimes protect one side of the putting surface, like those left of the fourth and 12th greens (all the more reason to bump the ball over them).”

For his part, influencer Peter Millar described it as follows on his personal X account:

“Pinehurst No. 10 is just as good as advertised”

Another X account of much renown in golf topics, LinksGems Golf Photos, posted the following opinion about Pinehurst No. 10:

“A part of me is surprised at how many people have told me No. 10 is their favorite course on the property – that’s a bit of a shock when the property includes the 12th ranked course in the country and U.S. Open anchor site plus a second course ranked in the Top 100.”

“But having played it, a part of me is not surprised, given that this Tom Doak design is both extremely fun and offers several elements not seen anywhere else at Pinehurst. However you might end up ranking the 10 courses yourself, it’s clear that if you miss No. 10, you’re missing some of the best that Pinehurst has to offer – and that’s saying something.”

Another lucky fan who has played Pinehurst No. 10 posted the following:

“If you can survive the walk, it’s an incredibly fun golf course. An extremely wonderful addition to the place that was already the Disney World of golf”

Pinehurst it’s a bold step forward for golf as a whole. It’s a testament to the game’s ability to evolve and adapt, to challenge and delight players in new and unexpected ways. And in that sense, Pinehurst No. 10 is more than just a golf course – it’s a symbol of the future of golf.