Pine Needles is where women’s golf has a home in the Sandhills. The course was laid out by Donald Ross in 1927, and in 1953 Peggy Kirk Bell, a founding member of the LPGA, bought it with her husband Warren and partners including Julius Boros. The Bell family turned it into a golf lodge built around teaching, and the course went on to become the first in the United States to host four U.S. Women’s Opens. It is open to outside golfers, sits on Midland Road opposite Mid Pines, and suits groups who want a single base with three Ross courses on the doorstep.
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club green fees and tee times.
Golfers not staying at the lodge can book up to 30 days ahead, online through Chronogolf or by calling the golf shop on 910.692.8611. Lodge guests take golf through packages that include a daily round on Pine Needles, Mid Pines or Southern Pines Golf Club; the Bell package adds breakfast and dinner in spring and autumn, and seasonal packages run two nights minimum. Packages are booked online or through reservations on 800.747.7272, and larger groups wanting rooms further ahead deal with the sales team. Published green fees change by season and are lower Monday to Wednesday. Noteefy alerts flag released times on full days. Rental clubs are available if you ask at booking.
INDICATIVE GREEN FEE · CHECKED NOVEMBER 2026From US$145
Winter rate for an early-week round (Monday–Wednesday), valid 19 November 2026 to 17 February 2027; the weekend-side rate is US$155. Peak 2026 fees reached US$295–315.
19 Nov 2026–17 Feb 2027, Mon–Wed
US$145
19 Nov 2026–17 Feb 2027, Thu–Sun
US$155
10 Sep–18 Nov 2026, Mon–Wed
US$295
10 Sep–18 Nov 2026, Thu–Sun
US$315
15 Jun–9 Sep 2026, Mon–Wed
US$205
15 Jun–9 Sep 2026, Thu–Sun
US$225
Prices change by season and booking route, so confirm the current rate with the operator. Official rates ↗
The round, in perspective.
Ross routed Pine Needles over rolling sandy ground among longleaf pines. From the back tees it now stretches past 7,000 yards; for the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open the USGA set it up at 6,638 yards, par 71. The official scorecard gives a par 71 of 7,025 yards from the Medal tees and 6,450 from the Ross tees. It opens with a 505-yard par five, and the outward half, par 35, carries back-to-back par fours of 455 and 450 yards at the 6th and 7th. Kyle Franz restored the course in 2017, four years after his work at Mid Pines. The first event here, the 1928 Women’s Mid-South Open, went to Virginia Van Wie over Glenna Collett on the fourth extra hole. Annika Sörenstam won the 1996 Women’s Open here, Karrie Webb in 2001, Cristie Kerr in 2007 and Minjee Lee in 2022. The club also staged the last Titleholders Championship in 1972 and the 2019 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, won by Helen Alfredsson.
Know before you go.
Booking window
30 days for non-lodge golfers
Caddies
Not currently offered
The Loop
Four-hole practice course, lodge guests, first come first served
Aeration
22–25 June (resort FAQ)
Make the trip work.
Pine Needles is the most expensive of the three sister courses, so it is worth playing it on a Monday-to-Wednesday date or in winter, when the rate drops to US$145. If your group is mixed in ability, the lodge is the most practical base, because lessons, clinics and the Golfari schools run from here. Golfari began in 1959. The 2027 Adult Golfari runs from 14 to 18 June, with four nights, all meals, more than 22 hours of instruction and cart fees, at US$2,875 per person sharing or US$3,375 single, plus tax. A separate Ladies Golfari is also offered. The Loop beside the range gives lodge guests four short holes, three par threes and a short par four, for an evening knock.
Raleigh-Durham (RDU), under 70 miles north, is the resort’s preferred airport and has the most direct flights. Fayetteville (FAY) is about 50 miles away. Charlotte (CLT), about 110 miles, can be cheaper for international arrivals. The resort can arrange airport transport on request. A car is useful for reaching Pinehurst and Tobacco Road.
Pine Needles Lodge has 74 rooms, each with a private terrace or balcony, plus Premier Lodges along the course that sleep groups of 8 to 20, some with their own driving range or game room. Meals are in the Crest Dining Room and the In-The-Rough Lounge. Since 2025 Marine & Lawn has run the hotel and its food and drink, with renovations planned. Guests can use the pool, fitness centre and tennis courts. You can also stay in Southern Pines itself, a few minutes east, or in Pinehurst village.
Make a trip of it.
Mid Pines is across the road and Southern Pines Golf Club is a short drive into town, and packages rotate between all three. Pinehurst Resort, ten minutes west, adds No. 2 and its other courses, and Tobacco Road is a half-hour drive for something completely different. For a rest day, walk the longleaf pine trails at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve or browse the shops along Broad Street in Southern Pines.
Find your season.
Spring, from late March to mid-June, and autumn, from mid-September to mid-November, are peak seasons with the highest fees. Summer brings heat, humidity and a lower rate. Winter rates are the lowest of the year. The resort lists aeration at Pine Needles for 22–25 June, the earliest of the three sister courses.
Can you play Pine Needles without staying at the lodge?
Yes. Non-resort golfers can book tee times up to 30 days ahead online or by phone. Staying at the lodge mainly gives you earlier access through packages and use of The Loop practice holes.
How much does it cost to play Pine Needles?
Pine Needles is the priciest of the three sister courses. The winter 2026–27 card shows US$145 early in the week and US$155 later. Autumn 2026 golf cost US$295–315 and summer US$205–225, so dates matter more than anything.
How many U.S. Women’s Opens has Pine Needles hosted?
Four: 1996, 2001, 2007 and 2022. It was the first course in the country to host the championship four times. Minjee Lee won the 2022 edition at 6,638 yards, par 71.
What is the Golfari at Pine Needles?
Golfari is the instruction programme Peggy Kirk Bell started in 1959 with her friend Ellen Griffin; the first one hosted 53 women over four days. Mornings now mix lessons with guided play, afternoons are rounds with your own group, and wet-weather teaching moves to an indoor facility.
Last checked 10 November 2026. This is an independent planning guide, not a first-hand review or a booking service. Check live availability, access, fees and travel details with the operator before booking. Airport suggestions are starting points for route planning.
