Pinehurst No. 7 seems to be the course that the members of Pinehurst play a lot. We had a tee time on a weekday morning, but were only allowed to make tee times until around 8:30 or so, as the members start filling after that. Not a problem on my end, but if you play plan on an early morning for the #7 Course.
This was probably the toughest course we played (we played Pinehurst #4, #6, #7 and #8.) When we checked in, I told the starter I normally play the Blues (6,819 yards) and he suggested I play from the Whites (6,316 yards) because 13 of the approaches to the green are uphill, which lengthens the course by about 300 yards. I’m glad I heeded his warning; it definitely plays longer than expected, and the Whites were plenty.
The first hole is a 476 yard par 5. The toughest part of this hole was the tee shot. Anything to the right is probably OB and from the tee you see bunkers left, which play that little mind game that golf sometimes does. Drive it strong up the left; plenty of room. If I had a better lie, I may have tried going for it in two, but decided against it and started with a par. So far so good!
The second hole is the #1 handicap hole, a 404 yard par 4. Bunkers left and trouble right (sound familiar?) The approach is uphill, meaning it plays a bit longer. Length is everything here so rip it from the tee.
The third hole is what I’d call a valley hole (in fact, it’s named Valley O according to the tee marker.) The tee shot is elevated, as is the green, and the fairway is in a valley. The distance here wasn’t too much (367 yards), but my approach was a full club and a half more than I would normally take. Already this course is playing long!
The fourth has an uphill tee shot, making it basically blind. I’d suggest center or center-right for your landing area. Too far left and you’ll lengthen your approach, and too far right may be in someone’s yard. In addition, if you go right (like I did), there’s an overhanging branch that will probably hinder your approach.
The 5th is a reasonable par 3, measuring 145 yards. The pin the day we played was behind the bunker that’s in front of the green, in the middle. 145 is a perfect 8-iron for me, and I hit the (slightly elevated) green and two-putted for par.
The sixth is, to me, one of my favorite types of holes: Wide fairway, large green, elevated tee shot, view of the entire hole from the tee. It reminds me of a number of holes that I’ve played in Michigan (specifically Treetops and the Arthur Hills Course.)
Keep in mind that up the right-hand side, there is trouble; specifically a small creek that runs up the hole. I wasn’t aware of it when I played it, and barely stayed out of it.
Number 7 is called Devils Gut, and I can’t think of a better name for this hole. This may have been the most interesting hole I played at Pinehurst. It’s only 329 from the Whites, but your tee shot should max out at about 200 (or even a bit less) to ensure you don’t end up in the Devils Gut. Here’s a good view of the trouble; note the 100 yard marker, and how the fairway slopes into the trouble.
Also, here’s a shot from the green back towards the tee. Note all of the junk just behind the green.
Eight is a dogleg-right, par 5. The best play is to hug the right hand-side of the fairway with your tee shot. Your second shot is pretty open, so feel free to let it fly. Your second shot might look something like this:
There’s a lot of trouble in front of the green, and bunkers all around. I layed up, and was happy with that decision, but you could go for it if the tee shot cuts enough of the corner.
Also, I’m a sucker for bridges on golf courses, so here’s a shot of the one that crosses the junk in front of the green.
The front nine ends with a beautiful, uphill par 3. I didn’t have a picture I was satisfied with from the tee, but this one from the green looking back really shows just how uphill this hole really is. Enjoy the view and hopefully your score isn’t too scary; the back nine is even harder.
We stopped at the turn for a snack and a bathroom break. The snack bar and restrooms are directly on the path between nine green and ten tee; no need to go off the path. Also, restrooms are plentiful on this course, as with the other Pinehurst golf courses.
The tenth is another Valley hole, with an elevated tee and green, with a fairway in the valley. This is a dogleg left and there are trees on the left so beware; make sure your tee shot is long enough so they don’t impede your approach. Here’s the tee shot:
And here’s a very dramatically-uphill approach:
The twelfth is a par 5, and only measures 464 yards, but it’s the #4 handicap hole on the course. First, you need to clear all the junk between the tee box and the fairway. Keep in mind that the hole doglegs to the left, so feel free to hug the left side if you can, and let it fly.
Your second shot will look something like the below shot. The green is elevated, and you can’t see it from here but it’s just over the cart on the right side of the fairway. I’d suggest laying up to the left, and having a solid wedge into the green.
The thirteenth hole is easily the most uphill hole on the course. It’s a par 3, and I didn’t have a lot of time to snap shots (we passed a foursome here, and didn’t want to cause undue delay.) If you look at the large size of the picture below, you’ll see a red flag just right of the bunker. This is easily 2, maybe 3 clubs more than usual, so don’t be afraid; better long than short here.
As we hit 14 tee the rain started to fall (great… now the course will play even longer!)
The fifteenth is called “Round the Bend”. The hole doglegs to the right and again, it’s a “Valley” hole. The middle of the fairway is perfect here. If too far right it may leak into the trees on the right, leaving a punch-out for your second (speaking from experience.)
The green is big and receptive for uphill approaches, and there isn’t much trouble behind it so be sure to take enough club.
The 16th is a 149 yard par 3, with a very interesting bunker configuration in front of the green. More of a mind game than anything else, but I appreciate the effort for sure. Here’s a shot from the cartpath:
The final hole is a long, relatively straight par 5 that finishes at the clubhouse. If you can keep it on the fairway (and a straight as possible), this is a potential birdie. The green is well-guarded with bunkers on both sides, so again, I layed up and took wedge. For me, it was the right choice.
Honestly, this course may be a bit too tough to play on a daily basis. That being said, playing it on a golf trip was the perfect experience. I got to enjoy some great views, played some great golf, and had the opportunity to dial in my uphill approaches and distances. 
Popularity: 3% [?]
Related posts:
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I think you captured the essence of this course. It is indeed a very tough course. Job well done.