Southern Pines Golf Club

Location: Southern Pines, North Carolina | Style: Parkland | Length: 6,900 yards | Par: 70 | Designer: Donald Ross (restored by Kyle Franz) | Founded: 1906

Southern Pines Golf Club is one of the great historic gems of North Carolina’s Sandhills region, offering golfers an authentic Donald Ross experience with a modern restoration that has elevated the course into the national spotlight. Originally laid out in 1906 and refined by Ross in the early 1910s, the course underwent an acclaimed restoration by architect Kyle Franz in 2021, reintroducing many of the strategic and visual elements that had been lost over the decades.

Set among rolling sandy terrain and towering longleaf pines just minutes from Pinehurst, Southern Pines combines classic architecture with a rugged, natural aesthetic that feels deeply rooted in the game’s early American history. Franz’s restoration expanded green complexes, reintroduced sprawling sandscapes and reopened dramatic vistas across the property, creating a course that rewards creativity, shot-making and strategic positioning rather than brute force alone. The result is a layout that feels timeless yet refreshingly modern, quickly earning recognition as one of the most exciting restorations in American golf.

Unlike many resort-style layouts in the area, Southern Pines delivers a relaxed, understated atmosphere where the golf course remains the star attraction. Walkable, varied and endlessly engaging, it has become a must-play destination for architecture enthusiasts and travelling golfers alike seeking a more traditional Sandhills golf experience.

Course highlights

• Historic Donald Ross design – One of Ross’ earliest North Carolina creations, showcasing classic green complexes and strategic routing
• Acclaimed Kyle Franz restoration – Restored in 2021 with expanded greens, exposed sandy areas and reopened natural vistas
• Authentic Sandhills terrain – Rolling topography, firm playing conditions and natural wiregrass create a traditional Pinehurst-area feel
• Creative shot values – Open-front greens and tightly mown runoffs encourage imaginative recovery play and ground-game approaches
• Walkable championship golf – Compact routing and natural elevation changes make the course ideal for walking
• One of the region’s best values – Frequently praised as one of the most enjoyable and accessible Donald Ross courses in the Pinehurst area

Signature Holes

The par-3 7th hole is among the most memorable one-shotters in the Sandhills. Playing across rugged sandy terrain into a beautifully contoured Ross green, the hole perfectly captures Southern Pines’ blend of strategy and aesthetics. The green’s subtle movement and tightly mown runoffs demand both precision and imagination, while the exposed landscape and natural bunker styling give the hole a distinctly timeless character.

Clubhouse & amenities

Southern Pines Golf Club maintains a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere while offering quality modern facilities, including:

• Extensive practice facilities and putting areas
• Golf instruction programmes through nearby Pine Needles Resort
• Comfortable clubhouse dining and bar facilities
• Access to stay-and-play packages with Pine Needles and Mid Pines
• Pro shop and professional guest services
• The Overhills Putting Course, a 22,000-square-foot Himalayas-inspired putting experience designed by Kyle Franz

Post Round

After the round, visitors can enjoy the charming town of Southern Pines, known for its relaxed village atmosphere, craft breweries, upscale Southern dining and historic Pinehurst-area hospitality. Many golfers also combine Southern Pines with rounds at nearby Pine Needles, Mid Pines and Pinehurst Resort to create one of the finest golf trips in the United States.