National Golf Club PinehurstNational Golf Club Pinehurst, the only Jack Nicklaus signature course in the Sandhills NC area, represents Nicklaus in his transitional phase and will intimidate some while thrilling others. Nicklaus actually created two golf courses in one, showing both his hard and softer sides and offering shades of his masterpiece at Muirfield Village Golf Club, in Dublin, Ohio, site of the Memorial Tournament. Opened in 1989, National Golf Club celebrated it’s 20th anniversary last year, and is considered among the top 10 golf courses in North Carolina on most annual lists. Even based solely on the competition in it’s Southern Pines and Pinehurst neighborhood, National has authored an impressive legacy. National and Mid South are among some of the most sought after courses to play right along with Pinehurst #2. The front side represents the power game, particularly the first five holes. Big doglegs, strong slopes, carries over water hazards and shots to steep, elevated greens are prevalent. The back nine fits more of the local Sandhills terrain, with large waste bunkers, narrow fairways and subtle turns, and it demands more placement than power.
Nearly all the doglegs slide right and reward a power fade, which was Nicklaus'
signature shot. Most of National's holes can look scary from the tee box. Some
are tougher than others, naturally, but the first five holes are clearly the
toughest stretch on this
"The first five holes at National Golf Club make you feel like, gosh, this is work," says Tom Parsons, director of golf. "But it softens up a bit. The difference is that from the tee, there's plenty of room, and it's not too visually intimidating." Jack spices things up with several multi-tiered greens on both nines. They are large, but there's only a small spot where you can hit your approach without leaving yourself a monstrously breaking putt. "He didn't move too much earth. He made it more of a Pinehurst-style golf course," Parsons says. "I think the intimidation comes on your shots to the green. A lot of them are elevated and rolling with the way the land moves." National Golf Club Pinehurst will hurt a bit if you're not ready to play. Jack's early message: “You better hit a couple practice balls with every club in your bag and focus hard when you step to the tee at National.” That's evident on No. 1, a tricky dogleg left to a green that looks perched on a mountain top. The par-3 second hole presents you with a 180-yard shot over a duck pond. Interestingly, there are no sand traps around the green, which sits in a bowl of sorts. At No. 3, a pine tree sits oddly in the middle of this dogleg right, before it takes you steeply uphill to a deep, three-tiered green where you can barely see the top of the flagstick. The first par 5 arrives at No. 4, another dogleg right, this one with a lake in play off the tee. You've got to thread a layup between two bunkers in the landing area. The fifth is arguably National's signature hole. It's a blind shot, of sorts, with your drive toward the top of a hill. The approach is back down to a green set against a rocky creek — all carry to this scenic par 4. Not that you can relax too much after that, but the holes gradually become more subtle and instill more confidence over shots (with less water and more forgiving waste bunkers). The back nine might be tighter, but Jack doesn't hammer you with a degree of difficulty. The par-5 10th epitomizes how the back side sets up. It looks harder — and longer — than it plays, with water cutting the fairway in two, forcing you to be careful off the tee. A dogleg right around a lake allows ample room to access a green that hangs out over the water.
Called Bear's Valley, the 18th is a typical Jack Nicklaus finishing hole of any
era.
A long dogleg fades right the last one-third of the hole
Nicklaus probably was at his toughest with his designs when he built National Golf Club. Even if you didn't know he did the course, you could probably figure it out in the first couple of holes. But he also gives glimpses to a softer side he would later show with his courses in his twilight years. Legendary in his golf achievements and golf course designs alike, Jack Nicklaus constructed a masterpiece set amidst the long leaf pines of Pinehurst / Southern Pines. This 18-hole championship layout features classic Jack Nicklaus architecture: wide fairways, lush course conditions and undulating putting surfaces that test your mind and your true golfing ability. "The National property is absolutely beautiful. Its rolling hills, magnificent pines and variety of lakes provided us with elements we needed to design a golf course that would be extra special. The idea has been to preserve and build upon the great golfing tradition which is the Sandhills." - Jack Nicklaus Among the top 3 courses in Pinehurst National is a magnificent 7,144 yard course and is as meticulous in it’s design as it is compelling. An intriguing, well balanced course which, according to Golf Digest, "has come to enhance even the lofty Sandhills NC image for world-class golf amenities." Set Up Your Golf Getaway or Vacation Package Today, and Come Play National Golf Club With Us. It's A Great Way to Network with Business Associates or Just get away with friends or family.
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layout. The names say it all: The Knoll, Doon Carry,
Narrow Way, Dogwood Bend and Batten's Wall.
to a green guarded
on the left by water.
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