I’ve been fortunate to play some nice golf programs this yr, together with a pair which have hosted main championships, however with regards to choosing my favourite primarily based purely on the golf, that’s straightforward. That distinction belongs solely to Pinehurst No. 2.

It’s exhausting to argue that Pinehurst isn’t the house of American golf when you think about the variety of programs on the resort and on the town, and No. 2 is on the forefront of the dialog. Every course has its personal distinctive identification, together with the brief par-3 course The Cradle, which gives up a welcoming and pleasant place to hang around with just a few golf equipment and a chilly beverage.

(And by the best way, The Cradle is a good first cease when arriving on the resort for those who’ve by no means skilled enjoying a golf course with giant runoff areas or pitching and chipping off tight Bermuda grass. Belief me, if Bermuda is new to you, a visit round The Cradle could be a enormous assist.)

Why Pinehurst No. 2 is a particular place

There are a number of programs with historical past and tales to inform, however to me, what makes Pinehurst No. 2 so particular is the best way that historical past lives throughout you. Everybody from the shuttle drivers to the caddies, they’re all blissful to share little items of it in every single place you go.

The caddies are particularly useful on the course and in addition share all types of particulars in regards to the property, together with info on the unique routing, Donald Ross’ Dornoch Cottage and the place a few of the most well-known pictures have been hit (together with the disastrous ones).

One other considered one of my favourite bits about Pinehurst is that the city is walkable, making it an important place to seize espresso, have a fast lunch, settle as much as a bar or simply head to the city middle and take a second to soak within the basic structure. Plus, with regards to the resort, the total expertise is top notch all the best way, particularly across the holidays.

So in regards to the caddies

Though I’ve spent a number of time in and round golf, I’ve spent extra time carrying golf golf equipment than ever having my golf equipment carried by another person, however I have to admit that having the chance to expertise a golf course with a caddie is sort of the deal with.

Having a caddie at Pinehurst is about far more than having somebody assist lighten the load and assist with yardage. As talked about earlier, they’re storytellers, private motivators, joke tellers, nerve-calmers, and most significantly they allow you to get a greater understanding of what is perhaps essentially the most intricate and sophisticated greens you ever encounter.

Take into account them sherpas of the hyperlinks, and when making an attempt to tame Ross’ masterpiece, it’s nice to have somebody who’s accomplished it just a few occasions by your facet. With so many hidden options within the structure temping you to tackle sure pictures, Pinehurst is a puzzle from begin to end, and as my caddie informed me, retaining it away from bother will be the distinction between saving a bogey or making triple.

So right here’s a giant shoutout to my caddie Chris, who I can’t suggest sufficient. He not solely helped information me on the greens, however he additionally discovered just a few golf balls that had no proper being discovered.

The key memento

A lot has been stated of Pinehurst No. 2 over time, however one of many many issues that makes it particular is a memento you may’t purchase. It should be earned whereas navigating your spherical of golf, and that memento is the Deuce coin.

What’s the Deuce coin, you ask? It’s a steel coin you earn from The Deuce bar within the clubhouse for those who document a 2 on any gap on No. 2 (and belief me, they ask for proof!). Apart from recollections, this was the one factor I needed to depart Pinehurst with, and as my spherical on No. 2 was coming to an in depth, barring some extraordinary circumstances, I had one final probability on the par-3 seventeenth.

I’ll spare you the total play-by-play, however when the ball left the face of my 6-iron with its standard left-to-right flight, I assumed it was doomed for the entrance bunker, however in truth, it was simply the best membership and settled about two toes from the outlet. Birdie.

It may not be the kind of historical past that will get filed away within the Pinehurst archives, but it surely’s a shot and spherical of golf I received’t quickly neglect.

Golf.com Editor

Ryan Barath is GOLF Journal and GOLF.com’s senior editor for tools. He has an intensive club-fitting and -building background with greater than 20 years of expertise working with golfers of all ability ranges, together with PGA Tour gamers. Earlier than becoming a member of the workers, he was the lead content material strategist for Tour Expertise Golf, in Toronto, Canada.