Pinehurst, North Carolina
No. 4 is a transformed Sandhills epic—modern Hanse strategy meets Ross heritage. It’s bold, visually dramatic, and as demanding as it is fun, with a tournament resume to back it up. If Pinehurst No. 2 is the icon, No. 4 is the can’t-miss ‘friendly rival’ in the rotation.
After No. 4, don’t call it a day — walk straight into The Cradle and play nine barefoot with a Transfusion from Cradle Crossing.
No. 4 is a masterclass in strategic, visually explosive resort design, layering wide fairways, sandy waste areas, sprawling undulating greens, and dramatic water features atop quintessential Sandhills land. Hanse and Wagner’s 2018 work wasn’t about chasing Ross’s ghost—it recaptured his adventurous intention while forging something audaciously new. Every hole asks you to think, to choose, to risk, with brawny par-5s and short par-4s providing constant momentum shifts. The expansive, shapely putting surfaces are ringed by runoffs and false fronts, demanding approach precision and short-game nerve. It’s Pinehurst’s most modern, tournament-ready test, yet feels like it’s always belonged.
Gil Hanse’s approach honors the Sandhills tradition but isn’t chained to the past—No. 4’s reinvention is about what works for modern, strategic, high-drama golf.
One of the most demanding par 4s at Pinehurst, the 5th climbs uphill to a perched green guarded by a severe false front and strategic bunkers. It’s all about the second shot: aerial, precise, and nerveless if you want a birdie look.
Drive must be long and on line—approach from the fairway, and take enough club to avoid spinning off the green’s treacherous front edge.
Anything short or lacking spin control is repelled 20 yards down the slope; bunkers left and right punish the miss.
Superb—pristine fairways, fast undulating greens, sandy visuals everywhere.
Resort-paced; expect 4.5–5 hours on busy days.
Tournament energy, but welcoming and fun—exciting, not intimidating.
Collared shirt, golf trousers/shorts, golf shoes; traditional Pinehurst resort code.
Spend serious time around the chipping green before your round—tight lies and runoffs will test your short game.
Study the back nine’s water holes and short par-4s; knowing where not to miss is more important than bold aggression.
Warm up with irons off tight turf; try hitting half-clubs and flighted wedges to prepare for elevated, quick greens.
Accept that every player will find trouble at least once—play smart, stay patient, and enjoy the ride.
Course opens, designed by Donald Ross
Robert Trent Jones Sr. redesigns and lengthens layout
Tom Fazio completes a major rebuild
Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner unveil a transformative reimagining
Hosts the U.S. Amateur, cementing top-tier status
Pinehurst No. 4 evolved from a course lost to decades of redesign into a bold modern classic that now stands toe-to-toe with the famed No. 2. The Hanse overhaul gave it the strategic flair, drama, and visual impact that finally made it worthy of true comparison—‘a friendly rival’ in the resort’s own words.
When Gil Hanse contemplated the 2018 project, he found too little of the original Ross to restore, so he reimagined No. 4 instead. The final product is ‘a tiny bit of restoration wrapped around a giant renovation’—evoking Ross’s spirit but unapologetically bold and new.
No. 4 once closed holes during the Great Depression, muddled through decades of change, and finally earned its reputation by hosting the 2019 U.S. Amateur. Its tournament resurrection is a testament to how strong design and ambition can reclaim lost legacy.
The stretch around the 13th and 14th, with ponds, bold carries, and sparkling Sandhills vistas, delivers some of the most exciting and nerve-wracking shots at Pinehurst. Birdie is in play for the bold, but so is disaster for the careless.
Originally Ross, but so altered that Hanse refused a strict restoration—he called it a ‘giant renovation’ instead.
Hosted the 2019 U.S. Amateur alongside No. 2, marking its return as a tournament stage.
Known for dramatic water features—holes 13 and 14 are both visually stunning and perilous.
The course was partially closed during the Great Depression before its rebirths.
The ‘friendly rival’ of Pinehurst No. 2, No. 4 is now considered essential in a Pinehurst rotation.
America’s top championship venue and an essential pairing with No. 4—iconic, strategic, and storied.
True Ross-era architecture, classic Sandhills play—perfect for tradition lovers.
Mike Strantz’s visual rollercoaster—a creative, high-wildness round not to be missed.
Restored Ross gem—affordable classic and local favorite, just minutes away.
Refined Tom Fazio layout—big, brawny, and tournament-tested.
Pinehurst village or Southern Pines for optimal access to every course and dining
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Fishers Island Club's own setting.
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club's own setting.
Why it matches: If Pinehurst Resort (No. 4 Course) is your kind of course, Sand Valley is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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