Pinehurst Resort & Country Club - No. 4

This a fun, interesting, and challenging course for a bogey golfer (me). I played with a member and he knew the course well. If you aren't playing with someone who has played this course before, a forecaddy would be helpful for advice on lines to take and reading greens.
If you play conservatively on this course and avoid waste areas off the tee and the deep greenside bunkers on approach, you can walk away with a decent score. Every hole offers bail-out options, so it's tough but not punitive.
The course was well-maintained. Highly recommend walking as it is cart path only. Our pace was decent at about 4:20.
I had an average score for me but would have had a great round if I hadn't three putted so much. I would definitely play it again even though there were moments when the course was kicking my butt.

Pinehurst #4 is a pretty course (The best section of the course -- Holes 13, 14, and 15 with the lake). So many folks seem to say it is their favorite but not for me. I like #8 and #2 way more than #4. Here is why I like #8 better than #4 -- the distance for some of the Par 4s on #4 are just too long from the forward tees (our caddie even said a few times there is no way you can get there in 2 - and I was hitting my drive straight and 180 yards which is decent - even a considered longer - for the average/bogey women golfer). Why I like #2 more than #4 - the distances are just as long on #2 but the difference is the sand in the waste areas. My golf partner and I agreed that the waste area sand at #4 was fluffy (similar to the green side bunkers) which made it much harder to advance the ball. On #2, the waste area sand is more hard pack and as long as your ball is not in a "love bush" you can easily advance your ball. #2 is also an easier walk than #4. I think in the heat most golfers would take a cart on #4. If I was going back to Pinehurst Golf Resort and had only 2 rounds to play, I'd pick #2 and #8 out of the three (#2, #4, #8). I can't compare to other courses.
It's not that I think you should not play #4 if you are playing multiple courses at the resort, I would say play it.

The total overhaul of Pinehurst No. 4 was a resounding success. A day after playing No. 2, I was expecting a significant letdown, but No. 4 is an excellent golf course that retains its own identity. With more dramatic terrain than No. 2, No. 4 feels a lot like the heathland courses of England, with larger, more diversely shaped greens and varied bunkering, plus some water in the form of a lake at the bottom of the property that comes into play on a couple of holes. But the big Pinehurst themes - sandy off-fairway roughs, walkability, firm turf, wonderful conditions - are all here in spades. No. 2 is still #1, but #4 is pretty great in its own right.

The third round of our trip was the first at a Pinehurst course. After the much hyped restoration, I couldn't wait to play No 4, so I'm glad it was first on our schedule.

The main campus for Pinehurst is a feast of golf. The pro shop, the practice green, the putting course, the short course, etc... It's basically Disney for golfers.

The main thing I can say about No 4 is that it was fun. The greens were definitely challenging, but not difficult. There were hazards, but also options. Overall making this a very approachable course for any skill level, but still tricky enough to engage the better player.

It's a must play on your Pinehurst trip.

This place is special. Enjoyed it much more than #2 and didn't have a bad thing to say about #2. Conditions were immaculate and the course was difficult but manageable. Cannot wait to get back.

Pinehurst No.4 is an outstanding overall experience and one of the better courses I’ve ever played. The caddie made it that much more enjoyable since I’m fairly new to the game (2 1/2 yrs). He was really helpful when trying to tackle the very difficult hole #9. (See picture below) I’d highly recommend that everyone experience this course.

Played #4 about five years ago and enjoyed the experience. Was not disappointed with the Gil Hanse changes. Thought the views from the ridge line were great. Caddie was spot on with recommendations. Course was in excellent shape, weather was typical for July in the Carolinas. Great layouts, excellent condition and great service, I’ll be back.

Disappointed with the Par 3s on the reimagined #4. I enjoyed the walk. I shot 4 over and had 5 three putts, go figure. Obviously I struggled with the contours and the bermuda greens. I had played the Fazio renovation and didn't like all the pot bunkers but did like the Par 3s. Walk it if you can, nothing like enjoying the Carolina Pines. Come play it, I didn't lose a ball.

It had been years since I played the Fazio version of #4 so I don't remember much to compare the Hanse version. But the new #4 is much closer to #2 in temperament than the Fazio version was. Some people will like that and some will hate it - even the members seem fairly split on it.
Visually, #4 is even better than #2 - more of the natural sand flashes throughout the course. The greens are quite quick and flat is not a word in Hanse's design philosophy.
There are a lot of good holes on this course - the par 4 5th and the par 5 13th stood out to me. But there are several weaker holes that prevent this from being a 5-star, top 100 course for the players in our group. The par 5 9th with the large exposed sand waste area that the 2nd shot must carry is reminiscent of H*ll's Half Acre at Pine Valley, but a more strategic scattering of bunkers for both the tee shot and the 2nd shot might have made a more challenging and visually interesting hole. The par 3 11th felt like a bit ho-hum. But the two short par 4s, 15 and 16, received the most criticism. The 15th green provides a challenge with its multiple tiers, but the 16th really felt like it was just stuck in to make it a par 72. With back-to-back short par 4s, they each have to bring something to make them interesting/special.
I would certainly give it another go as I'm sure more of the courses mysteries would be unveiled with further play.
Two suggestions for future players. While a cart is certainly more manageable on #4 vs #2, a caddy is highly recommended for their knowledge of the course and the greens. If you are more of an average golfer, move up from the whites (6400 yards) and play the white/green combo or even the greens. You'll enjoy it more.

Great time had with friends. Found the greens to be very grainy. Staff very friendly, caddy was average and cost was high.
Pinehurst is a great environment.

I took my son out and had a great time at #4. Of course we warmed up with 9 holes on the Cradle. We had a great time and actually decided to walk with their push cart vs getting a cart bc it’s cart path only. We got paired up with 2 guys that took the cart and they agreed we made the right call. It was expensive for me at $325, but juniors play for $65 which was an incredible deal for him. Would definitely play it again.

We caught playing #4 at a good time... a day before the women’s north/south and less than a month before the Men’s U.S. Amateur. Course was in fantastic shape with very lush fairways and the greens were rolling around 11 and were true.. The layout demands a good approach shot, much like #2. Greens that really stood out to me were hole 2 and hole 16. 16 is a short, driveable par 4 and the only pin location for a decent putt is in the back left... - middle/front pins are extremely demanding. Hole 2 is a reachable par 5 but there are wild undulations that make going for it and hitting it close is nearly impossible. Also, like course #2, it’s hard to lose a ball which makes it very playable off the tee and relatively score-able if you’re driving it well. The greens are very firm right now (1 year old) so the run out is still 10 feet more than it should be on approach shots. Pace of play was slow, slower than it should be for sure. I think people are playing the wrong tees and spending a lot of time on the greens since they are so tricky, and they are tricky - the whites are all the course you need if you’re not a scratch. A bonus is you wind thru a few holes of course #2 and the layout on 4 is now surprisingly similar with the same grass and waste areas. All-in, course #2 is the king of the resort, but #4 is a really nice track and, for me, the second best course at Pinehurst.

The Good: Gil Hanse's redesign of Tom Fazio's previous rendition of a Donald Ross routing is truly stunning. As beautiful and compelling of any land at the Pinehurst Resort, No. 4 stays true to Fazio/Ross' vision but is a significant upgrade in terms of green complexes. Excellent variety in Par 4's with several doglegs both left/right and a couple drivable "go for broke" holes on the back nine. The 13th/14th one-two punch around the pond is one of the best at the entire resort. As impeccably conditioned of any course I've played from tee-to-green. First-class clubhouse, practice facilities (including Hanse's newly created short course The Cradle nearby), and on-course amenities throughout make for an unforgettable experience. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating throughout the resort. The $175 "Evergreen" rates from November to February are a steal!

The Bad: Pace of play for a Thursday afternoon round was fair at best, taking us nearly 5 hours. The greens, while extremely interesting, didn't hold very well and were inconsistent at times. No GPS on the carts and limited yardage markers on the course. Comes with a heft price tag for an "inland" course.

The Verdict: Pinehurst No.4 is an outstanding overall experience and one of the better courses in North Carolina. A Top 10 course that I've played. A truly fun, memorable golf experience!

Best Hole(s): The aforementioned 13th is a long Par 5 that borders a pond and requires approaches to cross the hazard at many angles. The Par 3 14th is a tough little Par 3 with water left and tough bunker right. Great back-to-back holes!

We played #4 three times prior to the redesign and it was our favorite course in the area. Played it this year after the redesign and think the course took a step backwards. The best example was the par-3 fourth hole. What was once a beautiful, uphill hole with azaleas in the back is now a super-short side-hill hole with a deep sandtrap where the azaleas used to be. The greens were sandy and bumpy. Maybe things will improve as the new turf matures, but as it is, this course was not worth the money, and we played well below the list price of $385.

The staff was fantastic and so is the course lay out. Practice green, driving range and clubhouse are great as well. But the grass on the course was tan and dormant, greens were mowed down to be like concrete and dyed green just so they weren't brown. The tradition there is 2nd to none but it is not worth the money.... Just my opinion..

I am sure if I played it in another month or two that it would receive 5 stars all the around... except for price....

No. 2 will always be my favorite course among the resort's collection, but this was my second favorite. And now with the announcement of Hanse's renovation, I can't wait to see what No. 4 becomes. The first tee of No. 4 sits right beside the Thistle Du putting green, so arrive in plenty of time to experience it. Although No. 4 runs alongside No. 2, 4 has slightly more elevation change. The holes along the small lake - the par-3 4th, par-5 13th and par-3 14th - are standouts. The collections of par 5s are excellent, true three-shooters with virtually no chance of getting home in two. The last three holes make it tough to protect par en route to the house. The canvas is firmly in place. If Hanse restores No. 4 half as well as Coore/Crenshaw did No. 2, it will soar up the Top 100 public ranks.

I am approaching 300 courses played in my life and this is certainly a Top 10 on that list. I'm sure you have read enough about the amazing clubhouse and the amenities but the course itself is fantastic. We played it on a drizzly, extremely windy day and it didn't matter in the least. Pinehurst #4 is playable for almost anyone and you will love the conditions. Perfect tee boxes, fairways and greens, even the bunkers were in amazing shape. If you have the means this is one of the top 3-4 courses in the Pinehurst area. Make sure it's on your list next time you are in the area.

#4 might be my next favorite course from #2. My father and I went on a bucket list trip for Father's Day.The course provides a variety of shots along with the course being playable for the resort guest. The course is littered with pot bunkers up the fairways, which can be tricky to get out of. Greens played slower than the other courses we played on our trip. The Par 5s are gettable and the Par 3s for the most part were downhill shots. The first and third holes are really the only holes where you can not see the green off the tee.

At the end of the day I felt the course was a fair test of golf.

Played this course after a very hard rain but the course dried out very quickly. The greens were the bet I've ever played even after the hard rain. The course is very playable off the tee, with room to miss a little. The greens ... well you better play to the right spot and with the right distance. Miss one and the rolling mounds are simply fun. Not an easy track but it is simply spectacular in evry way I can judge a course - and that was even in bad weather. I could play this course every day and may not hit the same shot twice. It's fun without being overly difficult like it's older brother. Love No. 4.

“Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!” Yea, you probably know where I’m going. Pinehurst’s No. 4 would easily be the crown jewel of any other collection of courses, if it were not for it’s famed sibling, the brilliant Pinehurst No. 2. Tom Fazio renovated No. 4 in 2000 and the results are excellent. The 170 yard, par 3, 4th hole is a downhill beauty that requires a precise tee shot over a lake and equally as challenging (and risk-and-reward thought provoking) is the par 5, 13th hole that is a sharp dogleg to the left around a lake. A decent drive leaves you close enough to hear the sirens sweetly singing, begging you to go for the green in two, a carry of upwards to 200 yards over water. Both holes represent the quality and variety of the holes on No. 4 and how great golf comes in many varieties at Pinehurst.