Pinehurst No. 4

The Verdict

Gil Hanse's 2018 re-imagination turned Pinehurst No. 4 from the course you settled for into the course you might prefer. Hanse stripped it down to the sand, building bold, rugged bunkering that echoes the natural aesthetic of No. 2 while carving its own identity. The fairways are wide, the green complexes are demanding, and the native waste areas blur the line between playable and penal. It's modern architecture that respects the Sandhills tradition without copying it. On a property defined by Ross, Hanse proved a contemporary voice belongs in the conversation.

What to Expect

• Bold bunkering — Hanse's signature is everywhere. Rugged edges, native sand, strategically placed to dictate angles.
• Wide fairways — playable off the tee with options. Pick your line based on the day's pin position.
• Green complexes — large, contoured surfaces with collection areas. Miss in the right spot and you can get up-and-down. Miss in the wrong spot and you're making double.
• 2019 US Amateur host — tested the best amateurs in the world across No. 4 and No. 2.
• Native areas — sandy waste zones replace traditional rough in spots. The look is pure Sandhills.
• Great complement to No. 2 — different enough to feel like its own experience, familiar enough to feel like Pinehurst.

Scorecard

Logistics

Resort access — stay at Pinehurst Resort. Part of the Pinehurst package system. ~$250–$350 depending on season and package. Walking encouraged, carts available. Book through Pinehurst Resort reservations. The Cradle and Thistle Dhu putting course are on property for the full Pinehurst experience.

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