North Carolina’s Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen area has long carried a golf pedigree unlike any other place in the country — and right now, the destination feels as if it’s accelerating. The latest proof point is simple: 20 of North Carolina’s Top 100 courses now reside in the Sandhills, according to the North Carolina Golf Panel, with Pinehurst No. 2 once again ranked the best course in the state. For traveling golfers, it’s the rare trip where history and momentum share the same tee box.
Pinehurst Resort’s modern expansion is anchored by Pinehurst No. 10, Tom Doak’s dramatic design routed across the rugged ridges of a 900-plus-acre tract known as the Pinehurst Sandmines. The setting gives Pinehurst room to keep evolving beyond the Village core — including Station 21, a new clubhouse restaurant known for an authentic Southwestern-inspired menu and an easygoing scene that fits the Sandmines vibe.
Looking ahead, Pinehurst’s next major headline is already on the calendar: Pinehurst No. 11, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is slated to open in 2027, with additional Sandmines concepts under consideration, including guest cottages and more golf experiences that expand what a Pinehurst trip can be.
A Pinehurst trip in 2026 isn’t just about tee times. The USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst and the adjacent campus — including the World Golf Hall of Fame — have created one of the best “walk-around” golf experiences in the country. Even if you never pick up a club, it’s the kind of place that makes golfers linger.
To understand why Pinehurst became Pinehurst, carve out time for the Tufts Archives, located in the Given Memorial Library in the Village of Pinehurst. Open to the public, the collection includes classic Donald Ross course materials and an extraordinary photographic record of Pinehurst Village. (Hours vary seasonally — worth checking before you go.)
Another only-here experience sits just minutes away: Golf Pride’s Global Innovation Center and Retail Lab, headquarters of the No. 1 grip on Tour. It’s a surprisingly fun stop for equipment lovers — a look at how modern grips are built, plus hands-on testing and grip fitting with a Tour-level technician.
The Sandhills isn’t just about famous names — it’s about breadth. Recent and celebrated work includes the Overhills putting course at Southern Pines Golf Club, designed by Kyle Franz, as well as the continued resurgence of Woodlake Country Club in Vass, restored by Kris Spence. And for golfers who love a good road-trip round, Tot Hill Farm in Asheboro — Mike Strantz’s cult favorite — has been refreshed and is back in the conversation.
Meanwhile, the region’s course depth keeps shining in statewide rankings — from Pine Needles and Mid Pines to Dormie Club, Forest Creek, Mid South, Talamore, Pinewild, and more — giving groups the flexibility to mix bucket-list golf with hidden-gem discovery without ever leaving the Sandhills footprint.
Pinehurst has always delivered the classic Village vibe, but today the off-course menu is stronger than ever — from a world-class spa and serious antiquing to wine bars, breweries, and a food scene that travels well beyond “golf town” expectations. Add the walkable pockets of downtown Southern Pines and Aberdeen, and you’ve got a trip with enough variety to satisfy golfers — and the non-golfers traveling with them.
Two local stops worth building into an itinerary: BHAWK Distillery in Southern Pines, founded by retired Army veterans Brad and Jessica Halling, and Railhouse Brewery in downtown Aberdeen, a veteran-founded gathering spot that’s been bringing people together over great beer since 2010.
Whether you’re escaping Florida’s summer heat, looking for a fall buddies’ trip, or simply chasing a destination where the golf feels both timeless and current, the Sandhills remain the gold standard — and in 2026, the “Home of American Golf” is offering more reasons than ever to make the drive or hop a quick flight and stay awhile.
Plan your visit at HomeofGolf.com.