A Wetland Track Once Prowled By A Tiger
Back in 1992, before he went on to dominate the world of golf, Tiger Woods claimed his only Pinehurst title to date along this dramatic course designed by Rees Jones. Unfolding over uneven terrain that dips in spots into wetlands, every hole on No. 7 will test a golfer’s skills…whether they’re a soon-to-be legend or just out for a weekend of fun.
Par & Yardage
Landscaping
- TEES: Certified Tifway 419 Bermuda
- FAIRWAYS: Certified Tifway 419 Bermuda
- ROUGH: Certified Tifway 419 Bermuda
- GREENS: Champion Bermuda
Characteristics
- Total acres of turf: 63
- Total acres of fairways: 24
- Total acres of rough: 30
- Total square footage of greens: 122,000 sq ft
- Total number of sand bunkers: 75
- Total acres of waste areas: 3
- Wetlands: 25 acres
COURSE DESIGNERS
- 1986: Rees Jones, son of Robert Trent and brother of Robert Trent, Jr.
REDESIGNS & RESTORATIONS
- 2002: Rees Jones
The 1st Hole on No. 7
PAR 5 - HCP 9/5
Double Bend – An aggressive player may risk the right side of this fairway off the tee in order to try to reach this well-guarded green in two. A drive down the left-center of the fairway allows for a safe layup shot and a short iron to the green. Either choice should yield par or better on this opening hole.
The 2nd Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 7/1
Hills – A long accurate drive is a must here. A series of bunkers guard the left while trees line the right on this very long par 4. From the fairway a wood or long iron approach is necessary to reach this well-contoured green. Par is an excellent score.
The 3rd Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 15/13
Valley O – This medium-length par 4 continues to challenge your driving ability. A drive up the left-center of the fairway will produce the best angle to attack this elevated green. Take one more club than the yardage indicated in order to allow for the uphill approach.
The 4th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 5/11
Old #2 – A tee shot down the right center of the fairway will avoid the well-placed fairway bunkers to the left. An approach to the center of the green will allow for a good two-putt par opportunity. Note the bunker just behind the championship tee that was part of an old Donald Ross golf course, which was uncovered during the construction of No. 7.
The 5th Hole on No. 7
PAR 3 - HCP 17/17
Holly – The par-3 5th hole is the first of four outstanding par 3s on this course. A large and severely sloped green makes this a difficult hole. A two-putt is not a given on this green.
The 6th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 11/3
Vistas – Time to let the driver loose on this hole. Favor the right-center of this fairway to avoid bunkers and the lateral hazard that loom on the left side. This is a well-bunkered green with lateral hazards to the left and right. Accuracy is a must here. Par is considered a good score on this hole.
The 7th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 1/9
Devil’s Gut – This short par 4 required a layup shot off the tee. The second shot requires excellent distance control in order to carry an expanse of natural wetlands and not fly the ball into the well-placed bunkers long of the green.
The 8th Hole on No. 7
PAR 5 - HCP 3/7
Wee Burn – A well struck drive working from left-to-right will allow the player to go for this par 5 in two. A creek in front of the green and bunkers long provide excellent protection for this green. This hole yields a good chance for birdie or easy par whether you reach in two or choose to lay up.
The 9th Hole on No. 7
PAR 3 - HCP 13/15
Waters Edge – Be sure to take an extra half-club when playing to this uphill par 3. This hole is all carry to the front edge of the green. Most balls that hit this green end up in the collection area middle left. Middle-left hole locations could yield a hole-in-one, the True Pinehurst Experience!
The 10th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 14/6
Fairwoods – Your tee shot should favor the left-center of this fairway just past the trees on the left side. Take one more club than the yardage allows to reach this elevated green. Anything short or right will be rejected immediately by this back-to-front sloping green.
The 11th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 12/10
Well – A tee shot down the left center of the fairway will avoid any trouble with the right fairway bunkers and open up the green for your approach shot. Take enough club to avoid the deep bunkers short right of the green, up and down from there can be difficult.
The 12th Hole on No. 7
PAR 5 - HCP 8/4
Embattlement – The 12th hole is a double-dogleg par 5. The long hitters will have to play close to the left fairway bunker to have a chance to hit this green in two. Each shot places a premium on accuracy due to the well-placed fairway and greenside bunkers. A shallow green places a premium on an accurate short iron approach. Be happy to leave this hole with a par.
The 13th Hole on No. 7
PAR 3 - HCP 18/16
Berm – No bail-out here! This beauty is a long par 3 over a natural berm and waste area to an elevated green. This green is well-protected by deep bunkers short and a collection area long of the green. Be sure to take almost two clubs more than the yardage indicates. Par is a special score on this gem.
The 14th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 4/8
Twisted Pines – A good tee shot here should be positioned on the right-center of the fairway. This leaves a mid-iron to a green that slopes back-to-front. Birdie can turn to bogey above the hole, so keep the ball below the hole on this deceptively difficult par 4.
The 15th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 2/14
Round the Bend – An accurate tee shot is a must on this beautiful dogleg-right. Well-positioned fairway bunkers on both sides will catch errant tee shots and make a successful approach to the green very difficult. This green is unprotected in front, leaving many options for the approach shot.
The 16th Hole on No. 7
PAR 3 - HCP 16/18
Jones’ Fingers – This is the signature hole at No. 7. The shot requires a carry over a large hand-shaped waste area named “Jones’ Fingers” for the architect, Rees Jones. The rugged beauty of the 16th highlights this treacherous hole where birdie or bogey are possible.
The 17th Hole on No. 7
PAR 4 - HCP 10/2
Dogwood – The 17th hole is a short but demanding par 4. A straight drive is a must as trouble lurks just off the fairway left and right. The approach from a downhill lie to an elevated green could be one of the most dangerous at No. 7. Hit to the center of the green for your best chance at par.
The 18th Hole on No. 7
PAR 5 - HCP 6/12
Down ‘n Home – The final Hole at No. 7 is a downhill 600-yard par 5 which in most cases is unreachable. The drive should favor the right-center of the fairway to escape a bunker on the left. This hole yields a downhill approach with bunkers short and a pond long. With the No. 7 Clubhouse as the backdrop, the stage is set for a possible birdie finish.