THE HOLLY INN 1895 THE CAROLINA 1900 THE MANOR INN 1923 THE PLAN AS OF TODAY is to reopen these great places to stay in Pinehurst on April 30th. Lets hope that is possible. More details on the Pinehurst Resort at Pinehurst.com. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and Facebook or LinkedIn. On the Cradle Course, photo by Jack Bickart.
IT ROCKS-IT ROLLS and it flows through the hillside next to the famed Pinehurst Resort Clubhouse, and like so many of the British Opens, the train tracks run alongside this short course of fun.
PINEHURST-Part 2 The Cradle, by Rory Spears, with Len Ziehm.
But capturing the spirit of golf, and fun golf at that, was the job that architect Gil Hanse had, to get “The Cradle” just right.
Hanse nailed it.
In fact Hanse has nailed not one, but two hole-in-one’s, on his Cradle design since the course opened in late 2017.
Our close-up of the Cradle begins with what it is, and what it isn’t. What it is, are 9-holes of par 3 golf, Pinehurst style. Dunes and sandy style waste bunkers, with a few greens that have a little “crown” to them. Donald Ross would be so proud.
A CRADLE SCORE CARD (L) and the logo with Putter Boy napping in the “C”.
The Cradles 9 Holes are not long par 3’s. In fact the short hole is the 5th, it plays only 56 yards. The longest hole is the 4th, at 127 yards. In total the Cradle is a mere 789 yards of fun, spread out over only 3 acres of land. But tee and pin placements can be shifted to create a variety of playing options.
The 113 yard first hole at the Cradle, play away.
In addition to being fun, Hanse added just enough elevation, that your shots can roll in many different ways, if you catch the right side of the slopes. As for the rock, it comes from some hidden speakers in the Fescue grass, that supply music during your round. Golfers have been known to tee off with Led Zeppelin or Frank Sinatra playing in the background.
What else the Cradle is, is a way to play a round of golf with a small carry-bag and only a few clubs. Who needs 14 clubs, when 3 or 4 will do the trick. The Cradle is an excellent warm-up before a round, or a chance to settle in upon arrival to the resort, when there just isn’t time to get in a full 18 holes before dark. Rounds can be played in about 1 hour. Plus it’s a great short-game practice area, something that comes in handy before heading out on the other nine Pinehurst Courses. Par-3 courses are generally predictable. Most are fun, but the Cradle is unlike any other. Playing this course is addictive.
The 85 yard second hole on the Cradle.
If your looking for a golf course to play with that junior or senior golfer, or that beginning golfer, then the Cradle is the course of choice.
What the Cradle is not, is over priced. Cost is $50.00, and that covers you for the day, go around as many times as you can. A $50.00 dollar green fee in Pinehurst is hard to find, so enjoy. While you are on the course, the Pinecone, one of the most unique beverage carts you will ever find, is strategically located by the 4th tee and 7th green. But you could call it, the most elaborate on-course bar that entices you even before you even finish nine holes.
The 66 yard 3rd hole on the Cradle
Where the Cradle is, is historic in itself. The Cradle holes sit on the land that Dr. Leroy Culver made Pinehurst’s first nine “sand” holes back in 1898. During the first two months of being open, the Cradle served up 24 hole-in-ones, made by golfers from ages 8 to 84. Rental clubs are free, and kids 17 and under when playing with a paid adult, also get to play for free.
“I was trying to find the fun,” says Hanse. “It’s all right out the front door, so it sets a tone of the game truly being enjoyed. I want to hear some yells-for great shots, crazy bounces and some holes-in-one. I want people sitting outside the clubhouse to bask in this great scene. I hope it reinforces the true golf spirit, that is Pinehurst.”
THE PAR 3, 127 YARD 4TH HOLE THE PAR 3, 56 YARD 5TH HOLE
THE PAR 3, 58 YARD 6TH HOLE THE PAR 3, 92 YARD 7TH HOLE
THE PAR 3, 80 YARD 8TH HOLE THE PAR 3, 112 YARD 9TH HOLE
COVID-19 UPDATE: The Pinehurst Golf Courses are open, with restrictions. The hotels are not open, but hope to reopen on April 30th. More details at Pinehurst.com, where you can learn how to make the Cradle, part of your Pinehurst golf experience. #Whereyougoing