Location
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Hole #5

Course Description
Scottish design legend Donald Ross never tired of improving the 6,741-yard, par-72 Pinehurst #2, his home base. Most of the difficulty of the course focuses on the short game, in and around the greens.

Details
This 482-yard, par-4 has a wide fairway tilted just enough so the ball is slightly above your feet for the approach shot. The green slopes from right to left and an opening in front of the green is there just so shorter hitters can run the ball on.

Why is it rated so highly?
Good Ross greens are deceptive and this is one of the best. It is crowned and heavily contoured, so only a perfectly-struck shot stays.

How do you play it?
Approach the green from the right side of the fairway. Then favor the right-hand side of the green in playing your second shot. Anything to the left off the tee and on the second shot is dead.

Course Trivia
The late Payne Stewart won the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst #2 with a birdie on the final hole. During the Open this hole was demonic — only a quarter of the players could hit and hold the green from the fairway.

Green Fees
$285 for resort guests, who can book a starting time in advance
$335 for non-guests, who can only arrange tee times on the day of play

Distance Markers
Cement post signs

Course Type
Cart path only; caddies available but not required

Contact
Pinehurst Resort
1 Carolina Vista, P.O. Box 4000
Village of Pinehurst, NC 28374
800-487-4653
www.pinehurst.com