Walking the Fairways of History: Augusta & Pinehurst
- Jan Berge
- May 15
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 4
By Jan Berge
May 15, 2025
For years, I dreamed of going on a guys' golf trip to a bucket list destination. This year, that dream finally became reality when I scored tickets to the Masters' Tuesday practice round—giving me the perfect excuse to make it happen. In this blog, I'll share the details of my trip, along with some key takeaways from the experience.
When I received the email confirming that four Masters tickets were headed my way, I knew this was my chance to plan the ultimate golf trip with friends—two from Arizona and one from Colorado. The next step? Choosing the courses we’d play before or after Augusta. After careful consideration, Pinehurst emerged as the perfect destination. My only hesitation was the unpredictable early April weather. A little research confirmed my suspicions—it could be warm and sunny or brisk and rainy, much like Augusta that time of year. Ultimately, we decided the gamble was worth it, opting to head to Pinehurst after the Masters. Coming from Colorado, I figured the weather would be an upgrade no matter what, especially since Denver can still see snow well into May.
Once our trip plan started taking shape, the next step was locking in the details. With our Masters date set, booking Pinehurst was the priority. Since Pinehurst is a 3½-hour drive from Augusta and just two hours from Charlotte, flying in and out of Charlotte made the most sense. Ultimately, it was a great decision—the Charlotte airport is smooth and hassle-free, and the drive to Augusta is a straightforward two-hour journey.
Once we finalized our travel dates, I reached out to the Pinehurst Resort to secure our booking. My ultimate goal was to play the iconic No. 2 course, where the U.S. Open was recently held—a true bucket list experience. Ranked No. 29 on Golf Digest’s list of the top 100 U.S. courses, it’s no surprise that tee times fill up fast. When we booked, I was shocked to snag the very last available tee time for No. 2 and one of the final slots on No. 4—seven months in advance! It’s a testament to Pinehurst’s reputation as a must-visit golf destination. We locked in our required two-night stay and four rounds of golf, including No. 8 and the Cradle, their nine-hole short course—an absolute must-play!
Four rounds at Pinehurst weren’t enough—we wanted to experience even more of this golf mecca. With countless top-tier courses beyond the resort itself, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to expand our trip. Fortunately, I had a contact at Talamore Golf Resort, and we decided to add a couple of nights there to the tail end of our journey. This gave us the chance to play two more fantastic courses—Talamore and Legacy Golf Links—turning an already incredible trip into an unforgettable golf adventure.
After booking everything and inviting my friends, I realized my game might be a bit rusty after a four-month layoff during the Colorado winter. Since one of my good friends lives in Arizona, I saw the perfect opportunity to shake off the rust—why not fly to Phoenix and get in a couple of rounds before heading to Charlotte? That’s exactly what I did, setting the stage for an incredible golf trip.
With the travel day finally here, I left Denver on Thursday afternoon, eager to begin the adventure. We kicked things off with two warm-up rounds in the Phoenix Metro Area—Quintero Golf Club on Friday and Arizona Country Club on Saturday. Not only did this give me a chance to shake off the rust, but the slight drop in elevation from Denver helped me adjust my distances before the next transition in North Carolina.
After our tune-up rounds, we spent Sunday traveling from Phoenix to Charlotte. Once there, we rented a spacious minivan—big enough to comfortably fit four golfers, our suitcases, and all our clubs. It turned out to be a great decision, ensuring we traveled comfortably and had plenty of room for our gear and inevitable souvenirs. That evening, we settled into a hotel near the airport, gathering for the next leg—Augusta.
Monday arrived, marking the official start of Masters week. We left Charlotte on a warm, rainy April morning, taking our time en route to Augusta with a planned stop in Columbia, South Carolina—the perfect midway point. During our visit, we toured the South Carolina Capitol building, strolled the University of South Carolina campus, and enjoyed an incredible meal at Hall’s Chophouse across from the Capitol. I highly recommend this spot—the food was excellent, and the staff was top-notch! After spending much of the day in Columbia, we loaded up the minivan and continued on to Augusta, where we were fortunate to stay with a friend’s father. If you plan to attend the Masters, securing accommodations early is key—everything books up fast and can be quite pricey.
Tuesday arrived, and with it, the second day of practice rounds at the Masters. We parked at the South Entrance, walking in near the 16th hole, and were immediately struck by the sheer size of the crowd. Despite the large attendance, the event was flawlessly orchestrated—the team behind the Masters has perfected every detail. Beyond the world-class golf, the organization and hospitality are unlike anything else. Attending the tournament is truly a privilege, and Augusta members treat their “patrons” as honored guests. Even the food pricing is surprisingly reasonable, adding to the overall experience. Of course, no trip is complete without a stop at the merchandise tent—where it’s incredibly easy to spend both time and money. But trust me, it’s well worth it!
Exploring Augusta was a truly unforgettable experience. We walked the entire course, taking in every detail while watching some of the world’s best golfers fine-tune their game ahead of the tournament. This was my second visit to Augusta, and while my last trip—a thrilling Saturday ‘moving day’ round—was special, this visit had its own unique charm. Being able to bring a camera allowed us to capture stunning photos of the iconic course, making it even more memorable.
One of the highlights was following groups where the players chose their own pairings. We watched the Spanish foursome of Rahm, Garcia, Ballester, and Olazábal, as well as the Canadian grouping featuring Connors, Weir, Taylor, and Pendrith. Seeing them strategize and hit different shots in preparation for the event was fascinating—each player refining their approach, working through the course’s challenges.
Although we hated to leave Augusta, after hours of soaking in the practice round, it was time for the next leg of our trip—Pinehurst, NC. The drive was relatively easy, though the lack of direct highways between Augusta and Pinehurst meant relying on GPS was a must. Finally, we arrived on the legendary grounds of Pinehurst, eager to step onto the course after watching world-class golf at Augusta.
Our first day began with a fantastic breakfast at the Holly, where we stayed on the Pinehurst property. After fueling up, we hopped on a shuttle to Pinehurst No. 8 for a 9 a.m. tee time. The cool morning air meant the ball didn’t travel far, but the course was outstanding. A helpful tip for anyone playing here—the yardages tend to play about a club short, something that took me a while to figure out.
After golf, we enjoyed lunch at the No. 8 clubhouse before our shuttle took us back to the main clubhouse at No. 2, where we were set up for a 3:50 tee time at the Cradle—the renowned nine-hole, par-three course at Pinehurst. Playing a course where the longest hole is just 125 yards was a unique experience, and the fourth hole was particularly fun, capturing the lively atmosphere similar to TPC Scottsdale’s 16th hole. An open bar sits by the green, and spectators gather on the hillside, ready to cheer—or heckle—depending on how well you execute your shot. After our nine-hole thrill ride, we tackled the 18-hole putting course, which offered tricky pin placements and undulations similar to what we would face on No. 2.
Dinner was next, and we enjoyed a fantastic meal at the Holly—a part of our resort package. The package included two breakfasts, two dinners, and a couple of rounds of golf, making it a great value. If you want to play additional courses outside the package, you can simply pay the green fee rate.
Our second day at Pinehurst was the one we had been anticipating—the chance to play the legendary No. 2 and No. 4 courses, with anything else as a bonus. The morning kicked off with a fantastic breakfast at the Holly, followed by a shuttle to the main clubhouse.
Our first tee time was set for 8:30 a.m. on No. 4. As we arrived, the starter shared insights about the course—one that has hosted the U.S. Amateur and is widely regarded as Pinehurst’s second-best layout. It did not disappoint. The staff, ever dedicated to excellence, apologized for the greens, claiming they weren’t up to their usual high standard. However, we loved the course’s design and thought the greens played just fine. That said, we fully understood the level of perfection Pinehurst strives for.
Thursday afternoon had finally arrived—it was time for our highly anticipated round on Pinehurst No. 2. We couldn’t wait to step onto this legendary course, ranked No. 29 on Golf Digest’s Top 100 and the recent host of the U.S. Open, where Bryson DeChambeau claimed victory. Any avid golfer knows the history of No. 2, not just for its notoriously tricky Donald Ross greens but also for the unforgettable duel between Phil Mickelson and Payne Stewart in the 1999 U.S. Open, where Stewart secured his iconic win.
We arrived at the first hole with our caddy and were immediately in awe. Every hole featured the course’s signature crowned greens and expansive waste areas with sand bases—both beautiful and deceptively challenging. The difficulty became especially clear on the sixth hole, a 195-yard par three. I lined up a birdie putt, but the speed of the green caught me off guard, sending my ball off the surface and into the bunker—something I don’t ever remember doing before! The entire round felt surreal, evoking memories of watching major tournaments unfold on this masterpiece.
As we stepped onto the 18th, the skies opened up, bringing a light rain. Still, that didn’t stop us from taking our shots from the same bunker where Bryson hit his unforgettable shot to win the Open. Despite the weather, it was the perfect way to cap off an unforgettable round on one of golf’s most historic courses.
While playing Pinehurst No. 2 and staying at the resort was the ultimate goal of our North Carolina trip, we decided to extend our adventure by adding two extra days at the Talamore Resort. It turned out to be the perfect way to close out our journey, allowing us to play both Talamore Golf Club and Legacy Golf Links—two fantastic courses in their own right. Talamore is renowned for its dramatic bunkers, while Legacy boasts a classic Jack Nicklaus layout. Ending the trip with these rounds gave us two more unforgettable golf experiences.
This entire trip was a true bucket-list adventure, starting with practice rounds in Arizona before heading to Augusta and Pinehurst. Visiting Augusta alone is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but pairing it with Pinehurst makes for an even more incredible journey. With over 40 courses in the area—including 10 at Pinehurst Resort alone—we’re already planning a return visit. We also just heard that Pinehurst No. 11 is slated to open in the fall of 2026, making it an absolute must-play for the future!
For anyone looking to plan their own golf getaway, here are the links to Pinehurst Resort and Talamore Golf Resort:
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