Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: Better than it gets credit for, Mid South Club has some of the best greens in the Pinehurst area. Typical of a Palmer course, Mid South is highlighted by the par fives and features one of the most memorable finishing holes in North Carolina. Grade B-
Quick Facts
Designer: Arnold Palmer in 1993
Cost: Private
Phone Number: (910) 695-3193
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Mid South Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 1 Palmer Dr, Southern Pines, North Carolina 28387 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of Mid South Club
What to Expect: Mid South Club will always be overshadowed by many of its famous neighbors, but the course is a solid track that is deserving of consideration when in the sandhills of North Carolina. The trait that stands out most are the fast greens that roll beautifully and true; a feature that can be appreciated by all players. The greens were renovated in 2017 and planted with Champion Bermuda grass that is proving to thrive in that location. Also, like most Arnold Palmer designs, the par fives are the highlight of the routing with the closing hole on the front being of particular quality. In fact, the 9th and 18th share the same green in a tribute to golf on the other side of the pond. The front nine is characterized by great movement in the fairway and hole shapes that prevent players from seeing the green from the tee on any of the par fours and fives unless you are playing forward. You have to be accurate to handle The King's design here before embarking on the back with calmer terrain and more forgiving features. The final three holes certainly send players off in climatic fashion with a par four, three, and another four all having water coming into play. Mid South Club is a private club but offers various public tee times through booking sites and through accommodation packages.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 71 | 7003 | 73.8 | 144 |
| Blue | 71 | 6577 | 71.9 | 134 |
| White | 71 | 6170 | 69.9 | 128 |
| Green | 71 | 5655 | 68.0 | 117 |
| Red (Women) | 72 | 4773 | 68.0 | 117 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 18th Hole – 435 Yard Par 4 – This is quite the finishing hole. At 435 yards most players will want the length of their driver to help them cover the yardage but the insanely tight fairway with water on the right puts a massive premium on accuracy. The further down the fairway you get the more the short grass narrows before bending around the water to a greensite that is shared by the 9th hole. In a match, this is an extremely demanding hole to keep your wits about you and finish strong.
Best Par 3: 6th Hole – 178 Yards – A picturesque one-shotter over the water, the 6th green is supported by a boulder wall in front and protected by a pair of bunkers in the back to catch shots from players who clubbed up too much in fear of carrying the water. The front left side of the green slopes back towards the water so the right half of the putting surface is the safer area to attack.
Best Par 4: 2nd Hole – 401 Yards – A classic risk/reward tee shot awaits on the 2nd as players are presented with a dogleg right hole that bends around a pond that goes all the way up to the green. A series of bunkers lies in wait on the outside of the bend ready to gobble up tee shots that steer too far clear of the water. Arnie leaves the front of the green open here which is an encouraging look, but balls that fade right will find the water while approaches going long will likely find one of the three bunkers there. It is a great hole early in the round and certainly can set the tone for how things may go for you.
Best Par 5: 9th Hole – 542 Yards – The final hole on the front nine is an impressive finish to a memorable opening half of holes. The unassuming tee shot plays to a rippled fairway framed by trees on both sides, however upon cresting the top, players are presented with a dramatic dogleg left that traverses downhill before terminating at the pond that separates the fairway from the green. Bunkers are initially found on the outside of the dogleg before being placed on the left side prior to the water coming into play. A lone bunker sits behind the green ready to catch balls that are hit thin off the downhill lie and a wall of boulders supports the front of the putting surface. It is an exciting hole that takes some serious guts to go for in two.
Birdie Time: 16th Hole – 398 Yard Par 4 – A memorable finishing stretch at Mid South Club begins with the gettable par four. Tipped out at less than 400 yards, this two-shotter plays over water off the tee but opens up to a wide fairway over solid ground. The bold play is up the left side where the slope will help push balls back to the right, but the fairway really narrows up as you get close to the green. A tee shot to the fat part of the fairway and a wedge or low iron into the green is a great way to find a green in regulation here, but if your driver is spot on you can rip one up the left side and leave a short pitch into the green. It is a fun hole where birdie is certainly doable, but double bogies like to lurk here as well.
Bogey Beware: 5th Hole – 390 Yard Par 4 – The 5th is a unique hole that plays downhill straight towards the water with the fairway suddenly terminating at the H2O and requiring an approach shot over a channel to the green. Big hitters may consider less than driver off the tee to ensure they stay short of the hazard and leave themselves a good look at the green. The putting surface is flanked on the right by water and on the left by sand, so nothing less than a precise approach shot will be rewarded. There are a lot more ways to get in trouble here than to succeed, so use caution over valor to come off as the conqueror.
