Pinehurst No. 1

Donald Ross's Pinehurst No. 1, when Ross arrived in 1900, two 9-hole courses built by Leroy Culver existed on the property; a year later Ross reshaped and unified them into what became No. 1. Because No. 1 was constructed without heavy machinery, very little earth was moved, so the course adheres closely to the natural terrain, rolling fairways that flow with the land rather than imposing on it. A good example of how Ross 'found' holes in the existing contour. No. 1 shares design elements with No. 2, bunkers placed a few yards short of the green, fairway bunkers on the favored approach side, but lacks the sandy areas, punitive domed greens, and false fronts that make No. 2 so vexing. It's been called 'Donald Ross Light': the most forgiving 18-hole course at Pinehurst, easily walked, with wide fairways and fewer bunkers than its siblings. The place to learn the Ross playbook before facing No. 2, particularly valuable for first-time Pinehurst visitors. Pair with No. 2 or No. 4 on a two-course resort day for a complete tour of Ross's Pinehurst evolution.