NC Sandhills Trail

The NC Sandhills is the public-access roster of America's densest golf region — eight courses outside the Pinehurst resort gates including Mike Strantz's Tobacco Road and Tot Hill Farm, three Donald Ross originals restored by Kyle Franz, plus Rees Jones at Talamore and Arnold Palmer at Mid South. $$ pricing, RDU airport, March-May and September-November peak.

Eight playable courses in the Pinehurst-area Sandhills — Mike Strantz designs at Tobacco Road and Tot Hill Farm, three Donald Ross originals (Mid Pines, Pine Needles, Southern Pines) restored by Kyle Franz, Rees Jones at Talamore (with the famous llama caddies), Arnold Palmer at Mid South, and Ellis Maples' Tufts-era Whispering Pines. The Sandhills cluster the locals play, with Pinehurst proper $550 down the road if you want it.