Pinehurst Resort has hosted some of golf’s most prestigious championships, including two U.S. Amateur Championships on its famed No. 4 course in 2008 and 2019. The venue that has seen champions crowned will now see something entirely different this summer – emptiness.

In a shocking announcement that has reverberated throughout the golf community, Pinehurst Resort has confirmed that No. 4 will close for nearly three months during peak season, from May 19 to August 6, after determining that a “full greens restoration” is required to address ongoing quality issues. The course was already scheduled for routine green aerification from June 1-10, but clearly, the issues have proven far more serious than initially anticipated.

According to a post on X from GOLF.com, which shared the announcement from golf traveler Joe GolfTraveler, the resort stated: “Over the past several months, it’s been evident the greens on Pinehurst No. 4 have not been up to our standards. Based on guidance from agronomy experts, we believed the greens would recover with warmer temperatures. Our outlook was hopeful and we continued working to bring the course back to our standards. Unfortunately, recent evaluations have made it clear that a full greens restoration is now required.” The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 38,000 views within hours of being shared.

What exactly does a “full greens restoration” entail? You see, it’s no simple fix. The process typically involves removing accumulated layers of organic matter, potentially regrading green surfaces, and completely replacing the turf with new grass varieties. This comprehensive restoration aims to recreate the original putting surfaces while addressing any underlying agronomic issues that may have contributed to the decline in quality.

Pinehurst No. 4, initially opened in 1919 and designed by Donald Ross, has undergone numerous redesigns over the decades by architects including Robert Trent Jones, Rees Jones, Tom Fazio, and most recently Gil Hanse, whose 2018 overhaul transformed the course into a modern championship venue with expansive sandy waste areas, native wiregrass, and bold greens complexes that evoke the Carolina Sandhills landscape.. Rather than a strict restoration, Hanse’s redesign created a companion to the famed No. 2 course, blending Ross-inspired strategies with new holes and a dramatic reduction in turf and artificial features.

The abrupt nature of the announcement suggests the deterioration of the greens accelerated unexpectedly, forcing Pinehurst’s hand. For a resort that prides itself on championship-level conditions, allowing players to experience substandard greens would be more damaging in the long term than a temporary closure. Still, the decision comes with significant consequences – not just for the resort’s revenue but for countless golfers who had planned summer trips specifically to play this championship venue.

Fans express disappointment and understanding as summer plans are disrupted

As news of the closure spread, golf enthusiasts took to social media to express their reactions – a mixture of disappointment, understanding, and personal observations about the course’s conditions. Social media posts garnered over 38,000 views within hours of the announcement, indicating the significant interest in this development across the golf community.

One golfer shared a firsthand experience that aligned with the resort’s concerns, stating, “Played there last year and the greens were as hard as a rock, basically had to roll it up on the green.” This comment provides context to Pinehurst’s decision, as players had already been experiencing issues with the putting surfaces. Another observer noted the business reality, commenting, “Yikes. That’s not great news from one of the resort’s top courses entering into the busy summer months,” highlighting the economic implications of taking a premier course offline during the high season.

While many expressed disappointment with comments like “That blows, I was definitely gunna play there,” others showed support for the long-term decision. Comments such as “Hate to see this but respect their decision 💯” and “Get better soon! ❤️” demonstrate that many golf enthusiasts understand the necessity of maintaining championship standards. Some golfers who recently visited the resort noted, “Oh no… probably for the better. I just played 5 and 1. Both seemed to be in good shape,” confirming that the issues appear to be specific to No. 4 rather than affecting all Pinehurst courses.

The closure of Pinehurst No. 4 serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining championship-caliber conditions and the biological realities of managing living playing surfaces. While the shutdown will certainly disappoint thousands of golfers this summer, the extensive restoration should ensure that the course returns to the standards expected of a venue that has hosted multiple U.S. Amateur Championships.