Dormie Club Review

Course Review and Comments

The Dormie Club is a bit of a challenge to find, as it is "off the beaten path", so to speak, from the many courses in the Sandhills area. Dormie is a very nice addition to the wonderful golf one has the opportunity to play in the greater Pinehurst area. This being stated, the course, for what it currently offers (as August 2011), is overrated and expensive. The charge through the Pine Crest Inn was a flat $100 for 18 holes. On top of the $100, there was and another $30 p.p. charge, plus tip expected (or so it seems), for a forecaddie, which all players are strongly encouraged, if not expected, to take. Without a forcaddie at Dormie, one cannot find one's way around the golf course...at least upon their initial play. Make sure you impress the forecaddies on the range, as we had the feeling they size you up there and determine which tee box your group will essentially "be allowed to play". Additionally, they told us up-front they were looking for us to play in just over three hours. We wanted to replay in the PM, and we were told this would be another $60 per player (cart fee included in the $60). Essentially, $200 to play 36 holes was disappointing. The Pro-Shop Staff would not budge on the $60 replay charge, although we were, by all appearance, the only twelve players at the course that day, so our three groups left, and we were terrifically accomodated for our PM round by Pinewild. There are no directional markets from green to next tee box anywhere, yet. There are no yardage markers in the fairways and Sky Golf has not mapped the course as of Aug., 2011. The cards are not marked insofar as handicap is concerned making a competitive match a challenge. We were able to obtain handicap by hole on the third faiway, as our forecaddie had the hand marked cards delivered to us. One has to guess at the distances to greens and pins, which is perhaps not a problem for most. Additionally, the temporary clubhouse, though very nice, does not offer food or drink except out of vending machines. Dormie, it seems, is a bit overpriced for what it offers currently. It is most definitely worthy of an initial round by your group, knowing and accepting the above, as the course is well designed, has expansive, immaculate fairways, excellent greens, and is a challenge, for sure. It'll be a while before we return, unless we can play 36 holes, sans forecaddie the next time, for $120 / $130, or so. One last thing, bring your right to left game off the tee, as the vast majority of holes, aside from the par 3's, "demand" a right to left tee shot for the best approach to the greens. Good luck and enjoy!