Guys trip: 5 things I learned at golf trip to Pinehurst

Back in February, I was lucky enough to snag a tee time at Pinehurst No. 2. I had played a number of top-100 courses (nine to be exact -- I keep track), but Pinehurst was special this year because of the U.S. Open. I had never played it before the redesign, but saw pictures and remember watching it on TV.

The group consisted of myself and three buddies I grew up with. One lived in Raleigh, where we all gathered, and the other two came down from the Baltimore/Philly-metros. Raleigh is about 1.5 hours north of Pinehurst.

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The point of this chronicle is not to brag about the amazing experience of Pinehurst No 2, but rather give you a list of things I learned through my experience, which may benefit you if you end up going.

Without further ado…

No 1: Keep your wedge in the bag short of the green on the fairway

We’ve seen it all week -- these greens are tough! Even the pros are having problems keeping it on when 10 inches in front of the green. Or even worse, you may be so scared of the undulations on the greens and worried you chip it over, that you have a complete mental breakdown and just chilly dip it half way (i.e. Kevin Na and Justin Rose).

The advantage with putting from the fairway is not to get it closer, but rather to take the worst possible scenario out of play, which is mis-chipping, and then having to chip it again. Putting assures you get on and continue to putt.

No. 2: Caddies don’t carry your beer

What’s a guys golf trip without some golf beers? Between the eighth and ninth hole there is a almost-half way shack, which sells the normal things you’d expect. Four guys, all thirsty, already through a few cigars, a 12-pack sounds about right. We got the beverages, went to the ninth tee, and hit our shots. Caddies grabbed our clubs afterwards, and hurried off. We all cracked our first, turned around, and realized we were on our own with this thing. We never really asked them to carry it, so I don’t know if they really would have, but the feeling is you are on the hook for your beer.

No. 3: Remember to play golf

It's easy to get lost in the fact you are on a top-10 course, on a 55-degree day in the middle of February, four months before the pros would walk the same grounds as you. It took us roughly three to four holes, and $20 in ProV1s, to get our act together, but once you do, you can really enjoy it. Relax, just do what is natural, and enjoy the game.

No. 4: The fourth hole is a serious golf hole

It played a little over 500 yards as a par 5 for us, but the pros are playing it 50-60 yards back as a par 4. It is big, long, and just a fantastically awesome golf hole. I will never forget being on that tee box, and the caddie pointing back to the pro tees. Unreal they can even compete on that hole.

No. 5: Say hi to Payne

A picture you will keep forever. #enoughsaid