- The Talamore Golf Resort in Southern Pines, NC offers two of the area’s finest golf courses and accommodations that are second to none: The New Course at Talamore and Mid South Club, just down the street. Both properties have received numerous accolades from such reputable publications as Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Pinehurst Magazine and GolfLink.com.
Back in 1991 when the Talamore Golf Resort opened its doors, the owners went out of their way to make it the ultimate golf experience by hiring world renowned golf course architect Rees Jones to create a one of a kind golf course in the Sandhills. But Talamore featured something even more unique than a new Rees Jones layout: llama caddies! It was the llamas that put Talamore on the international golfing map, and the press ate it up. In fact, there were more than 5,000 articles written and published all over the globe about Talamore and their llamas!
While the llamas are no longer around – there are rumors that Talamore is considering bringing them back, at least on a limited basis – the Talamore Golf Resort and the New Course are flourishing. The New Course has a lot of obstacles you would associate with the Sandhills region: towering longleaf pine trees, lakes, wetlands, massive bunkers and waste bunkers and over 150 ft. of elevation change. Although the course plays over 7,000 yards from the back tees, being able to hit the ball a long way isn’t always going to be a benefit. Jones created Talamore to be a thinking man’s golf course, one which requires position and control over brute strength. You have to manufacture shots if you want to score well.
When Talamore turned 25 a couple of years ago, management and ownership saw that as a good time to implement some needed changes. Superintendent David Walsh and his staff, along with General Manager/PGA Professional Matt Hausser and the skilled crew of 
Shapemasters set about to reimagine what the course should be all about. Through a combination of restoration and rejuvenation projects they were able to unlock the course’s hidden potential and make it more user friendly.
The biggest changes were made to the green complexes. Greens were restored to their original 1991 dimensions and converted from bent grass to Champion Bermuda, giving them a truer roll and a lot more speed. Sixty-inch TifEagle Bermuda green collars were also added around each green. A significant number of bunkers were removed; many areas were re-contoured to blend in with the surrounding terrain, providing more forgiveness in the landing zones and around the greens. The course conditioning was given a makeover and golf cart access was also improved, resulting in a 30-minute decrease in an average round of golf. Talamore is also home to the only sod wall bunkers in the Sandhills area; 12 bunkers that provide a fun and unique challenge.
Talamore’s toughest hole – at least by scorecard standards – is the 16th hole. From the back tees, this gentle dogleg left par 4 plays 444 yards with a narrow fairway off the tees, guarded by dense pine forests on either side. It’s uphill all the way, more noticeably on your approach, making a long shot that much longer. The fairway bunker short of the green on the right side really shouldn’t come into play, but the nasty pot bunker short left sees its fair share of play. Par is an excellent score here.
Talamore Golf Villas, which were constructed shortly after the club’s opening and have long been a favorite among golfers vacationing in the area. They offer wonderful amenities and panoramic views of the New Course’s signature holes. Inside, you’ll find plush and well-appointed accommodations including spacious living and dining rooms, bedrooms with two full-size beds and full kitchens. Each living room and bedroom has cable TV and wireless Internet access. There’s also a washer and dryer in each unit in case you lose a bet! Daily maid service is available too. Other on-property amenities include a gracious southern style Clubhouse, a pool with cabanas and a guest hospitality suite complete with and outdoor BBQ grove in their new outdoor pavilion with spacious seating, fireplaces and TV’s.
When packaged together, the Mid South Club and The New Course at Talamore are a very formidable pair that will rival any two-course combination in the area. Throw in a few other local courses and you’ve got a golf vacation that will produce life long memories. For more information or to book your next golf vacation at the Talamore Golf Resort, visit them at www.talamoregolfresort.com.