U.S. Open Merchandise — The American national championship is the big story in 2024, so of course the pro shop at Pinehurst is stocked with merchandise adorned by the Open logo. The Pinehurst Golf Lad has been the anchor of every mark conceived for Pinehurst’s running of the national championship (1999, 2005, 2014, and now 2024). For this year’s logo, noted golf artist Lee Wybranski posed him standing with a flagstick, the flat itself of course adorned with the numeral 2. You’ll find everything from putter covers to shirts to cocktail glasses at every price point.

A round of golf on The Cradle — Just outside the clubhouse is one of golf’s most popular playgrounds. The Cradle is a nine-hole par-3 course designed by Gil Hanse that is now six years old. The course was so-named as it is positioned on ground where in 1899 some of the first crude holes were routed in what was to become known as the “Cradle of American Golf,” and shots range from 56 to 127 yards long. Priority for tee times goes to resort guests, but access is open to anyone on a space-available basis. Rounds are $50 and you can replay at no cost.

A cashmere sweater — Chris Dalrymple, proprietor The Gentlemen’s Corner in the heart of the Village of Pinehurst since 1980, says the blazes with all the plastic golfers wear today in the form of “performance” fabrics. “I think golf was meant to be played in a cashmere sweater,” Dalrymple says. “It feels so good.” Modern iterations of cashmere are more breathable and, while they keep you warm, are not too warm. Alan Paine makes the gold standard at $495.

Golf art — Old Sport & Gallery in the Village of Pinehurst is a treasure trove lovingly procured by owner Tom Stewart. Its three rooms in The Harvard Building are brimming with books, paintings, antique clubs and collectibles of all sorts. Some 20 years ago, Stewart began taking vintage travel brochure covers and promotional posters and printing them on 17 x 22 inch pieces of metal and wood. They hit a nice niche at under $100.

Golf books from area authors — The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines is one of the few independent bookstores thriving today in a world of big box stores and Kindles. Its shelves include golf books by a variety of local and regional authors, including James Dodson, Richard Mandell, Chris Buie and (shameless plug) yours truly. There’s nothing better than playing golf. But if it’s dark outside or just too cold, a roaring fire and a good book are just the tickets.

A safari into golf — Six-plus decades is a long time for any business endeavor to endure. But LPGA founding member Peggy Kirk Bell started her first women’s golf school at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in 1959, and the “Golfari” concept has been running strong ever since. Gents, if you want your wife or girlfriend to get a solid grounding in the game and have a lot of fun in the process, here’s the perfect gift, and in February you can get in for just over $2,000.