Moore County Airport (KSOP) in Pinehurst, N.C., Puts in Putting Green

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In Pinehurst, N.C., golfers commonly approach the green with one of their irons. Now, the final approach in a business aircraft can bring them within short yardage of a putting green.

Pull out your putter because Moore County Airport (KSOP) has replaced a lawn outside the terminal building with a putting green.

Heavy equipment and hand work shaped the previously flat space into a hilly, low-maintenance green modeled after well-known courses in Scotland and Pinehurst, home of some of the most historic American golf courses.

“It’s not quite finished, but it already looks spectacular,” acting airport manager Ron Maness says. “It’s going to be a great, friendly reminder that our visitors have arrived at the ‘Home of American Golf.’”

Visitors may borrow putters and balls to practice before hitting the links at one of the 46 golf courses in Moore County.

Other airports have indoor putting greens, and Palm Springs International Airport formerly had an outdoor putting green. Moore County Airport believes its green to be the largest outdoor putting green now at a U.S. airport.

Private donations paid for the putting green.

The airport, which calls itself “The Aviation Gateway to the Home of American Golf,” plans to replace a large section of the ramp to handle the weight of today’s corporate jets before the 2022 women’s U.S. Open takes places in Southern Pines, N.C. Before the men’s U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024, the 6500-ft. runway will be repaved.

Other airports with putting greens include: