PINEHURST. N.C. - My dream-come-true round of golf on the legendary No. 2 course at Pinehurst Resort was about to reach a painful conclusion thanks to the set of blisters that had attached themselves to my hands during the game.

“These are the result of holding my putter too tight on those damn greens,” I told Adam Ludlum, a charming southerner whose job it is to carry bags for weekend duffers like me while helping them fulfill their ambition of playing a course what is universally recognized as America’s St. Andrews.

Adam looked at my hands sympathetically – I thought - before unfolding his massive young paws, the ones featuring even bigger blisters.

“How on earth did you get those?” I asked.

“From raking your sand traps,” responded Ludlum, who hesitated for just a second before exploding into a chorus of laughter.

“That comment will be reflected in your tip,” I told Ludlum.

No. 2 – one of eight courses that make up legendary Pinehurst Resort - is one of those “I must play before I die” venues that attracts golfers from around the world to a part of North Carolina that is apple pie America in its presentation, right down to the white picket fence inns and homes nestled together on perfectly preserved tree-lined streets.

As pretty and hospitable as Pinehurst is, though, it’s the dream of playing No. 2 that draws golfers here.

Damn the expense. The kids probably would have dropped out of college anyway.

Okay, No. 2 isn’t THAT expensive to play but at close to $400 U.S. – which includes Adam’s caddy fee (his wisecracks come free) – this is one of the most expensive courses in the world. And worth every penny, I might add.

No. 2 is not the prettiest golf course you will ever play. From tee to green, it’s not even the toughest. But the greens. Oh those greens! Think of them as green magic carpets – and hold on to your hat because you’re in for the ride of your life.

No. 2’s magic green carpets will scare you (mostly), delight you (occasionally) and frustrate you (always). But hey, you’re not alone. Some of the greatest golfers in the world have been brought to their knees by No. 2’s slick greens, designed by the legendary Donald Ross, the Michelangelo of golf course designers who, as these greens prove, had a sadistic streak in him.

 Left: The caddies at Pinehurst make the experience all that more memorable.

The greens are so hard to manage at No. 2, Pinehurst Resort actually offers lessons to help golfers try and tame them before their round. Be advised: Practice your putting before arriving at No. 2 – on top of your car roof.

In the only previous U.S. Open ever held at Pinehurst, the 1999 championship, many a contender saw their hopes slip off No. 2’s greens into oblivion. Ironically, it was a miracle 15-foot putt on the final hole of that 1999 U.S. Open that secured the victory for the late Payne Stewart.

Professionals have miracles in their bags – weekend duffers don’t. So, as I followed Adam to the first tee late last summer, I knew I didn’t have a prayer of scoring well on No. 2 but was satisfied, as most amateur golfers are, with just being there.

After being introduced to my partners for the day, Adam handed me my driver and told me “you have the honours.” And what an honour it was – especially as I watched my Tiger-like drive sail down the right side of the 391-yard, par 4 fairway and nestle in the first cut of rough.

A pretty good start – and with only 161 yards to the green, visions of paring the first hole at Pinehurst No. 2 began dancing in my head.

Adam, handed me a five iron and told me to keep my approach shot left of the flag.

“Right,” I said – and sure enough, the ball landed on the green, right of the hole.

I was delighted. Adam wasn’t

“Watch what happens now,” said Adam as the ball began moving further and further right until it had dropped off the green.

“Welcome to Pinehurst,” said a sarcastic Adam.

But hey, I was just off the edge of the green and I still had two shots in which to par the hole.

As we walked towards the green, Adam began to prepare me for the worst.

“I have seen pros four-putt from the same situation you are in right now,” the caddy told me.

Well, Adam was wrong, it didn’t take me four putts to finally sink the ball – I took five.

The rest of my round at Pinehurst No. 2 was pretty much the same as the first hole – good approach shots, bad luck on the greens.

However, I’m proud to say, I did par three holes at No. 2, including the par 5, 10th.

In the end, Adam and I shared a lot of laughs, I lived out my dream of playing No. 2 with a caddy, I had my picture taken by the bronzed statue of Payne Stewart - forever immortalized at the back of No. 2’ 18th green in that one-legged victory stance he employed after sinking his U.S. Open winning putt –and I can tell friends that I sank three par putts on No. 2’s torturous greens.

I have the blisters to prove it.