Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s Course No. 2 is a stunning place for a round of golf. The famed North Carolina layout is punctuated by intimidating pines, native shrubs and unforgiving sand traps. If you don’t pack your A game in your golf bag, the course will eat you alive. Dustin Johnson knows this. A two-time major champion and fourth on PGA’s all-time money list, Johnson missed the cut when Pinehurst hosted the U.S. Open this past June.
“Pinehurst is a fair but demanding golf course,” Johnson says. “You must be in total control of your game to succeed there, as the margin of error is very slim. Great shots are fairly rewarded, but even the slightest misses are punished — often severely.”
While that particular scorecard was unkind, Johnson’s overall play has been stellar in the two-plus years since he joined LIV Golf, the controversial new league competing with the PGA for fans’ attention. DJ took the individual championship in 2022 and has won events in all three of his LIV seasons, amassing more than $50 million along the way.
And we haven’t even begun calculating endorsements in the equation, which add several zeroes to the golfer’s coffer. Among them, Johnson is partnered with esteemed timepiece maker Hublot. In the following Forbes Travel Guide interview, DJ reveals what it’s like working with the beloved watch brand, why more golf fans should be watching LIV and what travelers should consider when picking a proper golf getaway.
If you could wake up to perfect conditions at any golf course around the globe tomorrow, which course would it be?
I have always loved Riviera in Los Angeles. It’s a beautiful setting and one of the best tests of golf in the world. Needless to say, I also love Augusta National and Pebble Beach. I could play those three courses for the rest of my life and be very happy. I suppose it helps that I have experienced success on all of them.
For the golf fans who haven’t given LIV Golf a try yet, what are they missing?
I think people need to give it a chance if they’re ever near an event and decide for themselves. It’s certainly a different vibe and energy than you’d experience at a PGA Tour event, but it’s still very high-level competition. If you look at our fields, we have numerous major champions who are still amongst the best players in the world. Sure, there’s music on the course and we’re playing in shorts, but I see those things as being progressive and a way to bring younger eyeballs to our sport. Golf is evolving, just like everything else in life.
The tour’s calendar includes stops in Nashville, Spain and the U.K. How are fans different from Tennessee to England?
I think it’s hard to compare cultures, but they do all share a passion for our sport and enjoy seeing us compete. That’s the common thread that brings golf fans together around the globe.
Besides your TaylorMade clubs, what are a few things that you always travel with?
I always have my laptop/iPad, headphones, lots of sneakers, my Full Swing launch monitor and, of course, my Hublot watches. I dress more casually these days but enjoy expressing my sense of style with my watches.
Hublot’s Carbon watch is amazing.
The Hublot Carbon watches are very unique and definitely make a statement. They are another example of Hublot’s willingness to push the boundaries of design and innovation while being an industry leader. It’s a privilege to partner with them and showcase their brilliant designs.
Any exciting collaborations coming up with Hublot?
There are always exciting things in the works, but I can’t give away our secrets!
When you do take a break from the golf course, where do you like to vacation?
Honestly, given my intense travel schedule, I crave more time at home with Paulina [Gretzky, Johnson’s wife] and the boys. However, we do visit the Bahamas quite often, as it’s a short cruise from my home in South Florida. In terms of bucket list destinations, I would like to visit Italy someday soon, especially some of the beautiful coastal regions.
Besides having a memorable 18 holes, what are some things that people should consider when planning a perfect golf resort getaway?
I think it all starts with the destination itself. Nice, warm weather with plenty of sunshine and good courses are a must. Accommodations and amenities are also critically important, as you want to be comfortable and well-rested during your trip. Lastly, it’s always nice to have some great dinner options, as there’s no better way to end the day than sharing a great meal and some nice wine with friends.
Off the course, what is your proudest accomplishment?
Without question, being a husband and father to Paulina and my two boys. Nothing I do on the course will ever compare to the family we have built together. I am very fortunate.
