All Course Reviews
Ashley Plantation Country Club, Daleville, VA, is a hilly course. You’ll love the setting of this course near the Blude Ridge, but it’s not an easy walking course.
Auburn Hill GC is locally owned and caters to students at both Radford and Virginia Tech as well as the local community. When asked about their plans for future enhancements, Jeff noted that ""if it aint broke, why fix it""?
Ballyhack Golf Club has earned a spot near the top of golf courses in Virginia. We had another review team hosted on Thursday, July 15. As reported by our team – It’s beautiful, takes advantage of views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stay in the fairway, and you’ll stay out of trouble! The greens are perfect – fast and undulating. And…the staff: Matt, Ian and Bill are amazing to work with.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews visited Blue Hills Golf Club in Roanoke. We met GM & Director of Golf John Steffen - an energetic visionary for creating a great golf experience.
Tucked away in a stunning landscape of mountains and valleys, Botetourt Golf & Swim Club, proposed to be renamed, Botetourt Golf Club, offers a breath of fresh air for players from all across the Roanoke Valley and beyond.
Cliff View is roughly halfway between two great courses – The Homestead and The Greenbrier Resorts. If you are looking for a modest priced golf experience, Cliff View has the perfect accommodations and golf experience to offer. It is a jewel on the road to discovery! The surrounding area provides activities such as hiking and biking trails, trout fishing, tubing/rafting on the Jackson River. These activities are within easy driving distance from the course.
Mariners Landing Country Club is on the shores of Smith Mountain Lake and in the midst of a thriving residential community. An 18-hole golf course designed by the late Robert Trent Jones Sr., this course is built into the hills, shore lines and woods of this lakefront setting, creating a setting and golf experience that challenges and entertains the golfer and anyone who dares try to conquer it.
Our visit in Sept 2023 to the two courses at The Omni Homestead Resort – The Old Course and The Cascades Course was spectacular. Though they are pricy, these are two nationally ranked courses that should be on your bucket list. The Omni is investing millions in renovations and upgrades at The Homestead to make an even better experience.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews visited with Aaron Dooley at The Waterfront Country Club near Moneta in August – September of 2022. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Having recently gone through renovations, you’ll notice the improvements along the way.
Boonsboro Country Club presents an exceptional golf experience marked by outstanding course conditions, top-tier staff engagement, and a welcoming, classic clubhouse atmosphere. The course itself is meticulously maintained: fairways are lush, greens roll fast and true, and bunkers—recently renovated—are in excellent shape with ample sand. The layout features rolling terrain, strategic tee options, and a balance of challenge and fairness that rewards thoughtful play. While hilly in places, the design remains walkable, and the absence of housing along the course enhances the serenity of the round.
Last June, 2023, Virginia Golf Course Reviews visited Colonial Hills Golf Club. It’s a gem! The new ownership has plans for modernizing – new driving range in construction, upgrading the clubhouse to get started. At the time of our visit, there was still some work to do on the cart paths, hole signs and a few spots in the fairways and approaches to the greens, you’d be hard-pressed to find greens that rolled better than these do.
There’s a lot to love at Falling River Country Club – great service and a fun, challenging course that tests your short game. The rural ambiance, gently rolling hills and undulating greens give you all you need to have for a great golf experience. While the clubhouse and practice facilities are unpretentious, the course is well-conditioned, fairways in superb condition and the greens roll very nicely.
On a recent visit to Ivy Hill Golf Club we found – hills! Yes, it’s aptly named. But what a pleasure to play this course. There is rarely a straight hole, unless it’s a par 3. It’s as beautiful as it is hilly. Ivy Hill has everything a country club would want – food & beverage is what you might expect, but the practice facilities are fabulous, the greens slightly above average and the fairways – there is rarely a flat spot, and the bunkers – generally in good shape.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews made a visit August 2022 to London Downs Golf Course. This semi-private course designed by Russell Breeden opened in 1991 to be ‘friendly’ and ‘easy’ to play. We found the staff friendly, but the challenge of this course isn’t necessarily easy! But it’s fun!
Virginia Golf Course Reviews was hosted by Jacob Mast at Poplar Grove Golf Club on Tuesday, October 5. A few observations from the reviewers: Poplar Grove has first-class customer service. The course is challenging, but not difficult. The views were amazing. The greens are in pristine condition, rolling true and hold approach shots. The five tee boxes offer a course length for every level of golfer.
Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club is near Front Royal, at the north end of the Shenandoah Valley. Tom Clark designed this public course that plays between 5000 – 7300 yards, with five (5) tee boxes.
Bryce Resort is a unique mountain golf course; and will give you a great experience. Lead by Paul Lepler, the Bryce staff will treat you like gold and help you have a great time. The greens and fairways are in great shape – the bunkers were exceptionally well taken care of. There’s a big difference in Nine’s – the front is more open, the back is a little tight – but, it’s what you like in a golf course.
We visited CCC in August 2022 Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the banks of the Shenandoah River, Caverns Country Club is a hidden gem of the northern Shenandoah Valley. With amazing views and holes featuring caves, this course will give you the challenges of a mountain golf course with a more open concept.
A recent visit by the Virginia Golf Course Reviews team to Lakeview Golf Club proved worthwhile. Lakeview Golf Club has some of the best views of the Valley with the Massanutten Peak in full view from most of the Mountain Green’s tee boxes. Lakeview has three sets of nines.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews visited Lexington Golf & Country Club on Tuesday, October 19. This Ellis Maples and Ed Seay design is challenging, taking advantage of the elevation changes of the property and weaving the course between the criss-crossing nature of Woods Creek.
Massanutten Resort invited Virginia Golf Course Reviews back for a review of Woodstone Meadows Golf Course in November 2023. We thoroughly enjoyed the setting. The course was in great shape. The greens rolled so easily – and a little quick – and the bunkers were easy to hit from.
Massanutten Resort‘s Mountain Greens Golf Course is truly a mountain course. Virginia Golf Course Reviews did an initial review in November 2023 with the leaves falling! It was beautiful, but make sure you take extra balls in the fall – or just about anytime. Most of the fairways will slope away from the mountain, some more than others.
Our team from Virginia Golf Course Reviews visited Sly Fox Golf Club Sunday, April 14 for a review session. “Its Slopey ” was the introductory description provided by the staff – and proved to be pretty accurate of the fairways and greens. Most of the holes have serious undulations or slopes. The greens and fairways have very few flat spots. Choosing your tee box carefully.
Shenvalee has the destination hub concept down. They have all the amenities to make a golf destination happen – clubhouse, restaurant, bar, hotel, views, grills for guests, and the opportunity to network. The variety provided by the three nine-hole configurations, gives golfers options for at least two days worth of golf. In addition, the proximity to Caverns Country Club, Packsaddle, Heritage Oaks and Lakeview make Shenvalee a place to come back to after spending several days in the Valley. This is a special place with the Robert Trent Jones hitting the first tee shot in 1927.
Spotswood Country Club is a premier course in the Shenandoah Valley. Established in 1926 and designed by Fred Finley and Edmond Ault, the course retains much of its original design. About three miles from downtown, today its within city limits and retail centers are next door. However, with large evergreens, apple and oak trees throughout the course, it still feels as if you’re “out in the country”.
Our team of reviewers made our visit toThe Club At Ironwood. Eric Hooke’s team was exceptional and welcomed us warmly. This William F. Gordon design was in really good shape. Ironwood is about a 7-iron from I-81, with easy access, convenient and a must play if you’ve got a little time to experience the rolling fairways and undulating greens.
Augustine opened in 1996 and was recognized by Golf Digest as a 5th best public course to play. “The bones of this course are solid,” said Doug, and he’d like to get the course back in this same condition! There is opportunity for improvement as you’ll see in our notes, but Andy Sutherland, superintendent and Doug Walczak, Director of Golf, are doing as much as possible to make the necessary improvements to get the course back to the 1996 accolades.
Birdwood Golf Course delivers a high-quality, strategically designed experience that balances challenge and playability. The course features exceptional conditions throughout, including immaculate bermuda tees, zoysia fairways that provide perfect lies, and fast, true bentgrass greens. Nearly every hole incorporates thoughtful risk/reward considerations, ensuring that golfers of all abilities remain engaged throughout their round.
Cutalong at Tributer Resort, near Lake Anna, with Tom Clark’s design just doesn’t get old. There’s something about seeing this course evolve over the last few years that lets you know Clark knew what he was doing with the natural contours of the land – and taking advantage of the unpredictable way the wind plays with the course.
Fawn Lake Country Club is a private golf course located in a gated community near Spotsylvania, VA. There is little that compares with this in the area. The course is a 30-year old Arnold Palmer design, featuring Zoysia fairways, large bent grass greens, and fescue rough. The course could favorably compete with the finer courses in the Charlottesville area, and the community would be unmatched.
Forest Greens Golf Club is an excellent value, public golf club near Quantico Military Base. We arrived on a perfect fall day with clear skies, no wind, brilliant foliage and perfect playing conditions. The course was in excellent shape, with greens, fairways and tees lush and well maintained.
The Gauntlet Golf Club is an awesome PB Dye course; a shot makers course. Accuracy off the tee will be your best friend throughout the course.
Our Virginia Golf Course Reviews team visited Hobbs Hole Golf Course (Tappahannock, VA) for review sessions June & August of 2023. We enjoyed Jeffrey Timmons’ course design and the tweaks to the course the last few years. Hobbs Hole is very playable and an easy walking course. The undulations of the fairways and greens, and the placement of the bunkers create challenges for the best of players. It was fun to play and with no two holes the same – it was interesting as well. No two holes are the same! Pace of play is expected to be under 3 1/2 hours, or the locals get upset!
The experience Keswick starts the moment you enter the pro shop. High quality shirts, hats and golf equipment awaits. The locker room has 3 separate locker rooms, not counting the sauna! Walk ahead to the grill, and grab a REAL meal before you golf, or just enjoy some ambience at the bar. Walk downstairs to back of the clubhouse and you can experience their robust practice facilities – 3 rows of practice tees under regular rotation to keep the facilities fresh, or work on your short game at chipping areas or practice bunkers.
Lake Monticello Golf Club offers everything a golfer would want in a home course: a variety of tee boxes, reasonable fees, friendly staff, game improvement areas, restaurant and bar, and challenging, scenic golf. Not only that, it’s well run, managed and the superintendent, Jim Prucnal, does a fantastic job of preserving the course, even in dry heat. In fact, his reputation around other superintendents is well known. Lake Monticello is fortunate to have him.
General Manager, Eric Barnes, is a ‘walk around’ manager. The day we visited, he was moving between the front desk, the starter and the superintendent to make sure things were running smoothly. Recent updates on the course – Hole No 10 and bunkers around the course are in progress.
Our team visited Meadowcreek Golf Course, a public municipal course owned by the City of Charlottesville. The first nine awas built in 1974 by Raymond Loving. An additional nine was later added by Bill Love of Ault, Clark & Assoc to create a Par 71 course. In March 2024, Troon Golf assumed management and has been in charge of maintenance since 2019. Troon is set to make some important adjustments that will benefit the course and its amenities.
Meadows Farms is a kick in the pants! This course, designed by Bill Ward, Jr., has unique, creative layouts and is well kept. Meadows Farms Golf Course used to be a farm and has a history of Civil War battlefield hospital and memorials to loyal staff and dedicated golf members throughout. While the Island, Longest Hole, and Waterfall are the 3 signature holes, and also serve as the name of 3 different 9-hole courses, there are 3 or 4 other holes that could claim “signature” or “unique status.” Not found in too many places – a warmup hole, a baseball outfield par 3, landscaped slats that protect bunkers, a unique set of mounts that separates two holes, and several greens that are constructed and tucked in around ponds and streams.
Old Trail Golf Club, Crozet, Virginia sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a few miles from access to Skyline Drive and The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Zoysia grass fairways make for a great lie every time you keep the ball in play on the fairway! You’ll want to treat yourself to a round of golf with the folks at Old Trail.
Somerset Farms Golf Club is part of the Meadows Farms Golf Course family of courses. They are making significant improvements over the next few years, starting with the greens. Everyday is an improvement. The fairways are in good shape. Somerset is a solid public course. The front nine is not long, and not difficult. Off-line shots are recoverable. However, the fairways are close together and it’s possible to play from a neighboring fairway.
South Wales Golf Club’s commitment to customer experience is exemplified by its readiness to make continuous improvements.
The team from Virginia Golf Course Reviews made a visit to The Greene Hills Club. Greene Hills is an outstanding private golf club that allows VSGA VIP card holders to play Monday – Wednesday each week.
Devils Knob Golf Course Wintergreen,Virginia is a beast! This Ellis Maples designed course is difficult but so much fun to play. Narrow fairways off the tee are a real challenge. The strategically placed fairway and green-side bunkers require careful shot considerations at every turn.
Geoff Redgrave hosted Virginia Golf Course Reviews at Stoney Creek Golf Course at Wintergreen Resort, October 23. They played Monocan and Tuckahoe courses and loved the varying lengths of the Par 4s and Par 5s.
Bristow Manor Golf Club, opened in 1993 and named one of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Golf Courses to play in the late 90s. It has that colonial charm combined with some of the best course conditioning in Northern Virginia. The Zoysia-grass fairways, bent greens, and the signature 467-yard seventh hole earns it’s No 1 Handicap rating.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews arrived at Bull Run Golf Club on a cool, breezy, and just slightly wet Monday (March 11) to review Rick Jacobson’s designed public golf course. It was early spring – but, this course played well in these early spring conditions. There were only a few areas of the course that were a little wet, otherwise the course drained really well.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews was hosted at Creighton Farms by Director of Golf, Robert Blumer. They can’t stop talking about their experience. Creighton Farms is a special Jack Nicklaus designed course, offering incredible experience. No two holes are the same. Bunkers are strategically located to make you think about every shot.
Old Hickory Golf Club is an enjoyable design by Tim Freeland, that players of any skill level can play – from skilled to less skilled players. But, like a fading, hard living, down-on-their-luck movie star, it is showing it’s age and diminished condition. It is a part of the Raspberry Falls management group. Doug Walczak is the GM of this course, as well as Augustine.
Potomac Shores is one of the finest, unknown courses in Virginia. A hidden gem that you’ll want to play again and again. The course was in excellent shape, and never detracted from a tough, strong Nicklaus design.
Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club meets the definition of a great course – execute flawlessly, you get an outsized reward; hit a good shot, leaving some challenging work. but if you miss your target, you are penalized. Willy August Lutz and his team at Raspberry Falls have the right mix to create the best golfer experience.
Opened in 1978, the course was designed and built by a group of farmers. Prince William County Parks now owns this course, but it’s managed by Troon Golf. Dan Wagner, GM, and Mark Murphy do a great job of managing this NOVA treasure. Touting several youth programs, Prince William Golf Course offers a great experience.
Brickshire Golf Club‘s Tom Clark design is a real CHALLENGE. Virginia Golf Course Reviews thoroughly loved playing this course. This is THE place to play. Brickshire is very demanding and a fun experience. Hole 18 is the most memorable golf hole by a long shot, nothing like it in the state! Gorgeous. Their website has a description of all 18 holes – check it out.
The Director of Golf, Tim Cockrell, has been at Brookwoods since 2019, having previously known the superintendent and owner, Bob Friend. Bob purchased Brookwoods from the former owner, The Campbell family in 2019. Algie Pulley’s design (opening in 1976) is a gift to the community. It was the first golf course in New Kent County. The combination of doglegs, slight elevation changes, undulating greens, and tree-lined fairways makes this an experience you shouldn’t miss. His unique design includes 5 par 3s, 5 par 5s and 8 par 4s for a par 72 course. Playing this course often will not get old.
Colonial Heritage Golf Club is very accessible semi-private golf course in a gated community. This Arthur Hills signature course opened in 2006. An 18-hole, par 72, championship course, has 11 sets of tees – yes, 11 including the combo tees. You get a range of 3142 to 6889 yards to play with. The property amenities include a practice putting and chipping area, a driving range fitness area, pool, tennis and pickleball courts and a restaurant/bar with banquet and special event space for indoor (meetings) and outdoor events.
Ford’s Colony Country Club has three Dan Maples designed courses to enjoy – Blackheath, Blue Heron and Marsh Hawk. Each course has it’s uniqueness and it’s challenges. Virginia Golf Course Reviews recently stopped in for a visit and re-discovered the beauty of these three courses. Management of the golf course has recently been turned over to Up to Par Management. They have quickly stepped in, keeping the members and staff abreast of the proposed adjustments and improvements they intend to make. We think their on the right track.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews team members were at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club – Gold Course November 13. Our host, Jeff Winters, Director of Golf. His 20+ years at one place is exceptional service to the courses in his care. The Gold Course (1963), designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and redone in 2017 by Rees Jones, is a masterpiece.
Our reviewers stopped in at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club – Green Course November 14. This 1991 Rees Jones design is a gem. Some really nice features about the Green Course: You could play each hole and never know someone was on an adjacent hole, you’ll love the par 3s – No 7, 9, 11 and 17. Then, stepping on No 18 tee – the awesome view of the clubhouse in the distance.
Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay created a gem and the layout speaks for itself. Almost every hole weaves through the community with houses visible, but not close enough to be in play on most holes.
Pete Dye’s slight touches on this course highlight what makes this course a truly great experience. Located along the James River you’ll want to add this course to your wish list, if you haven’t already.
Kingsmill’s The Woods Course is a challenging, yet short walkable course at any level of golfer. Everything about the course from tee to green is in excellent shape.
Kiskiack was designed by John LaFoy and opened in 1997. There are five sets of tees ranging from 4900 - 6800 yards, enough challenge for any level of player. Fairways are Bermuda.
A Mike Stranz design is always quite unique. He used the topography that was there for the layout, creating a course where no two holes are the same or take the same shape. Royal New Kent is a shot makers course, it shows you the shot you need to make, now you need to execute. The fault will be in the shot, not the design. The variety of shapes of greens, their size, undulations, and protective bunkers makes approach shots critical for every hole.
Stonehouse Golf Club opened in 1996 to accolades as “Best New Upscale Public Course in the Nation” by Golf Digest and “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine, and more. Following the market drop of 2008 it started losing it’s status and closed for a brief period before being purchased in December 2018.
The Club at Viniterra is a well-managed, Rees Jones design golf course. This course takes advantage of the local landscape to carve out the fairways and greens. Rees Jones has created an exceptional golf experience with elevation changes on nearly every hole – from tee to green; from green to next tee.
Williamsburg National Golf Course has two exceptional 18-hole golf courses – Jamestown & Yorktown Courses, offering unique opportunities for golfers. The Jamestown Course is a Jack Nicklaus designed course and the layout speaks for itself. Almost every hole weaves through the comunity with houses visible, but not in play.
A recent visit to Bay Creek Golf Course by Virginia Golf Course Reviews was a fantastic experience in all aspects of a golf destination. While this is a private community, it’s possible to play the course. Everything flowed from the clubhouse to the practice areas, the three nines, and the unique feature of the Nature Preserve. The opportunity for Bay Creek – is to make more of this destination type experience available for non-residents. The practice facilities are like nothing you’ve ever seen before – an extremely large driving range with real bunkers and water hazards, a short course to play, and a practice putting green.
Dogwood Trace Golf Club is a municipal course with a mission. Tom Clark’s design team did a great job of redoing the course in 2007 following the 2003 devastation of the course by Hurricane Isabel.
Virginia Golf Course Reviews experienced a very warm welcome at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian, VA. Among the surprises we experienced this visit: hybrid Lexus cars on the course as ‘beverage cars’, a garden for farm to table vegetables, golf carts equipped with Bluetooth and PXG signage planted in the middle of the fairway to mark the target point of your drive off the tee.
Lakeside Park Club is a gem of Donald Ross and a crown for the Richmond golf landscape. From Lakeside Park Club’’s website – “Lakeside was the very first course developed in Richmond in 1896. Lewis Ginter, a prominent Richmond businessman, development and hotelier, philanthropist and world-traveler, created Lakeside Park.”
This combo Nicholas & Clark design makes a fascinating experience. The driving range, putting and chipping practicing facilities are amazing – top of the line. The greens are challenging, undulating and rarely flat. The fairways were typically wide open, with well placed bunkers scattered throughout. Green side bunkers were large and deep.
The Golf Club at Mattaponi Springs is a great golf experience you’ll want to add to your list of ‘must play’ courses. While we visited in spring, course conditions were superb. Greens were a little slow, but the fairways rolled very well. This is a course with lots of elevation changes from tee to green. Go to their website for a detailed hole-by-hole description. It’s great preparation.
The Golf Club at Highlands sits in the middle of a housing development – but you’d never know it playing the course. The clubhouse and fitness center have everything you want in a golf club – food, exercise equipment and The Bunker – an indoor teaching station to improve your game!