Brickshire Golf Club

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. 

Tom Clark designed four holes that emulate other golf holes from around the world: No 1 to emulate Augusta National’s Hole 3; No 7 to emulate Pinehurst No 2, Hole 11; Hole 9 to emulate Hole 14 at St. Andrews Old Course and No 11 to emulate Hole 10 at Riviera CC. The other 14 holes were equally unique and challenging.

Our favorite holes: No 7 – a gentle uphill design with a few bunkers to navigate; Hole 9 – a great closing hole for the front nine that leaves you wanting more as you make the turn; and Hole 18 – just a great finishing hole, beautiful in every way – shot making, accuracy and shot options to fit your game.

Brookwoods Golf Course

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. 

Management is committed to growing the game with league play for men and women and the opportunity to develop junior youth programs is exceptional. Brookwoods is just off I-64 between Richmond & Williamsburg, sitting among some other golf courses. A great addition to a great weekend of golf with other courses in the area. 

They utilize the VIP card, and aside from this it’s a very affordable course to play, a major goal of theirs. In addition they’d like to keep the course in great shape. And, considering the heat of the last few weeks, the course was green! 

Other changes – they’re hoping to continue upgrading the bunkers, possibly reducing the number, but reducing the maintenance on the course is becoming a concern. 

Amenities: the clubhouse is comfortable and nicely equipped with plenty of seating, a grill and pro shop. By the way, the food is exceptional! And, the staff create a family friendly environment. 

Brookwoods is conveniently located 15 minutes from downtown Richmond. It’s just a few miles from the Richmond Airport on route 60. Each hole has its own unique characteristics. The golf course layout includes many doglegs but the biggest challenge is the green complexes. Every green has a variety of slopes and rolls which provides a premium on shot location. The 34 bunkers are well placed around the greens. Players will find tight tree-lined fairways and water to avoid. Just about every hole at Brookwoods has its own secluded corridor away from the distractions of the other golfers.

Colonial Heritage Golf Club

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. Membership fees are very affordable. Daily fees for a gated community golf course are better than you might think!Colonial Heritage Club is one of the top, most difficult course designs our team has encountered. Missing a green on an approach, or rolling the ball through the green, leaves a very difficult shot back toward the hole. Fairways are noticeably tighter on the par 4’s the closer you get to the hole. Par fives have fairway bailouts near the green. On par 4’s, a great tee shot can be rewarded with a seemingly easy approach. But most of them require two excellent shots to play golf at par; one putts on these greens are rare unless you get close! Access to penalized areas like hills/woods/deep fairway bunkers are mostly made accessible with steps, paths, and stones. This course feels like it was carved out of land that could not have been used for any other purpose. What’s not to like? If you don’t long carries over ravines – don’t come; but you’ll mess an amazing challenge and beauty that is unmatched on most courses.

Ford’s Colony – Blackheath, Blue Heron & Marsh Hawk Courses

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.

Blackheath, a par 71, opened in 1999 and is likely the most beautiful, playing at 6,632 from the tips. Water is a major feature on this course, showing up on 13 holes. Our favorite hole: No 18 – a par 4 that crosses water twice before getting to the island green! Par is a great score on this hole.

Blue Heron, a par 72, is the longest of the three Ford’s Colony Courses at 6,954 yards. It features challenging par 3s and tantilizingly fun par 5s. Likely one of our favorites. Hole favorite – No 4, and the Number 1 handicap on this course. A challenging par 5 with water coming into play on the 2nd shot.

Marsh Hawk, another par 72, at 6,650 yards. Marsh Hawk is technically a members only club. The narrow fairways, well-placed bunkers challenging layout make this desirable outing. Favorite hole: No 13 – a shorter dogleg right with some risk-reward benefit for the long hitters. Water, bunkers and trees all come into play for the daring soul.

When you play Ford’s Colony tell them Virginia Golf Course Reviews sent you!

Golden Horseshoe – Gold Course

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. Hard to believe you’re playing less than a couple hundred years from downtown Williamsburg! Each hole has its own personality, challenges and unique contribution to the golf experience – we thoroughly enjoyed what we found on Holes 2, 3, 4, 7, 12 & 16. But, honestly, EVERY hole was just a pleasure to step on the tee box to see what the next hole brought. The views from the tee to green and back added so much to the experience; and the par 3s and water holes were especially fun. You’ll want to add this course to your list of courses to visit – and, don’t wait!

Golden Horseshoe – Green Course

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. The bumps along the side of most of the fairways really help keep your ball in play, unless you hit the back side of the bumps – then, you can expect at least one or two extra strokes on the hole. Jeff Winters, Director of Golf, informed us there are plans to address the cart path and drainage issues on the course, both in the fairways and in the bunkers – in fact, likely removing around 24 bunkers. Mr. Winters 20+ years at The Golden Horseshoe courses bodes well for the care and attention they get.

Kingsmill - Plantation Course

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. There is ample woods space and well-marked OB lines on both sides of play. There are plenty of challenges here for every level of golfer.

You’ll have to pay attention to signage across the course due to the interwoven nature of the Kingsmill courses. On this course, you don’t return to the clubhouse after hole 9, ordering food from the grill and having it delivered is certainly an option. You might check with the clubhouse before you head out.

Our teams thoroughly enjoyed the Plantation Course experience. While there are always areas for improvement on any course, this is an enjoyable layout. There is little about this course not to like. Favorite holes: Hole 2 - a moderate length par 5 over a gully off the tee, a pond off to the left of fairway and bunkers challenging the approach to the green; Hole 8 - a double dogleg par 5 with excellent risk/reward shots on the way to the green. Cutting corners might help you, but that’s the risk; Hole 12 - another challenging, risk/reward par 5! The approach over a small ditch that separates the fairway from the green on approach is challenging - take enough club; Hole 18 - longer if you follow the dogleg left fairway, however, the challenge is to go for green over the trees on the left to an approachable 274 yards from the tips. Have fun!

When you visit - tell them VGCR sent you.

Kingsmill - The River Course

Our first visit to the Kingsmill River Course was a real treat. 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.

The River Course is a long-time PGA and LPGA competition site. While our experience wasn’t for a championship, it was nonetheless a good experience. Our favorite holes: Hole 2 - a challenging par 3 with large bunkers guarding the green short and right are especially in play; Hole 8 - a challenging par 4, dogleg right. The uphill approach to an elevated green will leave a lot of approaches short. Hole 10 - It’s just a great opening hole for the back nine! While the fairway is wide, the challenge with this hole is the cavernous drop off with water below, then rises back uphill about 120 yards out; Hole 15 - the only par 5 on the back at 473 yards, with a narrow fairway. But getting to the green you still have work!

You will certainly enjoy this experience on this historically celebrated course.

When you visit - tell them VGCR sent you.

Kingsmill - The Woods Course

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. No doubt, this course and the management team treat you to a fabulous experience. This is Kingsmill's private course - only used by resort guests when the other two courses are packed. Everyone is personable, friendly and want you to have a great experience - that’s the team goal!

Practice facilities are exceptional - a large practice green with practice chipping and bunkers nearby to fine-tune your game before heading to the short, but well equipped driving range (limited to about 200 yards). The greens and fairways are exceptionally well cared for. Our favorite green complex - the shared on holes 12 & 15. Bunkers were also in great shape. Favorite holes: Hole 7 - a potentially driveable hole from the tips at about 280 yards; Hole 18 - a great finishing hole with the pond in front of the green and a beautiful view of the clubhouse.

If you go - tell them VGCR sent you!

Kiskiack Golf Club

First of all, congratulations to Nick Zanka for hanging in at Kiskiack for over 20 years. That says a lot about commitment. The Kiskiack golf community is grateful. The course is one of the finest conditioned, consistently groomed courses we’ve encountered.

While the course is well maintained, the bunkers were being worked on. The practice facilities are well maintained and the driving range had well-defined targets to practice your distances. 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.

There are plenty of risk-reward opportunities on this course. Our favorite holes: Hole 1 - an opening par 5 right out of the clubhouse! Hole 4 - is a little quirky. From the tee, there’s a drop off about 150 yards out, so aim a little left to play into that. If you end up in the bottom of this drop off, you’ll have about 100 yards to an elevated green, with bunkers in front. Take plenty of club to get to the green! Hole 11 - the signature hole and it’s a challenge. From the tips - just over 200 yards over water, a large bunker to the green. Have fun on Hole 18. It’s a 503 yard par 5, double dogleg over water and up the hill - it’s a tough hole, but rewading if you make par or birdie!

When you go - tell them VGCR sent you.

Royal New Kent Golf Club

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.  

This course requires managing every shot, on every hole and gives the opportunity to use every club in the bag. Overall, one of the best courses we have ever played. Mike Stranz – nothing else really needs to be said! 

Stonehouse Golf Club

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. Stonehouse LLC was formed with the major backing of J. Sanders Construction to bring the property back to its former glory. And, they have succeeded in bringing it back! The new owners honor the work of Mike Stranz.

Stonehouse is a gorgeous, fun and challenging property and needs to be back on your list of ‘must play. There are plenty of ravines, fairway bunkers and visual distractions to bring you to your knees, but you’ll enjoy the challenge. The fairways seem to keep your ball in the fairway, even if you miss slightly to the left or right ON the fairway. Notice Hole 12. The ravines are breath-taking and are at times intimidating. And No 17, Par 3 is just amazing! 

The greens…wow…the greens. BIG, rolling and fair, with some false fronts and major undulations. Though built in a residential community, the course feels like it is just the golfer and nature. Playing the course, you don’t see another fairway and homes never come into play.

One of the few downsides to this course – it’s not for walkers – distances from green to tee are often 100-200 or more yards. Stonehouse Grill, located behind the 18th green, has stunning views of the final hole. The Bang Bang Shrimp and crab cakes (flakey and seasoned just right) are a great choice. The wide open space in the restaurant/grill building would make an ideal place to host a tournament. There is plenty of room, good food and a variety of draft beers on tap.

The Club at Viniterra

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.

Staying ahead of the amount of play the course receives is a challenge for Superintendent Ryan Dwyer’s team, but they do a great job! One of our reviewers played from the Black tees (7513 yards-crazy, we know) to experience what the architect might have intended, there were numerous challenges to get to the fairway – but what a great design. The sight lines were very different from the tips. You don’t have to play from the tips to enjoy this course. They have everything from 4529 – 7513 yards to suit your game.

This is a well bunkered course with 81 bunkers on the course! Stay in the fairway, and you score well. There are seven tee boxes (or combos) to play and could lead to different experiences as you play the course more often. The course guide book was very helpful, as was the hole-by-hole description found on the course website prior to the review session.

While there is no longer water provided on the course, water bottles are provided by Viniterra at the clubhouse before the round, at the turn and again at the end. Viniterra is a challenging course – choose the appropriate tee box and you’ll have a pleasant round of golf.

When you go, let Charlie Burch and his team know we sent you!

Williamsburg National Golf Course

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. And, there are plenty of challenges for every level of golfer. This course has hosted numerous PGA qualifiers and was named “One of the Ten Best Courses you can play in Virginia” by Golf Digest. This course has Bermuda greens, including the practice greens – and they were in excellent shape. There are a minimal number of bunkers – with 6 holes have none to get in your way.

The Yorktown Course, designed by Tom Clark in 2007, will challenge every aspect of your game, regardless of which tee box you play. Bunkers (all 58 of them) will give you visual challenges off the tee and as you approach the green. Good luck! These greens are undulating and challenging – your aim is to be below the hole as much as possible. The management team is highly focused on maintenance, growing the game and developing programs for younger golfers. Make time to get to Williamsburg National Golf Club – you certainly won’t be disappointed. And, when you go, let them know you heard about them through Virginia Golf Course Reviews.

Be sure and tell the folks at Williamsburg National Golf Club we sent you!