Virginia Golf Course Reviews

Virginia Golf Course Reviews Your destination for discovering Virginia's golf courses. Explore in-depth reviews, uncover hidden gems, and elevate your golfing experience.

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A team from Virginia Golf Course Reviews is heading to Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club on Tues, June 2. We're looking forwa...
06/01/2026

A team from Virginia Golf Course Reviews is heading to Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club on Tues, June 2. We're looking forward to the visit and sharing our experience.

Lake of the Woods is tucked away within a gated community, giving it a quiet, secluded feel. Even once inside the commun...
06/01/2026

Lake of the Woods is tucked away within a gated community, giving it a quiet, secluded feel. Even once inside the community, the course entrance can be easy to miss, marked only by a small sign along a residential road. Guests find ample parking and a clean, inviting facility that sets a positive tone for the round.

While the community itself is modest in size, the club supports around 200 golf members. Despite its gated setting, the course is fully open to the public and has increased traffic through digital bookings, including GolfNow. Members account for roughly 60% of rounds played. Current rates—$66 on weekdays and $71 on weekends with cart included—offer strong value for the area.

Originally designed in 1967, the course is defined by its smaller-than-average greens, adding a layer of precision and challenge compared to many nearby layouts. The routing weaves tightly through residential homes—often lining both sides—placing a premium on accuracy throughout the round.

A particularly charming and unique feature is the rose bushes placed beside each hole’s layout map. In full bloom during the visit, they added a vibrant, picturesque touch that stood out even in the rain, leaving a lasting impression as one of the course’s most memorable details.

Colonial Hills exceeds expectations. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and at ease. This public...
05/31/2026

Colonial Hills exceeds expectations. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and at ease. This public facility is enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels and clearly reflects an ownership group committed to providing a quality, accessible golf experience.

The course conditions were impressive. Greens were in outstanding shape, fairways were well maintained, bunkers were consistent, and most tee boxes were in good condition. Ongoing investments are evident, including a new driving range and a spacious practice green behind the clubhouse. The new golf carts are comfortable and equipped with GPS that was consistently accurate within two yards.

The course is a par 71 measuring approximately 6,350 yards from the back tees. While not long by modern standards, it presents a strategic challenge. Tree-lined fairways and rolling terrain demand accuracy, while small, firm, fast greens with subtle breaks reward precise approach shots. Water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, and numerous risk-reward opportunities create an engaging layout for players of all abilities. The par 3s are particularly memorable, requiring both length and accuracy.

Several holes stand out. Hole 17 is a reachable par 5 featuring a blind uphill tee shot and a strategically placed fairway bunker that influences second-shot decisions. Hole 5 is a beautiful downhill par 3 over water to a shallow green perched above a stone wall, offering both challenge and visual appeal. Hole 14 is another scenic downhill par 3 over water that demands a precise tee shot. Holes 3 and 12 are exciting drivable par 4s that reward bold play while punishing poor ex*****on.

When you visit - make sure you tell them Virginia Golf Course Reviews sent you.

Lake Monticello Golf Club - This seemingly semi-private—but fully public—course is tucked away within a gated neighborho...
05/29/2026

Lake Monticello Golf Club - This seemingly semi-private—but fully public—course is tucked away within a gated neighborhood. While homes do come into play on several holes, there is generally 15–20 yards of rough before reaching the tree line, which helps provide separation from residential areas. Although the course is woven throughout the neighborhood, the playing areas rarely feel overly tight, and most shots still feel comfortably framed. Bunkers are consistently maintained throughout - a real plus on most courses.

The course was quite busy on the day of our review, hosting two large groups simultaneously: a weekly women’s group of approximately 30 players and a men’s group of around 50, both utilizing shotgun starts. Despite the volume, the course flowed reasonably well throughout the round.

Favorite holes? Hole 9 - likely a signature hole that is memorable and visually appealing and highly engaging. Longer hitters may need to club down to avoid running out of fairway into the water. Hole 13 - The back tees are on a hill and you must navigate a large waste area to get to the fairway.

Kudos to Mark Marshall's team at Lake Monticello. When book your tee time - tell him them we sent you!

Virginia Golf Course Reviews heads to Prince William Golf Club on Thursday, May 28 for a review. We look forward to shar...
05/28/2026

Virginia Golf Course Reviews heads to Prince William Golf Club on Thursday, May 28 for a review. We look forward to sharing our experience along with a few photos. What's your favorite thing about Prince William?

The 330-acre estate at Mattaponi Springs is tucked just slightly off the beaten path of I‑95—but the extra few minutes a...
05/26/2026

The 330-acre estate at Mattaponi Springs is tucked just slightly off the beaten path of I‑95—but the extra few minutes are more than worth it. This stay-and-play golf destination is stunning from the entrance to the clubhouse and the opening tee shot to the final green, offering a beautiful layout paired with a healthy dose of challenge.

Mattaponi Springs has a defined vision and is actively working toward consistent improvement in the overall guest experience. One standout example of this forward momentum is the former pro shop, which has been transformed into a top-of-the-line golf simulator facility, allowing guests to play the course virtually. The club’s embrace of modern technology is generating excitement and clearly resonating with golfers. Management has significantly expanded the club’s digital reach. That strategy is paying off, with increased online bookings through GolfNow and a noticeably younger demographic discovering and frequenting the course.

Favorite hole? Likely Hole 18 - a great closer! A slight dogleg left, over a left fairway bunker to an approach shot over a small creek to a beautiful green waiting for you to come home!


If you're looking for a stay-n-play option, Mattaponi Springs has it going.

Dogwood Trace Golf Club delivers a beautiful layout paired with premium turf conditions at a refreshingly reasonable pri...
05/20/2026

Dogwood Trace Golf Club delivers a beautiful layout paired with premium turf conditions at a refreshingly reasonable price point. Owned and operated by the City of Petersburg, this municipal gem provides top-tier playability without the premium-course cost, making it one of the best values in the region.

The course is fully open to the public and also offers annual passholder memberships, priced for weekday-only play or an unrestricted 7-day pass. Daily rates are equally attractive, listed on the website at $68 for weekdays and $83 on weekends. Value-minded golfers will appreciate the course’s popular Thrifty Thursdays, allowing players to golf as much as they want for just $40, along with twilight rates of $35 after 5:00 PM. They have some work to do for continuous improvement, but they're making great progress.

A unique and fun design highlight is found on the front nine, which features three par 3s, three par 4s, and three par 5s. This balanced setup creates additional scoring opportunities—particularly for players confident on par 3s or capable of taking advantage of reachable par 5s.

Overall, Dogwood Trace combines thoughtful design, strong conditions, and outstanding pricing, making it a standout choice for both frequent players and casual rounds alike. Dogwood Trace is perhaps the best municipal golf course in the Richmond/Petersburg area. When you visit the course, tell them you heard about it from Virginia Golf Course Reviews.

Royal New Kent features a stunning 300+ acre layout that delivers both visual drama and a demanding test of golf. Design...
05/19/2026

Royal New Kent features a stunning 300+ acre layout that delivers both visual drama and a demanding test of golf. Designed by the late Mike Strantz, this course showcases his signature style throughout—bold shaping, strategic angles, and striking sightlines. Royal New Kent has earned recognition as a Top 10 course in Virginia and has previously been ranked among the 20 toughest public courses in the nation. While unquestionably challenging, the routing and variety keep golfers eager to return, rewarding thoughtful play and precise shot-making into multi-tiered greens for a challenging yet truly enthralling experience.

In recent years, ownership has invested approximately $2 million to restore the course closer to Strantz’s original vision. Improvements have included enhanced drainage throughout the property, the installation of Bermuda greens, upgraded carts with GPS in 2025, and extensive tree removal and land enhancements designed to improve playability and aesthetics. A continued priority is the removal of vegetation not originally envisioned by Strantz, and the results of this restoration effort are already clearly evident across the course.

A key focus for leadership is building the course’s social and regional presence. Royal New Kent is increasingly compared to other iconic Mike Strantz designs in larger golf markets, such as To***co Road. This strategy has helped expand the course’s reach beyond a local audience to a more national one, with growing interest from Northeast golfers seeking a Williamsburg golf getaway in Virginia’s more temperate climate.

Enhancing the destination appeal, Royal New Kent offers Shamrock Hill, a stay-and-play option that comfortably accommodates approximately eight adults, making it ideal for group trips and extended golf weekends. When you plan your trip, tell them you heard about it through Virginia Golf Course Reviews.

We're heading to Lake of the Woods on Monday, May 11 for another review. This is busy, residential golf club and enjoys ...
05/10/2026

We're heading to Lake of the Woods on Monday, May 11 for another review. This is busy, residential golf club and enjoys a significant amount of play. We can't wait to see how this course again.

Designed by Rick Jacobson, Bull Run is a golf course you should have on your short list to play. The course has a nice f...
05/10/2026

Designed by Rick Jacobson, Bull Run is a golf course you should have on your short list to play. The course has a nice flow to it. Tougher holes intermingled with more straight-forward ones that gave the golfer a breather. And, no two holes were alike. Both the start of the round and the end of the round get a golfer's attention. It comes across as a high end public course that is enjoyable to play while remaining a challenge. Its condition and amenities are consistent with a high quality facility.

Bull Run uses dynamic pricing to determine greens fees. Weekend play is substantially more expensive, and the earlier in the week you play the less costly it is - occasionally the rates are pretty low, but check the system. If you are averse to high prices, choose your time carefully. In any case, it's worth the experience.

Several of our favorite holes: Hole 1, 8 and 18. Of course there might be a few others, but Hole 1 starts across water and makes you think off the first tee. Hole 8 is a fabulous risk-reward hole that's hard NOT to go for it; and Hole 18 - it's just a very memorable golf hole coming back to the clubhouse - again some risk-reward you have to see to believe.

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Harrisonburg, VA

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+15402466020

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