Surrounded by native terrains such as luxurious rivers, impressive mountain ranges, and the stunning Atlantic Ocean, the state of Virginia has earned a reputation as one of the most beautiful places in America to take in a round of golf.
These natural wonders provide Virginia with the prime real estate to develop elegant golf courses that incorporate all of these majestic outdoor features to create layouts that are as entertaining as they are challenging to golfers of all skill levels.
We’ve pinpointed seven courses in the state that provide the best golfing experiences that Virginia has to offer. Here are our reviews of each course and why you should carve out a day in your schedule to play the location.
The Cascades at Omni Homestead—Hot Springs
Photo Credit: The Omni Homestead Resort
With a jaw-dropping view of the Allegheny Mountains, the Cascades golf course at the Omni Homestead resort is one of the best courses, not just in Virginia, but in all of America.
A few miles from Hot Springs, the Cascades is a historic course, fast approaching its 100th birthday. Even though the layout may be long in the tooth, the course plays as fresh and as fun as a golf club that has just opened.
With a combination of blind tee shots and narrow fairways, the course is for the weekend warrior who loves a bit of risk-versus-reward golf. The fairways and greens are smooth and well-manicured, but you better take some time to putt before your round, because the greens are slick and fast.
Surrounded by stunning beauty while delivering one of the biggest golfing adventures you can have in Virginia, the Cascades is a golf course worth the trip.
The River Course at Kingsmill Resort—Williamsburg
Along the James River, The River Course at Kingsmill Resort is another delightful course that provides postcard-worthy views while you appreciate exceptional golf. The scenery is so lovely, don’t be surprised if you pull your phone out to take snapshots as often as you remove a club from your bag to play a shot.
Formerly home to several professional tournaments, you’ll notice right away that the course delivers the goods worthy for the titans of the PGA and LPGA Tours. Even though those tournaments have moved on, the same high-quality course remains for amateurs to savor and enjoy.
Like the Cascades, The River Course has pristine fairways and greens to play upon, but the course will challenge your skill level and ask for your best.
With sparkling conditions that are surrounded by eye-popping natural attractions, the River course is an absolute must-play for residents and travelers alike.
Meadow Farms Golf Course—Richmond
Outside of Fredericksburg rests one of the best public courses in Virginia. Meadow Farms Golf Course offers outstanding value and wildly entertaining golf. What makes Meadow Farms one of the most enjoyable courses in the state is that golfers have 27 holes to choose from to create their perfect round of golf.
Throughout the course, golfers can expect to see elevated tees, rocks, and elevated railroad tie walls and island greens. If you are looking for one of the most unique holes in America, then play the signature par-six, an 841-yard hole at Meadow Farms. Recognized as the longest hole in America, the hole offers golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to bring home a birdie and an excellent story for their friends.
Meadow Farms is very affordable, making it a great place to bring the entire family for a great day at the course.
The Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club—Williamsburg
Photo Credit: Scott K. Brown
Another top-notch golf course located in Williamsburg and close to the River Course is the Gold Course at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. Although the Club has two extraordinary courses on its grounds, the Gold Course is the crown jewel for those golfers who seek championship golf.
What’s great about the Gold Course is the strategy found in the gameplay over the 18-hole layout. This course demands your best game, but that doesn’t mean it is for professionals only. Amateurs who choose to skip this course will be missing out on one of the real treasures of public golf in Virginia.
If you are still on the fence about the Gold Course, then go to experience playing the four par-3s, all featuring tee shots over water. Each hole has a unique design that requires a different shot, but each blast off the tee box will have you holding your breath until you see your ball land on the green.
Royal New Kent Golf Club—Providence Forge
Photo Credit: Terri Aigner
For golfers who want a bit of the old country in their golf travels, then the Royal New Kent Golf Club, located east of Richmond, is the place for you. This links-style course is wide open, featuring shared fairways and the largest greens you’ve probably ever seen.
As a result of the design, golfers won’t worry so much about accuracy on the Royal New Kent as they do about just relaxing and having a great time on the five-star course. The fun you can have here is one of the biggest reasons why the Royal New Kent is perfect for large groups of golf-loving friends.
The course itself is truly authentic, with rock walls, tall fescue grass, and the same elevated grassy knolls that you’d experience in Scotland. At times, you’ll feel like you are playing on a course best suited for the English coastline. The course is just that good and too irresistible to miss on a trip to Virginia.
The Highland Course at Primland—Meadows of Dan
Photo Credit: Scott K. Brown
The Highland Course at Primland is another breathtaking golf course cut through the area’s dramatic mountain range. In the fall, the trees that line the fairways and shape the holes are multi-colored, giving you a kaleidoscope of Virginia’s natural elegance.
Players of all ages and skill levels love playing the Highland Course because it is another strong links-style addition to the state’s lineup of incredible courses. The grounds, kept at professional-grade levels, feature undulating fairways that offer peeks into the valleys that run throughout the course.
Elevation changes run along the fairways as the layout weaves through the mountains. Don’t forget to bring your camera for a picture on the par-three 8th, a hole that plays straight downhill leaving you to hit a towering tee shot.
One last tip, before you hit the course, take in the club’s terrific practice facilities while drinking in the gorgeous views that stretch for miles in every direction. It is an excellent introduction to one of Virginia’s most beautiful golf courses.
Spring Creek Golf Club—Gordonsville
Another picturesque “only-in-Virginia” golf course is the Spring Creek Golf Club in Gordonsville. What’s remarkable about Spring Creek is that it has been designed to challenge the professional but remain accessible to the amateur. For either level of golfer, the course plays to their game.
At Spring Creek, the course architects have made small adjustments that work to involve golfers of all skill levels. For example, the fairways are over forty yards wide until you get to around the 300-yard marker, which allows for example mid-handicappers golfers to perfect their craft. At that length, the typical landing zone for a professional golfer’s drive, the fairways narrow considerably.
What this unique perk ultimately means is that Spring Creek is a five-star golf course created for everyone. For those who make the trek to Spring Creek, they can expect world-class golf that captivates and dazzles with every shot.
These are just a few of the fun, challenging golf courses located in Virginia. With some of the best courses in the country, you'll find a wide array of courses to help you hone your golf skills this year!