Virginia boasts a staggering 220 public golf courses, utilizing the diverse landscape of the Commonwealth for truly inspired course designs. Golf among the mountains or along the beach, on a fancy resort or next to a quiet town—no matter how you prefer to play, Virginia has you covered. When you consider the following 9 golf courses it’s no wonder golf magazines have consistently ranked Virginia among “the 50 best golf destinations in the world.” Intrigued? Read on for our favorite links.
Nestled between the Allegheny Mountains, the historic Cascades Golf Course at the Omni Homestead Resort consistently ranks among the best courses in the world. Play as presidents do on the same course as President William Howard Taft, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George H.W. Bush. The course is known for its challenges as well as its history. Experienced golfers will have the time of their lives.
The Highland Golf Course at Primland has been ranked second on Golf Magazine’s “Best Golf Courses You Can Play in Virginia, 28th on Gold Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play,” second in Golfweek’s “Best State-by-State Course, fifth in Golf Digest’s “Best Courses in Virginia, and more. The appeal of Primland is the diverse landscape the course offers. The course winds through valleys, ridge tops, water, and is against scenic a mountain landscape. Whether you’re playing a short game or are in for the long haul, Primland has you covered.
The Spring Creek Golf Course in Gordonsville, Virginia, offers a well-maintained and nationally recognized course close to Richmond and Charlottesville. Golf Digest included the course in last year’s annual list of top 100 golf courses in America for “its sprawling bent-grass fairways and greens framed by a dense forest of hardwood and massive sculpted bumpers.” Spring Creek offers practice facilities as well as lessons for new golfers.
Stop by the Golden Horseshoe Golf Course in Colonial Williamsburg to experience the forty-five award winning holes. Golden Horseshoe has no shortage of distinctions, including GOLF Magazine’s “Top 500 Golf Holes in the World,” Golf Digest’s “2016 Best Golf Resorts in the Mid-Atlantic,” and “Golfweek Magazine’s “Top 100 Resort Courses in America.” While the Gold and Green courses are both worth visiting, the Gold course has won more praise in recent years.
The Royal New Kent golf course in Providence Forge, Virginia, has been recognized as “the truest representation of an Irish links in America.” The course sits on over 7,000 yards with varied terrain and obstacles, including hand stacked rock falls, tall grasses, and grass knolls. The course consistent ranks among the best golf courses in Virginia and throughout the United States.
The Potomac Shores Golf Club near Washington D.C. is known for its impressive layout and natural beauty. Carved through wetlands and forest to provide 18 of the most exciting holes in Virginia, Potomac Shores has developed a reputation as one of the best courses in the country (having been recognized as such by Golf Digest in 2015). The restaurant on-site, Tidewater Grill, is also known for serving delicious food in an intimate setting.
Viniterra Golf Course has wonderful flexibility, ranging in size from 5,200-7,725 yards due to elevation changes. The course, designed by the famous Rees Jones, provides an incredible amount of strategic opportunity for savvy golfers to explore tee angles while avoiding hazards. Last year, Viniterra was voted the third best golf course in Virginia, among much other recognition.
The Pete Dye River Course in Radford, Virginia, is owned by Virginia Tech and houses the VT golf team. The course was remodeled from the ground up in 2003 and has since been recognized as one of the best premier courses in the state. Situated on the New River, the course offers over 7,000 yards of incredible gameplay and spectacular views.
Mattaponi Springs has been featured in Golf Digest’s top 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses twice. Unlike other golf courses, Mattaponi Springs isn’t part of a larger community, meaning golfers don’t have to contend with housing developments or concrete roads. The 18 holes that comprise the course were designed to take advantage of the naturally occurring springs, streams, creeks, steep banks, rolling hills, and greens. The result is one of the best golfing experiences Virginia has to offer.
