The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa - Cascades Course

The routing is equal parts agreeable and dangerous, where sweeping elevations and water team up to test golfers. It flows wonderfully with the surrounding landscape, sometimes pinched tight by trees. Even the easy holes - the 294-yard fourth comes to mind - feel arduous. The finishing foursome of holes comprises a famously unique stretch, pars 3-5-5-3, that differentiates contenders from pretenders. Cascades was recently named one of the Top 100 Tournament Courses in the Country by GolfPass. The old clubhouse, recently renovated, is a great spot for lunch or drinks after golf.

What a treat it was to play this classic mountain gem. I live about 2 hours away from the Homestead and have been itching to get out here for some time now. Let me start off by saying, no matter where you are coming from, it's worth it!

It all starts when you come into Hot Springs and see the Omni Homestead Resort (which is gorgeous). The Cascades course is about 5 minutes South of the resort and the Old Course. You twist and turn through mountains and beautiful views for the last 45 minutes of the drive if you are coming from the North/East.

Once you get to the Cascades you are greeted by what feels like half the course. You can see 7 or 8 holes from the parking lot alone. I got very lucky that when I pulled into the parking lot at 12:30 pm on a Sunday, I was only the 6th car, so I had the course to myself!

In terms of the course, I got a tee time deal and was able to play for less than $100, which made it even better. The course is a typical golden age course with small greens, minimal (but very well placed) bunkering and superb conditions.

The course has a bit of a out and back routing, so the first 6 holes were all downwind (I played in 25-30 mph winds all day) then 7, 8, 9, 11,12 & 13 were all dead into the wind.

One of my favorite holes was 6. It is really the first time you encounter a meandering creek, which runs through the property. The creek runs through just about every hole from 6-18 , except 14 and 15. For me, there is nothing better than playing golf in the mountains next to a crystal clear creek.

For $280-$300, the Cascades is definitely on the higher end of what I would pay for a round of golf, but it is 100% something worth experiencing once.

NOTE: This course *IS* open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to resort guests only.

It was hard to keep my expectations of this course in check when I had heard so much about it over the years but the greens fees and remote location kept me away.

I had previously played the nearby Old Course last year and enjoyed the history behind the course and it's old-school design (before there were bulldozers and excavators). The Cascades has a similar look and feel though a bit fewer elevation changes. The design is simple, minimalist, with smooth contours and soft edges. There are a few blind shots throughout but nothing unfair or frustrating. Several holes are quite pretty as well, the backdrop of the Blue Ridge mountains certainly doesn't hurt!

The conditions overall were very good though not as good as you might expect given the relatively high price of the greens fees. The last few greens showed noticeable damage from disease that made them a bit bumpy but far from unplayable. The rest of the course was in much better shape though a bit soggy from all the recent rain. No water in the bunkers though, just some soft spots in the low lying areas of the fairways.

The staff here is very friendly and they do offer caddies, a nice touch. I saw a ranger on the course a couple times and pace of play was not an issue. My twosome finished in under 4 hours despite a mostly full tee sheet.

There is no driving range on site (there is one just down the road) and the restaurant and other amenities were closed do to COVID,

This is a solid mountain-style course and the scenery is very picturesque but I'm not sure I'd spend the $120 on another round here. Opinions vary on these classic designs, I guess I'm more of a contemporary fan. For those with a more old-school palate, they will find a lot to love here.

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Just talked to someone at The Homestead Resort and the course is not yet open. I would advise not booking a tee time because you won't be able to play. If anyone has experienced this yet can you let me know how you got a refund?

Omni's The Homestead - Cascades Course is widely considered the best public course in Virginia and considered one of the finest mountain courses in America. The Cascades does not disappoint, located in Hot Springs, VA this course meanders through tall tree lined fairways that work up, down and around the mountains. Most shots into the greens are either one club up or down at minimum and offer a fun test of your game. Many of the stretches of holes allow for views of corridors of multiple holes frames by dense woods and mountains making this course the best visual mountain courses I have played. The Cascades is unique, charming and very fun to play and should be considered a can't miss. Course conditions were outstanding with perfect bunkers and firm and fast greens and fairways. The best customer service I have received this year.

Beautiful course. Great staff. Very challenging course. Lots of uphill or downhill lies in the first 12 holes. Plays very long so expect to use your woods and long irons more then usual.

Great course! No wonder it is so consistently rated so high. Seasoned old courses like these are what golf is about. Nothing fancy, just a great layout and beautiful to boot.

The course is not worth $295 they charge to play it. Half the holes are right beside a busy road which becomes distracting trying to concentrate. The layout is not a mountain type layout that one would think. It’s in between mountains and does not have much elevation change you would think it would have. The layout is a simple design and holes are right next to each other. Carts nothing special and do not have gps which ever other course that charges that much does have. Drain system is not good. Water on the greens and fairways were mush. This is the worst of the 15 top 100 golf digest courses I’ve played. I’ve played courses for $40 that are better. Not much of a club house. Driving range is down the road. Practice green was not the same speed as the course. They try and talk you into getting a caddy which is annoying. A lot of rich people that are slow, can’t play golf, and like their clubs wiped for them after every shot play here.

Truly great courses stand the test of time. Not more one could ask for, scenic, challenging but fair, both high risk for high reward or play it straight and safe. This course takes one back to an older generation of golf and you can see the greats like Snead and the host of Presidents taking on the course.