Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club

I was really excited to play the Gold Course after all of the hype, however I came away pretty disappointed.

Initially the staff did a great job welcoming me onto the course etc. but once I had paid and played, nobody wanted to even ask if I had a good time at the end of my round - a stark contrast to the friendliness exhibited at Independence and Royal New Kent. The clubhouse is very nicely appointed, if quite formal feeling - it's clear where the greens fees are being spent.

The course itself was "good", but it didn't wow me in the same way Royal New Kent did. The course condition was below average for a course in this price range - many of the tee boxes had lots of divots, and the number of unrepaired pitch marks and dead spots on the greens was pretty woeful (maybe rich people don't fix their own pitchmarks). All of the bunkers were wet (we're currently experiencing a heatwave, so I'm unsure how that happens without intentional watering). There was standing water on some of the fairways, and lots of sodden patches, making approach play less pleasant.

The green complexes were a highlight, and ran very true, but the greens were running pretty slow - particularly compared to other courses in the area. It felt very "target golf" in the hole design - with not much innovation or varying design from hole to hole. Hole 16 is a beautiful design, and the closest many of us will get to the TPC Sawgrass experience. The overall course design felt fairly pedestrian and like many other parkland courses I have played for half the price.

At $200 per round, I expect to be blown away - and the combination of slightly tepid staff, below average course conditions, and repetitive hole design didn't leave me feeling that impressed. This was a fun course to play once, but I won't come back at this price. There are plenty better courses in the area for sub-$150 that I would rather play twice than play here again. The white tees also played exceptionally short - actual played yardage was only 5,988yds compared to the stated 6,248yds - so you may want to consider moving back a tee box.

The gold course is a solid track and must play when in the area. Conditions are superb and the layout gives great opportunity for creative shots and risk/reward. The par 3s alone are amazing each has a similar design but its own character with great use of the water features. Play both Green and Gold the same day for a great deal using their replay rates.

I played on an "Eclipse Special." 80 dollars after noon on eclipse day, with a pair of eclipse sunglasses thrown in. Nice course, but not really worth full price. I should have known: they had just punched the greens. Hey....at least I didn't pay full price for dressed greens. Just would have liked to have known.
On the bright side, the staff is great, the venue is gorgeous, and the course is classic....just solid. Not gimmicky, not too hard, but not easy either. Just right! Aside from the greens, the course was in fine early spring shape.

Williamsburg is one of the best places in Virginia to golf, with a ton of great options to choose from. But the Gold course reigns supreme. Requires all facets of your game and has memorable holes, especially the Par 3’s.

Great layout, picturesque and playable...BUT, the course conditions were EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING...The tee boxes were uneven and beaten up ( what you might find on a busy municipal golf course)... the fairways were patchy and thin... the greens, although they rolled nicely,
had dozens of ball marks on each and every one of them.. Not what one would expect when paying $200 for a golf course that is ranked in the Top 50 each and every year...

Located across the street from historic Colonial Williamsburg, a living monument to America’s 17th and 18th century roots, the Gold course is also a trip back in time, albeit to an era a couple of centuries closer to the present. The routing of the course and the arrangement of the excellent clubhouse and smallish driving range feels like it’s more from the 1920s than the 1950s.

The design of the course itself, though, places it very much in a transitional era between the Golden Age and the midcentury mien which architect Robert Trent Jones helped define. Bunkering flanks flowing the fairways and tiered greens, rather than interrupting lines of play, and water comes into play a considerable amount, especially on the one-shotters, which are tough as nails and capped off by the 16th, America’s most famous pre-Sawgrass island-green par 3. Even so, when it hosted the 2007 NCAA Championship, the course yielded up some very low scores, including a 60. If you play the right tees, it shouldn’t beat you up too badly at all.

Played on a Monday afternoon when course was relatively empty, played in under 4 hours walking. Staff very friendly and accommodating. Course was in fine shape. Great layout. While they allow walking, this is a serious hike due to the various elevation changes on nearly every hole, so be ready for a workout if you choose to walk. Glad we played from the whites at 6200 yards and change because even for single digit handicappers that was enough of a challenge. Course layout is straightforward as front nine goes out 5 and comes back 4, and same with back 9. Each of the par 3s could be the signature hole as they are scenic and unique. I felt the price and value was fair. If you are visiting Williamsburg area with your clubs, highly recommended to play the Gold!

Had been eyeing this resort for years and finally pulled the trigger. Course was in pristine condition. The starter, Sam Motley, was super. Turns out he played college baseball with a good friend of mine. Played the ball down as the fairways were immaculate. Par 3s are unbelievable! Definitely want to return and with the golf package an excellent deal. Highly recommend!

I really used to love this course. Looks like there may have been some renovations but the par 3's collectively are the best around. Round took a little long (almost 5 hours) and conditions weren't what I remember especially for the price tag. Overall it was okay but not what it used to be in my opinion.

Situated steps from Colonial Williamsburg, this course meanders through undulating hills and valleys, with spectacular views and interesting golf challenges at every turn. There is water on 5 or 6 holes, a fair number of doglegs and narrow to moderately wide fairways. This course is beautifully landscaped and surrounded by old growth woods. Fairways and greens were “carpet like”. Yes the Par 3’s are picturesque, but so is the rest of the course.

This is a top 100 course that is not ridiculously hard, but will challenge you, especially with your second shot into downhill and uphill protected greens that have a tendency for low liners to roll off the green, sometimes into the protective bunkers.

Staff was friendly and positive, even meeting us at our car with a cart and providing complimentary bottles of water at hole number one. Get there early if you can… good practice area (be sure to practice putting and sand shots) and if you can play with someone with course knowledge, all the better.

Great value for a terrific venue, in outstanding shape.

Staff excellent, course in great shape - lunch at grill was fantastic!

Haven't played the Gold since it was renovated. It was hard to really evaluate it because there was a deluge of rain overnight, so cart path only (which is understandable) and standing water. Even with the hills and sloping fairways, there was still standing water...and I couldn't ever find relief from the water on one of the flatter fairways. Just "splashed out." Having said that, though, the course is absolutely beautiful, meticulously manicured, and crepe myrtles all over the place to add a pop of color to the lush green of the fairways, greens, and surrounding trees. This is a very challenging course, with lots of water, blind shots, and elevation changes...both in the fairways (tee to landing zone), and approach shot to the green. It makes you think your way around and some of those approach shots are a two club difference. The bunkers had no standing water, but they were packed from the overnight rain...definitely playable though. The greens ran true and they were smooth with a nice pace. And, the pace of play was great...at one point, we were 20 minutes ahead of a 4 hour round on a Saturday morning. This course is a classic, and a little bit of something for everyone. Definitely worth the $125, and the staff make it even more so...very welcoming.

This course literally feels like I‘m at Augusta and Jim Nantz is about to come out and say “Hello, friends” as I top another 7 iron.

As much as everyone loves the 16th, I really like the 14th and how you have to stick your second shot and not lay up or else the slope will send it right back.

On one of my actual decent drives on the 2nd hole, I decided to go for the green....went right into the lake. Definitely deserved man points for it however.

Staff is terrific - they made me feel like I was a member.

*See my full review of this course in my 07/19/19 posting*

First impressions mean a lot but second thoughts often matter more. After a second go-around (this time walking) at the Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe, I can confidently say it's the all-around the best public golf course in the state.

Brandon Webb did an excellent job breaking down the layout and architecture of the course's design in his 4/28/20 review so I will only touch lightly on that subject to add that I find the layout enjoyable and rewarding and its aesthetic appeal is unrivaled. From the perfect, white-sand bunkers to the wonderfully-shaped greens, it's truly a gorgeous course.

The course conditions are nearly as good with a carpet-like fairway Bermuda grass that is as well-maintained as any I've ever played on; smooth and even throughout every hole. The greens are still recovering from being aerated but currently there is very little difference in how they play (perhaps a bit slower than normal).

The staff is always super friendly and were able to direct me to the opening tee from the Green course clubhouse (you start on #6). Practice areas are open and social distancing measures are in effect including upside-down cups in the holes and one rider per cart.

To get the top course conditions in the state along with a world-class design all for under $70 for a weekday afternoon is a fantastic value. Golden Horseshoe offers you a truly exceptional golfing experience that doesn't break the bank. If you are in the Williamsburg area, you absolutely should have this course at the top of your list!

Let’s just get this out of the way: the collection of par 3s at the Gold course are as advertised. I would like to shed some light, however, on some of the other aspects of the course that solidify it as a Top 100 American public track, yet they are hardly mentioned.

The par 5s are vastly underrated, even if there are merely three. The best of the bunch - the second hole - makes the risk/reward scenario of going for the reachable green in two a risky proposition so early in the round, especially with a watery grave beckoning. The sixth hole plays only 471 yards from the blue tees, making it reachable and not quite as menacing as the second hole, since there is no hazard to carry. It is punctuated by a tee shot that plays over the crest of a saddled fairway and an approach to an elevated green. And the lone par 5 on the back covers more than 600 yards.

While several of the par 4s are too similar (4 and 14; 8 and 9), there were some standouts. The 11th plays through a seemingly tunnel of trees off the tee to an infinity green. The short 13th has some serious Augusta vibes. The 17th plays long uphill and the finishing hole is demanding in its on right. Drives must be exceptionally long if going down the left side or approach shots will be blocked out by a stand of trees. Going down the right opens up the hole, but requires a longer iron. A large bunker guards the front right of the green and water lurks behind. Par is a fabulous score on the 18th.

Now, for those par 3s. All play over water, but they are very distinct holes. The third hole reminded me of Spyglass. It is overshadowed by its other three siblings but would stand out on most other courses. The seventh is the toughest of the lot. It plays 185 yards slightly uphill and the green looks so small from the tee. An RTJ signature tongued bunker fronts the green, while adjacent bunkers left of and behind squeeze the target even more. The 12th and 16th are similar in that play downhill over ponds and you have to accurately gauge how much club to take off. 16 is obviously the signature hole. I hit four different irons to the four, which I valued.

Be sure and take a moment when you reach the 14th tee and walk all the way to the back of it. From there, take in one of the best view of an inland confluence of holes that I can recall in my travels. You can see the 16th, 12th, 2nd and 7th greens. It is fantastic.

The Gold course has gained its reputation largely on the collection of par 3s, and rightly so. But, there is so much more that it has to offer.

A lot will be said about the four par 3's, and it's all true. For a 16 Handicap, the white tees are challenging but not overwhelming. Beautiful layout. Looking at the google map, the holes are very close together but you'd never know it and only rarely see other golfers on other holes. Carts were quiet and fast. Will definitely come back and play again in the summer. Greens and fairways were in great shape for mid March.

Since it is mid November and the grass is dormant, the course wasn't as luscious as I am sure it is during the rest of the year. The fairways were in great condition and the greens were fast and overall in very good condition. If you get the chance you should play the course.