Virginia Golf Course Reviews

09/27/2026

Virginia Golf Course Reviews has a team heading back to Stonehouse (Williamsburg) for an update on our experience. We're looking forward to seeing what's happening there.

09/27/2026

Cliff View is a unique playing experience. Some courses are great, some are technical, but some are just fun to play. Cliff View is one of the fun courses to play. The special aspect of this course is that each hole is unique. You will remember each hole long after play is completed.

The design is fantastic with unique holes you will talk about for a long time. There are no sand traps. They’re present, just filled with grass. Cart paths are a little rough and signage could be improved, but Jen & Matt have plans in the works to correct those items. They are growing the game in the area, enthusiastic about their plans. Over the last few years, we've seen improvements along the way. A course worth traveling to if you want a fun game in wonderful surroundings and having all the family generations asking us if we had a good round. If you’re staying at either The Homestead or The Greenbrier, it’s worth exploring, traveling 25-35 minutes to see something truly unique.

The golf course itself is a fun course with fantastic views. The course was designed and built with no real golf architectural help. Matt was part of the team with his dad, Frank, to design and create the course. The greens are receptive and in good shape, except Hole 11. The fairways were open enough that a misplaced tee shot still kept you in play, with a few exceptions. All in all, the course was fun to play. The golf shop has a beautiful bar area for a few people. Jen and her staff have really put effort into creating a menu that makes Cliff view a dining destination for golfers and local persons to enjoy. The property has a nine-room Inn for stay and play; and available for retreats, reunions, etc. and offers individual rooms with a bathroom, several common areas for leisure, and a full kitchen with a dining area. On the other side of the river is a 18 mile walking/biking trail which can be accessed from the property. Cliff View is a unique experience with ambitious and enthused ownership to create a bright future. Our favorite hole: No 14, Par 3, downhill along the Jackson River. It's a beauty!

09/24/2026

Due to the rain, we’ve postponed this review to October 28. We’re hoping for beautiful fall colors, too!

It's time for a refresh of the Country Club of Staunton, formerly known as The Club at Ironwood. We're looking forward to spending some time on the course Thursday, Sept 24. I'm curious what you enjoy about his course, if you've played it.

09/22/2026

It's time for a refresh of the Country Club of Staunton, formerly known as The Club at Ironwood. We're looking forward to spending some time on the course Thursday, Sept 24. I'm curious what you enjoy about his course, if you've played it.

09/21/2026

If you’re interested in exploring courses across Virginia. Check us out.

Virginia Golf Course Reviews is the go-to place for golfers to find their next great golf experience by reviewing Virginia golf courses.

09/14/2026

Needing a break? Stop by Pale Fire Brewing Company in Harrisonburg for a refreshing drink. They'll take great care of you!

09/14/2026

One of the first courses we reviewed as Virginia Golf Course Reviews was Cliff View Golf & Inn near Covington, VA. What a blast! We get to go back again on Wednesday, Sept 16. Stay tuned for an update on all they've accomplished.

09/12/2026

Newport News Golf Course (owned by the City of NN) hosts two 18 hole golf courses. - Deer Run and Cardinal. NN GC has the capacity to host golf events for up to 288 golfers with the two courses. The NN GC team's goal is to create an enjoyable, well-planned event, hoping it's an opportunity to hook you on the experience. Edmund Alt did the original design in the 60's with later renovations by Tim Liddy to make some environmental adjustments and redesign the course. We found both course designs fun to play and interesting - no back and forth - but plenty of winding through the trees and rarely seeing those on another fairway. There were numerous areas for improvement - tee boxes, fairways, and approaches to the green - but, very little to thwart a good round of golf, with the exception of a couple fairways that needed remediation. We visited shortly after a huge ran, so the bunkers were still impacted and very wet. There was sufficient sand after raking & placing to make a good shot out of the bunker.

Food & Beverage is adequate for a pre- or post-round beverage or sandwich. Practice facilities included two putting greens and a well driving range. The greens rolled very well, except for the divots left by golfers who don't repair their ball marks.

The Cardinal Course is a very playable, walkable golf course suitable for any level of player. Our favorite holes on this course - No 8: a Par 5, dogleg left over a creek off the tee and another just before the green. You'll love this challenge. No 17: A deceptively straight hole, with two creek crossings, again! Love this slightly elevated green.

The Deer Run Course is also very playable and walkable. It presents a different set of challenges - it's a little longer and tighter. Favorite hole: Hole 7-A longer par 4 dogleg left with mounds on the right of the fairway. Hole 14-A dogleg right par 4 with water left of the fairway as you approach the green. Fun hole

Cart/green fees range from $33 - $50 depending on when you'd like to play. When you play - tell them we sent you.

09/11/2026

Dogwood Trace is a welcoming, highly used municipal course with regional reach, attractive contours, generally lush turf, thoughtful senior tees, efficient green-to-tee transitions, and improving practice facilities. Its strongest immediate opportunity is not a wholesale redesign, but more consistent conditioning, golfer stewardship, and guest service. Those basics must become reliable as the course becomes attractive as a resort-style experience.

Fairways and rough. Fairways were generally lush, fully grassed, and improved from earlier dry conditions experience by most courses in the region. There are spots for improvement, but this maintenance team has their priorities in the right place.

The greens are largely attractively contoured and cared for, with the exception of the players who don't take the time to fix their own divots, plus one or two more.

The bunkers could use some attention. But, this isn't a major issue if you avoid the bunkers!

Virginia Golf Course Reviews highly recommends a visit to Dogwood Trace. As the team continues a march toward improvement, let them know we sent you.

09/10/2026

I know it’s not in Virginia, but today I played the Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head Island. Alex, the GM, has assembled a very warm, fun and engaging crew that makes this experience worth the time to visit. From Cary, the starter, to Alex and his crew in the clubhouse, to Glenn, the marshal - and my playing partners for the first 13 holes - Rich and Bob - everyone made the experience of playing a challenging layout of a well kept golf course! Thanks to this crew for making this visit a special experience.