Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club

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.

Enjoyed this course, even though it was a bit cold (no wind). Great group of par-3s. Multiple tee boxes and greens were in good shape. Fairway's too.

The Gold course is special and very demanding. The scenery is spectacular. When you get there you are treated like royalty from the bag guys,to the starter, the pro shop staff, the bartender, everyone makes great effort to treat you like a member. I’ve played some of the best courses in the country and the Gold course takes a backseat to none of them. We had a great day, even though the wind played havoc with a few shots. Play from the correct tees ( shorter than you think you should) and you’ll have a great day, and so will the group behind you!

We had three players in our group and had a threesome in front who were rather slow and did not offer us the chance to play through. After about five holes a ranger appeared and asked them to let us play through. We had no hold ups after that and enjoyed the rest of the round. The slow threesome was 5 holes behind us when we finished!

Can’t say Enough about this course. Staff was super friendly! Free range balls before round! Fantastic practice facility. Starter was great! Course was in fantastic condition. Greens were fast and true. No leaves on the course. Played in 3 hours so pace of play was exceptional. Cost is high but the experience and course layout is why it’s worth it..at least once a year! If you haven’t played here yet, do yourself a favor and play.

Golden Horseshoe GC - Gold Course by Robert Trent Jones Sr. is offers on of the best golf experiences using the least amount of acres. The Gold course is a near-perfect use of the hilly terrain. All fairways are framed with tall mature trees making hitting the fairway very important. The course has one 4 amazing and fun par 3s which all required you to hit over water, including 16 which is an island green that proceeded the island green at TPC Sawgrass (I prefer this island green over TPC in design and beauty). While the course is on a smaller plot of land than many courses, you feel isolated on each hole because of the large trees. While the Gold Course has one of the best foursome of par 3s, the entire course is outstanding especial how it is routed amongst the rolling hills, Robert Trent Jones Sr at his best. My favorite hole was the par 5, 6th hole. The course located in Williamsburg, VA as apart of the Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. The course is a classic offering fun and challenging holes and outstanding conditions.

With apologies to the River Course and Royal New Kent, this is the best course in Tidewater. RTJ crafted a course that has stunning visuals while still looking like he barely moved any dirt. It feels like New England in the heart of Virginia.
The front nine serves as a good warm up, as it plays much shorter and narrower. A good wedge game will really allow you to score, if you an avoid all trees. Once you get to the back, especially from 14 in, the course opens up. Of course, it also gets really long and difficult, so your driver better be working. 16-18 are up there with courses like Pinehurst #2 and Bethpage Black (well, maybe 14-17 at the Black) for best finishing holes on the east coast. I can't say I notice a difference since they replaced the grass with a new breed a couple of years ago, but the bunker work they did was top notch and has really improved the conditioning.
Post round, make sure to make the short trip to Colonial Williamsburg for great food and beer (Hi, Precarious!). It's the perfect end to a day made perfect by getting to play the Gold Course.

I’ve been waiting years to play the Gold course at Golden Horseshoe. First, it was too expensive for my budget, then it was too far away, and for the past two years the conditions haven’t been up to the standard they’ve set with the rest of the course.

But finally today, with recent reviews raving about the conditions and with thunderstorms surrounding the Williamsburg area, the stars aligned for me to finally play here and what an experience it was!

First and foremost, let’s address my primary concern going in and that is the conditions. I’m pleased to report the work they’ve done on the greens has paid off, they are as good if not better than the greens on the Green course, and that is high praise. Perfectly smooth, perfect pace and slope, and fairly easy to read. Putting on these greens was a real joy.

The rest of the course might be in even better condition. Tee boxes are immaculate; your tee just sinks into the ground with the slightest effort. Fairways are lush and buttery smooth. The rough is evenly consistent in thickness and height. The bunkers are exceptionally groomed and filled with a wonderfully heavy, gritty sand that encourages balls out of them rather than swallowing them up swing after swing. Heavy rain towards the end of my round had no effect on playability as the course seems to drain very well.

The next thing to note is that the layout is every bit as good as you’ve heard. Yes, the par-3 16th and par-4 17th are perhaps the best of the bunch but each and every hole has something to offer and it would be difficult for me to narrow down to four as my favorites. More than the strategy involved in scoring on them, each hole is beautifully presented. This is one of the most photogenic courses I’ve ever played and it wasn’t easy to pick just six photos to post here. Though there is still a sizeable gulf between them in every way, this course is more like Augusta National in its look and feel than any other course in Virginia.

As I witnessed during my visits to the Green course, the Gold also offers fantastic amenities, facilities and a professional staff. To get all that plus a world-class course to play for as $69 is an exceptional value (less so if you play in the morning where it can reach $150, but this course certainly warrants that premium).

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked before today if I had played the Gold course at Golden Horseshoe, I wouldn’t have needed any extra to cover my round today. But now I can say I have, that the hype surrounding the course is warranted, and that the course is spectacular! I have written 150 reviews here on Golf Advisor and have only given three courses 5 star ratings across every category. The Gold at Golden Horseshoe is the fourth, it is well-earned and well-deserved!