Ford's Colony Country Club - Marsh Hawk Course

We booked a tee time for 9 holes but this course was never intended to be played as a 9-hole course. At the end of 9 holes you are at the furthest point from the clubhouse as you can be. In order to get back to the clubhouse you have to drive on the cart path, all of which are in terrible condition, to about the 14th tee, move over to the 5th tee and proceed on the the path going against the golfers until you get to the clubhouse. Until you reach the 14th tee box there are no directions on how to get to the clubhouse and no employee instructed us on this situation before we to started play. Have never played a layout such as this and hope we never will again. We didn’t feel that the course was very user-friendly, especially older players.

Out of the three courses at Ford's Colony (Blue Heron, Marsh Hawk & Blackheath), Blackheath is my favorite. There is water on 13 of the 18 holes and there are a lot of bunkers strategically placed in landing zones and A LOT of doglegs. You have to know this course, as course knowledge is important. (I had two players with me playing this course for the first time who commented on the importance of knowing the course.) Usually, the Ford's Colony courses are in immaculate shape, but I was surprised at the condition of the greens on Blackheath, especially #9 and several others. The bunkers were excellent and most fairways were in decent shape, albeit a couple had dirt patches, like #1. The one thing I do not like about Blackheath is the rough--it is very spongey and springy and hard to hit out of. Either your ball sinks to the roots, or it sits on top and moves when you put a club behind it. You end up not being able to ground your club, because the ball will move (unless you don't play by the rules). I picked up several strokes from the rough--which tells you to hit the fairway! I love the layout of this course, but it was a tough playing day with course conditions and 20 mph winds.

The staff and bag guys were great. I actually could only play 4 holes and get very dehydrated. It was a hot as heck day. Staff gave me a rain check. Great stuff!!

Only flaw is a couple of tee boxes were in rough shape. Other than that this course was in excellent condition

Only complaint were the greens were bumpy, otherwise enjoyed the round.

Tough greens today. Unsuitable.

Come back in a few weeks.

Well, yesterday was one for the books! NOT OUR FIRST TIME! We played Blackheath Ford Colony (Williamsburg, Virginia) and the cart cut off several times. Once during the round when it cut off, we called the Pro Shop and they remotely restarted the cart, an inconvenience but not a big problem. No, we were not in the wrong area of the Course. The last time it cut off, we called the Pro Shop when Blake and Andy answered the call, accusing us of being in the Parking Lot (we were not) and wanted to know if we were Members. The response was, we are on our way from Hole 18 to cart return, we are not on the parking lot and we are a paying customer and not sure what membership has to do with a cart that is stuck in the middle of the cart path. Since we were not Member’s, he hung up on us. Several other carts passed us, heading in the same direction to the cart return area. Well, he continued to argue and then he hung up the phone. During this time, another employee who was taking several carts to be charged attempted to assist and he discovered that the cart’s battery was dead, he put it in tow mode and suggested we push it with the other cart—that is how we got the cart back to the cart return area. Went into the Pro Shop and things did not go well, probably because we were WOMEN. I should also add that shortly after our cart cut off for the last time, another cart of Women who were Members experienced the same thing. It is unfortunate to that the Member’s that we ran into said to not take it personal because Andy is known for being rude to everyone and all the Member’s know it. One Member said that is the reason that she has not rejoined. This was also reported to Marriott as it was their recommendation. Until things change in the Pro Shop, this Course is not recommended!

Well, yesterday was one for the books! NOT OUR FIRST TIME! We played Blackheath Ford Colony (Williamsburg, Virginia) and the cart cut off several times. Once during the round when it cut off, we called the Pro Shop and they remotely restarted the cart, an inconvenience but not a big problem. No, we were not in the wrong area of the Course. The last time it cut off, we called the Pro Shop when Blake and Andy answered the call, accusing us of being in the Parking Lot (we were not) and wanted to know if we were Members. The response was, we are on our way from Hole 18 to cart return, we are not on the parking lot and we are a paying customer and not sure what membership has to do with a cart that is stuck in the middle of the cart path. Since we were not Member’s, he hung up on us. Several other carts passed us, heading in the same direction to the cart return area. Well, he continued to argue and then he hung up the phone. During this time, another employee who was taking several carts to be charged attempted to assist and he discovered that the cart’s battery was dead, he put it in tow mode and suggested we push it with the other cart—that is how we got the cart back to the cart return area. Went into the Pro Shop and things did not go well, probably because we were WOMEN. I should also add that shortly after our cart cut off for the last time, another cart of Women who were Members experienced the same thing. It is unfortunate to that the Member’s that we ran into said to not take it personal because Andy is known for being rude to everyone and all the Member’s know it. One Member said that is the reason that she has not rejoined. This was also reported to Marriott as it was their recommendation. Until things change in the Pro Shop, this Course is not recommended!

Course was a nice layout … Bermuda greens were less than fun for the first few holes until I adjusted. Carts were allowed in the fairways but it sounded like it was the exception not the rule.

Positives — The bag drop staff was really good…

Negatives —

A) The guy in the golf shop could have at least attempted to enjoy his job, greet guests and give some sense of “welcome”

B) The $10 warm up basket (35 balls) for crappy beat up mats to hit off of was a joke! The range looked like it hadn’t been cut in months and was generally ugly —

C) First cut of rough was good but the outlining areas were scruffy and rather unsightly.

In my option ion there are better “bang for the buck” courses in the area.

Course was wet so no carts except for cart paths which was very hard for 2 senior citizens to have to walk to every ball. It wouldn’t have been so bad if we got a rate decrease due to the conditions.

The course was a bit challenging, and the greens were in great shape. The members of this country club are rather snooty.

The Blue Heron is truly a test. The greens best described remind me of Pinehurst #2. Small but undulated greens. Tee to green is very friendly but the greens are the true test. I highly recommend playing the Blue Heron. The price is right and the staff is wonderful.

Where to begin....booked online with Golf now app. Counter person could not wrap his head around that fact and couldn't do the math to split up the balance.

Long story short, when I tried to explain the process, he just got angry. One of our guys checked in already and he charged him and didn't take it off the balance!

So basically instead of paying 62 bucks per person, I had to cover the whole cost myself. Not a big deal because my guys can pay me back but not being able to understand math is a red flag. Tee boxes on Blue Heron iffy

Played here numerous times times. A very nice golf course. GREAT staff at Fords Colony. Always friendly and helpful!

We had no idea what to expect with this course. First timers driving about an hour to play for a very fair deal from the app. Extremely pleased overall. Most of the staff were amazingly friendly especially the guys at the cart pickup. No beverage cart was a negative. We also got behind a group that must have been playing for $ but they left at the turn and the pace picked up. Course layout was challenging but also fun and gettable for a couple of 19ish handicaps. We are 50+ and made a great call to play the Blue/Whites. Course conditions were also great by our meager standards. We will definitely go back and play Black Heath as well as the other Fords Colony public assessable course. Highly recommend!