Royal New Kent GC: #5
View from the 5th tee at Royal New Kent Golf Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
811 Reviews (811)
5 Stars
567
4 Stars
179
3 Stars
45
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
8
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.1
88.9%
Recommend this course
755 out of 811 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
100.0%
Recommend this course
13 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
47 Reviews (47)
5 Stars
32
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.5
91.5%
Recommend this course
43 out of 47 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Royal New Kent's Mike Strantz-designed layout earns top marks for its dramatic blind shots, forced carries, and picturesque, Ireland-like scenery. Fairways, greens, and course conditions consistently impress, and friendly staff help deliver strong overall value.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7440 yards
Slope 154
Rating 76.8

Formerly known as The Tradition Golf Club At Royal New Kent

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Royal New Kent Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1996
Greens Champion Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Mike Strantz (1996)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.5
811 Reviews (811)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
19th Hole Scenic Views 9
Drinks 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 20
Undulating Greens 20
Forced Carries 19
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 24
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 16
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 14
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 22

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A Long Walk

Played as part of a 4some. A very good, challenging course, but truthfully, not one to play in wet, soggy conditions. Cart use was limited to cartpath only advancement, which made for long walks, which made for a long round. The course layout is awesome and I really enjoyed putting these greens. Will definitely play again in dy conditions.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/11/2024

Hi u314162570328,

Thanks for playing! We have had a serious amount of rain recently and also look forward to drier conditions! See you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nothing compares to Royal New Kent

22 years ago we discovered Royal New Kent on a golf trip to Williamsburg. After 1 round we cancelled all prearranged rounds at other courses and played all our rounds at Royal New Kent exclusively.

It is a true test of golf. Now at 67 years old and moving up to the white tees I enjoyed every minute of the round. the greens were in wonderful shape and the fairways were very good considering heavy rain the previous day. If you want to experience golf the way it is meant to be played...book a round and I am sure you will return. To say the least it is a challenging golf course....but one you will want to play over and over again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/11/2024

Hi John,

Thank you so much for your feedback and story of your years playing with us at RNK. Mike Strantz imagined a one-of-a-kind experience and we're so glad that you've found a course that you want to play over and over. We do what we do because of golfers and people like you. Thank you and see you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course

Amazing design

Tough to figure out on first run through.

In great shape for winter.

Greens in great shape. Small patches of weeds in random lines.

Fairways and bunkers best I’ve seen in the winter.

Rough and OB were well kept, able to find all balls.

Expensive but worth it if above average golfer. Average or beginners will not have as much fun and appreciate the challenges.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Mike Strantz Was a Legend

The fact that Mike Strantz designed and built this course and Tobacco Road within three years of one another is strikingly evident. The visual features and shot values out there are fantastic. Enjoy the significant changes in elevation and risk-reward decisions all the way around. I played this course in early January, so my expectations for conditions were rather low. It was the day after a sustained rain, and my expectations were far exceeded. There was some crab grass on the greens but they rolled true and fast. I’ll be back in the spring and summer to see how they shape it up for the season.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/16/2024

Hi Jon,

It really is amazing the eye that Mike had for this course, and Tobacco Road down in NC. We always remark about the intimidating look that each shot has, but the obvious best approach once you know how to play the hole. Thanks for playing in the offseason and see you this Spring.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging

The course was in good shape for the end of November. This was my first time playing it and found it challenging but fair. Found it enjoyable except for the pace of play. Several times came to tee box and had a group in the fairway one on the tee and us. One hole actually had two groups on the tee ahead of us. Would play again and hope the pace was better. Some really great golf holes.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/16/2024

Hi Flog1994,

Thanks for playing this offseason and we are doing what we can to help players choose the correct tee box and to have the correct approach on the course to help with pace of play. See you again this Spring!

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Excellent features

Great challenging course with more challenging greens

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Big, rolling hills, fast greens

I thought the course was terrific! It was fun to find such a gem in the Williamsburg area. Now having said that, this course is challenging with a capital C. This is not for beginners. Unfortunately that's what was in front of us in a foursome of 2 golfers and 2 beginners and they were playing form the black tees. They were way over their heads and consequently it turned into a five hour round. The staff was no help, in fact the few guys I talked to, checking in etc, were on the gruff side. The greens were in excellent shape and very fast. Watch out for the 3 putts!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/03/2023

Hi John,

Thanks for playing and giving your feedback! We are continuing to offer our support and advice to golfers when they check in about the best tee box options for them to enjoy their day. Mike Strantz designed a wonderfully difficult golf course and we ask golfers to not make it any more difficult for themselves. We're glad that you still enjoyed your day and we hope to have you back very soon.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Challenging

The course was in great shape for the time of year. First time I have played this course and it was very challenging with the amount of elevation changes. It offered some very nice holes with wide open fairways, but also a few holes with some very challenging shots. Unfortunately I did think the course had a few to many path closed for the carts which made the day a whole lot more challenging and created a slower pace of play. We were able to play today on abnormally hot day for this late in the season. That being said I was surprised that there was not concessions cart or water coolers set up on the course. Overall though it was a very challenging and beautiful course.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/03/2023

Hi Jell19,

Thanks for playing and taking advantage of the warm October day! We are working hard on improving paths and F&B available on the course and hope to have those exact things taken care of very soon. Thanks for your feedback and we hope to see you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent introduction

First time playing the course. I would love to come back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 11/03/2023

Hi ccbwc771,

Thanks for playing! See you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful course

Very interesting and challenging holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Fun, Challenging and Unique — you won’t regret it

Fun day at Royal New Kent. Course was in fantastic shape, greens were firm and running fast, but fair. It’s a difficult track, but you will enjoy the layout and would be hard pressed to find a similar course to play. If you’re on the fence about booking here, just do it, you won’t regret it!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always fun, but a challenge!

Love playing RNK, always in good shape. You need

To be on top of your game every shot. Need a bigger challenge? Go back a set or two on the tees !

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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