Massanutten Resort - Woodstone Meadows Course

Very disappointed with the customer service and with the apparent course policy. Played golf at 5PM. Got told at the 12th hole at 7PM that they were shutting down because of lightening (still haven't seen lightening...I think they wanted to go home early). Asked for a rain check and was told they didn't give rain checks at that time of day. So, let me get this. YOU forced me to stop playing and quote a policy like that??? Trust me, I understand the need for safety, and I am one of the first golfers to get off a course when there is lightening in the area but you were the initiator.

Two things: 1) The guy in the pro shop almost seemed excited to tell me he didn't want to give me a rain check, so he doesn't really know how to handle "unfortunate" situations which exhibits his lack of customer service skills and care for customers. 2) Think about it financially. You could have given me a 9 hole rain check, I would have come back on a different night and paid for 18 and you would have been money ahead! Great business policy; but, if that is how you choose to operate, it is your business to do so. It is also my business to choose which golf courses I frequent in the evenings after work some 3 to 5 times per week.

This probably won't change anything, but at least others will know not to play after 5PM if it might rain.

While this course was very forgiving for the beginner players it has some drawbacks with the course layout. If you are expecting a quick bite to eat at the turn (which is no where close to the club house), then you are better off bringing your own food and beverages. The ninth hole ends by the Virginia bbq restaurant which is not very quick on food or service. The distance between the 6th and 7th holes is quite a distance so I recommend not walking unless you’re under 30 and in great physical condition. If you don’t bring your own food then make sure you get some food from “Bogeys” before you start your round. Lots of par 3s on this par 65 course make it fun as well as challenging for the beginner. I would golf this course again knowing what I know now........and I am sure my experience would be much better when taking in the layout issues.

Great overall course. Lots short par 3s with many bunkers around the greens. Fun course to dial in your wedges and short iron approach shots. Wind made it tough to judge good distances but greens were fair and fun to putt on.

Woodstone Meadows Golf Course at Massanutten Resort is an executive length golf course but plays far from it. Although the course plays to a length of 5,065 yards of golf with a par of 65, it is anything but a pushover. You’ll find nine par 3s, seven par 4s, and two par 5s; both play in excess of 500 yards.

Generous fairways let you go all out off the tee, leaving moderate length approach shots into sloping greens; many of which tilt towards the mountain and create putts that break opposite of what you expect. They are a good speed and roll well.

Of the nine par 3 holes, none are really easy. Some are tight, others have water in play; some require a carry onto the green over sand. The two par 5s are what define Woodstone Meadows, especially number 18.

Most Memorable Hole: Number 18, Par 5, 533 yards (Blue Tees). How many “executive” golf courses have a 533-yard, par 5? The hole plays uphill and will require three shots from most players to get on the green. In regulation. There’s a single pot bunker in the fairway about 350 yards from the tee, so go ahead and swing away; the landing area is plentiful and wide open. Trees guard the right side of the fairway in the landing area of your layup shot and anything hit too far left will bring a bunker into play on your approach shot, so aim for the middle of the fairway. The green is large, receptive and features several subtle undulations. Par is a great way to end.

Favorite Par 3: Number 7, 177 yards (Blue Tees). This picturesque par 3 offers its fair share of trouble: Trees and brush on the right side and a creek that crosses the fairway and runs up towards the green. The hole plays downhill and slightly shorter so be sure to check flag placement and select the right club. A back pin will require at least one extra.

Favorite Par 4: Number 14, 387 yards (Blue Tees). A risk/reward hole that requires you to carry the water…twice! There’s plenty of room off the tee, so feel free to hit driver; from the back tees it’s about a 220-yards to carry the first pond and fairway bunker and get to the fairway. The longer you hit it, the shorter the approach. Short and left will find the water. The green is guarded by sand and both sides.

Favorite Par 5: Number 3, 501 yards. The other par 5 also tops the 500-yard plateau, on an executive course! If you’re a longball hitter, this hole may have a low number waiting at the end. Keep it on the left side off the tee to avoid the two pot bunkers right; if you can hit a draw, now’s the time! From the forward tees, the large tree on the left creates a need to hit your tee shot way out to the right and truly make it a three shot hole for the ladies. Now, all that lies between you and getting home in two is the trio of pot bunkers that guard the right side. If length isn’t your game, keep it left all the way to the green. Hit your approach shot close and make a birdie.

Last Word: Woodstone Meadows Golf Course makes for a fun and entertaining afternoon of golf and, if you’re planning on playing the championship length Mountain Greens course, it’s a great warm up. There’s a driving range just outside the pro shop to warm up your game as well as a practice putting green. The pro shop is stocked with the all of the latest gear as well as some good looking logoed apparel.

This is a pretty little course that plays along the lower mountain ridge and valley. It's quite hilly (no surprise) and VERY narrow. It's a fun layout with a lot of variety.

The course isn't super-cheap if paying as a regular guest - considering the conditions. It gets cheaper if you're doing multiple activities and get an activities pass. And it would be worth it if they'd put a few $$ into it and fix up some maintenance issues (detailed below).

For one, the bunkers aren't good. At best they have lots of sand mixed with small pebbles. At worst they are totally GUR. They all pretty much need to be re-lined and re-filled with good quality sand.

The other problem are the edges of the fairways. Being on the side/bottom of a small mountain, I can understand the challenge of channeling water through the course. But I've seen it done on many similar courses. The lack of water runoff management means there are lots of areas on the mountain side of the fairways that are difficult to maintain. Many areas are too wet to mow and there are little shelves and such that create unplayable conditions for tee shots that miss the fairway by a yard on the smart side of the hole. The tee boxes could also use some work.

All that said, I thought the greens were pretty good. They're a bit tricky as many of them are tilted towards the mountain so putts counter-intuitively break towards it. They were a decent speed and rolled well.

All-in-all a low average play with room for improvement. A happy shout out to the pro shop staff for getting me out on the back 9 so I could get a quick 9 holes in and get back to the family without waiting behind the morning rush. Kudos to them!

Played this course a few times over the years it is a shorter executive course but not a Par 3 with a friendly staff. Nice to have a driving range to warm up on before you go out but need to have grass tees instead of carpet mats for hitting irons. The course offers a variety of short holes mixed with some tight and challenging holes. The fairways and greens are in decent condition, however, the greens are on the slower side. Pace of play is slower then the Mountain course we played but also had a lot more people playing it. Great course for people that want a relaxing round of golf without the stress of a championship course.