Algonkian Golf Course

I had a tee time of 1:00 and arrive at the course at 12:35. When checking in with the starter, I was told they were 30 minutes behind because there were no carts. This caused the pace of play to be extremely slow. I also didn't find out until I got there that it was cart path only because of over seeding. These things made the round disappointing because I really like the layout and the condition of the greens.

I'm generally not a huge fan of Algonkian due to the unimaginative and repetitive layout, with tree-lined parallel holes, one after another, after another. However, the course is in fantastic shape right now and is a pretty piece of property even if the golf is dull (and today, slow).

The course has a good range, good putting green and a separate chipping green. It's great for walkers and the Bermuda fairways provide better lies than most other courses nearby.

The front nine is quite dull from a design standpoint, but the back is more interesting due to a creek that traverses three holes. You can back up and play from 6,900 or 6,600 yards, which requires straight length to avoid the trees.

Avoid playing in the early morning unless you enjoy hitting straight into the rising sun on 3, 7, 8 and 9. Play just about any time and I guarantee you'll see at least a half dozen deer.

would have liked to know this. Layout is nice with Bermuda fairways. Very slow play. Took 2 hours and 25 minutes for the front. Playing at 2:30, we were not able to finish.

While many courses (even very expensive ones) are dealing with the damage caused by a very wet August, Algonkian is in great shape. Perhaps the grass at Algonkian is not as sensitive to all the rain we had? Fairways were in great shape, the tee boxes were fine as well. The greens had just been aerated (maybe earlier this week) but they appeared to be in great shape, except for the holes and sand. I think if we get a couple more rainy days, they will heal nicely in a week or two. Pace of play was fantastic, we never waited for the people in front of us and never were pushed from behind. Our round took less than 3.5 hours on a Friday. That does not happen to often at courses in this area.

Very basic course pretty straight forward. Only

Problem

Is the rough is so bad we lost multiple balls that everyone thought they spotted. You had to literally step

On your ball to find it.

The pace of play on the course is seemingly not monitored and play is extremely slow. My party of four average golfers played the first nine in just over three hours as we had to wait on each hole. Gave up after the first nine when we hit a logjam on 11 - weren't going to play a 5 or 6 hour round. Tried to get a refund for the second 9, but no luck as we reserved through Golf Now. Other than that annoyance, it's a nice course in good shape.

Be warned. If your ball ends up in the first cut it will sink down into the Bermuda rough. Club up to advance. The fairways play true.

Golfers,

You won't find many courses in Northern Virginia with Bermuda grass, but Algonkian has it! Both rewarding and challenging, the course offers a different feel than most. Layout is pretty basic, and pace of play was a bit slow (holiday in the afternoon) Overall, very happy with the condition after all the rains we've had. Good luck out there...

Steve "Gator" Mounts

Our tee group did not have one person show up. The staff added another person to our group. Not ideal, but whatever. We asked to be refunded for our friend since the spot was filled. Staff member said not his problem and told us to go away. I suppose he's right in that it's not his problem, but kind of crappy.

On the course, they had a few course watchers roaming around. You'd think they'd be helpful or fun, but they were like old crank hallway patrols scolding players if they took their cart a few feet off the pathway, or if someone was taking too long.

Greens are in rough shape and the rough closest to the fairways could be cut back more. To think for right next to the fairway. It’s like a penalty stroke for most folks.

Not very challenging, but the course is in good shape, staff is friendly, and it’s not very expensive. Driving range is mediocre but ok for a warmup.

I have played this course on and off for 35 years. This could be a great golf course if maintained. The rough looks like it hasn't been cut in over a month which leads to very slow play when looking for your ball if not in the fairway. The fairways could be really nice but it was like hitting out of the rough. Cut the grass! Other courses in the area are in far better shape.