Laurel Hill Golf Club
About
Laurel Hill Golf Club has some of the best conditions of any public course in the area, which is why it is popular amongst the locals. It is hard to believe that the club sits where the DC Department of Corrections facility at Lorton used to be located. The layout has a traditional design, but unlike older golf courses it runs a lengthy 7,102 yards from the back tees. The greens are lightning fast and undulating. There is defined contouring throughout the course, which allows for some interesting holes. Although the fairways are wide open they are still punishing towards errant shots. There are dramatic elevation changes throughout the golf course, making a flat lie nearly impossible to find. The course provides a formidable test for even the most seasoned players.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 7010 yards | 74.6 | 145 |
| Blue | 71 | 6730 yards | 72.8 | 142 |
| White | 71 | 6386 yards | 71.4 | 139 |
| Gold | 71 | 6021 yards | 70.1 | 133 |
| Gold (W) | 71 | 6021 yards | 75.7 | 140 |
| Red | 71 | 5014 yards | 67.6 | 118 |
| Red (W) | 71 | 5014 yards | 70.1 | 129 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship M: 74.4/143 | 471 | 365 | 452 | 188 | 524 | 500 | 321 | 240 | 565 | 3626 | 350 | 168 | 413 | 418 | 218 | 612 | 215 | 493 | 589 | 3476 | 7102 |
| Black M: 74.0/141 | 445 | 365 | 452 | 188 | 524 | 500 | 321 | 240 | 538 | 3573 | 350 | 168 | 413 | 418 | 218 | 612 | 203 | 493 | 562 | 3437 | 7010 |
| Blue M: 72.8/139 | 435 | 351 | 439 | 170 | 508 | 478 | 306 | 223 | 532 | 3442 | 345 | 149 | 401 | 405 | 212 | 587 | 185 | 466 | 538 | 3288 | 6730 |
| White M: 71.1/133 W: 77.3/138 | 419 | 344 | 423 | 148 | 486 | 447 | 289 | 209 | 502 | 3267 | 334 | 141 | 374 | 386 | 187 | 576 | 174 | 437 | 510 | 3119 | 6386 |
| Gold M: 69.3/128 W: 75.3/134 | 413 | 335 | 403 | 130 | 474 | 418 | 278 | 194 | 491 | 3136 | 311 | 134 | 338 | 355 | 176 | 547 | 158 | 383 | 483 | 2885 | 6021 |
| Gold/Red M: 67.7/126 W: 73.3/131 | 351 | 335 | 274 | 130 | 474 | 366 | 278 | 194 | 491 | 2893 | 311 | 134 | 338 | 355 | 176 | 493 | 158 | 342 | 483 | 2790 | 5683 |
| Red M: 64.9/109 W: 69.6/123 | 351 | 269 | 274 | 109 | 404 | 366 | 258 | 145 | 372 | 2548 | 279 | 119 | 237 | 332 | 98 | 493 | 125 | 342 | 441 | 2466 | 5014 |
| Handicap | 9 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 2 | 8 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 71 |
| Handicap (W) | 7 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Available Facilities
Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Locker RoomsReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by MWalton22 on 07/12/2025
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Photo submitted by MWalton22 on 07/12/2025
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Photo submitted by MWalton22 on 07/12/2025
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Beautiful 4th hole in colorful fall Photo submitted by chicocharlie on 10/30/2024
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Long but playable beautiful 8th hole Photo submitted by chicocharlie on 10/30/2024
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Photo submitted by u314161623770 on 06/16/2024
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Photo submitted by lucciodg on 07/04/2023
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Photo submitted by ScooterHiggo on 05/19/2023
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Photo submitted by ScooterHiggo on 05/19/2023
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Photo submitted by ScooterHiggo on 05/19/2023
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Photo submitted by u314160982379 on 04/10/2023
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Photo submitted by u314160982379 on 04/10/2023
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Photo submitted by tiburonazo on 03/21/2023
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Photo submitted by tiburonazo on 03/21/2023
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Photo submitted by tiburonazo on 03/21/2023
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Photo submitted by GrayL3 on 02/26/2023
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Photo submitted by tjp5484 on 10/15/2022
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green side bunker on 18 Photo submitted by jimfrenette on 05/24/2022
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18 green Photo submitted by jimfrenette on 05/24/2022
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Photo submitted by Steven6663378 on 11/03/2021
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Photo submitted by Lositilos on 09/24/2020
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Photo submitted by James1492192 on 07/05/2020
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#18 on 5/23/20 Photo submitted by Marker1072 on 05/23/2020
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The par-4 1st Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-4 7th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-5 9th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-3 14th, one of the toughest par-3s I've ever played. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-5 15th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-5 18th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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Laurel Hill Turkeys on the Prowl Photo submitted by DEN234 on 07/31/2018
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Photo submitted by Filthy20 on 09/26/2017
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First hole Photo submitted by bradjbaker on 08/12/2013
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Tough par-5 Photo submitted by bradjbaker on 08/12/2013
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Prison view...actually pretty cool. Photo submitted by bradjbaker on 08/12/2013
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Hole 16, Par 3, 185 yards Photo submitted by EthanZimman on 06/17/2013
Best in the area
Course was great. Pace of play was great. One of the toughest and most enjoyable in the area. Play the correct tee boxes folks because this golf course will test you.
Great track, tough from back
Great golf course, in good shape, greens ran true definitely quickened up later in the day. Fairways are generous but tough can be punishing. I would like to play it again, I think front tees are user friendly for higher handicaps, the back tees are a test if you’re good.
Great course, Expensive
Course was in great condition. They somehow took #18 back. (The geese and a guy with a shot gun owned it for a while.)
$107 for a county course is crazy.
Chef at Burger stand near driving range was awesome. Why not build a permanent stand and tables out there so we don't have to walk so far to go inside?
Very courteous staff!
In Great Shape
Course is in fantastic shape. The greens are rolling smooth and the fairways are perfect.
Really fun course layout and challenging. Awesome practice facilities (putting green, range with greens for targets, chipping area with bunkers).
The cart girls came around several times per nine holes.
Highly recommended and worth the price.
Beautiful And Brutal
Laurel Hill Golf Club has hosted numerous state and national amateur championships and it only takes playing a few holes to see why. The combination of immaculate conditions, aesthetic appeal, and brutally unforgiving design make this the closest Virginia has to a US Open-worthy public course. In fact, it could pretty much host one here tomorrow.
I rarely label a course on here as "extremely challenging" but no course deserves the designation more than this course. I've played TPC Sawgrass... this course was harder. The rough is back-strainingly thick. If you miss the fairway, you can pretty much forget trying to reach the green on the next shot. Likewise, chipping and pitching around the greens is no easy task as few balls will have enough back spin to hold onto the green. The greens themselves are sloped, fast, and not the easiest to read either. Oh, did I not mention the bunkers? There are A TON of bunkers, both greenside and fairway and every one of them in a place you're likely to end up.
Perhaps the more impressive aspect of this course isn't its difficulty but rather its ability to make you enjoy yourself despite not scoring well as happened to me during my round.
The conditions here are as good as any public course in the state and puts nearby, more expensive alternatives to shame with lush, even, smooth grass from tee to green. No soggy areas, no burn-out, no rotten or diseased bare spots, every hole is just a carpet of green. The many bunkers are full and smooth and hitting out of them is predictable. The greens, though visibly punched (small holes) nonetheless roll true and somewhat quickly (they probably didn't roll them the day I played, which was fine by me with all my 3-putts).
Conditions is one thing, but value is quite another and are often at odds with each other. After all, anyone to can travel to Primland or The Homestead or Kingsmill and pay $200+ to get great conditions. Or you can play here for as low as $39 with cart, range balls, fully-featured practice facility, and friendly staff all included at no extra charge. That's pretty much a mike-drop in my book. And it makes Laurel Hill the best value in Virginia public golf.
A final note on pace of play. I typically find when I play anywhere in Northern VA that it takes about 30-40 minutes longer to complete a round than it otherwise would elsewhere, so if you aren't from the area keep that in mind. That said, I had no issues in my round despite a busy weekday afternoon and playing in a foursome with foursomes in front and behind. We all finished in about 4:15. The starter really keeps on top of making sure everyone gets out on time and there are course marshals around to monitor during the round as well. Also: walking the course is every bit as challenging as playing it, you've been warned.
Perhaps the richest county in the country having the best municipal golf course isn't that surprising, but it's no less impressive. A beautiful layout, serene conditions and a challenge on each and every shot all for less than a toll road trip through the DMV during rush hour. What more could you ask for?
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The par-4 1st Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-4 7th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-5 9th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-3 14th, one of the toughest par-3s I've ever played. Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-5 15th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
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The par-5 18th Photo submitted by Back9Ben on 05/12/2020
best public course in DC area
Wow, kudos to Fairfax county for doing it right! On the grounds of the old Lorton prison (and farm). Great driving range and chipping area too (which is very rare in the DC area). The course is almost always in great shape. It's long due to the changes in terrain and elevation. Watch out for bounces into wetlands or OB usually on the right hand of each hole...play left more than you think on most holes off the tee... Don't play from the blues unless you can drive it 250. This is a hard course and I see too many fools who barely drive it 210 off the tee struggling all day long. It held the USGA publinks for a reason. This is not an easy muni - go to another Fairfax county park course if you are a new or learning golfer. They've gotten better in policing the 5 - 6 hours round that used to be the norm.
Course was closed for Covid 19 for about 7 weeks and it really enjoyed the rest....It's in great shape. Greens are huge and not overly undulating or fast (with the exception of a few like 2, 18 ). Really good closing holes...
The staff had a bad reputation but I've seen marked improvement over the past two years in friendliness. Club house is okay, for some silly reason they didn't face the glass areas toward 18, so it's a pretty dark room and has no course view. Small patio.
Eisman golf teaching school now open at the site.
Best of Fairfax municipal courses
This course is long and challenging. Unless you can drive over 280yd or more I would not advise you to play from black tee. It is over 7200yds. As county course, it has been played a lot so you will see lots of divots but other than that the course is in good condition. Staffs are friendly and my favorite is their practice facility. Price is a bit high for county course.
Very Playable but can get tough
This course is always in great shape compared to other courses in the area.Wide off the tee but has trouble spots.Has it’s own green mile with holes 14 thru 17. Definitely need a decent long game to score on these holes. Greens are usually quick and some are very undulating.Staff is always friendly
Great place for a relaxing day
The view of the old prison along with the layout is absolutely fantastic
Challenging course
This is a tough course with lots of hills. Course is in great shape with speedy greens that aren't out of control. Rough is penal and challenging especially around the greens. Great variety of holes. Important to play correct tees as it can be a long slog hitting long irons/fairway woods into the par 4's.
Played on Friday afternoon and pace was slow at 4/5 - 5 hrs; not unexpected for a muni that plays this difficult.
Laurel Hill GC
I have played here many times since it opened and like to walk for exercise. And I get plenty!
The course is of championship quality, though many of the patrons are definitely muni players. I go through several bottles of divot mix each round, and my colleagues and I replace tons of divots, fix plenty of ball marks on the greens and rake plenty of bunkers during a normal round. The carelessness of some players detracts from an otherwise excellent experience.
The key to a good experience here is to play the appropriate tees. Typical hackers should stay with the two forward tees (Red and Gold), and there should be no problem for mid-handicappers to play from the middle (White) tees. This would improve the pace of play quite a bit.
I appreciate the starters and marshals who do their best to ensure an enjoyable experience for the patrons. I know for a fact that marshals will have people move up one or even two sets of tees. This helps everyone.
I hear people complain about the rough. Well, the fairways are wide, and if you miss them you should be penalized!
The greens were running nicely, though a bit soft from the recent rain. On a typical July day, they are quite fast, but with all the rain, they are a bit slower. We adjust.
I read a reviewer complain about the cart girl having them pour out non-LHGC beer. That is a function of the Virginia ABC laws and license. Having patrons bring in their own alcohol puts LHGC at risk of losing its liquor license.
The turkeys are now very active and once in a while I will see foxes, deer, hawks, ospreys and other wildlife.
I wish the county would implement an aggressive goose management program throughout the system. The amount of goose poop on holes #16 and #18 is terrible.
I will play here again, from a tee box that matches my ability.
My favorite course in the DMV
I love Laurel Hill. Its long, tough, and fun. I believe the 2014 Pub Links Championship was played there. The course has my number, but I keep coming back for more. A good round the always makes dinner taste better.
Good value
Played around 10am after 3 days of rain. Course was in good condition considering the amount of rain. some spots were still wet. cart path only. fastest round ive ever played (3 hours). greens rolled very fast. starter let us get out early in front of a group so that was a nice gesture. love playing here.
Great layout, USGA championship course
Public course with lots of play.
Course very well maintained. No complaints. Very generous fairways. Nice greens, tees and fairways.
Layout can be challenging. No surprises.
A bit pricey and there are others of equal quality at lower prices. Will play this many times in the future.
Tour quality tough!
Unlike the guy who reviewed the course below me from 7/24, the course on 9/24 was PERFECT. Laurel Hill hosted a Mid Atlantic AM event the weekend I played the course - we teed off after the event was over.
I'll say it again, the course was PERFECT. The greens were probably the fastest I've ever played on, EVER! Super high rough and trouble areas guard the fairways, giving this course a difficulty level of that of a US Open. Seriously, this place is awesome. Expensive $89.00 for a 1:47pm tee time on a Sunday afternoon, but worth it. The pin placement was supposed to be #1 that day, however NONE of the placements on the back 9 matched that of the scorecard. They were all over, one hole a 2, the next a 3, the following a 1 - no rhyme or reason to the placements - unless the AM event was given different pin sheets, these should have been provided to the golfers going out after the event. No way would I ever walk this course like I saw some people doing. The walks between holes and between tee box to fairway were long, hilly, and the path that takes you around would add miles to the whole round.
Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package
Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package