Laurel Hill Golf Club

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?

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.

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.

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

The view of the old prison along with the layout is absolutely fantastic

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pricey but this course is outstanding! Two thumbs up!!

This course is in fairly good condition, but the price makes it outrageous. I believe the price is to make it seem like an even nicer club/course but it's overkill. If you are willing to spend upwards of an extra $40 per round then go for it. I think they put Fiji water in the water coolers lol. There are a couple other courses within the area with comparable course conditions for a fraction of the price! Nice course though.

2013 US Amatuer Public Links Championship course? You would never know it judging by the greens. I've played this course probably 50 times in the last 3 years, that's how much I like the layout, but I'm tried of the greens. I thought the greens being nicked up after the steam from the US pub am and everyone wanting to play it, would subside. I'm sort of sick and tired of the greens at this course. It is such a good course and layout for the middle of Fairfax, and it's being ruined. The greens look like they are poorly maintained. Granted I don't think people fix their ball marks enough but even still, the greens keeper and staff are suppose to go, everyday in the morning and before closing and look for that stuff and maintenance the green, and I'd be surprised if it happens more then once a week. The greens for the price are pathetic. I'm putting them on notice and calling them out. Their last few reviews are not that good either. You want to be a top tier course and charge top tier prices, then act like it. I think the county needs to sell it to a company who can better manage it because between the greens stinking, and some of the staff, no chance it continues its reputation.

Speaking of staff, not a fan. I have had the cart lady tell friends of mine to dump drinks out because they were not her drinks and from home. Where the blank am I'm playing golf? I've had some ups and downs with starters too, but overall they seem pretty nice, and good guys. But think about this, a cart lady made you dump a drink out. First off, I get it. She wants her money, and maybe it is not policy, fine. But this is suppose to be top golf course in the area, and they charge top price. Can you imagine the embarrassment if someone is trying to conduct business on a golf course with potential clients, and say you bring a nice bottle of alcohol to toast on the course, and then you get told to dump it out from the cart girl. She basically makes you look like a loser in front of people because she is mad people aren't buying drinks form her and she is not making money. I don't buy for one second she cares if your drinking or not, she sells alcohol. She is basically publicly humiliating you because you don't always play with people you know, or she is trying to show her power over you. She could, if she really wanted, come up to the person and privately and politely say, you can' t have that. All because why??? she needs money?!?! I dont get it! And the course lets her get away with it because it's the same lady everytime..pathetic! If they let that go, imagine what else is going on..check the greens and you'll see. Don't believe me, go play it and honestly tell me the green are good shape, you can't do it.

Truly is a shame and it's unfortunately probably just a matter of time till that land gets sold for housing units if they keep this up. I think twin lakes has better kept greens and both are county owned.

You want to be a big time course, act like it. otherwise we can start calling you Greendale 2

Employee that took my money never said anything except "you using Visa" lazy and bad attitude carried on to the grille where the young man never looked up and was just rude. The outside services men were awesome!! They talked about the course and offered help and were just a pleasure to deal with. The cart lady was also nice and you could tell she wanted to do a good job. Great course and lousy inside help make this round good. I would definitely like to play this course again without the bad attitudes inside.