Riverwood National Golf Course

This is one of those courses that has it's fans and then those who won't come back. Many people find fault with the fact that the course was built as a housing development track. That alone alienates many golfers, especially when they can't handle this course.

When played from the correct tees, it presents itself as a very playable challenge for ANY ability. However, too may golfers (men) play from the wrong set of tees and pay for it. Then walk off unhappy and blame the course.

RWNGC is always in great condition (weather/season permitting) with an obviously caring grounds crew. Management is beyond accommodating too. Great bar and restaurant too.

For me... it's a hidden gem but I like good golf courses... and good golf courses like me back!!

Riverwood National Golf Course is only ten years old, but has already matured into a fun, playable track with generous undulating fairways and smooth expansive greens that roll true and just fast enough. At 7,022 yards, the course provides a challenge for low handicappers from the back tees with a rating of 74.2 and slope of 134. However, with five sets of tees the course can be enjoyed by golfers of varying abilities. The middle tees are very playable for average golfers, being 6,065 yards long with a 69.6 rating and 124 slope. The course was built out of former farmland and is set in a residential development. Of course, this means that OB and people's backyards are a feature on many holes, but the good thing is that about half of the holes don't have any houses at all. Several par 4 holes are doglegs where you can't see the green on your tee shot. If you're playing for the first time, it might be a good idea to take the golf cart up and take a look so you can make an informed decision about where to place your tee shot. Water and marshes are a prominent feature on many of the holes, and there are quite a few forced carries, either on the tee shot or on the approach to the green. If you have difficulty finding the fairway with your driver, be aware that the high marsh grass found all over the course is often not marked as a lateral hazard. A lost ball in this stuff will cost you stroke and distance. There aren't a whole lot of bunkers, but they are strategically placed around the greens. However, there aren't any holes with a large bunker directly in front of the green, so except for the holes with forced carries over water, run-up shots are an option. The bunkers are well groomed, with nice firm sand that is very playable. Both the front and back nines end with risk-reward par 5 holes. Long hitters may try to reach the green in two, but if they fail to find the fairway on the tee shot they will pay the penalty. Others may want to play more strategically, being sure to place their first two shots in the wider areas of the fairway. Get on in regulation and putt for a birdie.

I live very near the course and am a somewhat avid golfer with a group of friends which none of us are members anywhere. Meaning we bounce around a lot. Yet we do not play this course. Too many blind tee shots. This course was built in the housing boom and it seems like they just threw together a 7000 yard course so they could sell homes.

It has been in good shape when I've played it and has a handful of good, challenging holes.. But none worth enough to warrant this course over some of the others in the area.

Great overall experience. Other than a couple of "quirky" holes on the front nine, this is a good courses. Over 7000 from the tips will give even the low handicap golfer a challenge. Awesome speed of play.