Kingsmill Resort

The layout and conditions on the River Course are excellent. You get amazing views of the James as you finish and there are plenty challenges while allowing for fun risk reward shots to score.

Greens were immaculate.

I finally found the opportunity to play the “famous” Kingsmill River Course. I have played a good amount of Pete Dye courses and found this layout very friendly and playable. The greens were beautiful, the bunkers on point, and the fairways lush. The course meanders through dated Resort housing that never feels too crowded or touristy. The last three holes have the views, history, and “payoff”. Quality par 3 17th hole plays along the River with historical markers. 18 is a quality par 4 finishing hole. I enjoyed the course.

Outside of all the positive mentioned above, I found the experience wanting. This was a large commitment and expenditure. I found the greens fees too high for the course. I also had to wait on nearly every hole on the front nine. I played through two groups and found freedom but skipped two holes to accomplish that. Those golfers were simply enjoying their experience but mine should not have been the sacrifice.

My knock on the greens fees was not connected to the pace. I thought the course fun, just not memorable. I hope to give it a second chance someday. I’m honored to have been able to play it.

Location and design are fantastic but the conditions could have been better. However still one of my favorites in Williamsburg

Kingsmill’s Plantation course doesn’t look like much on first blush, but little reminders of there being more than meets the eye float by golfers often enough to make it an enjoyable secondary experience on property.

In addition to the pleasant off-course vista of the ruins of the resort’s namesake’s original 17th-century manor house to the right of the par-5 2nd hole, the Plantation’s greens provide most of the interest. Though on the smaller side (due in part to moderate shrinkage over the years), they house a nicely varied palette of ridges, tiers and gathering and shedding slopes, turning many of the shortish holes into something a little more potent than expected. Recent resort expansion has turned the 18th into a very drivable par four, which can send players off with a smile.

There’s a certain melancholy one might feel playing a course that used to host big-time professional golf but is no longer on those schedules. But even though both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour have ended their runs at the River Course (for now), it has maintained its pride very well. Despite tipping out around 6,800 yards, the course plays a bit longer and tougher than one might expect, with several uphill approaches, small targets flanked by trouble and a reliable wind off the James River that makes holes like the already long par-4 9th downright bearish.

The golfer’s introduction to that body of water has been compromised somewhat in recent years by the construction of large homes down both sides of the par-4 16th, but it is still a good golf hole and the one that follows, the famous par-3 17th, remains one of the most picturesque holes on the Eastern Seaboard. The typical Dye hallmarks – pot bunkers, subtle and overt visual deception, abrupt slopes, angled fairways – come together here to amuse open-minded golfers and frustrate those with more conventional appetites, and a typically tough set of hole locations sends golfers away thinking that the course could still test the best golfers, especially with a future rolled-back ball.

It was a great day and staff was super friendly. The golf course looked like it had been through a tough summer but was holding it's own. Like the title says... The last 3 holes are world class Pete Dye design. This course is a lot of fun but if you tip it out you could be in for a long day. Luckily my putter was hot and greens were true so made for an enjoyable day. Only took us just over 4 hours to play and never waited. Everybody from the starter to the shop staff were fantastic.

The day we played, the River Course was booked with a tournament, so we played the Plantation. Check in was easy and professional. Cart path only, so made for a longer day in the hot weather. Some views of the James river and overall a pretty course but not memorable. Many left to right shots off the tee.

Good warmup course for the River. PM is certainly better pace of play. Enjoyed but If we came back, we would make sure to play the River Course.

First time playing kingsmill plantation as my wife and I are staying at the resort. Everyone from check in to bag dip and cart girl was phenomenal. Really amazing customer service. Course was in good shape and pace was great throughout. Well worth a look if you’re in the Williamsburg area.

I played six (6) rounds--3 on The River and 3 on The Plantation. Both courses are in excellent condition, and the staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. They bend over backwards to make your golf experience special. Even with the pandemic, VA golf courses have remained open, and Kingsmill has exceptional courses. If you get a chance, play them. The Resort is scheduled to open back up to some degree on May 15th, but if you're local you might want to call and see if you can play. It's well worth the time and money.

We played both courses at Kingsmills; the Plantation course was an unexpected treat as they were prepping for the Pure Silk. Excellent conditions, not cart path only like the River Course. We also used rentals clubs for the first time and the pro shop looked after everything.

4.25 hours and right to the pool!

We will be back.

Though it's just under 6,400 yards from the back tees, the Plantation Course at Kingsmill Resort is plenty challenging for a resort course and offers a nice complement to the championship River Course at the resort.

Designed by Arnold Palmer, it presents an unusual amount of left-to-right tee shots. They're large, so they are not overly difficult, but you if you get carried away with trying to fade the ball (for right-handers) trouble in the trees definitely looms. Mostly, though, the course is fun. Rolling hills and interesting greens make this a great warm-up to the River Course at the resort. And afterwards, you'll want to check out the Eagles Restaurant and Bar inside the clubhouse, which is a great place to grab a sandwich, crab chowder and local craft brew on tap.

The River Course is another example of a Pete Dye layout that really is very player friendly. The fairways are wide, the bunkers aren't too penal and the greens really aren't that severe. It's not a pushover, by any means, but it really is enjoyable for most players.

The course is perfectly suited for the upcoming Pure Silk Championship on the LPGA Tour. Last year's event was won in a playoff by Ariya Jutanugarn, who was 14-under-par through the first 54 holes. The year before Lexi Thompson went 20-under, so there are lots of birdies out there for good players.

While the course is enjoyable throughout, the finishing stretch is one of the more memorable you'll ever play. The 16th is a downhill left-to-right par 4 with a green perched in a precarious position that makes your approach shot critical. Any miss below presents a challenging up and down opportunity, to say the least. The 17th, is a beautiful par 3 that runs along the shores of the James River, and the tee shot on the par-4 18th, all carry over a lake that then runs down the left side of the fairway, is among the most difficult on the course.

I really liked the course, but my experience could have been better. Apparently, there are home-owners who play this course who seem to get special consideration. The foursome in front of us was painfully slow. All were walkers with pull-carts which is why I assume they were home-owners - most resort players don't bring pull-carts. I called the pro shop when we were on the 7th tee (with groups lined up behind us). The pro was reluctant to do anything because, as he said, the slow foursome was only playing 9 holes. We were encouraged that our misery would only last 3 more holes. But when we got to the 10th tee, we were shocked to see a 5-some (yes, you read that right) was put out right in front of us on the back 9. They were walking with pull-carts so I assume home-owners again. For one hole, the 5-some turned into a 6-some when a neighbor came out to join them. Given the cost to stay at Kingsmill, I would have expected a better experience.

I took my wife and 2 daughters to Kingsmill resort to visit Bush Gardens, Colonial WIlliamsburg and to play one round of golf. They had a Family Fun pack special Package so I was able to play the Plantation course for 30 dollars with a cart. The heat Index that day was 105 degrees but It didn't bother me one bit! The course is very friendly and lots of left to right shots so it's good for intermediate and even advance golfers that want to play from the tips. I played from the whites because I just wanted to enjoy myself on my vacation! I most certainly did. I will definitely go back and play this course again. The only bummer part was at the time I went they had someone vandalize the greens. No fault of Kingsmill. I really enjoyed my round!

Even in February, this course is in excellent shape. The tee boxes, fairways, and greens were beautiful and well manicured. And, the rough is definitely THE ROUGH--they keep this rough long to ensure a championship experience. My advice--stay in the fairway and avoid the rough at all costs. The new owners (Escalante) understand golf course management and have improved The River tremendously over the previous owners. This course is where the LPGA plays in May, and it is a treat, especially #16, #17 and #18 which run up to and along the James River. Throughout the course, you will see historical sites, which just add to the beauty of this course. Don't underestimate this course--it's a Dye course and you need to be accurate or expect 1-2 more strokes added.

Course has been well maintained and the grass has held up into late December. Having played several high end courses in the area, the River Course is maintained to some of the highest standards for the region.

Very nice golf course. Greens always good. Premium for keeping the ball in the fairway when rough is sup in the summer. Nice vistas along the river. Fun to watch the LPGA players during the Kingsmill Championship. Club staff very welcoming. One of the best courses in the Williamsburg/Newport News area.

Fun course. Always in great shape. Greens small and excellent. Pace of play very good.