Omni Homestead Resort

What a treat it was to play this classic mountain gem. I live about 2 hours away from the Homestead and have been itching to get out here for some time now. Let me start off by saying, no matter where you are coming from, it's worth it!

It all starts when you come into Hot Springs and see the Omni Homestead Resort (which is gorgeous). The Cascades course is about 5 minutes South of the resort and the Old Course. You twist and turn through mountains and beautiful views for the last 45 minutes of the drive if you are coming from the North/East.

Once you get to the Cascades you are greeted by what feels like half the course. You can see 7 or 8 holes from the parking lot alone. I got very lucky that when I pulled into the parking lot at 12:30 pm on a Sunday, I was only the 6th car, so I had the course to myself!

In terms of the course, I got a tee time deal and was able to play for less than $100, which made it even better. The course is a typical golden age course with small greens, minimal (but very well placed) bunkering and superb conditions.

The course has a bit of a out and back routing, so the first 6 holes were all downwind (I played in 25-30 mph winds all day) then 7, 8, 9, 11,12 & 13 were all dead into the wind.

One of my favorite holes was 6. It is really the first time you encounter a meandering creek, which runs through the property. The creek runs through just about every hole from 6-18 , except 14 and 15. For me, there is nothing better than playing golf in the mountains next to a crystal clear creek.

For $280-$300, the Cascades is definitely on the higher end of what I would pay for a round of golf, but it is 100% something worth experiencing once.

They want $175 to play the old course and $275 to play the Cascades (if you're not staying at the property; if you are it saves you $25). Both courses are nice, but nowhere near meriting those price points. Their greens fees are a joke--definitely not what the market is to play these rural courses. For reference, you can play the Highlands Golf Club at Fisher Mountain right now, which is just as well maintained, more challenging, and with better staff and scenery for $40. Omni's driving a venerable old institution into the ground, and its not all their fault, COVID's hurt us all. But their desperate solution is to price gouge? Bold strategy, let's see how it works out for em.

NOTE: This course *IS* open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to resort guests only.

It was hard to keep my expectations of this course in check when I had heard so much about it over the years but the greens fees and remote location kept me away.

I had previously played the nearby Old Course last year and enjoyed the history behind the course and it's old-school design (before there were bulldozers and excavators). The Cascades has a similar look and feel though a bit fewer elevation changes. The design is simple, minimalist, with smooth contours and soft edges. There are a few blind shots throughout but nothing unfair or frustrating. Several holes are quite pretty as well, the backdrop of the Blue Ridge mountains certainly doesn't hurt!

The conditions overall were very good though not as good as you might expect given the relatively high price of the greens fees. The last few greens showed noticeable damage from disease that made them a bit bumpy but far from unplayable. The rest of the course was in much better shape though a bit soggy from all the recent rain. No water in the bunkers though, just some soft spots in the low lying areas of the fairways.

The staff here is very friendly and they do offer caddies, a nice touch. I saw a ranger on the course a couple times and pace of play was not an issue. My twosome finished in under 4 hours despite a mostly full tee sheet.

There is no driving range on site (there is one just down the road) and the restaurant and other amenities were closed do to COVID,

This is a solid mountain-style course and the scenery is very picturesque but I'm not sure I'd spend the $120 on another round here. Opinions vary on these classic designs, I guess I'm more of a contemporary fan. For those with a more old-school palate, they will find a lot to love here.

There

Just talked to someone at The Homestead Resort and the course is not yet open. I would advise not booking a tee time because you won't be able to play. If anyone has experienced this yet can you let me know how you got a refund?

Omni's The Homestead - Cascades Course is widely considered the best public course in Virginia and considered one of the finest mountain courses in America. The Cascades does not disappoint, located in Hot Springs, VA this course meanders through tall tree lined fairways that work up, down and around the mountains. Most shots into the greens are either one club up or down at minimum and offer a fun test of your game. Many of the stretches of holes allow for views of corridors of multiple holes frames by dense woods and mountains making this course the best visual mountain courses I have played. The Cascades is unique, charming and very fun to play and should be considered a can't miss. Course conditions were outstanding with perfect bunkers and firm and fast greens and fairways. The best customer service I have received this year.

Beautiful course. Great staff. Very challenging course. Lots of uphill or downhill lies in the first 12 holes. Plays very long so expect to use your woods and long irons more then usual.

1st time here but my dad has been on several golf trips w his crew and I've heard all about it. I was psyched! The course was in immaculate shape. I hated to take a divot! It seemed sacrilegious. Greens were soft, held a proper iron shot into them, and all quality putts broke true. It was quick though. Don't leave a downhill putt if you can help it. Bunkers were in perfect shape. They obviously put in effort to maintain this course. Fair layout but punished a wayward drive for sure. The best thing I can say is that every hole was unique. There are a number of courses that have switchback and forth holes that mirror each other and have no character than their one design. At the Olde course every hole is a unique adventure.

Now the critiques. I couldn't find the pro shop without a Sherpa guide. How about a sign on Rte220 that says 'pro shop this way'! It took 15 min, and directions from the hotel staff (hotel is not near pro shop) to get where I needed to be. Then, there was no parking there. I had to use the 'downtown' dirt lot that was almost full, walk from 1/4 mi away to get back to where I left my bag. Then when I left I strapped it all on my back and hoofed it back. That needs to be fixed ASAP. Maybe a golf cart shuttle? I can handle the walk but the elderly golfers I know would have had a problem with that.

I will be back with some golf buddies soon if the VSGA discount offer continues for sure. I wouldn't play anywhere for >$100 though. I may even plan an over night golf trip and hit Cascades and Olde course in succession if the price is right.... now that I know where to park. ;)

Great course! No wonder it is so consistently rated so high. Seasoned old courses like these are what golf is about. Nothing fancy, just a great layout and beautiful to boot.

The course is not worth $295 they charge to play it. Half the holes are right beside a busy road which becomes distracting trying to concentrate. The layout is not a mountain type layout that one would think. It’s in between mountains and does not have much elevation change you would think it would have. The layout is a simple design and holes are right next to each other. Carts nothing special and do not have gps which ever other course that charges that much does have. Drain system is not good. Water on the greens and fairways were mush. This is the worst of the 15 top 100 golf digest courses I’ve played. I’ve played courses for $40 that are better. Not much of a club house. Driving range is down the road. Practice green was not the same speed as the course. They try and talk you into getting a caddy which is annoying. A lot of rich people that are slow, can’t play golf, and like their clubs wiped for them after every shot play here.

Truly great courses stand the test of time. Not more one could ask for, scenic, challenging but fair, both high risk for high reward or play it straight and safe. This course takes one back to an older generation of golf and you can see the greats like Snead and the host of Presidents taking on the course.

This William Flynn track oozes old school vibes. the stately clubhouse, the layout of the holes and the bunkering all speak to a different era. Still, this mountain course and its tradition stands up, as evidenced by its top 30 rankings in the American Public Course lists. The course boasts the "oldest first tee in continuous use" in the country, and is set against the backdrop of the Allegheny Mountains, which influence the outward nine. The rolling elevation changes produce few flat lies, despite the severely cambered fairways funneling balls to collection areas. Here's a tip I discovered quickly: I had heard from others that because this course sits at a great elevation above sea level that I would need to be prepared for shots to fly 10-15 yards more than normal. I did find that my driver thru 8-iron did fly farther. However, 9-iron through wedges did not. I didn't execute this early in the round and it cost me some shots. Waterfalls and the rushing stream of Cascades Gorge dissect the back nine, which plays mostly through a flat in a valley. The bent greens were spectacular. Something about the western Virginia mountain climate agrees with bentgrass because they were soft and smooth. Downhill putts can get away from you. These are old-line greens though, so expect them to be slightly raised with not a lot of contour, just gentle slope. There are few forced carries, making it playable for higher handicappers. I particularly liked the finishing holes: back-to-back par 5s before the par-3 finisher. Finally, tip #2. Arrive early, especially if not staying at the resort. The Cascades course is about 5 minutes from the resort and does not have a driving range - only a putting green. So, if you want to hit balls you'll have to head to the Old Course first.

As a high handicap I was nervous playing the old course with do much history and blind tee shots. I played the front nine one day and the back the next. Where to start the resort itself is awaome so I had high expectations for the course and to be truthful the course stood up. The first hole is a par 5 long but reachable in two if u place your shot tight I did not. The fairways are narrow and the second cut thick. Never had an issue finding my ball. Most of the shots were blind tee shots. Greens were receptive but rolled true to the line I picked. On the back most of the greens were a good drive and a pitch away from a bird. I can not wait to come back.

This course is beautiful! Played in prime leaf viewing season. Good news, the views on the course were spectacular. The not good news is that with all the downed leaves, it was sometime impossible to find balls in the fairway. A number of folks lost balls in the fairway. This is less a criticism of the grounds staff and more a fact with the heavy leaf fall, it was virtually impossible to keep the fairways clear. Loved the six holes each of par 3s, 4s, and 5s. Golf staff were very friendly and helpful.
I would suggest they add a shuttle back and forth to the driving range for a large event like ours was. A number of our more senior golfers did not appreciate the hike to and from the range.

It's a rare treat to tee off of the oldest continuous use tee box in America. That is how you begin your round on the first hole. The course is lush, green, and well-maintained. The layout is unique with expected elevation changes. Be certain to study the layout because their is trouble in areas you can't see. The green speeds were inconsistent but in superb shape. I'm pretty sure I heard Sam Snead's ghost tell me I sucked.