Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection

I’ve been waiting years to play the Gold course at Golden Horseshoe. First, it was too expensive for my budget, then it was too far away, and for the past two years the conditions haven’t been up to the standard they’ve set with the rest of the course.

But finally today, with recent reviews raving about the conditions and with thunderstorms surrounding the Williamsburg area, the stars aligned for me to finally play here and what an experience it was!

First and foremost, let’s address my primary concern going in and that is the conditions. I’m pleased to report the work they’ve done on the greens has paid off, they are as good if not better than the greens on the Green course, and that is high praise. Perfectly smooth, perfect pace and slope, and fairly easy to read. Putting on these greens was a real joy.

The rest of the course might be in even better condition. Tee boxes are immaculate; your tee just sinks into the ground with the slightest effort. Fairways are lush and buttery smooth. The rough is evenly consistent in thickness and height. The bunkers are exceptionally groomed and filled with a wonderfully heavy, gritty sand that encourages balls out of them rather than swallowing them up swing after swing. Heavy rain towards the end of my round had no effect on playability as the course seems to drain very well.

The next thing to note is that the layout is every bit as good as you’ve heard. Yes, the par-3 16th and par-4 17th are perhaps the best of the bunch but each and every hole has something to offer and it would be difficult for me to narrow down to four as my favorites. More than the strategy involved in scoring on them, each hole is beautifully presented. This is one of the most photogenic courses I’ve ever played and it wasn’t easy to pick just six photos to post here. Though there is still a sizeable gulf between them in every way, this course is more like Augusta National in its look and feel than any other course in Virginia.

As I witnessed during my visits to the Green course, the Gold also offers fantastic amenities, facilities and a professional staff. To get all that plus a world-class course to play for as $69 is an exceptional value (less so if you play in the morning where it can reach $150, but this course certainly warrants that premium).

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked before today if I had played the Gold course at Golden Horseshoe, I wouldn’t have needed any extra to cover my round today. But now I can say I have, that the hype surrounding the course is warranted, and that the course is spectacular! I have written 150 reviews here on Golf Advisor and have only given three courses 5 star ratings across every category. The Gold at Golden Horseshoe is the fourth, it is well-earned and well-deserved!

I traveled from GA to treat my brother to a round of golf at this place! It was well worth the drive! From tee to green, this is a 1st rate golf course. If you’re in the Williamsburg, visit Golden Horseshoe!

The Green Course is a great layout and in great condition. The staff was cordial, helpful and accommodating. I had a great time.

I was so impressed with this course. First it’s completely beautiful and worth every penny. Just pristine. It’s tough but fair and playable for most levels of golfer. I’m having a hard time putting my finger on what made it so special but it just feels like what golf is supposed to be. Visually it looks like what I imagine Augusta looks like. The par 3s are awesome but the rest of the course is just as good. I’ve played all over and this is easily my favorite course to date. If you play in Williamsburg do not miss this one. It’s just special.

Ok this review may be skewed a little because we had such a great day. Never had played this course and had no idea where we were headed , but as soon as we got to the bag drop rest was easy. One of the course Marshall’s was there for direction , to check in and to load bag in carts . Check in a little slow , issue with register swiping cards but nice little pro shop attractive and stocked well. Now with new Golden Horseshoe hat in hand Marshal directed us to first tee and starters location. Starter very friendly welcoming us and gave us not only direction but clues to lay out and course directions . Conditions were very good , only thing tee boxes a little bear but greens and fairways were in excellent condition. Sand could have been fluffier in some traps but this course layout wasn’t hard to avoid most traps . Not a hard course but nice playing a Williamsburg course where your in nature and not someone’s backyard . It is a tight course but not long so easy to avoid most troubles .Followed a threesome of ladies we found out after had never been before but they moved well and we were enjoying day and course so much didn’t affect our play at all. Overall really enjoyed the course the people and we will definitely be back.

We play the course 4-5 times per year and it is normally a great course to play. However, this round was a big dissapointment due to the course condition. Tee box were dirt, fairways was not as they used to be and the greens was aired and not proparly dressed so putting was just a pain. To pay full green fee to play a course in this condition is bad.

We have literally visited Williamsburg 4-6 times a year for decades. I have played most of the public courses in the area over the years in all seasons. I had heard of Golden Horseshoe and what a nice golf course that it was supposed to be (at premium price). I was really looking forward to a nice round of golf on a "premium" golf course with premium conditions.

I am far from a "golf snob", and in my opinion and of the twosome that I played with - the course comparatively is in less than average condition. Far too many tee boxes, fairways and greens had bare or very thin grass areas. For what I paid, I could have played 2 rounds of golf on other local courses in the same or better conditions. The course personnel said that they hard a hard rain Friday night. We played Sunday mid morning and most fairways and green side bunkers were still half full of water! We lost numerous balls in them - the water was so muddy that you couldn't find your ball. This has to be a long term problem. Fix the bunker drainage issues or simply buy a pump to drain them.

In total, a very disappointing golf experience - I feel like I was cheated. I will most likely never return. LIke the old saying says:: cheat me once, shame on you - cheat me twice and shame on me. It's simply NOT going to happen a second time...

Truly one of the most fun and interesting courses in Virginia, the Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe is a must-play if you're anywhere near Colonial Williamsburg. First of all, it's in one of the most historic parts of the United States, so if you can pair it with a stay at the Williamsburg Inn and a little sightseeing, you've got quite the complete vacation.

But the golf course stands out quite nicely on its own, thank you. This Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout, which opened for play in 1963, has been renovated twice by son Rees Jones (the first time in 1998 with Greg Muirhead), most recently in 2016. The results of the latest round of improvements are more fair greens and a golf course that's simply more playable, while losing none of its charm.

I went into this round having heard that the Gold Course had the best collection of par 3s in the state, and I wasn't disappointed. All of them are dramatic and quite challenging, punctuated by the 16th, which features an island green. The rest of the golf course doesn't lack character either, and I thought the par 5s were particularly intriguing, starting with the second, which plays down to a green fronted by a pond, setting up a compelling risk-reward situation if you hit a good tee shot.

And inside the clubhouse, the fun continues with a most friendly staff from Kemper Sports, well-stocked golf shop, grill overlooking the 18th hole and a golf museum as well. Inside you'll find historic photos of RTJ, legendary pros and presidents who have played the course over the years. There are also some familiar replica trophies (Ryder Cup and PGA Championship, for example) that were crafted by a local silversmith in Colonial Williamsburg.

Fantastic course. Excellent and well supplied pro shop. On course personnel were excellent. This hilly course and very greatgreens. Would not hesitate to return. Will highly recommend to friends.

Great course. Nice pro shop. On course personnel were excellent. This hilly course and very good greens. Would not hesitate to return. Will highly recommend to friends.

8 of us came down from Toronto area to play golf for a week. It was our favorite of the 7 courses we played but also twice the money on average. Everything about the Gold course is top notch from the bag drop to the restaurant afterwards. We realize it is earlier in the season but some of the courses we played were in better shape which was disappointing especially for the rather high green fees. We got a deal on GolfNow or we probably wouldn't have played here.....but we did and we were glad we did.

Such a beautiful course! I played back in January and it was ok. The course wasn’t in the best shape, but it was January. Having played the course before, I figured it would be very wet with a few solid nights of rain just prior to playing... I was very surprised how dry the course was. The greens were in awesome shape! Firm yet receptive, smooth and great speed. There were 1 or 2 greens with some minor rough patches but didn’t make the green unplayable at all. The layout is so much fun and every hole has a different challenge. All the par 3’s are beautiful and fun to play! 18 is a great finishing hole as well! Such a treat to play there!

Just too early in the season it seemed. Fairways were soggy, standing water in bunkers, but the greens were actually true and in shape. Just need a month or two to dry out. Layout seemed to be repetitive on the par 4s and the par 3 greens were tricky to read. I'd like to return in a summer month and give it another look. The staff here is top notch though! Professional, attentive and knowledgeable.

I'd love to see the course in about a month. Still too early in the season. Very, very wet. Greens were great, very fast. Bunkers were wet and hard as they have not been conditioned after the long winter season. One of the best course layouts I've played anywhere. Does have some long required carries in areas, but if you commit to playing the right tee box you'll be fine.

The layout is nice, the par 3s are excellent... but at this time of year (March) the fairways were basically mud; no grass at all.. anywhere. Would be much better in the later spring and summer.. but at this time not recommended. Also, my wife found the par 4s on the back way too long from the ladies gold tees, no other tees further forward, so it became a struggle for her.

Poor markings from hole to hole. Greens very small and poor condition!

This is a great course and I enjoy playing here! But, the wet winter months have made some fairways fairly poor. A few dry and warm days will bring out a little more green, per the name!

A few bunkers were almost hardpan, with very little sand.

Delightful to be on the course with no intrusions from the built-up world.