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4.5
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
10
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.5
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.0
94.5%
Recommend this course
25 out of 45 reviews
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Average Rating
Avg Rating
0
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
0
Value
0
Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
0
Amenities
0
0%
Recommend this course
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 7013 yards
Slope N/A
Rating N/A

Formerly known as Tradition Golf Club at Stonehouse.

Course Details

Year Built 1996
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Mike Strantz (1996)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $20
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2021 #19)

Reviews

4.5
45 Reviews (45)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 6
Course Challenges Include:
Undulating Greens 8
Elevation Changes 7
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 7
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 335
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Strantz’s least-great design is recovering well; still a must-play

In a world with more than 30,000 golf courses, there are few true originals. Those one-off unique experiences tend to be a bit on the wild and weird side, with moments of awe and others of “Huh?” Stonehouse is no exception. Architect Mike Strantz’s artist-first background and iconoclastic perspective led him to take some wild swings with his courses. Some of them are brilliant and some leave us scratching our heads. That’s the case at Stonehouse. The four par threes, in particular, are terrific. Three of them require forced carries to greens that look like faraway stages. The other one, the 8th, has one of the largest single contours on any green you will ever see.

Stonehouse was saved from decrepitude a few years ago by a local businessman, and conditioning is coming around nicely. For open-minded golfers, it is an absolute must-see.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Strantz Gem is Back!

It was worth the wait. This Mike Strantz gem has been through some hard times, but the new owner has rescued this outstanding layout and it is now in terrific condition. In typical Stantz fashion, there is great hole variety, a lot of artistry and risk-reward moments that make you think before you swing. I can see why it was named Best New Upscale Public Course by Golf Digest when it opened in the late 90's. If you are heading to the Williamsburg area to play, be sure to include Stonehouse on your itinerary along with the other Strantz masterpiece at Royal New Kent.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 138
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Maryland Advisor
Top 100 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Wow! These Greens...

I had read a number of reviews and heard the greens were not good at Stonehouse (more during the July-August timeframe). However, I have to say...THESE GREENS ARE PRISTINE!! They are the best greens I've played on (and I just spent two days at The Golden Horseshoe courses). There wasn't a ball mark any place that we could see. I attached two pictures to show how beautiful the greens are (#8 and #13). The course overall is in wonderful shape...there were a couple of wet spots from the rain Saturday night (and we played Monday), but they were marked as GUR and we played away from them. If you don't like the challenge of Mike Strantz courses, then definitely stay away. But, if you like a challenge, appreciate different holes, and thinking your way around a golf course, Stonehouse is right up your alley. I totally enjoy this course, as it requires good course management and I use every club in my bag. It's not easy, so take your patience...but definitely try it if you haven't. It's exceptional!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great find....

First off, disregard the number rating somewhat because after reading comments, they factor in days long past under apparently different management. Even some of the best U.S. courses have seen those struggles. In Sept 2021, this course is an absolute 110% must-play to this first timer. Tee to green it is fantastic shape, and I can’t recall a mark on any of the expansive greens. Very firm and true. The traps were nicely kept as well, but not overly intrusive if playing smart. As it winds through some very undulating terrain, each hole is unique and quite beautiful. We texted plenty of pics to our golf friends, which is probably a great course barometer when you think about it. Wooded as it is, it is not overly tight. You definitely do feel remote/isolated on each hole. Dare I say it is even peaceful. Not a bad thing unless you enjoy an open course and seeing carts in every direction. The carts are nice though, and have some good zip for all the hills and seemingly miles of perfect stone/concrete golf paths. We did say several times how it must be hard keeping these paths so nice.
I’ve played countless courses and this one will stay in my mind and be highly recommended to others. Definitely add it to your Williamsburg rotation even if you think you just want to play the best rated local tracks. Strantz did a great job here. Don’t think you will be disappointed!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Challenging Course

Great course that makes you plan your shots. The condition of the course has improved significantly over the past year, especially the greens. The pace of play was great. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a challenge.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Follow Up to My November 2020 Review...

I used my rain check and it only cost me $45 (vs. the $89 rack rate). I wasn't able to play the back nine when I played in November, and it is extremely challenging--more than the front nine, which has some of its own challenges. I had forgotten how much fun this course is to play!! You have to think your way around it--look for mounding for fairway bounces, closely bordering extreme rough and penalty areas, and drive forward to take a look at the hole because of the multitude of blind shots. The course is beautiful! The fairways are green and lush, the bunkers were certainly acceptable, and the tee boxes were good. The only reason I gave it a 4 vs 5 is because the greens are starting to burn out...if they don't do something, they will lose them. Unfortunately, this is the story with Stonehouse--great course, challenging and beautiful, but they have trouble holding the greens. This has happened since they opened in 1996. Try this course, though...it's another great Mike Strantz design and is not for the faint of heart!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 734
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Michigan Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing

Mike Strantz Greens that have to be seen to believed

The green sites alone are worth the price of admission. Yes the course is part of a subdivision; however, the golfer does not feel smothered by them. The property had rolling terrain.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Solid track - greens are coming in nicely

Similar to my review of another track close by, this is absolutely what you expect from a Mike Strantz design. You will have some blind shots, and some diabolical false fronts :). I'm allowing a bit for winter weather and conditions with the four stars - I see several other reviews earlier in the year unhappy with the greens. I'll say this - they're not ALL the way back, but they are definitely trending in the right direction. Again if you are a fan of Mike Strantz courses, I'd recommend you play Stonehouse. Clearly the staff and owners are investing and it shows.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 138
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Maryland Advisor
Top 100 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

It's Coming Back...

I use to play Stonehouse almost every trip to Williamsburg before it closed down. I was excited to hear it was bought, renovated, and reopened last year. This has been the first opportunity to play since it reopened. The only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 was because 1) the greens are still coming back after they redid them in Sept-Oct, and 2) it took 3 hours to play the front 9. (They were having a members Sr. Men's Tournament and it was just slow.) Now, to the good news: the fairways were beautiful, the bunkers and tee boxes were in good condition, and the cart paths were concrete which was really nice. I hit every fairway so I'm not sure how the rough was, but the fairways were wide and I didn't notice a lot of rough generally. This is a challenging layout and errant shots are going to be in the trees or in extreme rough. There are a lot of blind shots, so some holes you need to send a "forward scout" up to tell you when you can hit from the men's tee boxes. I'm definitely going to go back again when in Williamsburg--I want to play the back 9 to experience the entire course. Helen Ware, the GM, is exceptional! Friendly, welcoming, personable, and bends over backwards to accommodate. She was a one-woman show today doing everything...Pro Shop, cart cleaning, and even driving carts out to the course to exchange for players. She was kind enough to give me a rain check since pace was so slow. I highly recommend this course for the challenge, the diversity in layout, the attention to their customers, and the great condition of the course. I know this course is only going to get better, so am really looking forward to playing this Mike Strantz design in 2021.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Used cart

Great course, greens need work

Outstanding layout, good shape except for the greens, which need work. Putt-able, but not pretty. Had Impossible Burgers at the grill, which was nice. Good value while they rework it....

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Course is coming back

Kudos to the owner for trying to restore this fine Mike Strantz design. The fairways and bunkers are in good shape but the greens are still extremely thin and inconsistent. Hopefully they will be back after one more growing season. They really need to be rebuilt but hopefully seeding and fertilizing will get them back next year. They will not recover in 2020.
The tee boxes were in good but not great shape. Some were so hard that it was difficult to get a tee in the ground.
The course is difficult with many blind shots but is fair. You will get unique shots that make the round particularly enjoyable if you like a good challenge.
With all this said, however, I would encourage play. You will be challenged by the unique layout and it is physically beautiful. The owner can use the income to complete improvements to the course. It is a couple of years away from complete restoration, but it is enjoyable and challenging to play now. It is a true Mike Strantz course. Can't wait for continued improvements to the greens.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played

DO NOT PLAY HERE WITHOUT CHECKING REVIEWS FIRST

I HAVE PLAYED THIS COURSE SEVERAL TIMES AND REALIZE THAT IT HAS COME IN AND OUT OF BANKRUPTCY SEVERAL TIMES. MY PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU CHARGE RESORT RATES WHEN YOUR COURSE GREENS ARE COMPLETELY UNPLAYABLE. THE #1 and #18 GREENS WERE IN GOOD CONDITION - EVERY OTHER GREEN WAS UNPLAYABLE WITH ONE HAVING BEE DAMAGE TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO PUTT. I HAVE PLAYED DOG TRACKS FOR $20 IN BETTER SHAPE. THEY CHARGED US $60 (GROUP OF TWELVE) AND THEN WE COME TO FIND OUT THEY CLOSED THE COURSE FOR REPAIRS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER. MIKE STRANZ, THE COURSE DESIGNER WOULD ROLL OVER IN HIS GRAVE THAT THIS CLUB OPERATES UNDER HIS DESIGN.

DO NOT PLAY THIS COURSE WITHOUT CHECKING FOR A RECENT REVIEW!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 222
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Top 25 Contributor
Virginia Advisor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Mind-blowing design, conditions still lagging

This was my first time playing this course though it's the 5th Mike Strantz designed course I've played and wow what a design it is! Two holes on the front nine have back tee boxes that are completely 90 degrees from the others (one of them on the par-4 5th was abandoned years ago) that make the hole play COMPLETELY differently and really blew my mind.

There are several holes where the two back tee boxes are tucked into the trees and have you hitting out over a forced carry onto the fairway which is one of my very favorite course design features. Lots of blind tee shots all over the course but none that trick you into hitting into trouble and that's the key. I do recommend using an app on your phone that has an overhead view of each hole as that will help you with exactly where to aim but even without one you won't get frustrated if you just hit it straight over the hill. The sheer amount of elevation changes on the course are impressive and formidable. There are lots of elevated fairways and downhill approaches to greens so choose your clubs carefully.

Conditions are still lagging and I'm probably being a bit harsher on this than other reviewers but for $63 and a long layoff before reopening I was expecting better. Many of the greens (especially on the front nine) still need to grow in more, you can tell the root system is still very shallow and makes for firm but slow and inconsistent greens. Other greens are much better and roll faster and smoother. Bunkers are in good-to-very good shape and most of the fairways are fully grown in but there are plenty of bare spots in the rough that look a bit unsightly.

Last issue on conditions is in regards to the aforementioned tucked away tee boxes. The trees really have overgrown and are not only cutting into the your view as you tee off but make the tee box grass very hard to grow in so much shade. Some tree removal on a few holes would go a long way to improving the overall experience off the tee on those holes.

I pretty much had the course to myself in the middle of a weekday with good weather so if you don't mind the sub-optimal conditions, you'll definitely enjoy not having to worry about pace of play here for a while.

I will definitely come back later in the year to play here again. A discounted rate or improved conditions will make it worth it to me because the layout is so unique.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Mike Strantz would be Proud!

11 contributions

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REVIEWS
PHOTOS
1 review
Stonehouse Golf Club
9700 Mill Pond Run, Toano, VA 23168 -
a week ago
WOW! STRANTZ WOULD BE PROUD!

Positives:
New Owners and Staff have really put this amazing course back on the playlist.

Looks and plays like a brand new course!
Not one nearing a quarter century.

93F today (6/4/20) and with Covid there's no coolers permitted on the course. Plan well ahead with 2 gallons of water on your cart.

Except for Black Tee on 10th (we always play from tips) the boxes, fairways and greens were like a brand new course. Grounds Team were working on rebuilding green collars on 6 & 10.

Greens rolled true if a bit slower than most as they are young Bentgrass taking root.
No scabs, ballmarks or Poa Annua anywhere!
Lovely..

Great craft beers at the turn and the best Bacon/Tomato/Cheese on Rye we've ever had.

Negatives:
Not many.. Men's room needs a total makeover. Good Grief. $63/round doesn't seem too much for the course conditions and Strantz Design but the bathroom was insulting.

Fix that and you'll draw ahead of Viniterra for value AND ambience.
See ya again soon..

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Previously Played

Lost their greens, don’t play until spring

The greens are the worst that I have ever seen. The grass is dried and pulled up from the ground and is impossible to putt.
Wait for them to come back.
Everyone in our group of 14 were very dissatisfied.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Course is Closed

Stonehouse, along with New Kent, have gone out of business.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

I have played this course when it was terrific but that is no longer the case. All of the greens need major repair. Their site states they have four temporary greens but all are horrible. None of the greens or even the cart paths had been cleaned in what appeared to be a long long time. Do not waste your money on what you think is a bargain, you can't even by a soda at the club house.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Stonehouse in the Poor House

Played this course for the first time and came away from it feeling...sad I guess. The course is not being maintained whatsoever: 1.they lost their greens this year, so brutal shape. 2. fairways and ruff are overgrown 3. most disturbingly, there are huge holes in the middle of the fairways, 3 feet in diameter, 5 feet deep some of them, around the drainage system. Unbelievable. Its a real shame as you can see this was a premium course when it first opened. Very interesting layout, but a couple of the holes were maybe a little excessive in difficulty; one par 4 in particular on the back where after your uphill drive, you have to make a 200 yard laser shot down into a very narrow ravine. But we pretty much had the course to ourselves, so pace of play was great. The clubhouse is beautiful, but since nobody was playing, the restaurant was closed, and it was a Sunday. The owner owns two other courses in the area, so looks like he's maybe spread a little thin, or is putting his money in the other 2 and using this one as a tax writeoff. It would be nice if somebody with lotsa money bought the place and restored it to its former glory. Despite the brutal shape, I did actually like the course, and for $25, I would play it again; but would not pay the regular $89 for the shape its in.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Golf Packages

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