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4.4
59 Reviews (59)
5 Stars
44
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.2
84.6%
Recommend this course
55 out of 59 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
4.0
4 Reviews (4)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.3
75.0%
Recommend this course
3 out of 4 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 71
Length 6817 yards
Slope 138
Rating 73.6
Book a Tee Time at
Gold Course at The Golden Horseshoe
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Course Details

Year Built 1963
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1963) Rees Jones (1998) Greg Muirhead (1998) Rees Jones (2016) Greg Muirhead (2016)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

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

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Sports

Tennis

Accolades

Reviews

4.4
59 Reviews (59)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 9
Bunkers 8
Water Hazards 8
This course/club is great for:
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 7
Advanced Golfers 7
Playing Multiple Courses 7
This Course's Location is:
Near Local Attractions 7
Worth the Drive 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Best in Williamsburg

Williamsburg is one of the best places in Virginia to golf, with a ton of great options to choose from. But the Gold course reigns supreme. Requires all facets of your game and has memorable holes, especially the Par 3’s.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Very Disappointing

Great layout, picturesque and playable...BUT, the course conditions were EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING...The tee boxes were uneven and beaten up ( what you might find on a busy municipal golf course)... the fairways were patchy and thin... the greens, although they rolled nicely,
had dozens of ball marks on each and every one of them.. Not what one would expect when paying $200 for a golf course that is ranked in the Top 50 each and every year...

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 335
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Former NCAA Championship host brings midcentury charm

Located across the street from historic Colonial Williamsburg, a living monument to America’s 17th and 18th century roots, the Gold course is also a trip back in time, albeit to an era a couple of centuries closer to the present. The routing of the course and the arrangement of the excellent clubhouse and smallish driving range feels like it’s more from the 1920s than the 1950s.

The design of the course itself, though, places it very much in a transitional era between the Golden Age and the midcentury mien which architect Robert Trent Jones helped define. Bunkering flanks flowing the fairways and tiered greens, rather than interrupting lines of play, and water comes into play a considerable amount, especially on the one-shotters, which are tough as nails and capped off by the 16th, America’s most famous pre-Sawgrass island-green par 3. Even so, when it hosted the 2007 NCAA Championship, the course yielded up some very low scores, including a 60. If you play the right tees, it shouldn’t beat you up too badly at all.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 72
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
Colorado Advisor
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked

Williamsburg Gem

Played on a Monday afternoon when course was relatively empty, played in under 4 hours walking. Staff very friendly and accommodating. Course was in fine shape. Great layout. While they allow walking, this is a serious hike due to the various elevation changes on nearly every hole, so be ready for a workout if you choose to walk. Glad we played from the whites at 6200 yards and change because even for single digit handicappers that was enough of a challenge. Course layout is straightforward as front nine goes out 5 and comes back 4, and same with back 9. Each of the par 3s could be the signature hole as they are scenic and unique. I felt the price and value was fair. If you are visiting Williamsburg area with your clubs, highly recommended to play the Gold!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 88
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Unbelievable Course; Best Par 3s in Mid-Atlantic

Had been eyeing this resort for years and finally pulled the trigger. Course was in pristine condition. The starter, Sam Motley, was super. Turns out he played college baseball with a good friend of mine. Played the ball down as the fairways were immaculate. Par 3s are unbelievable! Definitely want to return and with the golf package an excellent deal. Highly recommend!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Par 3's

I really used to love this course. Looks like there may have been some renovations but the par 3's collectively are the best around. Round took a little long (almost 5 hours) and conditions weren't what I remember especially for the price tag. Overall it was okay but not what it used to be in my opinion.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

As advertised, incredibly beautiful, challenging and terrific, helpful staff at every encounter….

Situated steps from Colonial Williamsburg, this course meanders through undulating hills and valleys, with spectacular views and interesting golf challenges at every turn. There is water on 5 or 6 holes, a fair number of doglegs and narrow to moderately wide fairways. This course is beautifully landscaped and surrounded by old growth woods. Fairways and greens were “carpet like”. Yes the Par 3’s are picturesque, but so is the rest of the course.

This is a top 100 course that is not ridiculously hard, but will challenge you, especially with your second shot into downhill and uphill protected greens that have a tendency for low liners to roll off the green, sometimes into the protective bunkers.

Staff was friendly and positive, even meeting us at our car with a cart and providing complimentary bottles of water at hole number one. Get there early if you can… good practice area (be sure to practice putting and sand shots) and if you can play with someone with course knowledge, all the better.

Great value for a terrific venue, in outstanding shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great outing

Staff excellent, course in great shape - lunch at grill was fantastic!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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
Wet weather
Used cart

Absolutely Beautiful...And a Real Challenge

Haven't played the Gold since it was renovated. It was hard to really evaluate it because there was a deluge of rain overnight, so cart path only (which is understandable) and standing water. Even with the hills and sloping fairways, there was still standing water...and I couldn't ever find relief from the water on one of the flatter fairways. Just "splashed out." Having said that, though, the course is absolutely beautiful, meticulously manicured, and crepe myrtles all over the place to add a pop of color to the lush green of the fairways, greens, and surrounding trees. This is a very challenging course, with lots of water, blind shots, and elevation changes...both in the fairways (tee to landing zone), and approach shot to the green. It makes you think your way around and some of those approach shots are a two club difference. The bunkers had no standing water, but they were packed from the overnight rain...definitely playable though. The greens ran true and they were smooth with a nice pace. And, the pace of play was great...at one point, we were 20 minutes ahead of a 4 hour round on a Saturday morning. This course is a classic, and a little bit of something for everyone. Definitely worth the $125, and the staff make it even more so...very welcoming.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing course!

This course literally feels like I‘m at Augusta and Jim Nantz is about to come out and say “Hello, friends” as I top another 7 iron.

As much as everyone loves the 16th, I really like the 14th and how you have to stick your second shot and not lay up or else the slope will send it right back.

On one of my actual decent drives on the 2nd hole, I decided to go for the green....went right into the lake. Definitely deserved man points for it however.

Staff is terrific - they made me feel like I was a member.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 222
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 25 Contributor
Virginia Advisor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Now My #1 Ranked Public Course In Virginia

*See my full review of this course in my 07/19/19 posting*

First impressions mean a lot but second thoughts often matter more. After a second go-around (this time walking) at the Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe, I can confidently say it's the all-around the best public golf course in the state.

Brandon Webb did an excellent job breaking down the layout and architecture of the course's design in his 4/28/20 review so I will only touch lightly on that subject to add that I find the layout enjoyable and rewarding and its aesthetic appeal is unrivaled. From the perfect, white-sand bunkers to the wonderfully-shaped greens, it's truly a gorgeous course.

The course conditions are nearly as good with a carpet-like fairway Bermuda grass that is as well-maintained as any I've ever played on; smooth and even throughout every hole. The greens are still recovering from being aerated but currently there is very little difference in how they play (perhaps a bit slower than normal).

The staff is always super friendly and were able to direct me to the opening tee from the Green course clubhouse (you start on #6). Practice areas are open and social distancing measures are in effect including upside-down cups in the holes and one rider per cart.

To get the top course conditions in the state along with a world-class design all for under $70 for a weekday afternoon is a fantastic value. Golden Horseshoe offers you a truly exceptional golfing experience that doesn't break the bank. If you are in the Williamsburg area, you absolutely should have this course at the top of your list!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 310
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

The Gold is more than just the par 3s

Let’s just get this out of the way: the collection of par 3s at the Gold course are as advertised. I would like to shed some light, however, on some of the other aspects of the course that solidify it as a Top 100 American public track, yet they are hardly mentioned.

The par 5s are vastly underrated, even if there are merely three. The best of the bunch - the second hole - makes the risk/reward scenario of going for the reachable green in two a risky proposition so early in the round, especially with a watery grave beckoning. The sixth hole plays only 471 yards from the blue tees, making it reachable and not quite as menacing as the second hole, since there is no hazard to carry. It is punctuated by a tee shot that plays over the crest of a saddled fairway and an approach to an elevated green. And the lone par 5 on the back covers more than 600 yards.

While several of the par 4s are too similar (4 and 14; 8 and 9), there were some standouts. The 11th plays through a seemingly tunnel of trees off the tee to an infinity green. The short 13th has some serious Augusta vibes. The 17th plays long uphill and the finishing hole is demanding in its on right. Drives must be exceptionally long if going down the left side or approach shots will be blocked out by a stand of trees. Going down the right opens up the hole, but requires a longer iron. A large bunker guards the front right of the green and water lurks behind. Par is a fabulous score on the 18th.

Now, for those par 3s. All play over water, but they are very distinct holes. The third hole reminded me of Spyglass. It is overshadowed by its other three siblings but would stand out on most other courses. The seventh is the toughest of the lot. It plays 185 yards slightly uphill and the green looks so small from the tee. An RTJ signature tongued bunker fronts the green, while adjacent bunkers left of and behind squeeze the target even more. The 12th and 16th are similar in that play downhill over ponds and you have to accurately gauge how much club to take off. 16 is obviously the signature hole. I hit four different irons to the four, which I valued.

Be sure and take a moment when you reach the 14th tee and walk all the way to the back of it. From there, take in one of the best view of an inland confluence of holes that I can recall in my travels. You can see the 16th, 12th, 2nd and 7th greens. It is fantastic.

The Gold course has gained its reputation largely on the collection of par 3s, and rightly so. But, there is so much more that it has to offer.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

great course, lots of water. Great par 3's

A lot will be said about the four par 3's, and it's all true. For a 16 Handicap, the white tees are challenging but not overwhelming. Beautiful layout. Looking at the google map, the holes are very close together but you'd never know it and only rarely see other golfers on other holes. Carts were quiet and fast. Will definitely come back and play again in the summer. Greens and fairways were in great shape for mid March.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging and Excellent Condition

Since it is mid November and the grass is dormant, the course wasn't as luscious as I am sure it is during the rest of the year. The fairways were in great condition and the greens were fast and overall in very good condition. If you get the chance you should play the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Good Course To Play

Enjoyed this course, even though it was a bit cold (no wind). Great group of par-3s. Multiple tee boxes and greens were in good shape. Fairway's too.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 66
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

A Great Test of Golf

The Gold course is special and very demanding. The scenery is spectacular. When you get there you are treated like royalty from the bag guys,to the starter, the pro shop staff, the bartender, everyone makes great effort to treat you like a member. I’ve played some of the best courses in the country and the Gold course takes a backseat to none of them. We had a great day, even though the wind played havoc with a few shots. Play from the correct tees ( shorter than you think you should) and you’ll have a great day, and so will the group behind you!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

We had three players in our group and had a threesome in front who were rather slow and did not offer us the chance to play through. After about five holes a ranger appeared and asked them to let us play through. We had no hold ups after that and enjoyed the rest of the round. The slow threesome was 5 holes behind us when we finished!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

Golden Horseshoe Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $217 (USD)
WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection and 2 rounds of golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club - Gold & Green Courses.

Williamsburg Golf Around Package

FROM $217 (USD)
WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 4 rounds of golf at Royal New Kent Golf Club, Kingsmill Resort – River Course, Golden Horseshoe – Gold Course, and The Club at Viniterra.

Kingsmill Resort Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $247 (USD)
WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses.

Richmond Golf Getaway Package

FROM $147 (USD)
RICHMOND, VA | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Fairfield Inn & Suites – Richmond Airport and 2 rounds of golf at Royal New Kent Golf Club and The Club at Viniterra.

Bear Trap Dunes Stay & Play Package

FROM $147 (USD)
BETHANY BEACH, DE | Enjoy 2 nights’ accommodations in a private residence within the Bear Trap Dunes community managed by 1st Choice Properties and 2 rounds of golf at Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club.
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