View from the 5th tee at Royal New Kent Golf Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
651 Reviews (651)
5 Stars
473
4 Stars
135
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.2
89.8%
Recommend this course
615 out of 651 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
22 out of 22 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
76 Reviews (76)
5 Stars
37
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
85.5%
Recommend this course
65 out of 76 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7440 yards
Slope 154
Rating 76.8

Formerly known as The Tradition Golf Club At Royal New Kent

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Royal New Kent Golf Club
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Course Details

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

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

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

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

Reviews

4.4
651 Reviews (651)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
19th Hole Scenic Views 9
Drinks 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 20
Undulating Greens 20
Forced Carries 19
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 24
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 16
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 14
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 22

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A most play Course

The layout of this course is spectacular
With that being said it is one of the hardest coursed I ever played, you need to pick the right tee block for the distance you hit the ball
Ever hole is just fantastic and different, it is hard to explain unless you play the course
The only down side is it was a very long round 6 hours

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/05/2023

Hi rhsigge,

Thanks for your kind words of feedback. We are working hard to alleviate any chances of slow play with extra staff and doing our best to help golfers play the correct tee boxes during their round. See you again soon!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Tough course, but enjoyable

Course was very tough - enjoyed our time. If you hit a bad shot, you’ll pay for it, both in the score and not being able to find your ball. Would I go back, probably not, but enjoyed my time.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/05/2023

Hi LSUPopey,

We're so glad that you came out and played this Mike Strantz design. Mike Strantz was very good at configuring a course to not make it easy on first time players. Check out our videos online that include content about how to play each hole! We would bet you fare better during your second round and more. If you do decide to play RNK again we hope you enjoy it again!

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Don't Go play here

I have been playing this course since 2006. I have never seen the course condition so bad; greens, fairways and tee boxes. All unusual the course should be closed until repaired.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/05/2023

Thank you for your feedback. We are working hard every day to make Royal New Kent the best experience possible for every golfer. We suffered in some areas coming out of the winter months with the cold overnight temperatures affecting the growth of our Bermudagrass. With the work being done and some warmer days/nights, we expect to be in great shape very soon! We hope to host you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Windy weather
Used cart

Interesting

Like the Strantz design, but certainly could have used a course guide, especially on the opening holes.
Course condition is okay, but would like to play it under very good conditioning.
No comparison to Strantz’s Tobacco Road.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Another great dsy

Great golf course!
Extremely challenging. Hills and sand a valleys abound
A great experience

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Mike Strantz was a genius!

Royal New Kent came at the start of my two week golf trip through Maryland, Virginia, North & South Carolina. Partly because of the weather (winds at 15-20 MPH) but mostly because of the design's inherent challenges, it was the most difficult course that I played. I rated everything 5 stars and please don't think that's just me being ebullient. This is a great golf course and a reasonable approximation of an Irish links. If I had one critique, it would be to put a warning at the second tee that there's a very reachable hazard up top off the tee. This is unlike other Strantz courses that I've played... in a good way. If you happen to be in town, you MUST play Stonehouse as well! Number 18 is as tough a finishing hole as I've seen.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Winter Conditions

Love the Mike Stranz designs and Royal is one that is very reasonable in price, but the winter conditions on the fairways made for a tough round. All of the fairways and greens have been painted/fertilized with green dye, so although your lie looks ok from afar, when you arrive, there's very little hitting surface. Always friendly staff and a fun challenge.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

What a great layout

This course has a beautiful layout and of all the courses I have played this is 1 of the best demanding layouts I have ever played. New owners are investing some time and money in it and it shows. This is a demanding course and we had a 4 someone go off right in front of us who hit several balls all over the place and the starter was generous enough to let us go off the back (thank god). We all have to start somewhere but this course is not for beginners. Great course and very friendly staff will definitely go back again, The girls at the bar were awesome as well...

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/16/2023

Thank you for the wonderful review. Mike Strantz designed a very unique and beautiful layout.

Played On
Reviews 15
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/16/2023

Thank you for the 5 star review. It means a lot!

Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Royal Kent Terrific

A real nice, spacious, well thought out golf course. Very challenging! Definitely need to go back!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/16/2023

Thank you for the great review. After buying the shuttered course in 2018 and bringing it back to the way Strantz designed and built it, has resulted in a unique venue. Hope to see you back soon.

Played On
Reviews 43
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Challenging but fun

Our foursome teed off at 9:00. There were sone wet spots and most of the bunkers had puddles. But we permitted relocation of the ball if it was in water or very wet areas. A very tough layout.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/16/2023

Thank you for the 5 star review. When they visited Six Flags, Mike Strantz and his team saw the long lines at the exciting roller coasters and not at the boring merry-go-rounds. They set out to build the roller coasters of golf...exciting and fun to play. Hope you can make it back soon.

Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hard, maybe too hard

First the positives: The course is in excellent condition. The fairways are well maintained and the greens are like glass. Visually it is a stunning layout carved into a track of rolling hills and interesting land features. That being said it is one of those courses that due to the architect using what he had to work with wound up being aggravating to play. Most great courses have three or four holes that challenge every shot you have in the bag; risk/reward holes. This course has about 15 of those holes. It really doesn't matter what club you choose, you have as good a chance of hitting it somewhere that penalizes you as keeping it in play. On some holes you might as well aim for one of the 10,000 sand traps or waste areas rather than trying to hit a narrow path in the fairway. That being said, I shot an 86 (playing off a 8.2 handicap) so it isn't unplayable. Frankly I would suggest flipping the back nine with the front nine since it is the easier side and won't beat up the average player (like me) right off the bat. I guess my final thought is that if you are a once a month or 10
round a year player don't bother. If you are new to the game stay away at all costs until you are confident in your ball striking. If you are an intermediate player plan to score 5 or 6 stokes higher and lose a couple of balls. If you're scratch have at it!. I rated this course fairly high because every serious golfer needs to humble him or herself from time to time to remind themselves how hard this game can be.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 92
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 92
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Will go back

Course reminds you of playing in Ireland. Staff was very friendly and informative.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/16/2023

Thank you for the 5 stars! Strantz designed the course after two of his favorite Irish courses, Royal County Down and Ballybunion thus our tag line...golf Ireland in Virginia. We hope to see you back soon.

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Golf Packages

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.

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.

Lansdowne Resort Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $247 (USD)
LEESBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Lansdowne Resort and 2 rounds of golf at The Golf Club at Lansdowne - Greg Norman & Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses.
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