Who's Number 1? / Golden Horseshoe (Gold)

  Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
Saturday, June 28, 2008

At the Golden Horseshoe

Finally after 11 years in Virginia, I am playing the Golden Horseshoe Gold Course.  Arguably, it is the best golf course in Virginia.  The other contending course for this title is the Upper Cascades Course at Homestead Resort.  I played the Cascade course last year so I will be able to compare the two and decide for myself.

Right away, the Golden Horseshoe has made a fan out of Mike because they offered free club rentals if you stay in certain hotels.  Even though he brought his own set of clubs, Mike decided to use the Callaways provided by the course.  I was impressed that they offered top of the line Callaways (X20 irons and Hyper X driver) including the Hybrid3.  Mike enjoyed playing with the clubs so much that he wanted to buy the used set at the end of the round, but the course would only sell the new clubs in the pro shop...a good scam to increase sales in the pro shop.

In front of #16 green and #17 hole in background

I am a big fan of the courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr and this course is no exception.  There are several fun and challenging holes in this track, but RTJ saved his best for last.  The last three holes were amazing and I can see why holes #16 and #17 are listed in Golf magazines top 500 holes in the world.  Hole #16 is a 150 yard par 3 shot into an island green...not as famous as TPC Sawgrass but just as intimidating.  I placed my tee shot on the apron, long and chipped it reasonably close for a one putt par...yeah!  Hole #17 is an uphill 412 yard par 4.  I smashed my drive 235 yards...yes 235 yards is a long drive for me.  I actually hit my uphill approach shot long, made a so-so pitch to the apron, and two putted for a bogey 5.  Hole #18 is another long par 4, measuring 421 yards.  I do not

#18 green

know what got into me but I drove it 280 yards!!.  The #18 green is tucked into the left of the fairway guarded by trees and a pond on the left.  I almost lost the approach shot into the pond but somehow my ball managed to cling on to the edge.  I chipped it on the green and two putted for another bogey 5.

I had one other memorable hole, the 145 yards par3 #3.  The shot was a downhill approach over water and I managed to place it tight.  Unfortunately I could not convert on the birdie putt but still carded a par.  Overall I would still rate the Upper Cascades course at Homestead as better than the Golden Horseshoe Gold Course.  Although it finished with 3 great holes, in my opinion the Upper Cascades was more consistent in providing more interesting/challenging shot selections/options for the entire 18 holes.  RTJ took a few holes off and provided bland holes for 8-11.  I stilled enjoyed my round at the Golden Horseshoe and would recommend this course to any golf enthusiast.

Approach on #3 looking back at tee box