royal new kent

This is a course that takes two or three rounds to really embrace and enjoy. It is challenging and in the Mike Stranz design tradition messes with your mind on the visuals. If your a first timer, you need someone who has played the course with you, otherwise it will be a frustrating day (it also helps if you can hit it where your playing partners tell you to). You can see elements of Tobacco Road in Royal New Kent, but RNK is not nearly as extreme. I played Tobacco Road once, because everyone should say they have done it, then swore never again. Every time I am back in the Richmond/Williamsburg area, I make Point to play RNK. It is fun and challenging. Condition, especially the bunkers, can be a challenge due to the extreme faces, but other wise it is a visual treat and typically in good condition.

Wow, color me unimpressed with this golf course. Conditions were dreadful, bunkers were atrocious, this course tried to be Tobacco Road in Virginia and failed woefully. Greens were just aerated, so knew that going in, but I couldn't believe how bad the rest of the conditions were. The bunkers for the most part were not playable. These were probably the worst bunkers I've ever played out of, no sand, some were soaking wet, and it was over 100 degrees the day before. Lots of dead and diseased spots on the greens. fairways weren't in great shape. Pretty much the most unenjoyable golf course I've ever played.However, the staff was great, but I wouldn't play this course again. Not worth the money and anyone who rates this as the top of anything , other than the heap should be ashamed of themselves.

My son and I played here for the first time today and when standing on the first tee, decided not to keep score, but to enjoy the what was presented before us. Not knowing the course made for a difficult round, but in no way discouraged us from a return visit. Especially having a little more knowledge for the blind shots. Bottom line is the we both had an enjoyable time.

Touted as being the third best course in Va. I expected a lot more. Course is poorly maintained bare/diseased spots on greens, poorly mowed fairways, bunkers with 3ft tall whistles instead of sand. Staff was friendly and courteous, and course layout is interestingly challenging, but RNK is over-rated and over priced. Not the worst ever experience but disappointing overall.

A great course. Excellent conditions with fast greens. Difficult but fun to play. Mike Stranz design.

The terain is interesting and challenging--make sure you bring a lot of balls. On many of the holes you can't drive your cart to the ball because there is a huge cliff or hillside to go down. It is pretty to look at though.

Not a bad place to visit for lunch. This is a golf club restaurant so don't expect gourmet food.It is slightly off the beaten track -- probably 4 miles from the closest interstate (I-64) -- so this is best enjoyed in conjunction with a golf round unless you live in the area.

Nasty place when it is a cart path only. It will walk you to death. Cart path is miles from fair way. Both wives got sick after the course even though they love walking. The course has a main issue with a poor drainage. Don't visit after rain.

the late mike strantz has created a gem in virginia...i hadn't played it in about 10 years...and i forgot what i was missing...this course has everything but the atlantic ocean...the design is magnificent...so it's a bit intimidating...play it from the blacks or golds [if you're really long] to get the perspective of the designer...the course was in great shape...greens a bit slow...but that's ok...it's wild and wooly...like ireland...it's a big course...with some tight landing areas...and each hole is worthy of a picture...it's also a bargain...the only minus is the traditions' web site...overcome or overlook it and just call the pro shop directly...nice people at the course...very accommodating...much cheaper and easier than a trip to ballybunion

Did a Golf Buddy Day Trip. Unwisely chose Royal New Kent as the second course of 36 holes. Absolutely spectacular course but EASILY the most difficult I've ever played. Visually deceptive and intimidating. Tons of blind shots. Based on the distance driven between holes, especially on the front nine, appears to be a huge property. Billed as "links-style" but only accurate in the rough and bunker conditions. Not a true links layout. Great, great course but not one for keeping score unless you're a single digit handicapper. Definitely plan to play at least once more, hopefully in a few less strokes!

I play here often. As most reviews will mention, this is a difficult course. It's also impossible for a foursome to play in 4 hours because of the way the cart paths are routed, factor time into your decision to play here. That said, it's an outstanding course. When it opened back in the 90's it was rated on the list of America's Top 100 golf courses (it was #86 on the list) and given the honor of "Best New Upscale Public". Conditioning through the 2000's is the reason it fell out of the rankings. However, the past few years the conditioning has improved and, in my opinion, this place deserves more attention from the magazines for inclusion into the rankings lists simply based on how much fun it is to play.Bottom line here: If you're in a hurry, play somewhere else. If you're easily frustrated by difficult terrain, or haven't honed your golf skills yet, play somewhere else. If you gasp at the sight of a few washed out bunkers, play somewhere else. If you want to play a severely underrated and unique course, PLAY HERE. Check golfnow.com for their rates and you'll probably save a few bucks.

Royal New Kent is one of my favorite golf courses. It is beautiful, it is brutal, it is unforgiving, and it is a ton of fun to play. The proverbial E-ticket ride at Disney World. Unless you are a single-digit handicapper, don't bother trying to keep score. Just enjoy the challenge of playing a very difficult golf course and having fun with your buds. Keep score based on the number of lost balls and not on the number of strokes taken. Then go home afterwards with a new appreciation of just how easy your home course really is in comparison. If you approach RNK with the right attitude at the start, you'll always leave with a big smile on your face because it is a blast!

This course requires your A game. Parts of the course as a close to links golf as you will find at a in the US even though it is miles from the shore.

I played RNK on May 8, 2012. The architecture is extreme, but very enjoyable. It's a very difficult golf course, even for mid-level handicappers (my USGA index is 9.3). Be prepared to lose a number of golf balls and be punished with the penal design.There was no sand in the bunkers. The bunkers were all washed out and only consisted of mud. I'm sure the course architect, Mike Stranz, who did a magnificant job, is rolling over in his grave.The owners should be ashamed of charging the greens fee given the poor conditioning.

A links type course in western Virginia. Very tough fornaVerage golfers. Leave your ego at home and play from the front tees.