Pendleton Golf Club, Ruther Glen, VA

Pendleton GC was in amazing condition even on a day with cart path only conditions after the area had lots of rain the day prior. One of the best maintained courses in the DC area, and definately a hidden gem. However I have a major issue with the management.
I booked 3 tee times for 12 golfers prior to the COVID pandemic and also personally took a lesson from the PGA Pro in February of this year.
A week prior to our outing I called the pro shop and was told that the course had limited carts so the one person per cart rule would be tough to comply with on a weekend but the manager said that he would try his best.
2 days prior to our outing the manager said that it would be okay to walk but it was highly discouraged because of the size of the course.
On the morning of our weekend round I was extremely disappointed when 3 of our 8 players who decided to walk had to pay the usual $70 greens and cart fee? The pro (Jim Mason) told me that the course doesn't have a separate fee for walkers?
Really?? During these difficult times and the COVID pandemic walking is encouraged in order to adhere to the social distancing guidelines.
Needless to say I won't be coming back which is sad because this really is a nice course but this was unacceptable and shouldn't be tolerated.

This was my first time playing this course. Absolutely wonderful. I can't say enough about this course. Fairways were in great shape, greens were in great shape, bunkers were in great shape. Hats off to the grounds crew and head greens keeper. It was 1.5 hours drive for me, but well worth the trip. I plan on playing this course more in the future. The staff was friendly, courteous and attentive. It was a pretty hot day so perhaps a second beverage cart would be nice. If your an avid golfer, this course should be on your must play list.

I have played Pendleton 50+ times since it has opened. If it wasn't almost an hour from my house, I would have played there a lot more. This is a great value. I have never seen the course not in decent to excellent shape. If you avoid aeration times, you should always find the course to be in great shape and ready to play. The greens have always been good, not lightning fast, but they've never been slow by any means. They are faster than average at this price point. There is a good variety of tees. The back is brutal, but there are tees to suit all playing levels. This is as good a value for the money as you're going to find anywhere. It's a GREAT place to play. It has a nice well stocked pro shop, and a decent grill with good food and cold beer. What more could you possibly need? I have been playing golf for almost 40 years. Take my word for it. You won't be disappointed if you make the trip to Pendleton. Definitely worth the trip from Richmond.

Back nine is outstanding and contains two interesting par 5s with eagle possibilities. Middle of the front nine does get a little goofy but 8 and 9 are solid finishing holes. Playing on a weekday afternoon is very peaceful; course is usually not busy then. Practice facility is one of the best in the state. Should get 4 stars - not sure what is up with the rating system on here.

As of July 2012, the only conditioning issues on the golf course are a few bare patches on 10- Dificult golf course with forced carries on 2,3,5,6 making pacing on the front 9 slow specially on week end mornings. At any other time it is fun and rewarding experience.

As an avid golfer for almost 40 years who averages over 100 rounds a year, I was shocked when I read the negative reviews for Pendleton that I saw on this site. I have played several HUNDRED rounds at this course over the past three years. In that time, they have lost some fairways and even some greens, but repairs were made and the fairways and greens were quickly restored. In that time, surrounding area courses also suffered similar problems due to the vagaries of weather.

Most courses have restrictions on letting players start on number 10. When you finish the front nine, do you really want to see some ya-hoo suddenly appear in front of you, slowing you down, when no one has been in front of you on eight or nine?

Pendleton offers variety unlike many other courses in the area. First, its a Links-style course rather than just another course that is cut through some forest. There are 5 sets of Tees to offer challenge to any level of golfer. The holes have unique designs mixing length with strategy. On some holes, you have to lay-up if you don't have the length to carry the hazard. There are pot bunkers, and greens that are multi-tiered, large and quite fast. The rough is zoysia, fairways are bermuda and the greens are bent grass.

There are Senior and Mens Golf Associations offering Tournaments, VSGA Handicap Services and reduced green fees. They also have Annual Memberships. I am not only a big fan of the course - I am a member!

Do yourself a favor. Instead of being swayed by someones bad experience, go and try the course for yourself. I am confident that you will thank me! I give it 4 1/2 stars (golflinks star system does not work right).

I enjoy playing this course due to its convenience to home and easy access during the week. On weekends the course often has serious pace of play problems. The course is tough but has had conditioning issues since day one, with the exception of the greens which are excellent - fast even in winter. Holes 5 (hazard right in the landing area), 6 (just a bad hole with a screwed up green) and 7 (a par 3 with a blind tee shot) are awful but the rest of the layout is generally good.

I've played Pendleton many times since it opened and thoroughly enjoyed the course every time I've played, whether it be in a tournament, with friends or playing on my own. Although I've had fun playing there, I recently had an experience involving staff that left me in awe.

It started with the Director,Jim Mason, I asked him about a twilight special that was offered the prior summer(my friends and I played it almost every weekend)and he told me there was no such thing and looked at me like I was an idiot for even asking. I didn't want to argue so I paid for 9 holes and went on my way.

My next issue was with whom I believe was the Marshall that day. I'm putting my bag on the back of a cart when I noticed the cart was drenched inside and out from being washed off. I didn't want to get my shorts wet so I chose a cart in the middle of the line that was dry, apparently the Marshall didn't like it to well. He said, with an attitude, the one in the back is almost dry. Any other day a wet cart wouldn't have bothered me but today I was playing with my fiancee and preferred a dry one.

Waiting to tee off was a train-wreck, carts everywhere, extremly disorganized. I decided since its only me playing, (my fiance was just riding along) that I would play the back nine holes (hole #10 had no one teeing off, other golfers waiting said they hadn't seen anyone there in a while) as I'm getting ready to tee off, the Marshall yells to me that I can't play that hole. I scratch my head and ask why, there's no one there and it's just me, I'm not great but I'll play faster than all the foursomes lined up to tee off at #1. The Marshall said the Director didn't want me playing there. I drove the cart back and went inside to speak with the Director. I ask the Director what the problem is and he said he didn't want me starting at #10, that there was a group that would be there any minute. I told the Director the group isn't there, its just me playing and the group would never know I'm in front of them (You don't have to be a genius to figure that out, why would you make a single player only playing 9 wait, when you could start them on the back 9 that had no one teeing off!). After telling Jim how unbelievably crappy the attitudes and service at his facilty are, I asked for a refund, which he seemed more than happy to give.

The experience that I had was very disappointing. I've played golf for over 12 years and have never been treated like this before. Although I've enjoyed playing Pendleton, there are plenty of other courses in the area where I will be spending my money from now on. I will be sure to inform others of my experience here and be sure to discourage them from wasting their money there as well!

Very disappointed. Fairways without grass. ?Herbacide accident? Layout has great potential but the conditions are hard to overcome. Wish we would have kept driving.

I played this course 3-20-10. To early in the year. The course grass is bad. Look forward to coming back later in the year. The ground crew have some work to do in the traps and fairways.
They have a few young people that could use a few lessons on how to show some respect. SEVERAL times we had to avoid being hit by carless youth drivers. Only saw the beer cart twice. Its a VERY long course. Play in the afternoon for the best deal.