Royal New Kent Golf Club, Providence Forge, VA

Very poor conditioned golf course. What a disappointment.

Some might be struck by my all-over-the-map ratings on the amenities, difficulty, et al. There's definitely a reason for the inconsistencies. The course is by far the most difficult layout I have ever played and my playing partners concurred. Royal New Kent has more blind shots than most any course you will ever play in your life. Rolling hills, fairways snaking left to right to left again and unending uphill shots make it damn near impossible to hit the right club let alone know where your ball is after you've hit. Just plain humbling. Now for the bad news. While the greens were immaculate and speedy, the tee boxes were an embarrassment for a 4th of July weekend. When your fairways are cut better than your tee boxes you know you have a maintenance issue. If the goal is to maintain the "green grass" of the tee boxes for fall golf, then the course supervisor is well on his way to achieving his goal. The fairways were quite parched and the lack of rain in the Mid-Atlantic in the last month has taken a toll on the course's fairways. They were cut nice and short, like the greens, but if you're thinking of playing this course and paying more than $40, you're money can be spent better elsewhere on better year-round irrigated tracks in Northern Virginia. Otherwise, I would recommend you play New Kent in the fall.

I've played courses all around the country and this is by FAR the most beautiful layout I've been on. When you're out there it literally feels like you are playing in the UK.

The course is extremely challenging. They offer a yardage card which is extremely helpful seeing as there are plenty of blind shots. Normally blind shots are annoying but it just adds to the mystique and beauty Royal New Kent.

There is a reason this is THE most reviewed Virginia course on any review website!
Favorite course... 14 years after opening onto Golf Digest's Best Course List this monster is STILL well-kept, well-staffed and now well-priced.
Local players get a decent rate cut and for what you are paying, the shot caliber is unmatched. Bring all 14 clubs; you can bump and run from 50 yds out or drop a spinner to the fastest greens in Virginia.

If blind drives or pot bunkers scare you, just spend a moment reviewing the GPS in-cart... they're super-detailed.
The only "unfair hole" is #3 a 176-yd Par 3 with a berm blocking the view.

The late, great Mike Strantz was called The Maverick and it's well-deserved. His idea of course design appeals to golf trip groups and locals alike. This course has immense replay value; every hole has options to suit your style.
Every hole ( except #3 :) is worthy of an iPhone picture... especially in autumn.

Weak scorers can play from the 6,000 yd red tees and scratcher from the 7,336 tips.
You will not be sorry...

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! It is ranked the 16th hardest in the country. they have these valleys of death guarding almost all the green. That course made me pretty much want to cry. But still at the end i very much enjoyed my round at New Kent. If you can hit your blind shots, and hit your 3 wood aways you will love this course