651 South England St,
Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Rees Jones (1991).
Above distances are for the Green course. Also at Golden Horseshoe are the 18-hole Gold course (par-71; 6,817 yds from back tees; designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr; 1963), and 9-hole "The Shoe" course (par-27; nine holes ranging from 43 to 137 yards; designed by Rees Jones; 2025).
37.255102
-76.691914
2 mi SE of Williamsburg / 45 mi NW of Norfolk.
Golden Horseshoe (Green)
The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold course): home to two excellent 18-hole championship layouts (the Gold and Green courses) and a nine-hole course (The Shoe), all the layouts here at Golden Horseshoe were crafted by members of the Jones family.
The generally higher-ranked Gold course was designed by the incomparable Robert Trent Jones Sr. Its also well-rated and pleasantly testing stablemate, the Green course, was laid out by the great man's son, Rees Jones. So too The Shoe.
The Green course is a tree-lined parkland course that should not disappoint, with many attractive features and several excellent holes to enjoy. Plenty of golfing challenge, a well-crafted design and usually good upkeep all contribute to the appeal of this course.
Stay&Play at Golden Horseshoe: nearby luxury accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Walking permitted at certain times, but not advised. Several long green-to-tee distances and considerable elevation change. Caddies and forecaddies available on all three Golden Horseshoe courses (book caddies when reserving tee-time).
Excellent (incl a double-ended driving range).
The Legend of the Golden Horseshoe (and source of the golf club's name) dates all the way back to 1716. In this auspicious year, colonial governor Alexander Spotswood (after whom the original golf course was named), led a 63-man expedition to explore the far reaches of the Virginia colony.
Horseshoes were an essential part of the expedition's equipment, helping the horses cope with the rugged terrain. Legend has it that after the arduous journey, Spotswood rewarded all his companions with a small Golden Horseshoe, some studded with valuable gems. To this day, none of the Golden Horseshoes have been found.
Golf at Colonial Williamsburg started when John D. Rockefeller Jr commissioned a 9-hole course in 1947; it was laid out behind the Williamsburg Inn. In 1963, renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr reworked this original course, named the Spotswood course (it was located on either side of S England St, and closed in 2020). 1963 also saw the opening of the 18-hole Gold course, designed by RTJ Sr. The Green course, designed by RTJ's son Rees Jones, was added in 1991.
136 East Francis St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
+1 (757) 229 1000
Visit websiteThe Williamsburg Inn provides a luxurious home away from home, with Regency-style furnishings that lend a majestic ambience. The Inn features a wide selection of spacious rooms, accompanied by marble bathrooms, each with a deep tub and separate shower. Historic Williamsburg is a must see for visitors to the area. | A member of the Historic Hotels of America collection.
Golden Horseshoe (Gold, Green and Spotswood courses).
Kingsmill Resort
Kiskiack; Stonehouse
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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