Winchester, Virginia info needed

[MarcellusW]

I am planning our annual 4 day trip from Baltimore and recently came across Rock Harbor and Shenandoah golf courses in Winchester, Virginia as possible destinations.  I wanted to keep the commute at @2hours.  Last year, we went to Williamsburg, which is fabulous.  I-95 traffic on the way home . . . not so fabulous.   Ocean City is off the list this year.  I started looking at southern PA, which we've done before and does have some great golf.  

 

The handicaps range from 8 to 36.  In general, the guys have more fun at easier courses.  They are also cheapskates.  So, Greenbrier is out.

 

I've never been to Winchester and would appreciate any info.  Thanks.

[cristphoto]

I don't know about Winchester but about an hour south in Front Royal and Luray are a couple nice courses to play.  Very scenic area.

Edited March 24, 2021 by cristphoto

[wobgon]

In Winchester you would probably want to check out the courses at Oglebay.

[tboh]

Rock harbor 36 holes

Blue ridge summit

Shenandoah Gc 27 holes

Bowling green Cc 36 holes

 

More within 15 min drive 

 

All decently priced  & usually in good shape

 

[cristphoto]

14 hours ago, wobgon said:

In Winchester you would probably want to check out the courses at Oglebay.

 

Isn't Oglebay over in Wheeling, WV? 

[caniac6]

There is a state park in W.Va. that is not far from Winchester that had a nice course. It's been quite a while since I played there, and I can't remember the name. It might be Cacapon, or something similar. I believe it was a Robert Trent Jones course. It's in Berkley Springs, W.Va.

Edited March 25, 2021 by caniac6

[tboh]

41 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

It might be Cacapon, or something similar. I believe it was a Robert Trent Jones course. It's in Berkley Springs, W.Va.

Correct ... cacapon is a st park that is RTJ design .. it is great old school course design & its cheap $

 

bout 30 mins frm Winchester

[wobgon]

3 hours ago, cristphoto said:

 

Isn't Oglebay over in Wheeling, WV? 

 

3 hours ago, cristphoto said:

 

Isn't Oglebay over in Wheeling, WV? 

Yea.....I saw winchester and was thinking wheeling......My dumbness.

[DonatelloNobodie]

Rock Harbor has 36 holes.  Designed and built by the owner of an adjoining rock quarry.  Decent conditioning and fees.  Odd design with blind holes and waste areas in the middle of fairways. Unique.

 

Shenandoah Valley is a very nice course with 27 holes.  Short course, situated in open land, away from houses.  Usually is very good condition.  Low rates (look on GolfNow).  Friendly staff and players. Would be my first choice.

 

Blue Ridge Shadows.  Very good layout.  Usually in good condition.  Built as a high end public and has since lowered rates.  Some very interesting holes.  Open land and nice views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  My second choice.

 

There is also nearby Locust Hills in Charlestown WVA.   Decent public.  I haven't been in several years.  Charlestown has a casino, not near or affiliated with the course.

 

You might consider the Frederick MD area.  Great choice of courses.  Worthington Manor and Whiskey Creek are great.   Maryland National and Musket Ridge are also very good.   Other playable courses nearby are PB Dye, Little Bennett, Clustered Spires, and Poolesville.  Worthington Manor would be my first choice. Best by far of all courses mentioned above.

Edited March 25, 2021 by DonatelloNobodie

[Righty to Lefty]

Just played Rock Harbor's Boulder course a 3 weeks ago and was glad I did as it is a great course. Played it from the tips and it is a beast of a course at 7600 ish yards.  The front nine is the single best set of 9 holes I've ever played and you can tell that the Rock course was there first and the the Boulder course was added as an expansion.  The first hole is a straight away par four...but after that all hell breaks loose!!  for holes 2-9!  Hands down the best collection of par 5's I've ever played whether public or private.  They are massive...like 715 yards massive and they are all tough to par with maybe the exception of 18.  Elevation change is crazy as one of the holes is a 276 yard par three....with 30 yards of elevation change.  The back nine isn't as good as the front nine and you can tell that the Boulder course was created later as the vibe of the back nine is much different.  If the momentum from the front nine was carried through the back it would be the best course I've ever played.  It is a challenging course and definitely one of the best in the  area.  The grass was still dormant but the course conditions were fine and the greens were slow as would be expected  this time of year.  

 

I played Locust Hill also so that I could  tick West Virginia off the list of states that I have played in and it was a descent course in descent condition. 

 

If you are in the Ocean City area then Baywood Greens  in Long Neck Delaware is a must play.  Just open up their website understand that it is actually what the course looks like in season. It was flat out amazing and in immaculate condition and I can see why they call it the "Augusta of the North!"  

 

Other good courses that I played were Blue Ridge Shadows, Laurel Hills, Stonewall, Bull Run, among others.  There is definitely some good golf to be had in the area no doubt. 

 

[Pingfitz]

Shenandoah Valley is a very good choice, haven’t played the other Front Royal courses. The Frederick MD area has lots of very good options. IMO Locust Hill is ok, has dropped of some over the last couple of years. Not worth driving from Baltimore to play. Lots of far better courses mentioned above.