Old Hickory in Woodbridge, VA

[larson92]

Old Hickory

 

I've played Old Hickory twice recently, so I thought I would write a little review.

 

Conditions - 8.5

 

There aren't many courses in the area that are better as far as conditions go. Other than a few bunkers that were cracking around the edges due to recent rains (hard to describe--looked like an earthquake had created fissures in the vertical faces), they were very good. One of my buddies (who admittedly doesn't play often) said that they had the best greens he had ever seen.

 

Amenities - 6

 

The clubhouse is beautiful (definitely Wedding-caliber) and they have a nice chipping green right next to it. The starter/concessions shack (which I don't think is used much) is located about a block and a half away from the clubhouse, and the putting green and driving range are located there with it.

I really hate their driving range. First, you can't drive a cart up to it. Instead, you park your cart at the starter shack and walk along a sidewalk behind a few houses to get to it. Next, you can't hit woods except into a net 20 yds away because the range is so short. It's a good thing that range balls are included with your greens few because the range is a disappointment.

 

Feel - 8.5

 

The course FEELS like a nice place. The conditions, the clubhouse, and the course feel like someone cares--and that someone has the means to make it nice. Not like a rich private club, but definitely an upscale public course.

 

Routing - 5

 

The course runs through a neighborhood, so it's hard to win points for the routing. There are about six holes where you really see the houses and maybe two places where the houses get in the way, and in those spots there is little or no buffer to speak of--not even a few token trees, just a 1ft picket fence and some OOB stakes to mark the property line.

Worst of all, at hole 14 you have to turn back around on the cart path and drive halfway back to the tee before you turn off and head through a tunnel under the street to reach the next hole--and the turnoff is NOT well marked. I think every time I've played there, I've seen at least one cart miss the turn and get confused when they are back at the 13th green again.

I do like the fact that they let you get pretty close to the greens with your cart (and don't shuffle you off to the cart path at 100-150 yds away. This is one of my pet peeves with courses these days.)

 

Fun to play - 7

 

None of the holes are really memorable, but none are bad. My guess is that better players like this course better than higher handicaps like me. It's certainly playable for hackers--although it has a few too many sand traps for my taste.

 

Pace of play - 8 / 3

 

They have a Marshal, so they are trying--(hence the 8). However, the layout is not very conducive to a fast round--although it is much better than many courses that are surrounded by houses).

 

For some reason, I always feel rushed by the start of the back nine--and that is WITHOUT stopping at the turn. Nothing severe, but to me it is noticeable.

 

In addition, I played the course on a weekend one time and when I showed up at hole 4 I found not just the group ahead waiting to tee off but the group in front of them was also still waiting to tee off. (Hence the 3.)

 

Cost and value - 8

 

You can play this course M-F for $55 with a Teetime golf pass (or military/senior discount)---and if you have a foursome, you can play M-F for $45 each (except Friday it has to be after 11am). This is a good deal for a course of this quality and a peak rate of $92--especially on a Friday when so many places are charging weekend rates.

They are also part of the Raspberry Golf Trail, so you can play three different courses and then get a free play on one of those same courses. This can easily drop your effective greens fee to around $40.

 

They also have a decent junior rate of $35, which I appreciate.

 

Competition

 

This is easily the best public course in Eastern and Central PW County, although the new Potomac Shores should give it some big competition (and probably cost a bit more). Add the Eastern county courses and you are on par with (if not slightly better than) Bull Run and a bit behind (and cheaper than) Stonewall. Nearby in Fairfax County are Westfields (better and more $$ than OH) and Laurel Hill (which haven't played yet).

 

Overall - 7

 

There is nothing about this course that sings to my soul, but it is a good course with great conditions at a reasonable price. I've nitpicked a lot, but it is still one of the better courses around.

 

[lazyjc4]

Glad to hear it's in good shape. I play a charity event there at the end of every June and it's usually in ok condition, but with a LOT of divots and ball marks. Guess I'll see for myself on Friday, but I'm glad others are happy with the shape it's in, thanks for the review!

[NatsFan2013]

Played OH on Saturday. $40 for twilight. Teed off at 4:10 and finished at 8:30. I was SHOCKED! From my previous experience that course typically plays very slow. Haven't played in a long time because my last experience was a 6 hour circus. Was very happy this time around. Twilight was a really great value.

[SHIVAN]

Their driving range is horrible, and easily the one part of the course where they act like they just don't care.

The houses are close on that course, but I only really "feel" them on #9 and #14.

[cristphoto]

I've played Old Hickory and liked it. I agree with the statement about the driving range at Old Hickory - goofy setup and the balls were more than worn out. The course itself was great however. I like their sister course - Augustine - a lot better though. I've been told ownership at Augustine changed a few years ago and service and conditions have much improved from prior years. I have the Raspberry Trail card which includes maybe twenty upscale courses in Md, Va, and Pa. Play three rounds the fourth round is free which seems pretty fair. Only issue is the free round must be played on a weekday but I'm retired so not a problem.