Prince William Golf Course
 Ahhhhhhhh the refreshing and invigorating smell of fresh country air. Wait... a hint of something else in the air. I smell wildflowers, fresh honey suckle, but the third ingredient eludes me.
Now I recognize it, how could I have mistaken the aroma? That distinct smell of new townhouse construction creating the every burgeoning misty tentacles of suburban sprawl. I for one enjoy fresh air from time to time, but it is increasingly difficult to find around the DC beltway.
Hidden amongst the farmland and new construction are the inviting and friendly fairways of the Prince William Golf Course. Owned and operated by the
Prince William County Park Authority, the course is a local favorite and boasts one of the best public play values anywhere in the area.
Once you arrive at the course, you begin to sense why locals call Prince William their home course. The staff is friendly, and management works hard to
promote recreational golf amongst both avid and new golfers alike.
On the course you're presented with a variety of differing and challenging holes to keep both beginner and single-digit handicapper entertained.
The fairways are relatively open and inviting, but the thicker cut of rough can and does affect approach shots. The course imparts a golfing experience best described as fun and friendly.
 The design is a bit of a "throwback" in overall length, but will penalize if the long hitter tries to simply overpower the course. The greens present the most difficult test, and like many classic venues only gets better after you really get to
know the delicate yet deceptive slope presented.
The downside to Prince William Golf Course was the apparent mediocre conditions. We liked the layout, but conditions were just not up to par.
The rough was spotty with some hard lies, the bunkers were thin, and the tees needed to be moved around more to avoid excessive wear. We normally don't complain, but found ourselves disappointed in the current shape of the classic layout.
Amigos
Favorite Hole:
The hole we liked best was the number-14 209-yard Par 3. It's by far one of the most difficult Par 3s anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic. When played from the tips you have no room for error due to a "hallway effect" created by towering hard wood trees framing both sides of the
hole.
 Your ability to hit an accurate line from the tee will dictate the difference from carding a double bogey or possible birdie.
Once safely off the tee and as you make your way to the green, you can finally see what you may have hoped for at the tee. Deceptively concealed by the towering hardwoods is an ample amount of room for errant shots.
So even if you think a wayward shot might be a lost cause, there may be hope awaiting you down the other end of the hallway.
Review Date:
06/05/2005
Course review ratings are conducted on a five point scale. ( 1 = Double Bogey 3 = Par 5 = Eagle)
Tees:
The four sets of tees accommodate all playing abilities with an overall short length. The blue tees could be white distance at most other courses, but the real difference is on the Par 3's. If you move back to the blues expect a couple of 200-yard plus holes.
The conditions were average with some spotty wear visible.
Fairways:
The fairways were in pretty good shape but seemed rough around the edges. The course is manageable, and a good score is possible if you can keep your ball in the fairway.
Rough:
There is one primary cut of rough that is spotty in places and can make for some hard lies. The greenside rough was a bit thicker, making for a good test of your chipping game when greens were missed.
Traps:
The course is well bunkered both in the fairways and greenside. Most of the traps had a very thin layer of sand, making shots more difficult than they should be. If you're going to bunker a course, especially around the greens have sufficient sand to play actual bunker shots.
Greens:
The greens present the best aspect of the course with a wide variety in both slope and size. Some large, some small, making for some tricky approach shots. The overall speed was a medium pace.
Amenities:
There is a practice range that could use some TLC, but the putting and chipping green are nice.
The clubhouse is adequate at best and could use an overall face-lift. It seems to be a renovated farm house that some might call "rustic and charming", but the uneven walkways and outdated facilities need improving.
There is a small patio at the front of the clubhouse for after-round drinks.
Staff Services:
The entire staff was very courteous; especially the starter, who was very helpful.
Pace of Play:
On a hot and very humid Sunday afternoon, we had somehow been placed behind a twosome, with another twosome of two beginners in front of them. Our five-plus hour round seemed to last an eternity with little help from the Marshal to speed things up. If you plan to play the course on a weekend make sure to bring some patience.
Overall Average:
2.9, Bogey Course
You're Not Missing Much
GolfinAmigos would like the management of the Price William Golf Course for welcoming us out to conduct the course review.
CLICK HERE for additional course information...
Location:
14361 Vint Hill Road, Nokesville VA 20181
Tee Time Phone:
703-754-7111
Course Type:
Public
*The opinions expressed in this course review are those of the individual reviewer(s) and do not reflect the editorial opinion of
www.GolfinAmigos.com
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