Within an hour drive of Washington DC there's a wide variety of courses both public and private to suite even the most discriminating golfer’s tastes.
One of my favorite locations is Northern Virginia. The land just west of the beltway has gentle rolling hills, dense vegetation and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains providing the perfect environment for any golf course to thrive.
If you love the game, then I'm sure you've considered joining a club at some point; maybe even a private club. A private club offers exclusivity and a social setting going well beyond what only a golf course can provide.
Well if you're currently in the market to join a private club then you have to check out The Piedmont Club in Haymarket Virginia.
The centerpiece of the club is an 18-hole course designed by Tom Fazio winding through a master planned community. The rolling hills and lush parkland setting emits the ideal ambiance for any golf course and the manicured contours of the fairway and rough blend perfectly with the contrasting bunkering to create it's on distinct golf experience.
As a private club the design must offer variety to keep challenge the members game and offer a unique experience to guests. Well the Piedmont Club is a definite challenge, you might have realized this fact from the 140 rating but at first glance most fairways are wide and generous leading you to a false sense of security.
The challenge lies in the details of the course. Rough is "rough" and traps....are "traps".
If you can't hit the wide fairways then getting to the green in two is a challenge. If you miss the green on approach shots then your ability to chip tested. If you end up in a trap in the fairway getting to the green with your next shot isn’t always possible, sometimes you must take your medicine and accept the courses punishment for the wayward shot.
The greens are some of the best manicured greens I've ever had the opportunity to play. The firm fast surfaces require touch around the greens and with the putter.
The variety of slope ample on the greens probably requires a few rounds to really gauge the necessary touch to master the speed.
But like all challenging courses it will make you a better golfer. Every golfer knows that the only way you get better is to play the game and challenge your skills on courses that test your ability to make shots. And if you want to be a better golfer on a course that inspires your game then visit the Piedmont Club and see if you're ready to go private..
Amigos Favorite Hole: Half the holes on the course could be considered our favorite but it seems the Piedmont saved the best for last and our favorite was solidified when we got the tee on the par 5 512-yard number 18.
This short Par 5 starts with a tee shot to a very wide fairway. For the long hitter a good drive will run all the way down the hill where the green is well within reach by your second shot.
But like a few of the great holes on the course, the green is perched atop. Any shot with some elevation change always causes some minor doubt but a plethora of bunkers guarding the left side and only part of the green visible more doubt can manifest in a hurry.
The course makes you continually think with no letup on any shot.
Once your reach the green you’re greeted with two tiers with the slope intersecting the green horizontally. A birdie may be well within reach with two exact shots if you can cast aside any doubts in your swing and focus at the task at hand.
Who knows it might be the birdie you need to win the bet with your new friends as a member of the Piedmont Club.