Best Golf Courses in Williamsburg VA Ranked (2026 Guide)
Kingsmill Resort Golf in Williamsburg, Virginia features two of the best courses in the state — the championship Pete Dye River Course and the Arnold Palmer-designed Plantation Course along the James River.
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Virginia is home to the Gold, Green, and Shoe courses, offering a historic and highly ranked golf experience near Colonial Williamsburg.
Royal New Kent Golf Club in Virginia is a Mike Strantz-designed masterpiece known for its dramatic dunes, bold routing, and one of the most challenging golf experiences in the region.
Stonehouse Golf Club near Williamsburg, Virginia offers a scenic and strategic round of golf designed by Mike Strantz, blending natural terrain with wide fairways and elevation changes.
Williamsburg, Virginia is one of the strongest golf destinations on the East Coast, offering a rare mix of resort golf, historic design, and modern championship layouts. If you’re planning a golf trip or comparing the best golf courses in Williamsburg VA, this ranked guide breaks down the top four courses you need to play.
From the PGA-tested River Course at Kingsmill Resort to the historic Golden Horseshoe complex, here are the best golf courses in Williamsburg ranked by design, conditions, and overall experience.
1. Kingsmill Resort Golf (River Course & Plantation Course)
Kingsmill Resort is widely considered the top golf destination in Williamsburg, VA thanks to its two highly respected championship courses: the Pete Dye-designed River Course and the Arnold Palmer-designed Plantation Course.
The Kingsmill River Course is the headline layout, known for its dramatic finishing stretch along the James River. It has hosted PGA Tour and LPGA Tour events and remains one of the most scenic and challenging resort courses in Virginia.
The Plantation Course offers a more traditional Virginia golf experience with tree-lined fairways, strategic water hazards, and a more playable layout that still rewards precision.
If you are only playing one stop in Williamsburg, Kingsmill Resort Golf is the most complete golf experience.
2. Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold Course, Green Course, The Shoe)
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Rees Jones, the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club is one of the most historic golf properties in Virginia and sits just steps from Colonial Williamsburg.
The Gold Course is the championship layout and consistently ranks among the best public courses in the Mid-Atlantic. It features elevation changes, tight corridors, and demanding greens that reward accuracy over distance.
The Green Course offers a shorter but highly strategic round that is popular with visiting golfers looking for a more relaxed experience.
The Shoe (practice facility and short course concept) adds a unique modern twist, making Golden Horseshoe one of the most complete golf experiences in Williamsburg.
3. Royal New Kent Golf Club
Royal New Kent Golf Club is one of the most visually striking and challenging golf courses in Virginia. Designed by Mike Strantz, this links-style layout is known for its dramatic dunes, deep bunkering, and wind-exposed routing.
This is not a beginner-friendly course. It demands creativity, patience, and shot shaping. However, for experienced golfers, Royal New Kent delivers one of the most memorable and unique rounds in the region.
If Kingsmill is polished championship golf, Royal New Kent is pure architectural artistry.
4. Stonehouse Golf Club
Stonehouse Golf Club is located just outside Williamsburg and offers a more peaceful, natural golf experience compared to the region’s resort-heavy courses.
Designed by Mike Strantz early in his career, Stonehouse features wide fairways, large greens, and a strong emphasis on natural elevation changes. It is more forgiving than Royal New Kent but still requires thoughtful approach play.
Stonehouse is often considered one of the best value rounds in the Williamsburg area and a great option for golfers looking to escape the busier resort traffic.
Final Thoughts: Best Golf in Williamsburg VA
Williamsburg offers a rare combination of championship resort golf and architecturally significant public courses.
If you are building a golf trip itinerary:
Play Kingsmill Resort Golf for the complete resort experience
Play Golden Horseshoe for history and championship pedigree
Play Royal New Kent for a true Mike Strantz challenge
Play Stonehouse for value and another Strantz design
Together, these four courses represent the best golf in Williamsburg, Virginia and make the area one of the top golf destinations on the East Coast.
