Hole

389yd 4 7

460yd 5 9

179yd 3 15

340yd 4 17

428yd 4 1

543yd 5 5

373yd 4 11

149yd 3 13

393yd 4 3

421yd 4 10

518yd 5 8

337yd 4 16

364yd 4 14

180yd 3 18

411yd 4 4

530yd 5 2

192yd 17 6

359yd 4 12

Distance Par Handicap

Course

Designed by George W. Cobb and opened for play in 1976, the Golden Eagle course is carved out of Virginia's beautifully wooded landscape around a 50-acre lake. The course features many elevation changes and well placed bunkers for all skill levels.

The Bermuda fairways and Bentgrass putting surfaces play to a par of 72. There are three major water hazards of particular interest which are 5, 9, and 18. Seven and 16 can also play harder than par. From the championship tees, the Golden Eagle is 7,025 yards and has a slope of 136. With a 74.4 USGA rating, this Virginia golf course is host to numerous VSGA and Mid Atlantic PGA events.

Hole 1

Great starting hole. The drive must be down the left side in order to avoid the bunker on the right. A good drive will leave a mid to long iron into a well-bunkered green. Par would be a good way to start the round.

Hole 2

A reachable par 5 for the long hitter. The drive is the hardest shot on the hole, as it must split the fairway in order to avoid two bunkers that guard both sides of the landing area. The second and third shots are very straightforward and par should not be difficult.

Hole 3

The first of four exciting and fun par 3s. A mid to long iron shot to a well-bunkered green makes par a very good score.

Hole 4

A short par 4 dogleg left. The drive must be straight and long enough to get by the dogleg -- too short and the large pines block your shot to the green. Played correctly, it leaves a short iron into a small green. Now would be a good time to get a birdie.

Hole 5

Without a doubt, "The Beast" is the toughest hole on the course, ranked as one of the toughest par 4s in the state. The drive must carry the water that guards the whole left side. The second shot must be long and straight to reach this green in two. Be aware of the water in front of the green left side. A bogey is definitely acceptable here. The bald eagles that make this hole their home will applaud.

Hole 6

The longer of two par 5s on the front side. Only the longest of hitters can reach the green in two. The second shot is a blind one that must stay in the fairway to avoid numerous bunkers guarding the landing area. The third shot is a mid iron to an elevated green that makes this hole play longer than the scorecard indicates. Par is a very good score on this hole.

Hole 7

A strong par 4 that slopes severely from left to right. The drive must be down the left side in order to keep the ball in the fairway. This will leave a semi-blind second shot with a long to mid iron to a small green. Hit the green and you are assured a reasonable length birdie putt.

Hole 8

Another excellent par 3. A mid to short iron shot to a green that slopes from left to right leaves very few straight putts for a birdie. It's tough.

Hole 9

A dogleg right par 4. A long straight drive is a must in order to get a clear view of the green, The second shot, with a long to mid iron, must carry water. Be careful not to hit the ball over this elevated green because of the severe slope from back to front. Par would be an excellent score.

Hole 10

A sharp dogleg left par 4 with two large bunkers guarding the left side. A long straight drive down the right side will leave a fairway wood or long iron to a small, well-bunkered green. Par could win the hole, which is home to wild turkeys seen in the early evening.

Hole 11

A straight away par 5 with bunkers guarding both sides of the fairway. The second shot is the key to this hole. A layup to the 100-yard mark will leave a short iron to a very small green. Birdie is a good possibility on this hole.

Hole 12

A straight, downhill par 4 of medium length. A three wood is the club of choice off the tee to avoid a downhill lie. This leaves a mid to short iron to an elevated green that slopes severely from back to front. Keep the ball below the hole to have an uphill putt.

Hole 13

A dogleg right par 4. Keep the drive down the left side. The second shot with a mid iron needs to be precise to avoid the bunkers fronting the green.

Hole 14

A medium length par 3. The tee shot needs to be precise to this small green. The green slopes from left to right so keep the ball below the hole to ensure an uphill putt.

Hole 15

The start of four challenging finishing holes. The pro's favorite is a long, straight, uphill par 4. A lengthy straight drive is a must in order to reach the green in two. The second shot with fairway wood or long iron is uphill all the way to the green. Make a par here and that wins the hole.

Hole 16

Home to numerous herons and their offspring, this hole is a long par 5. The tee shot needs to be down the right side. The second shot with 3 wood leaves a mid to short iron into an ample putting service. It is the last chance at an easy birdie.

Hole 17

A long uphill par 3. A wood or long iron will be the club of choice. It is a very difficult approach shot because the green slopes from front to back and the putting surface cannot be seen from the tee. Par is a very good score. Bogey here halves the hole.

Hole 18

The dogleg right par 4 is an exciting finishing hole. The tee shot should be down the left side to avoid the bunkers on the right. The pivotal second shot with a mid to short iron needs to carry water to an elevated green. Pull this shot off and par is likely.

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