The River Course
For three decades, The River Course has hosted the world’s best players on both PGA and LPGA tours. It has also hosted thousands of lesser-known golfing superstars. Like you.
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Bordered by the calm azure waters of the James River, this famed championship course has tested the mettle of the game’s most famous names. On a still morning, dew still beading on the precisely manicured greens, you can almost hear the echoes of applause for crisply struck irons and delicately holed putts. The River Course inspired you to test your own mettle. To see how you stack up against the greats of today, and of years gone by.
Recently, the course has been reborn, thanks to the efforts of original architect Pete Dye. The renowned course designer tinkered just enough with his layout, bringing out the subtle details that make for a truly unforgettable round of golf and earning a Golfweek Magazine Top Ten Virginia Course distinction.
For those who have never teed it up at the River Course, it’s a ‘must play’. And for those who have, it’s a ‘must play again.’
| Par: 71 |
Distance |
Rating |
Slope |
| Gold Tees |
6,831 yds |
73.1 |
137 |
| Blue Tees |
6,326 yds |
70.9 |
129 |
| White Tees |
5,640 yds |
67.4 |
126 |
| Red Tees |
4,814 yds |
68.4 |
122 |
River Course Score Card
Hole 1 – Par 4 – 369 Yards
A properly placed tee shot to the left side of the fairway will leave a short iron approach into the green. Beware of the fairway bunkers on the right side, as they do come into play from the tee box.
Hole 2 – Par 3 – 198 Yards
A demanding hole requiring an accurate mid to long iron shot into a well-guarded green. The conservative play is to aim for the front-left portion of the green allowing the terrain to feed the ball toward the center.
Hole 3 – Par 5 – 518 Yards
Longer hitters may go for this green in two but will be hitting into a small, elevated target. Others may lay-up on the left side of the fairway at the bottom of the hill, leaving a comfortable short iron shot into the green.
Hole 4 – Par 4 – 439 Yards
The key here is taking the left side out of play with a well placed tee ball down the right side. A more aggressive line down the left provides a risk which far outweighs the reward.
Hole 5 – Par 3 – 173 Yards
Aiming for the center or left side of the green is the smart play. Beware of the hazard and bunker that guard the right side of this green. Better scores will come from shots hit to the left side of this hole.
Hole 6 – Par 4 – 369 Yards
This undulated and well-bunkered green requires accuracy and good distance control on the approach shot. Landing the ball on the wrong level creates a difficult two putt.
Hole 7 – Par 5 – 525 Yards
A true three shot par five requiring length and accuracy off the tee. The second shot should favor the right side in order to set up a level lie for the approach shot into the green.
Hole 8 – Par 4 – 419 Yards
Accuracy off the tee is the top priority on this difficult par four. Tee shots should favor the left center of the fairway. A narrow green requires a precise second shot as well.
Hole 9 – Par 4 – 467 Yards
This long par four requires two good shots to get on in the regulation. Several bunkers guard the right side of this kidney shaped green making the front left portion of the green a safe play.
Hole 10 – Par 4 – 413 Yards
Placing the drive in the fairway is crucial to setting up the second shot. A relatively flat green is heavily bunkered making the safe zone just short and left of the green.
Hole 11 – Par 4 – 408 Yards
Tee shots should favor the right side of the hole. A long, narrow green makes an accurate second shot essential. Near misses may feed into one of the collection areas ending up several yards from the green.
Hole 12 – Par 4 – 396 Yards
Landing the tee shot on the right side of the fairway will create an open approach shot to an elevated green. Second shots should miss long rather than short. This hole places a premium on accuracy rather than length.
Hole 13 – Par 3 – 175 Yards
Taking the right side bunkering out of play is the main goal on this par three. Aiming for the left-center of the green is the smart play.
Hole 14 – Par 4 – 374 Yards
Taking the fairway bunker on the left side of the fairway out of play on the tee shot is the key to setting up the second shot. A shallow green makes for a difficult target requiring good distance control on the approach shot to the green.
Hole 15 – Par 5 – 503 Yards
A solid drive to the left side of the fairway is the play from the tee. The longer hitter may be tempted to go for the green in two, however all players would do well to play down the left side taking the trouble in front of the green out of play.
Hole 16 – Par 4 – 458 Yards
A long tee shot to the left side of the fairway provides the best angle of approach. Two deep bunkers guard the back portion of the green making an accurate second shot essential. Playing short provides the best opportunity to score.
Hole 17 – Par 3 – 177 Yards
Kingsmill’s signature hole features an extremely deep green making proper club selection on the tee shot the highest priority. The right side poses a lot of danger making the safety zone just short and left of the green.
Hole 18 – Par 4 – 450 Yards
This hole requires length and accuracy off the tee in order to negotiate the large water hazard in front of the back tee boxes. The longer hitter may take a more aggressive line while others should aim well to the right, which provides the shortest carry distance to the fairway. The water hazard behind and to the left of the green requires a precise mid to long iron approach.