Originally Posted by
rsvman
Kiskiack Golf Club just north of Williamsburg, VA.
I had the opportunity of playing this track a couple of weeks ago. I have played it maybe twice or three times before, but it had been at least five years since I had played it, so it was almost like I was playing it for the first time.
This is a gorgeous course set on green rolling hills. The area north of the clubhouse is a large grassy field; after the round I saw about 15-18 deer running across it.
Anyway, the course is not long, but some of the holes are relatively narrow. There are a lot of hazards, including water, wild areas, and bunkers. Placing your ball is important here.
I was impressed with the condition of the course. The fairways were green and beautiful; some of the lies were a little tight. The greens were just fantastic; lots of interesting slopes and many multi-tiered greens. They putted very fast for a public course; probably about an 11 on the stimpmeter, although I am just making an educated guess there.
The signature hole is number 11, which is a par 3. From the back tees, it plays about 190-205 and is entirely over a lake. The other tees lie just left of the lake and offer spectacular views without requiring such a long, forced carry. Other holes that really stood out were the 9th hole and the 18th hole. The 9th hole is a short par 4 that really requires either a great tee shot or strategic course management. It is all uphill. The entire right side is the wilderness and a steep hill. If you hit your ball over there, you will likely not find it. On the right is a lake. There is actually a fairly generous landing area for your tee shot if you hit the right club. I chose 4-iron, and then pretended there was a green and a flagstick in the middle of the fairway. I hit a perfect shot and had only a 9-iron in.
The 18th hole is a short par 5 but the first shot plays over water and wild grasses and there is a bunker on the left side near where you would want your drive to end up. The tee box is elevated and the hole goes downward for the first 170 yards or so, then steeply uphill the entire rest of the way. From the tee box you have an expansive view of the large lake and all the surrounding wild areas (the course is NOT near homes at all). Really beautiful. Then, like I said, the rest of the course is sharply uphill. Club selection is difficult. The green is large and two-tiered and has a lot of break on most putts. The only exception is if you end up directly below the hole and can putt straight uphill. Otherwise, every putt on this green is very challenging. I hit a killer drive (best of the day) and then a 5-iron right to the lower part of the upper tier. I had about a 55-foot putt for eagle, but it broke about 10 feet and was very difficult. Prior to hitting the first putt, a three-putt par seemed likely. But then I hit a fantastic lag putt that left me about 2 feet from the hole for what looked like a sure birdie. Sadly, it was a downhill, sharp breaking putt and the wind was blowing pretty hard, moving the flag all around and making me wonder if there would be room for the ball to actually go into the hole. I should have stopped, taken a deep breath, removed the pin, set myself, and made the birdie putt. Instead, I hit at it rather indecisively and lipped it out on the low side, so it became a three-putt par after all. Sigh.
Anyway, aside from that a really nice round of golf and great fun. I got the "hot deal" from GolfNow and only paid $42! Easily felt like a $85-105 course. Highly recommended.