Top 5 Golf Courses We Played in Northern Virginia (2024)

Introduction

Oh, man, I've got to tell you about these golf courses in Northern Virginia I've played this year. Each one is its own beast but totally worth every swing.

Bliss Golf is based in Arlington, Virginia. This region, steeped in history and brimming with natural beauty, is a golfer's paradise.

From the rolling hills of Loudoun County to the picturesque landscapes of Fairfax, Northern Virginia is teeming with top-notch golf courses that'll knock your socks off.

Here, we've compiled a list of the best golf courses that Northern Virginia has to offer.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie just getting into the swing of things, these courses offer a unique blend of challenge and charm that'll keep you coming back for more.

So, grab your clubs, don your favorite golf cap, and let's tee off on a journey through Northern Virginia's premier golfing destinations.

5. Jefferson District Golf Course

Quick Facts:

• Location: Fairfax, VA

• Layout: 9 holes

• Public/private: Fairfax County owned

• Carts: yes, but most people walk

• Address: 12055 Government Center Pkwy.

  Fairfax, Virginia

• Price: $24

• Tee Times

 

I had to sneak this one in here. You can snicker at county-owned courses all you like but this is the best one in NOVA for a quick 9 holes.

Most 9 hole courses around here are pretty bad! Jefferson is lush and wide with good greens.

Lazy golfers beware, I've never seen someone use carts here.

You can book tee times with Fairfax County here. At $24 a pop, it's a great deal.

 Here are more details I pulled from Google:

Jefferson District Golf Course, situated at 7900 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA, is a public golf course that opened in 1976.

It's known for its beautifully landscaped 9-hole executive layout, featuring a gently rolling playing surface complemented by four ponds.

Ideal for golfers who prefer walking, it provides a challenging round with a mix of a par five and some demanding par fours.

The course's greens are made of Bent Grass, while the fairways are Rye Grass, offering a year-round golfing season, weather permitting, with the in-season spanning from April to October.

Notably designed by Algie Pulley in 1976, it lacks a driving range but includes a putting green and pitching/chipping area for practice and instruction.

The course is walking-friendly, and dress code requires shoes and shirts at all times. For more details on the course or to book a tee time, you can visit the Jefferson District Golf Course's official website or GolfPass​

 

4. Waverly Woods Golf Course

Quick Facts:

• Location: Marriottsville, MD

• Layout: 18 holes

• Public/private: Public

• Carts: yes

• Address: 2100 Warwick Way, Marriottsville, MD 21104

• Price: $43

• Tee Times

I know I said this is a NOVA list, but it's worth venturing into Maryland for a few rounds. There are some great courses there and sometimes it can be easier to book last minute tee times. 

This one's a bit of a hike. It's outside of Ellicot City. An hour and a half from where I'm writing this at Bliss Golf HQ but it's closer for DC residents.

Full details:

Waverly Woods is a fun, well-maintained course designed by the acclaimed architect Arthur Hills and opened in 1998.

This Golf Digest 4-star rated course is set against the backdrop of Maryland's rolling, often wooded terrain, offering both beauty and challenge.

Waverly Woods has received recognition as the "Best of Baltimore" by Baltimore Magazine and has been praised by Golfstyles Magazine and the Washington Times for being one of the finest golfing destinations in the region.

The course features bent grass fairways and greens, and its design takes full advantage of the natural landscape, providing lush fairways that wind through towering trees and offer stunning vistas.

The course is designed to be enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels, with five sets of tees ranging from 4808 to 7024 yards, ensuring a rewarding experience for everyone.

The club also offers top-notch practice facilities, including a driving range, a large putting green, and a short game area, to help golfers sharpen their skills

 

3. Forest Greens Golf Club

Quick Facts:

• Location: Triangle, VA

• Layout: 18 holes

• Public/private: Public

• Carts: yes

• Address: 4500 Poa Annua Ln, Triangle, VA 22172

• Price: $40-$79

• Tee Times

If you're brave enough to drive 45 minutes south on 95, I promise this one is worth it.

The full details:

Forest Greens Golf Club, nestled in the Piedmont's rolling terrain of Triangle, Virginia, and not far from Quantico Marine Base, presents a classic parkland-style layout free from residential distractions.

This public golf course, designed by Clyde Johnston and opened in 1996, is acclaimed for its blend of challenge, scenic vistas, and natural settings, embodying golf as originally envisioned.

The signature hole, a risk-reward par five, encapsulates the strategic essence of Forest Greens, urging golfers to contemplate their approach carefully.

With amenities that border on a resort experience — including a practice putting green, driving range, a pro shop brimming with golfing essentials, and the Eagle's Nest Grille for dining — the club aims to provide an accessible yet memorable golfing experience. Make sure to try the relish!

The layout's pine tree-lined fairways and well-guarded greens set against gently have earned it a four-star rating in our book.  

2. Lake Presidential Golf Club

• Location: Marlboro, MD

• Layout: 18 holes

• Public/private: Public

• Carts: yes

• Address: 3151 Presidential Golf Dr #8957, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

• Price: $39-$105

• Tee Times

 

Brace yourselves, this is another Marlyand one. But it's the best I've played in Maryland.

It's worth the drive for the par 5 over the lake alone. 

Here's the rundown:

Lake Presidential Golf Club, nestled in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is celebrated as one of Maryland's top public golf courses.

This championship course, recognized for its player-friendly yet challenging layout, is set apart by its exceptional conditions from tees to greens.

With a diverse mix of holes, golfers are encouraged to utilize every club in their bag, facing particularly intriguing par 3s alongside hazards that test skill and accuracy.

The front nine features houses along the periphery, while the back nine is adorned with dense, mature trees offering a secluded golfing experience.

The course concludes with an enjoyable par 5 crossing a lake, achievable in two for those with skill and precision​.

The course, built in 2008, provides year-round golfing with amenities like a driving range, golf school academy, golf simulator, and indoor practice facilities.

Additionally, it boasts a clubhouse, conference facilities, banquet facilities, and locker rooms, enhancing the overall experience.

Recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses by Golf Advisor in 2018, Lake Presidential Golf Club stands as a testament to quality and improvement​.

1. Stonewall Golf Club

• Location: Gainesville, VA

• Layout: 18 holes

• Public/private: Public

• Carts: yes

• Address: Stonewall Golf Club, 15601 Turtle Point Dr, Gainesville, VA 20155

• Price: $45-$83

• Tee Times

This course is a steal for the price. The views from the hills overlooking the lake are jaw-dropping. It makes you forget you're NOVA. 

And the neighborhood it snakes through is a marvel in itself. The homes are stunning and make you feel like you've stumbled upon a secret golf utopia.

Here's some more details:

Stonewall Golf Club, located at 15601 Turtle Point Drive in Gainesville, Virginia, is renowned for its top-rated golf course in Northern Virginia.

Opened in 2001, the club boasts an exceptional location along the shores of Lake Manassas, providing spectacular views from the clubhouse and throughout the Tom Jackson-designed championship course.

The course itself is known for its elevation changes and challenging holes, offering eighteen unique experiences across excellent playing conditions.

Aside from the golfing experience, Stonewall Golf Club features the newly renovated Brass Cannon restaurant, which overlooks the course and lake, offering classic American dishes with a southern flair.

The club provides a range of event spaces including the Magnolia Room and the intimate Azalea Room for private events, meetings, or weddings.

Despite its exclusivity in atmosphere, Stonewall Golf Club is open to the public, welcoming all visitors to enjoy its facilities and amenities​

Conclusion

Hitting these courses was an absolute blast. Each offered a distinct vibe, from serene settings that made me forget I was near the city, to layouts that tested every club in my bag.

The variety of challenges, combined with stunning landscapes, made for some unforgettable rounds. If you're looking for diverse golfing experiences with picturesque backdrops and top-notch facilities,

Northern Virginia's got you covered. Let's hit these greens together next time; you're going to love it.

For more Bliss golf guides checkout our blog.

And before you head out to play make sure you grab some of our performance apparel.

-Billy

Creator of Bliss Golf