Sycamore Creek Golf Course
Sycamore Creek Golf Course presents a well-balanced 18-hole parkland layout in Central Virginia, offering a par-70 challenge across 5,700 yards. Known for its accessible playability and calm rural setting, this public course invites players who seek strategic golf without excessive length.
Course Overview
Sycamore Creek Golf Course offers an approachable yet engaging 18-hole layout designed to test a variety of skills without overwhelming players seeking a relaxed round. Situated in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, this public course features a par-70 setup stretching approximately 5,700 yards from the white tees. The course’s modest length encourages strategic shot-making over sheer power, drawing players who appreciate precision and an enjoyable pace of play.
The layout blends parkland characteristics with subtle natural undulations, allowing the surrounding landscape to shape each hole’s personality. Fairways are lined with mature trees, while well-placed bunkers and water hazards demand thoughtful club selection. Greens present a moderate challenge, typically receptive but not overly fast, rewarding steady short-game execution. For golfers mindful of conditioning, it is worth noting that certain areas have experienced wear, particularly some fairway patches, making course management and shot placement even more important.
Sycamore Creek’s setting exudes a calm, rural charm. The open sky and gentle Virginia breeze mingle with the ever-present sounds of nature, framing each hole with a quiet rhythm. While the course is welcoming to players of all abilities, those looking for a rigorous test should be prepared for the subtle strategic nuances that appear in its middle and closing holes, where risk-reward decisions become more pronounced.
The clubhouse offers a modest but serviceable environment for pre- and post-round gatherings, including beverage options that many visitors appreciate. Walking is permitted and recommended when weather and pace allow, with terrain that remains comfortable on foot and suitable for standard golf shoes.
Players planning a visit will find Sycamore Creek a reliable option for a casual day focused on solid golf without the demands of championship length or extreme difficulty. While some pace-of-play issues have been noted during busier times, early tee times often provide a more fluid experience. Overall, this course provides a genuine Virginia wooded golf experience with practical amenities grounded in straightforward enjoyment.
Course Highlights
Sycamore Creek’s defining trait is its inviting par-70 layout that favors strategic shot placement over distance. The course weaves through mature tree lines and water features that offer visual interest and demand respect. While the greens remain manageable with modest slope, the placement of bunkers near landing zones adds tactical complexity. The tranquil rural setting complements the experience, allowing players to focus on consistent ball striking within a natural environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Robert Wrenn
2 hours to play 5 holes on a Sunday afternoon. 5 groups on hole #5. Management only gave us $40 rain check after paying $120 to play. They didn’t act like they cared. Sad!
Dr. Joseph Capri
Ah, Sycamore Creek: A welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! I have played this golf course at least 15 times, and when I am playing with a white man I have never been bothered about the pace of play! As I said, this is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! This is the 2nd time I have brought my former pastor (who happens to be an older black gentleman), and surprise, surprise, the 2nd time an old white man harassed us about pace of play. But remember, this is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! Both times, this Barney fife wannabe has harassed us about pace of play despite our being within the expected norms of finish time. This time, he actually drove onto the course, and stopped us from playing TWICE, on two separate holes, to tell us to “pick it up.” But Sycamore Creek is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! Based upon every golf website I have ever seen, 18 holes should take 4-4 1/2 hours. This follows that 9 holes should take 2-2:15. Even with him harassing us twice, and being paired with a walking player that we did not know, we finished our 9 holes in 2 hours & 16 minutes (9:04-11:21). But remember, this is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! We allowed one group to play through, and still finished within that time. That group was 2 white men who were not paired up with someone they didn’t know. But remember, this is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! The second group that was behind us was two older white gentlemen, each riding in THEIR OWN golf cart. They were also not matched up with anyone that they didn’t know. But remember, this is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! We went into the golf shop to complain about our treatment. The guy behind the counter AGREED that we should not have been harassed, and that we were not slow, because we finished within a reasonable amount of time. So, at least there’s that! He admitted that we were treated wrongly! Because, please remember, this is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! Instead of owning it (despite admitting it) that we were provided a very poor experience because of staff and refunded, or at partially refunded, we got the proverbial “I’ll talk to him.“ Which is “customer service“ language for “I’m not going to do anything. Just shut up & leave.” But remember, this is a welcoming and completely NOT racist golf course! I’m glad we got a couple pictures, because this is the last time we will be there in person!
Nicholas Deruosi
Great golf course. If does get crowded but what place dosent.
Dana Jackson
Conditions are not what they once were with some fairways now having very large dead areas that are just dirt only. Think, “The Crossings 4 years ago.” Also if the Richmond weather changes on you, that is YOUR fault, golfer. You should know better than to give them your money if there is any chance of rain, and we are not giving any rain checks. Could not even get them to give a 9 hole rain check when we only got through 7 of 18. Just an uncaring attitude of the pro shop that blames the decision on “from above.” I don’t think they meant Jesus. The founders must have changed their feeling about all that wanting to provide a great golf experience stuff that is on the website. There are better places to play for the same money.
Kenny Gulasky
They need to have official's ride this course, to many players thinking they are one stroke away from getting their tour card. Very very very poor pace of play and players taking forever to look for balls and not playing "ready" golf when they see people waiting for them to complete shots when they know they can't reach the green in two but still wait for everyone to clear the green and drive away. Very disappointed because this is such a nice course to play.
Dana Jackson
Conditions are not what they once were with some fairways now having very large dead areas that are just dirt only. Think, “The Crossings 4 years ago.” Also if the Richmond weather changes on you, that is YOUR fault, golfer. You should know better than to give them your money if there is any chance of rain, and we are not giving any rain checks. Could not even get them to give a 9 hole rain check when we only got through 7 of 18. Just an uncaring attitude of the pro shop that blames the decision on “from above.” I don’t think they meant Jesus. The founders must have changed their feeling about all that wanting to provide a great golf experience stuff that is on the website. There are better places to play for the same money.
Margo Stoneking
Blake Campbell
Sycamore is a solid course. It is shorter than average (5700yds from white), still par 70, but still a very playable course. Greens are slow but very playable and in good condition. Your main takeaway should be that they are liberal with bevarages so make sure you have your party pants on.
Robert Wrenn
2 hours to play 5 holes on a Sunday afternoon. 5 groups on hole #5. Management only gave us $40 rain check after paying $120 to play. They didn’t act like they cared. Sad!
Jim Alexander
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Course Details
Access & Location
1991 Manakin Rd, Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, USA
Main clubhouse featuring pro shop and beverage service
Walking permitted and encouraged when possible; course terrain is moderate, suitable for standard golf shoes
Tee times available for all players; no membership required
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