Royal New Kent Golf Club
Royal New Kent Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by Tom Fazio and Jim Strantz that challenges golfers with strategic shot-making amid rolling countryside. Noted for its generous fairways and complex greens, it offers a demanding but rewarding experience for players who appreciate thoughtful course management.
Course Overview
Royal New Kent Golf Club offers a distinctive test of golf set amid the rolling countryside between Richmond and Williamsburg, Virginia. As an 18-hole championship layout designed by legendary architect Tom Fazio and modified by Jim Strantz, the course challenges players with a blend of generous fairways that often lead to blind approach shots and greens guarded by carefully placed bunkers. The terrain undulates naturally, creating strategic decisions at every turn, demanding precise shot-making over raw power.
The course’s setting is both rugged and spacious, with fairways winding through tree-lined corridors and open fields that reveal long sightlines contradicted by visual traps. Players encounter a variety of hole designs, including par 3s that require skill and focus to navigate elevated greens, and par 5s offering multiple routes to the flag, encouraging course management. The 7th hole, a par 3, stands out for its scenic quality combined with a challenging green complex that tests distance control.
Maintenance standards reflect a cultivated balance rather than pristine manicuring. While not perfectly lush year-round, the course presents well-maintained bunkers, smooth putting surfaces, and tee areas in good condition. Golfers should expect a demanding round, especially given the course rating and slope, which reflect its challenge for mid- to low-handicap players, though golfers of all skill levels find moments of enjoyment and learning.
Visitors will find a modern clubhouse offering dining options and comfortable spaces to relax before or after the round. The staff is noted for friendliness and attentiveness, enhancing the overall experience. Ample practice facilities support warm-ups and fine-tuning shots, including putting and chipping areas designed to mirror on-course conditions.
Given the course’s spread-out layout, walking is not generally recommended; cart use is encouraged to navigate efficiently. The club’s atmosphere combines serious golf with a welcoming approach, making Royal New Kent an appealing option for players seeking a unique design demanding thoughtful strategy without sacrificing natural beauty. Whether lending itself to competitive play or a contemplative round, it rewards players who embrace its idiosyncrasies and focus on every shot’s complexity.
Course Highlights
A Tom Fazio design refined by Jim Strantz, Royal New Kent stands out through its strategic complexity, featuring generous yet deceptive fairways that often require blind approach shots. Its par 3s demand precision, while the undulating greens and bunker placements call for thoughtful shot selection. The course’s spacious terrain and natural rolling landscape invite players into a game of thoughtful patience and calculated risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
James M
Beautiful, one of a kind place in Virginia.. dont look around, just trust your yardage. You really do feel like you are playing in another country in a differnet era, its really cool. Staff was friendly, attentive and helpful, nice practice area and putting, chipping greens. Food is better than most for golf courses (above par). Could use a little more help with getting around the course with more yardage markers or a more helpful detailed scorecard or just throw a yardage book in the cart. Carts, tees, fairways, greens were all in great shape. Very nice clubhouse and bar area, outdoor patio too. Overall, must play for the golf lovers out there.
Mark Doebler
Had a chance to play at Royal New Kent today. The course is between Richmond and Williamsburg, VA. For those of you who are Strantz fans, you're probably already familiar with it. For those who are not, you'd probably just as soon avoid the course. But I LOVE what Strantz did with golf course design. The guy is to golf, what Picasso was to painting. He had a unique vision and approach, and we went with it for all it was worth. RNK is never going to be praised for its conditioning. But for the setting in which it lies, I give kudos to the crew for the job they do in keeping it appealing and presentable. As for the design, Strantz loves to play mind games. Traps are set in places and at angles that are deceptive. He gives you plenty of room, but you have to hit to a blind spot in order to find it. He taunts you with carries that should be easy....but the fact that they are there can mess with you. RNK is like many other courses by Stranz....it's not for everybody, but if you love it, you love it, you love it regardless of what anyone else says. I'm in the latter category.
Emilio Ciasullo
I decided to play RNK a day before I was going to play Tobacco Road and wow both courses are super hard and absolutely VISUALLY STUNNING!!!!!! You can immediately see the similarities in design, both being just amazing, Strandz' vision is unlike any others'. I loved playing RNK this time of year as well, with the grass having those winter brown hues, gave the course a completely different look, which I think is amazing. A common theme I felt throughout the course was generous fairways, that put you into blind shots if you do not hit a perfect tee shot. 8 and 14 were perfect examples of that , there's a slim view of the pin on shot 2 between two mounds if you put the ball in an exact spot on the fairway but if you are somewhere else on the fairway, completely blind shot. I thought the par 3s were absolutely gorgeous, the 7th was my favorite. The one nit pick is how far the course is spread out, my goodness there was some epically long treks between many of the holes so DO NOT plan on walking this course by any means. Lastly the price was really low for what I think is a course in excellent shape with a world class layout, so value here is GOOD. I am looking forward to returning someday hopefully in the summer.
Andrew Cannon
Outstanding Mike Stranz layout. Not really for beginners or the faint at heart. Great condition & overall experience.
Todd Myers
Save your money. Over-rated trash course.
Stephen Komlo
Fantastic course, wonderful staff, and couldn't be happier. RNK is probably one of the pricier golf courses I've ever played, but every time I've gone (yes, multiple times) I couldn't have been happier with my choice. It's easily the most unique course in the area, and that makes it so much fun. Don't get me wrong, it is a very challenging course. You will be forced to manage the course and your playstyle at every shot, and be disciplined with where you want to hit the ball and where you want to miss. Now I've gone there when its with my group of guys that just want to go out and have fun, and I've gone with my group when we want to try and go low and play a serious match. Each scenario ended up being a fun, competitive, and wholesome affair. I would 10/10 recommend you try this course regardless of your handicap, group make up, and your game style. This course does tend to favor left-handed golfers a little, but that's also part of the challenge. Give it a try, and have some fun. HUGE BONUS: They also carry Have a Day drinks that are produced by Breezy and Bob Does Sports. So get on out to RNK, and have yourself a day
Carrie
Worst customer service.
James M
Beautiful, one of a kind place in Virginia.. dont look around, just trust your yardage. You really do feel like you are playing in another country in a differnet era, its really cool. Staff was friendly, attentive and helpful, nice practice area and putting, chipping greens. Food is better than most for golf courses (above par). Could use a little more help with getting around the course with more yardage markers or a more helpful detailed scorecard or just throw a yardage book in the cart. Carts, tees, fairways, greens were all in great shape. Very nice clubhouse and bar area, outdoor patio too. Overall, must play for the golf lovers out there.
Pamela Smith
Nearly cancelled my tee time when I saw the course slope rating, but sure glad I didn’t! The course was by far the toughest I’ve ever played (16 handicap) but the most enjoyable. I used nearly every club in my bag and had to think through every shot. While not a classically beautiful and green fairway track ( I did play in February) it had its own unique beauty. The staff was awesome! I was a solo woman golfer and they welcomed me as if I was a dear friend! I Can’t say enough about the entire experience. I will definitely be back and can’t wait to take another run at it!
Lonnie Gordy
Very nice golf course to play on
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Course Details
Access & Location
10100 Kent Field Rd, Providence Forge, VA 23140, USA
Royal New Kent Clubhouse – modern facility with dining, lounge, and outdoor patio
Walking is generally discouraged due to the course's expansive layout; carts recommended for convenience. Golfers who choose to walk should be prepared for long distances and wear sturdy golf shoes.
Member invitation required; guest play through member sponsorship or special events only
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