Royal New Kent Golf Club
Royal New Kent Golf Club offers a compelling 18-hole private layout that tests strategy and precision amid Virginia’s coastal lowlands. With generous fairways hiding tricky blind shots and carefully contoured greens, it blends thoughtful design with a natural setting for a challenging yet rewarding golf experience.
Course Overview
Royal New Kent Golf Club, located just east of Richmond in Providence Forge, Virginia, presents a distinctive test of golf that stands apart in the region. This 18-hole private course showcases architect Tom Fazio's rare collaboration with legendary designer Tom Fazio, delivering a layout that challenges regarded notions of power and precision. The course unfolds across gently rolling terrain with fairways framed by natural tall grasses and strategically placed bunkers that demand thoughtful shot placement.
Players are greeted by generous landing areas that mask the true challenge: cleverly designed blind shots and subtle penal elements that provoke strategic decisions at every turn. Each hole at Royal New Kent invites a measured attack where accuracy takes precedence over brute strength, encouraging all skill levels to engage both club selection and mental discipline. Greens are large, often guarded by deep bunkers or undulating contours that reward focus and touch.
The course’s freshwater lakes and marshland add visual contrast and serve as tactical hazards without overwhelming the round. Its setting away from urban distractions allows for quiet concentration under open skies, embracing a modern yet naturalistic landscape that reflects the coastal Virginia lowlands.
While the course demands attention, it remains approachable for committed players seeking to sharpen their game. Guests can expect well-maintained practice facilities including putting and chipping areas that prepare for the nuanced greens.
Royal New Kent’s clubhouse complements the golf experience with an inviting atmosphere, offering casual and formal dining options alongside comfortable spaces for post-round conversations. The staff is noted for their attentive service, enhancing the welcoming feel despite the course’s elite reputation.
Visitors are advised to plan the day carefully as the course covers significant ground, making golf carts a practical choice, while walking is possible for those prepared for the terrain. The season can influence course conditions, with winter hues lending a different character to the landscape.
For golfers drawn to strategic design layered with natural beauty and a demanding but fair test, Royal New Kent Golf Club offers a memorable round that challenges the mind and rewards thoughtful execution.
Course Highlights
Designed by Tom Fazio, Royal New Kent features expansive fairways that invite bold tee shots while demanding precision to avoid blind carries and cleverly angled bunkers. The course integrates freshwater lakes and salt marsh elements, creating dynamic visual contrasts and strategic water hazards that influence several holes. Six par-3s and numerous elevated greens add complex putting surfaces that require patience and touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
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!
Todd Myers
Save your money. Over-rated trash course.
Andrew Cannon
Outstanding Mike Stranz layout. Not really for beginners or the faint at heart. Great condition & overall experience.
Carrie
Worst customer service.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 with dining, locker rooms, and lounge facilities
Walking permitted but challenging due to course length and terrain; sturdy footwear recommended. Golf carts available and encouraged for most players.
Member invitation required for tee times; guests welcome with sponsoring member
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