Kingsmill River and Two Rivers

Kingsmill River Golf Course and Two Rivers Golf Course

This week’s blog post will be reviewing and comparing two more golf courses located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The two courses I will be talking about are the Kingsmill River Golf Course and the Two Rivers Golf Course. Both of these courses are premier golf destinations and among the finest in the state. They are well known for their scenic beauty, challenging layouts, and connections to the region’s rich history. Each course offers a distinct playing experience that caters to both advanced and casual golfers. I will be discussing both of these courses in detail, going over information such as basic introduction and history, overall pricing, and overall difficulty of each course.

Kingsmill River Golf Course is part of the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was designed by the famous golf architect Pete Dye and opened in 1975. The course has since hosted multiple professional tournaments, including the LPGA Pure Silk Championship and the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill, which was part of the PGA Tour. This championship-level course is set along the James River, offering spectacular water views on several holes, especially the signature 17th hole that runs right along the river. Kingsmill’s River Course is known for its tight fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens that require precise shot-making and strong course management.

When going to play an 18-hole round of golf with a cart at Kingsmill River Course, you can expect to pay around $150–$200 for resort guests. Rates can vary depending on the season and day of the week, but it’s important to note that access to the River Course is limited to resort guests and members only. Annual memberships can cost around $5,000–$10,000 depending on tier and benefits. Though expensive, this course’s reputation and professional pedigree make it a bucket-list experience for many golfers.

When discussing the difficulty level of Kingsmill River Course, it is definitely on the more challenging side. With a total yardage of just over 6,800 yards and elevation changes throughout, it demands accuracy over power. The James River’s breezes also come into play, adding to the difficulty by pushing the ball around in unexpected ways. This is a course that challenges golfers mentally as well as physically, and even professional players have noted its tough approach angles and narrow landing areas. Overall, it’s a rewarding course for skilled golfers but can be hard for beginners.

Two Rivers Golf Course, located at the Governor’s Land at Two Rivers community in Williamsburg, Virginia, is another prestigious course that offers a blend of natural beauty and elite design. The course was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1996. Two Rivers is named for its position at the confluence of the James and Chickahominy Rivers, giving it some of the most stunning waterfront views of any course in Virginia. The course is known for its immaculate conditioning, rolling fairways, and a design that balances challenge with playability. Fazio’s approach to course architecture shines here, with every hole thoughtfully crafted to highlight the surrounding landscape.

When going to play an 18-hole round of golf with a cart at Two Rivers Golf Course, you must be a member or a guest of one. This private course is exclusive to residents and members of the Governor’s Land community. Membership initiation fees are estimated to start around $25,000, with annual dues near $8,000. Because it’s a private course, it offers toptier packages and the course has the best maintenance year-round. While costly, the course delivers a private and high quality experience in every way.

When discussing the difficulty level of Two Rivers Golf Course, it ranks as one of the more balanced yet still difficult courses in the area. It stretches over 7,000 yards from the championship tees and includes a mix of water hazards, bunkers, and elevated greens. The final holes, especially those near the rivers, are both beautiful and demanding, often affected by strong winds and narrow fairways. It’s the kind of course where precision and strategy outweigh pure distance, and the layout rewards patience and careful planning.

In conclusion, both Kingsmill River Golf Course and Two Rivers Golf Course are shining examples of Virginia’s top-tier golf scene. They are both beautifully maintained, historically rich, and strategically designed to test even the best golfers. However, they also represent two sides of the game: Kingsmill, a semi-private resort course with major tournament history and accessibility for resort guests, and Two Rivers, an exclusive private club known for it privacy. My overall takeaway from reviewing these courses is that Williamsburg continues to stand as one of Virginia’s strongest golf destinations, offering golfers not just a game, but a full experience of challenge, scenery, and tradition.

*Thanks for reading this week's blog post! Next week I will be discussing Twin Lakes Golf Course in Fairfax and Penderbrook Golf Course in Fairfax.*