Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Spring Creek Golf Club (Zion Crossroads, Virginia)

Spring Creek Golf Club logo Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield

Rankings: 

 

The Takeaway:  Spring Creek looks like a private course in a newer upper end neighborhood, yet it is public. The bentgrass fairways and greens provide a quality surface to play from and the variety of shots you'll play is commendable. While the course features one solid hole after another, you don't get "wowed" much until the 18th hole which is a gem.  Grade B

Quick Facts

Designer:  Ed Carton in 2006

Cost:  $60.00 - $125.00 (includes cart) Click for current rates

Phone Number:  (540) 832-0744

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit Spring Creek Golf Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - 109 Clubhouse Way, Zion Crossroads, Virginia  22942 – UNITED STATES

Photos:  See additional photos of Spring Creek Golf Club

What to Expect:  Designed by Ed Carton, a disciple under Tom Fazio for approximately 30 projects, Spring Creek is a well crafted designed with wide fairways, generous greens, and ample bunkers. The conditioning of the bentgrass fairways and greens and overall vibe of the property oozes private membership, but the course manages to be one of the more affordable upper end courses on the east coast. The course is routed through a residential development but the homes don't come into play unless you are almost intentionally trying to put one off someone's back patio. While the course is devoid of any bad holes, you won't be overwhelmed by any great holes until the all-Virginia finishing hole that will leave a lasting impression on you. In addition, the setting is pleasant enough but the look of the course can get a bit monotonous at times with a heavy dose of green grass, green trees, and green foliage with the bunkering generally being the only contrast to the visuals. Fortunately Carton counters that with a variety of shots required and options delivered on how to play each hole which keep your attention throughout. The mildly rolling terrain isn't a tough walk, but the vast majority of players at Spring Creek will be utilizing a cart to get around the course and help cover a couple of the lengthier transitions from one green to the next tee. In the end, Spring Creek is one of the best values in the country for an upper end pseudo private experience.

By the Numbers

Tees Par Yardage Rating Slope
Championship 72 7348 76.4 151
Marble 72 6838 74.1 146
Onyx 72 6209 71.0 139
Salmon 72 5492 67.9 130
Pewter (Women) 72 4677 68.1 128

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  6th Hole – 415 Yard Par 4 – One of the more interesting tee shots of the day is presented at the 6th hole. A 40 yard bunker hugs the right side of the fairway in the driving zone while tee shots that steer too far left will find their ball tumbling down a steep hillside. The fairway then doglegs right between a pair of bunkers and ascends slightly uphill to a green protected by another bunker on the right side. Pin placements in the back right can be especially difficult to get close to.

6th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (415 Yard Par 4)
6th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (415 Yard Par 4)

6th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (415 Yard Par 4)
6th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (415 Yard Par 4)

Best Par 3:  5th Hole – 197 Yards – The downhill 5th has an inviting look from the tee with bunkers artfully flowing outside the putting surface and the front of the green open to a running shot. A forced carry over high waste grass is required to find the green safely. The birdie pin placement is in the front third where a small tier can help bring spinning shots back towards the hole while the sucker pin is in the back left.

5th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (197 Yard Par 3)
5th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (197 Yard Par 3)

Best Par 4:  14th Hole – 445 Yards – An elevated tee and double fairway greets you at the 14th hole where a slithering section of rough creates the separation between the two fairways. This bunkerless hole sits tastefully in a hillside that slopes right-to-left where misses on the high side of the green have a chance to kick onto the putting surface while misses to the left will be faced with a challenging up and down. The superior angle of approach comes from the low fairway where you can play directly back into the hillside, but that fairway is tighter than on the right.

14th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (445 Yard Par 4)
14th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (445 Yard Par 4)

14th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (445 Yard Par 4)
14th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (445 Yard Par 4)

Best Par 5:  18th Hole – 561 Yards – The final hole at Spring Creek is clearly its best and most memorable. This picturesque par five is framed by water on the left which pinches the fairway at its tightest spot 225 yards from the green. The fairway takes a late turn to the left and creates a peninsula-like green wrapped around on the sides and back by sand as the final buffer before reaching the water. The risk/reward here is high if you are going for the green in two and could be a great place to press a match.

18th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (561 Yard Par 5)
18th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (561 Yard Par 5)

Birdie Time:  16th Hole – 389 Yard Par 4 – Another hole with a split fairway, the 16th is the shortest par four on the course and provides a solid opportunity to score a birdie. A drawing tee shot around the corner of the dogleg can find the lower fairway and set up a short chip into the green. Tee shots that go to the wider fairway on the right will enjoy an angle that provides the greatest depths of the green to work with and still a great chance at a green in regulation. Go high or go low, either option should yield a chance at a nice birdie putt.

16th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (389 Yard Par 4)
16th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (389 Yard Par 4)

16th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (389 Yard Par 4)
16th Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (389 Yard Par 4)

Bogey Beware:  3rd Hole – 430 Yard Par 4 – On the card at 430 yards, but with an additional tee box that can stretch to 471 yards, length and accuracy is needed from start to finish on this tough test. A straight drive is needed off the tee as a pair of bunkers await on either side of the landing area before setting up a stout approach shot over a creek that fronts the green. A large bunker encompasses the left side of the putting surface which begs people to miss right where a small bailout area exists. There is little room for error anytime along the way on the 3rd hole so be ready to step up to the challenge.

3rd Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (430 Yard Par 4)
3rd Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (430 Yard Par 4)

3rd Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (430 Yard Par 4)
3rd Hole at Spring Creek Golf Club (430 Yard Par 4)

Recommended Accommodations

Prospect Hill - For a throwback in time and an increase in relaxation, few places in the country compare with Prospect Hill. The historic plantation complex sits on 40 secluded acres and features a baker's dozen rooms found in original 18th and 19th century buildings. Formerly a 1500 acre wheat plantation, Prospect Hill delivers rustic rooms devoid of distraction from noisy TVs or entertainment areas and instead helps people go back to a simpler time where you body and soul can truly unplug from modern stresses. Rooms are well appointed with high quality down featherbeds, plush pillows, bottled artesian water, complimentary refreshments, wood fireplaces, private bathrooms, and air conditioning. The gourmet breakfast the next morning, served either in your bed or in the historic dining room, boasts locally grown organic fruits as an intro before offering a wide assortment of first class entree options. With your body rejuvenated from a perfect night's sleep and your taste buds indulged in a blue ribbon breakfast, you simply can't beat staying at Prospect Hill. Contact: (540) 967-0844 or stay@prospecthill.com

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