The Shoe Opens at Colonial Williamsburg’s Golden Horseshoe Golf Club
The Shoe at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club opened in October 2025 as Virginia’s only new golf course this year.
The 9-hole, par-3 short course was designed by Rees Jones, Inc., with project leadership from Greg Muirhead, at Colonial Williamsburg Resorts in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The course measures 760 total yards with holes ranging from 43 to 137 yards. Players can complete a round in under an hour.
The facility includes a 14,000-square-foot putting green with nine holes.
Short Course Concept Arrives in Virginia
The Shoe at Golden Horseshoe joins a growing category of short courses at prominent American golf destinations.
The format offers a complete playing experience on a compact layout suitable for practice rounds, family play, or quick sessions between longer rounds.
The course design emphasises shot variety and precision across its nine holes. Each hole presents different challenges that allow players to practice various approaches and short-game scenarios.
The natural setting integrates the layout into the surrounding landscape without residential development. Golden Horseshoe Golf Club now features 45 total holes across three courses.
The Gold Course ranks among America’s Top 75 Public Courses, whilst the Green Course has hosted multiple NCAA championships. The Green Course occupies more than 300 acres without housing, a relatively uncommon attribute for resort courses.
Island Green Heritage at Golden Horseshoe
The Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe opened in 1963 and featured one of the first island greens in American golf architecture.
This design element preceded similar features at other championship courses and demonstrated the facility’s early adoption of distinctive course elements.
Revenue from green fees at The Shoe supports preservation efforts through Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. The timing coincides with America’s 250th anniversary in 2025-2026 and Colonial Williamsburg’s 100th year of operations.
Nine & Dine Package Combines Golf and Dining
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts launched the “Nine & Dine” package for golfers visiting the facility. The package includes nine holes on either the Green Course or The Shoe, plus a $25 dining credit for use at resort restaurants, taverns, or clubhouse venues.
Additional package benefits include one 9-hole round per night of stay, 50% discount on Titleist club rentals, 10% savings on golf gear at pro shops, and two complimentary tickets to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area.
The package provides access to the resort’s dining options, which include taverns serving period-inspired cuisine, hotel restaurants, and the clubhouse grille offering oak-smoked barbecue.
Location and Accommodation Options
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club sits between Norfolk/Virginia Beach and Richmond, approximately two hours from Washington, D.C.
The facility’s location makes it accessible for golfers travelling through Virginia’s central corridor.
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts operates five accommodation properties. The Williamsburg Inn holds Forbes Four-Star status and features views of the golf course from select rooms.
The Williamsburg Lodge, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, sits directly across from the Golden Horseshoe clubhouse.
The Griffin Hotel offers a woodland setting with seasonal amenities. Woodlands Hotel & Suites provides complimentary breakfast and shuttle service to the course. Colonial Houses offer authentic 18th-century accommodations within the Historic Area.
Early Reception and Media Coverage
The Shoe at Golden Horseshoe has received coverage from Golf.com, NBC GolfPass, MyGolfSpy, CBS, and Forbes since opening.
Early visitor feedback highlights the course’s design variety and integration with the resort’s existing golf facilities.
The 14,000-square-foot putting green extends playing options beyond the short course itself. The facility serves multiple purposes including warm-up area, practice venue, and standalone putting competition space.
What This Means for Virginia Golf
The opening of The Shoe adds a short-course option to Virginia’s golf inventory. The format provides an alternative to traditional 18-hole layouts and complements Golden Horseshoe’s two championship courses.
The resort’s golf facilities now span different playing formats and time commitments.
Players can choose between the championship Gold and Green courses, a quick par-3 session on The Shoe, or putting practice on the nine-hole green.
Golfers can book tee times and accommodation packages through Colonial Williamsburg Resorts.
The facility combines golf access with the Historic Area, creating a dual-purpose destination for players interested in both the sport and American history.
