Toano, Virginia
Stonehouse offers a bold, visually thrilling Mike Strantz routing across rugged, tumbling hills near Williamsburg. With a top-shelf restoration, unforgettable visuals, and stirring shot values, it’s an architecture traveler’s delight and a course that elevates any Virginia trip.
Stonehouse Golf Club delivers the full-throttle Mike Strantz treatment: wild, tumbling landforms, dramatic visuals, and a constant rhythm of risk-reward surprises. The 2019–2021 restoration returned contours, bunker edges, and tees to their original splendor, making every hole an architectural encounter. Distinctive plateaus, natural ravines, and perched greens force creative thinking, while the variety of fairway movement and Strantz’s bold green complexes ensure each shot demands attention. This is not just a round of golf, it’s a living design experience.
Mike Strantz’s designs are celebrated for fearless visuals, creative routing, and artistry—Stonehouse is a prime example of his talent for making land move.
A true three-shot par 5 playing over rolling terrain. Players must carefully position each shot to navigate bunkers and maximize their chance at a birdie putt.
Avoid overhitting the second shot—angles into the green reward precise layups.
Stray too far off the fairway and you risk facing trees, ravines, or awkward lies.
Greens and fairways have seen major investment—surfaces are firm and recovering, with ongoing improvement since the restoration.
Expect an adventurous round; play can be brisk on weekdays but slows on busy weekends—allow over four hours for a full Strantz experience.
Atmosphere is adventurous yet welcoming, with staff aware of the course’s architectural heritage and a regional crowd seeking drama and challenge.
Golf attire recommended; collared shirts, no denim.
Strantz’s wilds mean tee shots can disappear quickly—better to have a few spares.
Hills can be breezy and the nearby river introduces sudden changes. Layers are smart.
If you walk, be ready for climbs and some long green-to-tee transitions—cart is common for a reason.
Course opens, designed by Mike Strantz
Named Best New Upscale Public Course in the Nation by Golf Digest
Listed among Golf Magazine's Top 100 Public Access Courses
Named Best Public Access Course in Virginia by Golfweek
Course closes for restoration
Stonehouse reopens following $1.4 million restoration
Post-renovation maturity brings best conditions since opening
Stonehouse draws its name from a crumbling local ruin on the property. Legend claims ties to John Smith, Blackbeard, or rebel Nathaniel Bacon—fueling a mystique that feels present as you wind through the corridors of forest and stone.
After closing in 2017, Stonehouse was painstakingly restored to revive Mike Strantz’s original intent. The results—regrassed greens, sculpted bunkers, shaved native areas—let players experience the course at its visual and strategic best.
When Stonehouse opened in 1996, it captured golf’s spotlight with dramatic features and was named Best New Upscale Public Course in America by Golf Digest. Its bold style remains a rare treat in Virginia.
Golfers road-tripping to Williamsburg frequently reroute for Stonehouse, sometimes doubling up with Royal New Kent. The Strantz doubleheader is touted as one of the most exhilarating 1-2 punches in the region.
Course is named for a mysterious local stone ruin, inspiring legends of pirates and explorers.
Stonehouse was closed for nearly two years before its multi-million-dollar restoration.
The wild undulations and ravines required extensive drainage work in the restoration.
Stonehouse debuted as Golf Digest’s Best New Upscale Public Course in the Nation in its first year.
Mike Strantz was inspired by the land’s raw movement and native character when routing the layout.
A Strantz masterpiece, perfect complement to Stonehouse
Historic, resort-friendly, hosts big events
Robert Trent Jones classic, immersive historic setting
Well-regarded, fun layout—strong value add-on
Scenic, playable, solid all-around option close to base
Williamsburg—central location, easy drives to all marquee courses
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Landmand Golf Club makes the greens a central strategic puzzle, making it a compelling counterpart to Stonehouse Golf Club.
Why it matches: If Stonehouse Golf Club is your kind of course, Pete Dye Golf Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: If Stonehouse Golf Club is your kind of course, Chambers Bay Golf Course is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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