Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech

This is a wonderful course. Lots of unique views and unique shots. Course can be slow sometimes but the views and quality of course make up for it!

Played course a day after heavy rain so it was a little wet. Strong winds, tight fairways and small greens made the front very difficult. Course layout/design is a 10, condition was an 8, greens rolled about 13 but had a few ball marks due to the softness from the rain. Only down side was it was pretty slow. Definitely one of the best courses I’ve played and I would recommend everyone play it if you are within 60 miles of the course.

What an enjoyable course to play 18 holes of golf. This course is set in peaceful surroundings with views of the river and hills all around. With the rolling terrain, this course is playable with challenges for golfers of varying skills. Enjoy playing this repeatedly.

Course is a little deceiving in that it looks a little tight from the tee boxes but I found the fairways a little easier to hit than what I thought. Fairly flat layout along the river but great scenery. Will try to get back there again.

We played mid afternoon midweek but still pace of play was a challenge. Too many people playing back tees and no course Marshall. Well there was a course Marshall but just making sure didn’t drive too close to greens etc. no one fixed ball marks. Overall enjoyed the round and were some memorable holes along the river. But I can’t imagine a steamy summer weekend day along that river for what undoubtedly would be. 5 plus hour weekend round.

Played here on a golf trip in heat of July yet the course was well watered. It was a real treat. This course really made you think about each shot, where to hit, where not to. Some local knowledge would have been helpful but that's true of any course you play the 1st time. The front 9 holes were a good variety, the last 8 though seemed to be very similar and uninspiring though. I could tell from the green complexes that a master designer made this course. With such flat land next to the river he did a great job with only flat terrain to work with.
Course was in OUTSTANDING condition, especially considering the heat. Water was available often enough though.
I have to note that the staff was AMAZING and helpful and friendly. They were top notch! The lady behind the counter at the pro-shop in particular was very helpful. I drove 2 hours to get there and they didn't have my tee time reserved (despite calling a week in advance, and confirming the day before). She made it work and I got in no problem. I will absolutely be back for another golf trip w the guys.
Club house restaurant was great too. Reasonable prices on most things and great cider options on draft.

The course and the views did not disappoint. I was concerned about the greens from a few previous reviews, but they were in great shape and rolled smooth. The entire setting is very relaxing and is a great location for a course. Several holes have views of the river. The layout is challenging and the green complexes are difficult, but overall the course is very playable. This is a great deal for a Pete Dye course and I would highly recommend it.

This is the second time playing Virginia Tech, the first was a year after they first opened in 40 degrees and 20 mph winds. This time was 73 and sunny. The new, to me, clubhouse is nice and the course has matured nicely. Great conditions after an evening of rain the day before. Always try to find a way to schedule a trip through so we can play at VT. It's a real treat.

Paid for 18 today but had to give up after a 2:40 first nine. There were 3 groups of 4 clogging up the entire course, leading to multi group backups on each tee. Zero involvement from any ranger or anyone to help move them along (or the right thing, which would’ve been to boot them entirely). This is a consistent problem here (maybe not 5 hour pace, but 4+ is normal). Great, tough layout and condition gets overshadowed by the abysmal pace.

*This is an update to my original review from 10/17/2017*

Having played two famous Pete Dye courses for the first time this year (Stadium at TPC Sawgrass and Wolf at Las Vegas Paiute Resort) I came back to the River Course for comparison and boy does it hold up.

Sure, in terms of conditioning, it’s tough to compete with a $500+ round at a course the pros play on or even Paiute where green fees exceed $150, but The River Course holds its own with lush grass everywhere you look, smooth greens, raked bunkers, and well-kept tee boxes. There were signs of fairway aeration throughout but it never affected my play and was only noticeable up close.

I really love the links-style layout here, with hardly a tree to be found in play and (under drier conditions) plenty of opportunities to play a ground game on approach. Chipping can be a challenge around the tightly-mowed green surrounds and often times a putter or hybrid is the best club to use. Avoiding the many (and in many cases, tiny) bunkers on the course is the main focus here as the deep faces will genuinely penalize you for poor positioning. Like many Dye courses, there’s a short side and a correct side to miss on each approach shot.

The staff is great here too and will take care of your clubs right from the bag drop. The facilities are as good as you’d expect from a course that’s home to one of the better collegiate programs in the country with a grass range and separate putting and chipping greens.

A few things to note if you plan on walking this course: first, they don’t advertise a walking rate online, but it’s $15 cheaper than riding. Secondly, this course is super easy to walk with the only real distances to be covered are getting to the first and tenth tees. Thirdly, the practice areas are way up on top of a hill as you drive in so I recommend parking up there to do your warm ups and then driving back down to the lower parking lot by the clubhouse to drop off your bag. Lastly, don’t worry about the walk up from the 18th to the clubhouse, the staff is nice enough to give you a ride in a cart.

Even with a walking rate, this course is far from cheap, especially given the location but it’s worth it for the unique layout, great conditions, and a fantastic riverfront setting. I highly recommend even for those wary of Pete Dye. This one is a true gem.

Wow. That's the best way to describe this place. I don't like links style courses but this place is amazing. Water view on every hole. The two nines run alongside the river both ways. Every hole you get the large river view. Mountainside on the other view. Even if you don't like river view or mountainside view, the course is the best conditioned I've played all year. Like hitting off carpet.
Pete Dye did amazing with not only bunker placement but size and height.
Greens were no less amazing.
This place is pricey but well worth it once.

Nice Layout. Course in fair shape, grass is not too thick, actually thin in many areas. Biggest issue is the price, just not worth the $90, especially for a course that is "rough", not manicured. Sand in trap is sparce in areas, mud, etc. Nice Dye layout.

My son and I played this Pete Dye course today for the first time. Very nice course, but very challenging. It is a course that having knowledge of it helps immensely. Definitely glad I bought the yardage book, as it was a big benefit. Very tough, but fair course that I would recommend, especially at the Golf Now rate!

This is a great course and layout Fairways were a little thin so you had to hit it straight. Greens were a little slow, but that is due to time of year so they do not burn out. Will definitely be back!!

Beautiful course. Challenging distances and green layouts. If only the staff was as friendly as the course was scenic. Some of the staff seemed unfriendly and snobbish. A couple of the staff were very friendly...starter and restaurant staff.

What a freaking course! Absolutely awesome! A real mother from the tips; especially since it was a little wet. Probably my third favorite course of those I’ve played. Ocean Course #1. Trump Los Angeles #2. Extremely fast, smooth greens. Plush fairways and tees. Gorgeous views. Military jets flying very low over the course. Try it. You will be pleased.

Pete Dye has built a beautiful course along the New River. Course conditions are pristine, the only missing today was my short game!