Jones Course (1992)
12th Hole / 441 Yards / Par-4
Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and Kyle Phillips
Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Located less than hour from the U.S. Capitol is the Lansdowne Resort an upscale facility in Northern Virginia providing 36-holes of regulation golf plus a 9-hole short course.
The two courses are named for their respective architects — Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
The Jones Course is blessed with an inward side located on rolling countryside that works its way around the perimeter of the property.
The immediate test facing players when arriving at the tee is avoiding a serpentine creek that splits the fairway between a lower right side and an upper left side.
The percentage play is to hit one’s tee shot to the right side.
The approach shot from the right encounters an elevated putting surface. The rise is roughly 35-40 feet and selecting the correct club is paramount.
The putting surface can prove to be an elusive target — no more than 4,000 square feet. On the approach shot the target seems even smaller because of the elevation encountered with two greenside bunkers rigorously protecting the front area.
The depth of the green is just 23 yards and approach shots that go too long will find a very difficult task in leaving the hole with a score of 4.
The naturalness of the terrain provides the ideal fit for such an enchanting and testing hole.
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Images courtesy of Lansdowne Resort
Related: America’s golden age golf architecture
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”