The Highland Course at Primland Resort – Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Each year a group of lucky Golf Aficionado writers embark upon an ultimate golf trip. Recent locations included Scotland, Myrtle Beach, and Bandon Dunes. For 2018 we headed out to the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for fresh air, spectacular views, and now great golf courses. Our first stop on the trip had us on the Virginia side of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a small part of the world called Meadows of Dan, home to Primland Resort.
If you hadn’t heard about Primland Resort don’t worry, you’re not alone. This hidden gem often gets overlooked by larger resorts but at Golf Aficionado, we’re more concerned about quality than quantity. Unlike larger resorts, Primland only has one course on their property. The Highland Course at Primland showcases breathtaking mountainous views at every turn. The 18-hole Audubon-certified all bentgrass greens course was carved from the natural landscape of the mountains by renowned golf course architect, Donald Steel.
Not familiar with Donald Steel? Again quality over quantity, in the United States we’re not as familiar with Donald Steel as we should be, probably because he has only designed 5 golf courses in the states. In fact, The Highland Course at Primland is the only Donald Steel course in the U.S. open to the public. The other 4 courses are at some of the most exclusive private clubs in the world including; Cherokee Plantation, Greensboro Country Club, Vineyard Golf Club, and Carnegie Abbey Club. Known as “The Open Championship Doctor”, Steel’s the only golf architect the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has let touch the Old Course and he’s helped modernize every club or course on which The Open Championship has ever been played.
Hopefully by now you’re starting to understand why we included Primland as part of our ultimate golf trip for 2018. Exclusive access to a Donald Steel design, luxury accommodations, and 12,000 acres set atop the Blue Ridge Mountains combined to make Primland Resort the perfect mountain escape for golf aficionados.
A Few Things To Consider Before Teeing Off
Enjoy the experience! The Highland Course at Primland is a true golf experience, therefore make sure to show up well before your tee time. You’ll want at least an hour to enjoy the practice facilities; the practice range which is just a few steps from the pro shop sits atop a canyon that provides several targets and a great view. Before you leave the range you’ll notice the service is second to none, the staff is very attentive and won’t allow you to walk off the range without cleaning your clubs and offering up advice on how to attack the course.
Take your time and enjoy the full golf experience at Primland, the practice grounds are world class and the putting course is a must before you start your round
Make sure to split your practice time between the range, short game area, and practice putting green. We recommend saving at least 20 minutes for the massive practice green, it’s laid out with 18 holes spread across from each other in various lengths. We ended up putting a few dollars in the pot and had a great time getting adjusted to the bentgrass greens and seeing who was the best putter in the group. If you end up having your own putting match, we recommend including a penalty for ending up off the putting surface, some of the putts are very long and it will provide a nice twist to the game.
Now that you’re loose and adjusted to the speed of bentgrass greens, you have one task left to do! Pick which tee box you’ll play from. Typically, we usually like to err on the side caution and play it forward when trying out a new course. At Primland, I would give the exact opposite advice, tee it back baby! Unfortunately for us, we found this out the hard way. We had a wide range of handicaps in our foursome ranging from very good to below average, we typically settle on a tee box that provides a challenge but doesn’t go overboard. We went with the blue tees, which plays 6,013 yards and has a 70.5 course rating and a very respectable 139 slope. What we didn’t account for was how well the ball would carry in the thin air of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and with so many holes playing downhill if you can keep it in the fairway you’re going to get a ton of rollout. While it was fun to feel like Dustin Johnson going driver/8 iron into the first Par 5, I knew we should have played a little further back, but regardless everyone had a blast and the scores were better than average.
Several Things You’ll Notice Playing The Highland Course
- The most obvious is that each hole offers its own unique stunning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, be it from the tee, fairway, or green rest assured you’ll find a picturesque spot.
- After hitting your first ball into the rough you’ll become painfully aware of how difficult the rough and natural tall grasses are to play out of; to be honest, in most spots, you’ll be lucky if you find your ball.
- The greens are fairly large and offer plenty of undulation both subtle and obvious, you’ll find that there are plenty of 3-putts to be had. Be sure to practice putting before playing!
- The course conditions are fabulous, the fairways are beautiful, well cared for and lush. Sand traps were well cared for and consistent. The putting surfaces are meticulously cared for providing greens that roll true and fast.
- A true 18-hole golf experience, it’s hard to pick a signature hole, as I mentioned breathtaking views are found all around the course.
As I mentioned, it’s hard to pick a signature hole. However, the bookends of the course are about as good as it gets. The 1st hole, a par-5 playing 536 yards from the tips has The Pinnacles of Dan (One of the steepest peaks in Virginia) as a backdrop. A blind tee shot to start, a downhill 2nd shot into the green, and I promise when you reach the green you’ll be in total awe of the mountain bliss.
The 18th hole, a par-4 playing 465 yards from the tips provides a dramatic finish to what is sure to have been breathtaking experience amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains. Offering up one of the most difficult tee shots on the course, the hillside on the right of 18 is terrifying! Anyone with a fade or slice off the tee is bound to lose a ball here. The hillside will have everyone playing the ball out to the left which provides a safe haven but makes it nearly impossible to reach the green in two shots. As you reach the green, hopefully, you’re close to the pin; the 18th green is one of the most undulating on the course. Whether you finish with a par or double bogey, just like the local moonshine, you’ll be thirsty for another sip!
The Highland Course at Primland Resort Course Rating 4.7 out of 5
The Highland Crouse at Primland is a true mountain adventure, sitting at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet the course offers some of the best views you will find anywhere and most importantly provides an experience you won’t soon forget. Breathtaking views, superior conditioning, huge bentgrass greens, and dramatic elevation changes are commonplace at this 12,000-acre mountain oasis. Primland’s extreme terrain provides plenty of stunning views but forced Donald Steel to be creative in a unique course routing that bounces back and forth between par 5s and 3s, you won’t play a par four until the 5th hole. Enjoy every minute of the experience it’s not one you’re likely to find anywhere else!
Ready to book your weekend getaway at Primland Resort? Commonly regarded as one of the best 100 hotels in the world, the lodge at Primland is sure to satisfy even the most demanding guests. The resort not only offers an out of this world golf experience but provides several unique mountain experiences such as tomahawk throwing, fly fishing, and sport shooting. Still debating? Imagine capping off the perfect day on the mountain with a peaceful night in the Primland Observatory, a special stargazing experience that provides a captivating end to a perfect day!
Rob Spellman, is an avid golfer and publisher of Golf Aficionado Magazine, he is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and the Golf Travel Writers of America.