The Olde Farm Golf Club – Played May 2022
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 16639 Old Jonesboro Road, Bristol, Virginia
- Year: 2000
- Architect: Bobby Weed
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Championship: 7,119 yards, Par 71, 74.5 Rating/141 Slope
- Medal: 6,609 yards, Par 71, 72.0 Rating/135 Slope
- Member: 6,116 yards, Par 71, 70.2 Rating/132 Slope
- Senior: 5,378 yards, Par 71, 67.9 Rating/123 Slope (Men’s), 72.6 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- Forward: 4,716 yards, Par 71, 67.6 Rating/121 Slope
This past May, I shot up to Southwestern Virginia to see some golf in an area I haven’t frequented. First up on this short trip was The Olde Farm Golf Club.
The course is set in a valley that was once used as a transportation route for Confederate soldiers. The Civil War tradition is kept up in a Ryder Cup style “Blue/Grey” competition each year.
The vibe I got from the course is that members are encouraged to hang out. There are multiple buildings for leisure and the crown jewel is the Long Barn that you go by a few times on the course. It has a putting green, hitting bay, and plenty of snacks/drinks to keep you going. I bet it’s a great spot during rain delays. There are also cottages for visiting members.
Back to the golf course, I don’t think I’ve gotten to play many Bobby Weed courses, but I always like to see different architect’s work. Let’s get into the tour.
Hole 1 – 537 yards – Par 5 – First
Right out of the gate you are faced with a blind tee shot with trouble on the right.
Left and long are not the places to miss when going for this sloping green.
Hole 2 – 415 yards – Par 4 – Crazy Creek
The tee photo is blurry, but the goal here is to be as far down the fairway as possible since the green is very shallow.
In addition to the shallowness, the green sits at an angle to your approach shot.
Hole 3 – 408 yards – Par 4 – Himalayas
If you’re wild off the tee, this shot is fear-inducing. If you miss to the left, good luck!
The benefit of having a caddie for my maiden voyage was that I didn’t have to wonder where I was going. The green is hidden a bit on the approach. It is there though.
Hole 4 – 210 yards – Par 3 – Saddle
The difficult holes continue with this long one-shotter. For me, it was a seven wood to get to this semi0-blind green.
Hole 5 – 331 yards – Par 4 – Punchbowl
Long hitters might have a decision to make here. It’s interesting because the green is not fully visible from the tee. You crest a hill and then go down to the putting surface.
The green is a big target and mishit drives could end up in the large bunkers. If you are in the short grass, you should be able to take aim at the flag.
Hole 6 – 188 yards – Par 3 – Long Barn
The eponymous Long Barn sits just off to the right of this green. I was told that people have even banked shots off of it! The conventional path is a shot to the middle of the green but beware of the bunkers.
Hole 7 – 401 yards – Par 4 – Bottom
On this tee, the goal is to push it as far up the left side as you can.
As you can see, the left side of the fairway gives you the best angle into the green.
The sloping in the greens at The Olde Farm will give you plenty to think about while putting.
Hole 8 – 279 yards – Par 4 – Sycamore
Driveable par fours are rarely boring. That is especially true when the green is elevated and surrounded by bunkers. If you have the confidence to fit a long shot in there, give it a go.
Even if you find the putting surface, there is no guarantee a flat putt awaits you.
Hole 9 – 379 yards – Par 4 – Plateau
This hole plays a bit longer because it is slightly uphill all the way. You’ll want to play your drive at or just right of the bunker on the left.
The back left side of the green features a backboard that you can use to get your approach close.
Hole 10 – 409 yards – Par 4 – Barn
Barns come into play at the beginning of the back nine. This is the “party barn” where members like to congregate. You’ve gotta have your head on a swivel up there though! The hole itself is best played over the bunker.
You’ll be very pleased with an approach shot into the middle of this tricky green.
Hole 11 – 491 yards – Par 5 – Hedgerow
Eleven is a good chance at birdie with two solid shots. I did find that the hole played a bit longer than the yardage.
If your drive doesn’t get far enough, the second shot is partially blind. Thankfully there is no hazard between here and the green.
Going for the green in two, it will be hard to hold due to the shallowness and contour.
Hole 12 – 187 yards – Par 3 – Hillside
Be careful with this shot. If you get past a front pin, the green runs away from you. There is nothing wrong with slightly short when the pin is up front.
You can really see the slope I was talking about earlier.
Hole 13 – 434 yards – Par 4 – Longview
From this elevated tee, your thought should the “send it”. The hole bends to the left around the bunkers.
This is another treacherous green. The shorter club you can hit the better.
Hole 14 – 374 yards – Par 4 – Narrows
Olde Farm is mostly comfortable off the tee, with a few exceptions. This is one of those. You absolutely cannot miss left here.
The two-tiered green provides an exacting test for the approach shot.
Hole 15 – 151 yards – Par 3 – Short
This hole is pretty wild with this pin. Hidden bunkers are behind the large one you can see. Precision is crucial.
If you’re in the front left of this green, you will have a very difficult putt.
Hole 16 – 441 yards – Par 4 – Duck Blind
You’ll have to work very hard for par on this hole. Favor the left side since there is trouble all down the right.
The hazard will influence the approach as well.
Hole 17 – 453 yards – Par 4 – Sinking Creek
The finishing stretch at Olde Farm is not easy. Long par fours that will test your driving and long approach play. Send one between the short trees and you’ll be in good shape.
The green is slightly elevated. The pin is in the back left section.
That back left pin sits in a little bowl. If you control your approach that bowl can be very beneficial.
Hole 18 – 521 yards – Par 5 – Home
The finale asks most of us to hit three good shots. With the open horizon, you’ll need to pick out a good target. The hole moves to the left.
The green sits out in the distance taunting you to go for it, if you have the firepower.
Hole 19 – 144 yards – Par 3 – Bye
Some clubs have a 19th hole that is not the bar. They serve as good opportunities to settle tied matches/bets. The version at Olde Farm is a tough one that plays sharply uphill to a green with severe frontal slope.
My day at Olde Farm was a delight. The course was quite challenging but plenty of fun at the same time. They had some rain before my round, but it didn’t feel overly soggy. I’d love to see it when it is playing firm and fast.
Match play would be an awesome format around this track. You can let a big number go and move on with a free-wheeling attitude.
You might not think of Southwestern Virginia for golf, but if you get an invitation to Olde Farm, don’t turn it down.