Bull Run Golf Club Review: Tips and Highlights

Bull Run Golf Club (personal best: 81, blue tees) Number of Rounds Played: 5+

In my opinion, Bull Run golf club is one of the nicer, yet still affordable, courses in the area. The practice area includes a wide-open driving range, a well-manicured chipping area for all types of shots, and clean bunkers as well. The putting green is adjacent to the chipping area and has plenty of space for multiple golfers. The clubhouse also has a bit of an upscale feel with quick and easy access to a bar and food after nine holes.

The course, judging from the slope/rating and my personal experiences, is considerably harder than Herndon Centennial and this is illustrated right off the bat with the first hole. The first tee shot you are hitting is over water to an average fairway landing area for those laying up. For those taking driver, you will arguably have to deal with two bunkers dotting both sides of the fairway. If you aren’t afraid of hitting out of the rough, sending a long one of the left bunker typically works for me.

Hole two is a little more generous, being a par five with a large fairway to hit. It plays much longer in the colder months than its 535 Black Tee card number so no shame in laying up in two here. The green is guarded by two bunkers on the righthand side and approach shots can get stuck on the hill if left out to the right of the green, so you have to be accurate here.

The third hole is an average length par three that I always seem to miss the green on but still always make par. The last two times I have played this hole I have ended up left of the green and walked away with a combined score of -1. If you do miss the green, just remember that we all have a short game!

Holes four and five are both par fours, four being a dogleg left and five being a dogleg right. Both require tee shots executed over a marshy, native area so those shots will have to get up in the air. Five is only 384 from the tips so I do consider clubbing down here to avoid bunkers lining the left side of the fairway.

The sixth is another medium length par three (162 from the tips) with a right to left sloping green. There is a diabolical pin position on some days, positioned all the way on the left side of the green only a few paces on. Creativity may need to be used here to safely get your ball close to the pin as there are two bunkers guarding this green on the left and right sides.

Seven is a straightaway par five but does require your attention. Off the tee box just left are trees that almost force you to start the ball right, requiring a bit of a draw shot. Trees line the entirety of the right side of the hole, most of which I have been in (my natural shot is a fade). The fairway does open up to the left a little bit so, if you can, it is better to be on that side. This is usually a three-shot hole for me if I am looking to par it.

Eight and nine are probably the two most fun holes on the course. Giving views of the central lake, eight is a short dogleg right par four that is drivable with a proper cut shot. It is entirely downhill, but a straight drive will send you into the native area. Approach to this green is delicate as any yardage miscalculation will leave you in the lake. Nine is a hole that requires a moonshot over the water. Be careful to avoid the fairway bunker placed to collect any shots that do make it over the water, but just. Once over the water, this entire hole slopes left to right and a bit downhill to the green. A very fun and scenic hole to close out the front nine.

The start of the back nine will test a player’s accuracy off the tee. Ten is a straightaway par four, with a two fairway bunkers lining the right side of the fairway at about 290 yards. The approach shot is tame, with two greenside bunkers on the lefthand side.

Eleven features a downhill par three, the longest on the card. There is a native area that you will have to clear, as well as a drop-off at the front of the green to collect any shots that just a tad short.

Hole twelve is a short par four, dogleg left. The fairway is spacious but be sure to stop short of the fairway bunker if you are clubbing down off the tee. I think another great risk-reward type hole that Bull Run offers.

Thirteen is probably my favorite hole on the course. Hitting over another body of water, the tee shot is downhill for those playing Blue or Black tees to an inviting fairway that is also penal for poorly placed shots. I like to try and land short of the pot bunker dotting the middle of the fairway to leave a nice uphill approach shot. The green offers a challenging read for most hole locations, and I really think this hole tests not only a player’s physical abilities but also their mental ability.

Fourteen is the third longest par five on the card, at 546 yards from the tips. Fairly simple off the tee, there is not much trouble even if you do miss the center of the face a little bit. A few bunkers are strategically placed for any mishit layup shots, as well as a large bunker guarding the front and right sides of the green. A three-shot hole for most playing this one.

Fifteen is a par four, fairly straightaway with trees lining the left side of the hole. A few fairway bunkers dot both the left and right rough, calling for a good bit of control off the tee. I like to club down a bit on this hole, with it being just over 400 yards from the tips. The green slopes left to right and includes a false front, repelling balls that fall short.

Sixteen is a pretty par three over the water but offers a layup area for those who bail right (no shame). It is close cut on that side, calling for a well-executed chip shot.

Seventeen offers somewhat of a blind tee shot that dips into a valley if you hit the fairway. The second shot is uphill a considerable amount to a long back-to-front green. I often have 30+ footers on this hole, almost no matter where the pin is set.

Eighteen is probably one of, if not the most, scenic holes on the course. Checking in as the second longest par five on the course, eighteen has another lake running right through the middle of it. After hitting the fairway, you will encounter a downhill shot to the green. Be careful, as there is a tree the splits the eyesight, with the green on the left and extra lay-up fairway on the right. An extremely fun hole to close, I have had numerous eagle chances here but yet to convert!

Bull Run Golf Club is one of the more challenging courses in the area, and often tests most anyone who plays (definitely me). During the weekends, this course will run over $100 for a prime tee time but you can try during the week for lower prices. I was able to get this for $50 in February. With great views, great facilities, and a spectacular course design, I think this is a must play for any golfers wishing to try out a new course. Hope to see you out there!