Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golf in Virginia: His Must-Play Course

When it comes to golf, the design is as important a playability factor as the course condition. Understand the thinking and philosophy behind the build and you can craft a strategy for a strong round. Today, our pros are answering top questions about Robert Trent Jones Jr. and his approach to design as well as sharing insights into his championship course at The Golf Club at Lansdowne.

Who is Robert Trent Jones Jr.?

Say the name “Jones” and you’re speaking to a storied legacy in the world of golf. Robert Trent Jones Jr. (also known as Robert Trent Jones II, RTJII and just plain Bob) joined his father’s (Robert Trent Jones Sr.) golf architecture firm in the 1960s after graduating from Yale University and attending a year of law school at Stanford. Right out of the gate, he worked on the iconic Spyglass Hill Golf Club in Pebble Beach before eventually taking the helm of the firm’s West Coast operations.

After years of working side-by-side with his father and brother (Rees Jones), Bob broke out on his own in 1972 to establish Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects. He is a member of the California Golf Hall of Fame, American Society of Golf Course Architects and United States Golf Association Green Section Committee. Bob is also the recipient of countless prestigious accolades, including the Golf Inc. Lifetime Achievement Award (2009), Golf Magazine Innovator Award (2009) and European PGA Lifetime Achievement Award (2010), to name a few.

What are Robert Trent Jones Jr. Courses Known For?

No one gets to the heart of Bob’s design philosophy better than himself, explaining, “The very best courses are those where nature has provided the canvas and my job is to discover her secrets and reveal them.” He continues, “I try to design golf courses that will fascinate people so they’ll want to play them many times and learn the depths and meanings of the courses’ stories, their subtext, their poetry.”

Environmental sensitivity and playability for the average golfer (paired with challenging championship tees fit for pro players) are driving forces behind the approach taken on all Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses. Many of his designs are marked by signature characteristics — look for camouflaged best lines of play, elongated tee boxes, undulating (and oversized) greens and strategic risk/reward hazards.

Where is the Must-Play Robert Trent Jones Jr. Course in Virginia?

While you’ll find plenty of RTJII courses across the West Coast, especially in California and Hawaii, as well as throughout continents around the world, there is only one in Virginia. Welcome to the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Course at The Golf Club at Lansdowne in Leesburg. It is a 7,063-yard, par-72 championship 18-hole layout reserved for play by club members and resort guests, exclusively. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or new to the game, you will find your own test in navigating the elevation changes and physical idiosyncrasies of this highly respected course.

How Should I Play the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Course at Lansdowne?

We’ve mapped out the ideal strategy for playing RTJII’s sole course in Virginia. Below is the invaluable hole-by-hole guide to put you on solid footing for the best possible round.

1. Par 4 – A great starting hole that plays downhill with plenty of room off the tee. Favor the right side of the fairway to take the left greenside bunker out of play. The green slopes back to front, so keeping your approach below the hole will give you a solid look at birdie to start the day.
2. Par 4 – A difficult dogleg right with OB and water down the right side and fairway bunkers straight ahead. A tee shot to right-center of the fairway avoids the bunkers and is the hardest part of the hole. The green is wide but shallow — aim for the middle and you’ll have a reasonable putt regardless of pin location.
3. Par 4 – A short dogleg left and a great birdie opportunity. Hit your best 200-yard club into the center of the fairway, leaving a short wedge in. The green is small and slopes heavily from back to front, so precision is key if you want a real birdie chance.
4. Par 3 – A long par 3 and arguably the toughest hole on the front nine. Aim for the center of the green — this gives you the best chance regardless of the pin. Par here is an excellent score.
5. Par 5 – A strong par 5 — just don’t go left. Favor the right side of the fairway while avoiding the bunker. Many players aim safely into the 6th fairway. From there, a solid 200-yard shot sets up a comfortable wedge into a large green.
6. Par 4 – A demanding par 4. A tee shot to right-center is ideal. The real challenge is the approach, as the green is very narrow. Anything on the middle of the green is a win. Par is a good score.
7. Par 3 – A medium-length par 3 with a large ridge dividing the green front to back. Club selection and knowing the pin location are critical — commit to either the front or back section.
8. Par 5 – A short par 5 and arguably the most fun hole on the property. With a good tee shot, most medium to long hitters can reach in two, setting up an eagle look or a very short approach. A great opportunity to get a shot back and build confidence.
9. Par 4 – A medium-length dogleg right. Avoid the right rough, as the approach requires carrying deep greenside bunkers. The center of the green is always a smart target.
10. Par 4 – A short dogleg left. Short hitters can play straight, while big hitters can take on the corner and let it fly. A good tee shot leaves a short wedge into a fairly flat green — another good birdie chance.
11. Par 5 – A straight par 5 with trouble on both sides. Priority one is getting the tee ball in play. The second shot is a simple layup into a generous landing area. The green is flat, but avoid the gorge left.
12. Par 4 – Hopefully you’re scoring well, because this is where the course starts to show its teeth. A ravine bisects the fairway. Big hitters can carry it and leave a wedge; shorter hitters should play right and prepare for a long uphill approach. Poor decisions here can derail a good round quickly.
13. Par 3 – A downhill par 3 with trouble both short and long. It doesn’t play as downhill as it looks — aiming for the center of the green is the smart play.
14. Par 4 – A dogleg right. Place your tee shot in the left-center of the fairway for the best angle into a very undulating and challenging green.
15. Par 4 – A short par 4 with trouble on both sides. Keeping the ball in play off the tee is critical. Do that, and you’ll have a manageable approach and a good chance to make par.
16. Par 5 – A straightaway par 5 and your last real birdie opportunity since #11. A long tee shot can leave a very short approach or even a chance to reach in two. Avoid the greenside bunkers and take advantage — because the finish is tough.
17. Par 3 – A long par 3 over water — where many good rounds go to die. Anything on the green is a success. Take enough club to reach the back; most misses come up short in the water. If you brought scuba gear, you could probably supply golf balls for all your friends.
18. Par 4 – A tough, uphill dogleg left finisher with trouble down the left side. Aim your tee shot at the right-center of the fairway to avoid the penalty area. Take extra club on the approach — the green has a brutal false front, and shots that land there can roll all the way back into the fairway.

You now know everything needed to conquer the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Course at The Golf Club at Lansdowne. Begin today by reserving your choice of stay packages that conveniently bundle your AAA Four Diamond accommodations with golf rounds — some packages also feature additional perks to make even more of your resort experience.