Royal New Kent vs. Tobacco Road

[Rich Brittingham]

Had the pleasure of spending 3 days in Williamsburg, VA with a group of college friends. 

Our first round of the weekend was the most highly anticipated, my first foray into a Mike Stranz design, Royal New Kent.  I absolutely loved it.  Each hole was entirely different from anything I'd ever played.  Despite the courses difficulty, I found it extremely fair, with plenty of scoring opportuities, although they were often not apparent until you reached the landing area or the green and surveyed the hole from the there.  Its certainly a course on which ones score would drop upon a return visit.

My question to those who have played both RNK and Tobacco Road is what are the major differences? Why is it you read and hear about TR so much more then RNK? Is it simply the Pinehurst location?  Considering the general admiration for Mike Stranz and TR on this site, I'm assuming more well traveled site contributors have played both courses and can compare and contrast.

[J Sadowsky]

I agree with a lot about RNK.  I think it would play even better as a members club and/or with caddies, but the owners are pretty modest with their goals.  Fantastic course, one of the best I've had the fortune to play.

[rjsimper]

RNK is longer and probably more difficult

TR has a more sandy/wasty look whereas RNK has the native grasses/dune-y look

RNK has a weak, out of character finishing hole, and really the final 4-5 holes are weak in my opinion...TR doesn't have such a clear distinction in quality or letdown stretch.

Both have intimidating or spectacular first tee shots
Both have Question mark par 5s
Both have crazy greens and some very crazy dimensions - the width of the 17th at TR and the length of the green on 13 at RNK (or whatever that par 3 is with the super deep, narrow green with the stairs at the back right)

It's been probably 5 years since I played my two rounds at RNK, but this is what my memory recalls.

[cary lichtenstein]

They are both gems...to be played and enjoyed, not to be compared, just pure genius!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chip Gaskins]

i played Royal New Kent about two weeks ago and played Tobacco Road two days ago.  It was my first time at RNK but I have played many rounds at TR.

The first major difference is the acres of waste area at TR versus limited places at RNK.  Think about all the tall grass to the right side of the par 5 second hole at RNK.  At TR Strantz used a very similar design except it was all waste area.  And that continues on throughout the holes.



Another major difference is the greens at TR are much wilder in than RNK.  The slopes at TR can get pretty close to the edge of craziness.  Where as RNK, though can be a little crazy, is no where near as many shelves and valleys as TR does.



TR has pretty cool vistas where as the back nine at RNK has become a little too cluttered for me.



hands down to me, TR is the better course.  as always one of my favs!

[John Moore II]

Justin-I echo your statement about RNK in regards to Tobacco Road. With so many blind shots and difficulties, it would make a much better private club. At least it would be better off with (good) forecaddies or regular caddies.

[Greg Krueger]

I am playing RNK for the 1st time Saturday, let you know Monday.