Poplar Grove Golf Club
Poplar Grove Golf Club
129 Tavern Ln
Amherst, VA 24521-4686
United States
Telephone
Overview
Located just 20 minutes from Lynchburg, Va., in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this Sam Snead and Ed Carton-designed course recently underwent a series of extensive renovations and upgrades that were unveiled in 2021. The renovations included a tree clearing and bunker redesign project, a new practice green and practice bunker and comfort stations located on holes 6 and 15. The layout boasts a nice mix of challenging long and short holes, forgiving fairways and smooth putting surfaces.
About
Awards
ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked 4th, 2021-'22. Ranked top 15, 2007-'16. Ranked 17th, 2025-'26. Ranked 20th, 2023-'24.
Previous ranking: 20th.
2025-'26 ranking: 17th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Poplar Grove plays through well-defined corridors and along creeks, waterfalls, ponds, and a small lake. Par four variety is good, and the back nine subtly flexes between difficult and easier holes. Attention to aesthetic detail is evident and playing conditions, which benefited from a recent course renovation, are excellent for the price point. Several holes present options from the tee, but most green sites are nearly entirely surrounded by rough and bunkers. Poplar Grove is an excellent option in central Virginia (between Charlottesville and Lynchburg)."
Read More2026
Review
“Poplar Grove plays through well-defined corridors and along creeks, waterfalls, ponds, and a small lake. Par four variety is good, and the back nine subtly flexes between difficult and easier holes. Attention to aesthetic detail is evident and playing conditions, which benefited from a recent course renovation, are excellent for the price point. Several holes present options from the tee, but most green sites are nearly entirely surrounded by rough and bunkers. Poplar Grove is an excellent option in central Virginia (between Charlottesville and Lynchburg)."
Read More2026
Review
“Sam Snead's last course which has good elevation change, lakes and streams, greens that are receptive and quick, and fairways that roll."
Read More2023
Review
“You're not that likely to be "in the area," but if you are this one is definitely worth a stop. Almost feels like a mountain course with all the elevation changes, definitely favors taking a cart."
Read More2023
Review
“Beautiful course built on a great piece of land. Lots of elevation changes both down and up. Very challenging course in excellent condition. Little bit in the middle of nowhere, but worth the drive once you get there."
Read More2022
Review
“Simply the best course in central Virginia and one of the best in the state. This golf course is full of surprises. The design variety is outstanding. There are running streams, small ponds, and larger water bodies, massive downhill holes, double fairways, greens shaped and canted in all directions, wild bunker complexes, and beautiful vistas. The low handicapper will have plenty to think about, and the higher handicapper will find numerous risk-reward opportunities as well as opportunities for heroic shots (or safer options). The front nine was supposedly Sam Snead’s final design before he passed away, and holes like #3 are reminiscent of his home course, The Cascades. You will be hard-pressed to find a course that demands a greater variety of golf shots than Poplar Grove."
Read More2021
Review
“Playing surface improvements 2017; new Billy Bunkers and facility renovations in process; wonderful flow and variety; several transitions between open and wooded; elevation changes, water features with creeks, ponds and lakes, and challenging bunkers create great variety and shot options; great traditional elements as Sam Snead's final design and the 1773 Manor House."
Read More2018
Review
“This Sam Snead design built in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a fine test of golf. It is a little out of the way but worth the effort to get there. It uses the land well and certainly is in a beautiful place."
Read More2018
