Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Courtesy of Laurence Lambrecht
Courtesy of Laurence Lambrecht
Courtesy of Laurence Lambrecht
Courtesy of Laurence Lambrecht
The Olde Farm
Bristol, VA • Private
The Olde Farm
16639 Old Jonesboro Rd
Bristol, VA 24202-5001
United States
Overview
The Olde Farm is old school in concept and execution. The terrain of this site was so nearly perfect for golf that designer Bobby Weed staked it out in just two days, driving around the property in his rental car. The routing hugs the flowing contours of old farmland beneath the foothills of the Appalachians, with holes hopping Sinking Creek a few times and edging slopes of the adjacent hills. It’s a lay-of-the-land design featuring some semi-blind shots, but Weed always provides a target somewhere in the distance. Bentgrass fairways are kept dry and firm and most greens are open in front to encourage the old-style game of low, running approach shots.
About
Awards
Ranking History:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2015.
Highest ranking: 103rd (current)
Previous ranking: 105th.
2025-'26 ranking: 103rd.
Best in State: Ranked from 2011-'26.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 2nd.
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
“A very unique experience. Fairway conditioning was exceptional. The hilly terrain made for several blind shots, and the greens were very challenging to read and putt. Hitting your misses into the right spot was very important. Course is tough but fair. Unique use of buildings inside the golf course--especially on the par 3 6th green. A great experience all the way around."
Read More2025
Review
“Situated near the VA/TN border, the aptly named Olde Farm sits on a large property of rolling farmland. From the moment you arrive, you are well-taken care of by a very friendly and welcoming staff and the hospitality here is some of the best in the country. After warming up at the giant practice facility or par 3 course, you then tackle the course, which is considered one of the best in VA and the country. The Olde Farm is a fascinating course where there's a big emphasis on fun, with wide fairways, two driveable par fours in the first 8 holes, and an awesome Bye Hole by the clubhouse that would be the best par 3 on many courses. The conditioning here is absolutely superb, with firm and fast fairways and greens despite a hot and wet summer. While the generous fairways allow one to be aggressive off the tee, the holes generally get tougher as you near the greens, which are quite large, well-defended, and very undulating. This is truly one of the best golf experiences out there and a pretty spectacular place to be a national member."
Read More2025
Review
“Absolutely stunning course and a real special facility. The staff was super accommodating and as a bonus I was introduced to the owner. The course conditioning was fabulous, possibly the best bentgrass fairways that I have played."
Read More2025
Review
“Fantastic layout taking advantage of the rolling topography. Most greens with backstop allow for aggressive approach but few feed back to the green as all have long rough. Wind would be a major factor if present (esp. for elevated tee boxes like #15). Even when you get to the green, there isn’t a straight putt. Conditioning was excellent. All holes have some elevation change, with some significant (#2, #3, #4, #5 and #15). Outstanding staff and pro shop. 19th hole (yes, an actual golf hole) is an uphill par 3 directly adjacent to the clubhouse. The member I played with said “that hole is one more chance to press your bet”."
Read More2025
Review
“Fantastic layout taking advantage of the rolling topography. Most greens with backstop allow for aggressive approach but few feed back to the green as all have long rough. Wind would be a major factor if present (esp. for elevated tee boxes like #15). Even when you get to the green, there isn’t a straight putt. Conditioning was excellent. All holes have some elevation change, with some significant (#2, #3, #4, #5 and #15). Outstanding staff and pro shop. 19th hole (yes, an actual golf hole) is an uphill par 3 directly adjacent to the clubhouse. The member I played with said “that hole is one more chance to press your bet”."
Read More2025
Review
“A beautiful layout over the rolling hills of Virginia. The course flows wonderfully over the terrain as if it were always meant to be there. Incredibly challenging greens are large and wonderfully designed, with multiple collection areas sprinkled throughout. A very satisfying experience, and a course one should seek out."
Read More2025
Review
“The Olde Farm was an elite oasis for their mostly national membership with a secluded and sprawling property that is ideal for golf. Some of the holes that stood out to me were the par 4 3rd, which required the golfer to keep their drive to the right of the large hillside before hitting their approach into a green that feeds from right to left, which makes the left pin especially fun. The short par 4 5th, which is drivable in the right wind and offers an early birdie opportunity once you are on the large punchbowl green. The par 4 9th green is benched expertly in the hillside, which makes both the approach and any putts from the wrong side of the hole requiring extra attention. The par 4 10th offers a steep speed slot off the tee, which helps make the hole play much shorter if the player hits an excellent drive."
Read More2025
Review
“The experience at Olde Farm across all dimensions is very impressive. Set in the rolling hills of Virginia with numerous aesthetic elements naturally appearing hole to hole make for a beautiful environment as well as affecting how one plays the course. The layout is varied and each hole is unique in design."
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent place to play. Conditioning is excellent and you get your name carved into the flagstick for eternity if you get a hole in one. Jump at the chance if you get an invite here. What a treat."
Read More2024
Review
“The aptly named Olde Farm is a contemporary Bobby Weed design that was built on wide open, rolling farmland, in Southwest Virginia. The fairways and greens are massive, but the greens have a tremendous amount of movement and interest. Thus, this is a second-shot golf course. There are not a lot of hazards or penalty areas, so there are some hard pars but easy bogeys, and big numbers should be rare for the skilled player. The bunkers are lined with high fescue that is growing in the direction of play. This is an overly penal design that makes it more imperative to avoid the bunkers. The course is an entirely isolated property. There are few memorable holes and a number of holes that lack definition. This obsession with forcing bent grass in a climate that does not support it is unfortunate, as it must be soaked throughout the summer, so really good drives might get no rollout. Despite the lack of roll, the property (especially the greens) has a links-like feel, and those golfers who get a thrill out of working the ball toward the hole location by deftly using the green contours will have a terrific time at The Olde Farm."
Read More2024
