The Homestead Old Course
Home to the oldest first tee in continuous use in America, dating to 1892, the Old Course at The Omni Homestead is living history. Expanded to eighteen holes by Donald Ross and set in the Allegheny Mountains, it is a par 72 of about 6,099 yards where golfers have teed off from the same spot for over a century.
Photo: Old Course at The Omni Homestead Resort via Google.
The verdict
The Old Course at The Omni Homestead is one of the most historic rounds in American golf. Its first tee has been in continuous use since 1892, the oldest in the country, and standing on it connects you to more than a century and a quarter of golfers who have started their day from the same patch of mountain turf. Golf grew so popular at the resort that Donald Ross was brought in to expand the layout to eighteen holes, and later hands, including William Flynn and Rees Jones, refined it further.
For the traveling golfer the appeal here is heritage and setting rather than raw difficulty. At about 6,099 yards it is a walk through history in the Allegheny Mountains, with mountain air, classic Ross greens and a rare routing of six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s. It is the spiritual heart of one of America's grand old resorts, and it rewards the golfer who comes to savor the place as much as the score.
The Homestead Old Course at a glance
- First tee
- In use since 1892
- Designer
- Donald Ross expansion
- Type
- Resort mountain parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,099 yds
- Access
- Resort, public
History, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026 from The Omni Homestead, the historic marker record and leading course databases. The first tee has been in continuous use since 1892, the oldest in the United States; Donald Ross expanded the course to eighteen holes, with later work by William Flynn and Rees Jones. It is a par 72 of about 6,099 yards with six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s. Resort green fees and packages change by season and year, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Old Course is a mountain parkland routing that uses the natural contours of the valley rather than fighting them. It is not long by modern standards, but the elevation changes, the firm classic greens and the mountain breezes mean club selection is rarely obvious, and the par 3s in particular ask for crisp iron play.
The unusual balance of six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s gives the round a rhythm all its own, with regular scoring chances on the par 5s offset by demanding short holes. The greens carry the hallmarks of classic American design, subtly contoured and quick, so position below the hole matters more than length off the tee.
It is a course best enjoyed for what it is: a beautifully preserved piece of golf history in a spectacular mountain setting. Players who come expecting a championship slog will miss the point; those who come to walk in the footsteps of generations and play a charming, strategic old course will leave delighted.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course at The Omni Homestead; open to resort guests and visiting golfers by tee time |
| Green fee | Resort and stay and play rates apply and vary by season and demand; confirm the current published rate with the resort |
| Booking | Book through the resort golf shop or as part of a stay and play package; reserve ahead in peak summer and fall |
| On the day | Walking is part of the charm here, with caddies and carts available; resort dress; full practice facilities and a second resort course on site |
| Getting there | Hot Springs, in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia, a scenic drive from Roanoke or Lewisburg |
| Best months | Late spring through October; fall brings cool mountain air and foliage |
Access and fees verified June 2026; resort pricing and packages change by season and demand, so always confirm the current green fee and availability directly before booking. To book a round through a partner, use our trip desk to check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is The Omni Homestead itself, the grand historic resort whose hot springs gave the town its name. Staying on property puts you steps from both resort courses, the spa and the dining, and the stay and play packages are the simplest way to secure tee times in the busy seasons.
For a wider Virginia golf trip, pair the Old Course with the dramatic Mike Strantz design at Royal New Kent Golf Club and the Rees Jones mountain golf of Stoney Creek at Wintergreen, for a route that spans the state's best resort and championship golf.
Looking for a base near Hot Springs? See our recommended hotels and resorts.
Build a Virginia golf trip
We arrange the tee times at The Homestead Old Course, pair them with the best of Virginia golf and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
The Homestead Old Course questions
Why is the Homestead Old Course historically important?
The Old Course is home to the oldest first tee in continuous use in the United States, dating to 1892. Golfers have teed off from the same spot for well over a century, making it one of the most historic pieces of ground in American golf.
Who designed the Homestead Old Course?
The original holes date to 1892, and Donald Ross expanded the layout to eighteen holes in the early twentieth century. Later updates were made by William Flynn and Rees Jones.
What is the par and length of the Homestead Old Course?
The Old Course is a par 72 of about 6,099 yards, with an unusual routing of six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s set in the Allegheny Mountains.
Can visitors play the Homestead Old Course?
Yes. The Old Course is a resort course at The Omni Homestead, open to resort guests and visiting golfers by tee time. Resort and stay and play rates apply and change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; resort access verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.