A Guide to West Virginia’s Golf Courses and Driving Ranges

The original Greenbrier Hotel opened in 1858 as a mountain getaway with access to the natural springs, but it wasn’t until 1914 that a golf course became available once the resort expanded. In 2010, owner Governor Jim Justice wanted to increase the profile of the resort and golf course and brought the PGA Tour (Professional Golfers’ Association) to the resort. In 2016, devastating floods across southern West Virginia caused $300 million in damages and 23 deaths, along with the destruction of two of the Greenbrier’s four golf courses. In March 2018, the Old White TPC (Tournament Players Club), named for the original Greenbrier Hotel and the Meadows Course reopened after extensive restoration. The Greenbrier is a perfect place to get in a round of golf at the state’s most historic resort.

There are many public golf courses and resorts in West Virginia state parks, but there are also well-known private clubs. Ranked second in the state by Golf Digest, the Pete Dye Golf Club lies between Fairmont and Clarksburg, West Virginia, about an hour south of Morgantown. For the uninitiated, Pete Dye is a world-renowned golf course designer, and many visitors to the course say that the mountains and coal mine on which the course is built create a beautiful setting for this par-72, 18-hole course.

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, then Canaan Valley Resort might be the place for you. The 18-hole golf course is a par 72, nestled in the high Allegheny Mountains within Canaan Valley State Park. The course is open April through November, and the lodge near the resort has been recently updated and expanded. You can find family-friendly events at the resort, and the nearby towns of Davis and Thomas offer great breweries, restaurants and coffee shops.

The Pikewood National Golf Club also uses the natural wonders of West Virginia to create a gorgeous day of golf – the fifth hole even has a waterfall as its backdrop. Golf Digest ranked it the number one course in the state, and golfers say that, though it’s challenging, the views are worth it. The club lies just south of Morgantown, but if you want to stay overnight, there are guest cottages to rent.

At the southern end of the state, almost two hours from Charleston, Pipestem Resort State Park has one of the best public golf courses in West Virginia. The 18-hole, par-72 course overlooks the Bluestone River Gorge, but if you want a more relaxed introduction to golfing, there’s also a nine-hole course and a driving range. The resort also offers mini golf, tennis courts and cabins for an overnight stay.

Just outside of Beckley, West Virginia, the Resort at Glade Springs is another mountain getaway perfect for golfing. Glade Springs offers three courses appropriate for everyone from beginners to seasoned pros, and it consistently ranks among the state’s top five golf courses. Weekend golf packages are affordable, and the resort also has a spa, tennis courts and multiple dining options on-site for those traveling with families.

The Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, was once the summer estate of Earl W Oglebay, a developer of iron mines in Wisconsin and Michigan. In 1926, he donated his land to the city to become a space for public recreation. Today, the resort offers activities for all four seasons, including three golf courses divided between the Speidel Golf Club and the Crispin Golf Course, as well as an indoor pool and spa.