Last updated: 07/10/2026 · By Fords Colony Team
Quick Answer
For a Williamsburg golf weekend, plan 2–3 nights and one round per day. Book tee times first, then build the rest of the trip around them. At Ford’s Colony Country Club, you can play three different Dan Maples courses (54 holes) at one club: Blue Heron, Blackheath and Marsh Hawk. Public tee times are bookable online. Leave afternoons free for Colonial Williamsburg, the Historic Triangle and a good dinner.
How Many Days Do You Need?
| Trip Length | Rounds | Best For |
| 2 nights | 2 rounds | A relaxed weekend with golf and sightseeing |
| 3 nights | 3 rounds | Playing all three Ford’s Colony courses, plus practice or a lesson |
| 36-hole day | 2 rounds in one day | Only for groups that specifically want maximum golf |
One round per day is the sweet spot. Delays, heat and fatigue can turn a 36-hole day into a stressful one.
Step 1: Decide What Kind of Trip You Want
- Golf-first: 3 rounds, practice time, maybe a lesson or club fitting
- Golf + sightseeing: Morning golf, afternoons in Colonial Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown)
- Couples: Shared rounds and relaxed dinners. If only one of you plays, the other has plenty to explore.
- Friends’ trip: Multiple courses, a friendly competition and casual meals
Your answer decides how many rounds to book and how much free time to leave.
Step 2: Book Tee Times First
The most common golf-trip mistake is booking the hotel and dinners first, then finding that your preferred tee times are gone. Reverse it:
- Check tee-time availability
- Lock in your rounds
- Build hotel, dining and sightseeing around them
This matters even more for groups, because finding back-to-back tee times for several foursomes is harder than booking one.
👉 Book at Ford’s Colony: Blue Heron · Blackheath · Marsh Hawk
Step 3: Pick Your Courses (and the Order)
Ford’s Colony gives you three different styles at one club:
| Course | Par / Yards | What to Expect |
| Blue Heron | 72 / 6,954 | Longest course, generous fairways, Champion Bermuda greens. Engaging for all skill levels. |
| Blackheath | 71 / 6,632 | Links-style and the most picturesque, with water on 13 holes and an island green on 18 |
| Marsh Hawk | 72 / 6,650 | The original course, with tight tree-lined fairways, doglegs, natural lakes and elevation change |
Suggested order for 3 rounds:
- Day 1: Blue Heron. Generous fairways ease you into the trip.
- Day 2: Blackheath. Make it your centerpiece round, finishing on the island green.
- Day 3: Marsh Hawk. Finish with a precision test when everyone is a little tired.
For hole-by-hole details, see our Golf page or our guide to golf in Williamsburg at Ford’s Colony.
Step 4: Choose the Right Tees
On golf trips, players often move back to the longest tees. Over three days, that’s a quick way to wear yourself out. Every Ford’s Colony course has four tee sets: Black, Blue, White and Green, and the difference in difficulty is big:
| Course | Black (Men) | White (Men) | Green (Men) |
| Blue Heron | 73.6 / 133 | 68.2 / 120 | 65.0 / 114 |
| Blackheath | 71.7 / 139 | 65.8 / 120 | 62.0 / 112 |
| Marsh Hawk | 72.5 / 135 | 67.2 / 122 | 63.4 / 115 |
Course rating / slope rating. Women’s ratings are listed on our Golf page.
Pick tees by your normal driving distance and handicap, not by what looks impressive.
Sample Itineraries
2-Night Weekend
| Day | Morning | Afternoon / Evening |
| Friday | Travel | Check in, relaxed dinner |
| Saturday | Round 1: Blackheath (centerpiece round) | Lunch, Colonial Williamsburg, dinner |
| Sunday | Round 2: Blue Heron or Marsh Hawk | Lunch, head home |
3-Night Weekend (All Three Courses)
| Day | Morning | Afternoon / Evening |
| Thursday | Travel | Check in, dinner |
| Friday | Round 1: Blue Heron | Practice or a lesson at the Golf Performance Center |
| Saturday | Round 2: Blackheath | Historic Triangle sightseeing, dinner |
| Sunday | Round 3: Marsh Hawk | Lunch at Murdoch’s Tavern, head home |
Arrival-day tip: Don’t schedule your most important round on travel day. Flights and traffic are unpredictable, and someone always forgets their golf shoes. Arrive the evening before.
Step 5: Plan Meals Around Tee Times
At Ford’s Colony:
- Murdoch’s Tavern & Patio: casual dining, open Tuesday–Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Mondays. It’s the natural 19th hole.
- The Colony Room: dinner 5–8 p.m. and Bar Bites 4–6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, open to the public. Saturday dinner is for members only. Reservations: (757) 258-4107.
Planning note: Murdoch’s is closed Mondays. Visiting golfers can dine at the Colony Room on Thursday or Friday evenings, so plan your dinner around those nights.
Step 6: Use Practice Time Wisely
A golf trip isn’t the time to rebuild your swing, but a little practice helps:
- Arrive early to warm up and putt before each round
- Fix one specific problem (driver, wedges or short putts) rather than everything
Ford’s Colony’s Golf Performance Center has indoor hitting bays with launch-monitor technology, private lessons, group clinics and custom club fitting. It’s a good use of a free afternoon or a rainy hour. Ask about lessons.
Step 7: Planning a Group Trip?
For larger groups, Ford’s Colony’s events team can help organize your golf with:
- Shotgun start or tee times
- Banquet and scoring support
- Your choice of course, or whichever is available
- Food, beverage and awards
Friendly Competition Formats
| Format | How It Works | Best For |
| Scramble | Everyone plays from the team’s best shot | Mixed skill levels |
| Best Ball | Team takes the best individual score on each hole | Teams of similar ability |
| Match Play | Win holes, not total strokes | Keeping it competitive after a bad hole |
| Net Competition | Scores adjusted by handicap | Fair individual play |
| Weekend Points | Points across all rounds, including fun categories like longest putt | Multi-day trips |
Step 8: Prepare for the Weather
- Check the Williamsburg forecast before you go
- In warm weather, book early tee times and bring sunscreen and water
- In cooler months, pack layers
- Always pack a compact rain jacket
- Adjust strategy: wind changes club choice, wet fairways reduce roll, and firm conditions change how approaches react
Packing Checklist
- ☐ Clubs (check airline golf-bag rules if flying, and use a sturdy travel cover)
- ☐ Golf shoes and extra socks
- ☐ One golf shirt per round, plus shorts or pants and a belt
- ☐ Hat or visor, sunglasses, sunscreen
- ☐ Rain jacket and light layers
- ☐ Gloves, tees, ball markers, divot tool
- ☐ More golf balls than you think. Blackheath alone has water on 13 holes.
- ☐ Refillable water bottle
- ☐ Personal medications and essentials
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking too many rounds: leave room for rest and Williamsburg
- Playing the wrong tees: especially over three days
- Arriving right before your tee time: give yourself time to check in and warm up
- Ignoring travel time: check distances between your hotel, the course and dinner
- Not confirming current details: tee times, course conditions and dining hours can change
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for a Williamsburg golf weekend?
Two nights is enough for two rounds. Three nights lets you play all three Ford’s Colony courses with time for sightseeing.
Can I play all three Ford’s Colony courses in one trip?
Yes. With one round per day, a three-day trip covers Blue Heron, Blackheath and Marsh Hawk. Public tee times can be booked online for all three.
What order should I play the Ford’s Colony courses in?
A good order is Blue Heron first (generous fairways), Blackheath second as the centerpiece (island green on 18), and Marsh Hawk last (tight, tree-lined precision golf).
Should I play 36 holes in one day?
Only if your group really wants to. One round per day is more relaxed and leaves time for meals, practice and exploring Williamsburg.
Which tees should I play on a golf trip?
Choose by your normal driving distance and handicap. Every Ford’s Colony course has Black, Blue, White and Green tees, with slope ratings ranging from 112 to 139.
Can Ford’s Colony host a group golf trip?
Yes. The events team can arrange shotgun starts or tee times, banquets, scoring, food and beverage for golf outings.
Where can I eat after golf at Ford’s Colony?
Murdoch’s Tavern offers casual dining Tuesday through Sunday. The Colony Room is open to the public for dinner on Thursday and Friday, 5–8 p.m.; Saturday dinner is for members only.
What else is there to do in Williamsburg besides golf?
Colonial Williamsburg, the Historic Triangle (Jamestown and Yorktown), dining, shopping and entertainment.
Book Your Williamsburg Golf Weekend
Ford’s Colony Country Club
📍 240 Fords Colony Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23188
📞 (757) 258-4100
✉️ golf@fordscolonycc.com