I have been in the DC area since 1998, and have the opportunity to play almost all of the best upscale daily fees, and a number of the private clubs. I have long heard of Augustine and its rollercoaster existance. As a low handicap golfer I have found my favorite layouts for public to be Raspberry Falls, Old Hickory, and Westfields Golf Clubs. When I was informed the group that manages Raspberry and Old Hickory took over Augustine I decided to give a try this year. They have done extensive work putting money back into the course and facility. When you pull up it is an immediate impact with a nicely landscaped clubhouse. The staff was freindly and attentive. The main thing is the course. Now I did not play it up to this year so I have no background on its prior condition, other than being told not to waste my time. Well I have to say I was amazed with the layout and conditions. The gounds were excellent for a course in DC in March. I will rate the course on a letter scale:
Tees - B+
Fairways - A
Greens - A, they were a bit slow but it is March and the staff informed me the reconstruction was just done in August of last year. So they are bringing them along slowly to get them primed for 2012 season. Although only medium paced, they rolled well.
Rough, Not really growing yet, but seemed consistent.
Bunkers - A, new sand, great shape.
Layout - A, not a long course by todays standards, but tree lined, and tough greens. This course is certainly worth the drive down to Stafford, and I will be going back for another visit soon.

Customer Service

Service was freindly and consistent. The shop staff was great, and gave me a full run down of what has been done at the course over the last 12 months. I had the chance to meet the Head Pro named Tim who took the time to talk to me about the renovations. He was not only friendly, but was very proud of what they have accomplished since taking over this club last spring. As a long handicap golfer, but not a member of a private club ( I like to play a variety of courses)

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Bull Run
Old Hickory
Westfields
Stone Wall
Raspberry Falls
Musket Ridge
Blue Ridge Shadows

This course used to be a fantastic course in 2006, 2007, 2008. However, in the last two years this course has gone from bad to worse. The management has been promising upgrades and renovations so I tried it again only to find that the conditions were appalling. From tee to green, the course is poorly maintained. Do not play this course again until you see credible reviews. Yet another example of a good layout screwed up by dismally poor management!

My thoughts on this course are mixed. It is a great and challenging design in a very beautiful setting. A lot of elevation changes, water hazards and well placed bunkers. Unfortunately the bunkers are not maintained, the tee boxes are worn out and the greens have seen better days.

Customer Service

Non-existent. Had to search the clubhouse up and down to find someone to sell me a soda at the turn.

its a great golf course. i hope its sold to a good person.

Had this on my list to play in my area, course was very nice, it was in great shape (Oct 2007). They have a beautiful, facility, but the clubhouse was empty for the most part. It started off kind of bad when my buddie and I walked into the clubhouse, and waited at the counter to pay to play, and the clubhouse attendant or pro (not sure) was on the phone in the doorway of the office 15 ft away looking at us. We waited about 15 minutes before he even acknowledged us, and then we had little time time to warm up on the range. Maybe he was having a bad day at 0900 hrs, but he had no customer service skills at all, pretty much took our money and told us to get a cart, then went back to the phone. After hitting a few balls, we were paired with a female walker, playing the ladies tees while we play the back tees. I did not understand this since there were only about 5 cars in the parking lot, however there was a great natured marshal riding the course. I know this is a good course, but I let some young kids attitude dictate my attitude, and therefore ruin my augustine experience. Can't see myself going back, when there are so many awesome courses in the area.

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Cameron Hills Golf Links, Cannon Ridge, Mattaponi, The Meadows

Augustine is simply a solid, pretty course. I first played the year it opened and it was the first upscale course I ever played. Over the years they have added trees and shrubs to add to the ambience. I use Augustine as the benchmark for courses I play. The course is always in great condition and the staff is friendly. Carts are now allowed off the cart paths so that help keep the pace of play moving. The biggest complaint I have is that I would like to see the tees for the 8th hole pushed back 25 yards or so. The only way to do that would be to purchase the home behind the tee.

Even though I belong to a private club with an immaculately kept Donald Ross course I have made it a point to drive the 50 miles here to play at least twice a year since it opened. This is a beautiful, imaginative track. The first three holes alone are worth the fees. Gracious staff; better maintained than a lot of "premium publics".

Overall Golf course, Shot making decisions, and layout

CART PATH ONLY!!!!

The course was incredible. The fairways were grade A, and the greens were lightning fast. $75 on the weekend seemed a bit steep but the course was top of the line. I would definatly recommend the course. Each tee shot was elavated and this added for the scenic view. The only thing that was discourging was the cart path only rule, and that is year around. Aside from that it was a pleaseant suprise.

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None

Very well maintained. Tricky hole design.

I thought $52 for the twilight was a bit high, especially for a course in Stafford.

Augustine is one of the better maintained courses I have found in the DC area. It was very dry when I played there but the there wasn't much brown grass in play and the protected wild life hazards were as lush as anywhere I have seen. They seem to crop up where you least expect them. There are quite a few blind shot on this course. You'll be well served by riding around the bend or up the hill for a quick look. The sand traps are will constructed and placed. They are frequently are used to create an illusion of distance. Trust the markers, not what you see. There are several holes where the bunkers are used to make the hole look shorter or to get you to play the other side of the fairway. The greens were fast but consistant.

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Free range balls and the rangers were very accomodating.