Herons Ridge Golf Club

Herons Ridge Golf Club sits in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where it occupies gently rolling terrain characteristic of the coastal plain region. The course was designed by Fred Couples in collaboration with Gene Bates and opened in the late 1990s as part of a residential community development. Bates, who worked frequently with Couples during this period, handled much of the technical design work while Couples contributed strategic input and lent his name to the project during his transition from touring professional to course design. The layout takes advantage of natural wetlands and wooded corridors that define the property, with water hazards appearing on multiple holes and creating both visual interest and strategic challenge. The routing moves through stands of mature pines and hardwoods, with elevation changes that are modest but sufficient to create variety in lies and shot requirements. The design reflects the player-friendly philosophy Couples often favored, offering multiple tee options and generally wide fairways balanced by well-positioned hazards that reward accurate approach play. As a semi-private facility serving both members and daily-fee players, Herons Ridge functions as a neighborhood amenity within its residential setting while also accommodating outside play. The course provides a solid test for recreational golfers in the Virginia Beach area, where it competes among numerous coastal and inland layouts that serve the region's year-round golf market. The design remains relatively understated compared to resort-style courses along the nearby Outer Banks, focusing instead on playability and integration with its residential surroundings.