Private

River Bend Course

River Bend Golf & Country Club

Great Falls, VA, USA
alexp
wplaws211
stewartverdery
ryan59900
Jw22299
+18
18 holesPar 716,917 yds74.3/141

About this course

River Bend, nestled in the rolling Virginia hunt country of Great Falls, stands as a testament to a harmonious blend of sporting pursuit and social refuge. The club embraces a vibrant membership known for its robust engagement and spirited, if occasionally irreverent, approach to the game. Architect A.W. Tillinghast envisioned River Bend's original layout in the early 1960s, crafting a classic parkland style course characterized by mature trees and subtly undulating terrain. The course favors strategic play and thoughtful course management, offering forgiving landing areas off the tee but demanding precision around the greens. While Tillinghast’s spirit lives on, the course has seen thoughtful enhancements over the years, most recently to its robust irrigation system. Though River Bend has never hosted a major professional tournament, it holds a distinct place in the region's amateur golf scene. Its fiercely contested club championship is legendary, less for the quality of play and more for the spirited celebrations that follow. Local lore suggests the victors are immortalized not just on the club trophy, but also with a dedicated menu item in the clubhouse grill - though some claim this is just a tall tale fueled by post-round revelry. The club is also well known for its active women’s golf association and its family atmosphere. River Bend is not necessarily a course known beyond the Washington DC metropolitan area, however its members are intensely loyal and proud of their club. River Bend serves as a cherished hub for the community, far from a mere golf course. The club's social calendar is always full, as are its tee times, especially on weekends. In particular, its annual crab feast is considered the must-attend event of the summer.

Rankings

Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.

718

Best in World

587

Best in USA

13

Best in VA

Quick facts

Location
Great Falls, VA, USA
Access
Private
Year built
1961
Holes
18
Designer
Al Jamison
Par
71
Length
6,917 yards
Difficulty
74.3/141
Course Vaults score
8.3

Getting there

The journey to River Bend Golf & Country Club begins at Washington Dulles International (IAD), a mere twenty-minute drive to the northwest through the gently rolling Virginia countryside. From the airport, Route 7 and Georgetown Pike wind through the affluent outer reaches of the capital region, where suburban sprawl gradually yields to wooded estates and the quiet, moneyed enclave of Great Falls. The final approach follows the Potomac River's western bluffs, where the club's discreet entrance opens onto grounds that have long served as a private sanctuary for Washington's established families, far removed from the marble and monuments just fifteen miles downstream.

FAQ

Common questions about River Bend

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

River Bend has a Course Vaults score of 8.3 out of 10 based on 23 logged golfers.

River Bend was designed by Al Jamison.

River Bend is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.

Par at River Bend is 71.

River Bend plays 6,917 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at River Bend is 141.

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