Massanutten Resort

Massanutten Resort in Virginia is the Shenandoah Valley's premier year-round family-centric resort. During the winter months, Massanutten is one of the area's top ski resorts with a large variety of trails, including 7 lifts serving 23 runs. During the summer, Massanutten offers 6,000 acres of mountain fun, with two golf courses, a massive waterpark, and so much more.

The resort offers a variety of accommodations, from hotel rooms with a king bed and pullout sofa or two queen beds, to 1 to 4-bedroom condos with full kitchens, large whirlpool bathtubs, fireplaces, and decks. Regardless of the unit you choose, you'll have a coffeemaker, flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and sitting area.

For those who just want to get away, the resort's natural surroundings offer a great chance to see nature at its best. Wake up early and catch the sunrise as it makes its way over the adjacent mountain tops, or watch the sun disappear beyond the vistas. Wildlife is abundant; during our stay, we saw rabbits, groundhogs, squirrels, and deer. The deer are very friendly; my wife had one eating sunflower seeds out of her hand. We also saw a baby fawn in the brush that couldn't be more than a week old.

I first visited Massanutten several years ago. What struck me about the property was the incredible conditioning of the golf courses and the attention to detail. At many similar resorts we have visited, golf seems to be secondary, but here at Massanutten, everything is first-rate. From the overall condition of the accommodations to the waterpark and golf courses, every amenity is top-notch.

The resort's showcase golf course is Mountain Greens. Mountain Greens offers somewhat of a reality check for those who think they're better than they really are! The course offers four sets of tees with something to suit every golfer. The Blue Tees play 6,443 yards with a par of 72. Less masochistic men - like myself - may choose to play from the White Tees at 6,087 yards, while seniors will have a good time from the Gold Tees at 5,608. The ladies typically play from the Red Tees, which play 4,846 yards. Choose the tees that best suit your game and you're certain to have a good time.

As you would expect, the topography is very hilly with quite a few elevation changes. There are plenty of tree-lined fairways and steep drop-offs on the peripheries; meandering streams frame several fairways as well. It's more about shot placement and thinking ahead than it is about hitting the ball as far as you can. As you play the course, you'll notice there are several blind tee shots as well as a few blind approaches. Several greens are multi-tiered, and the breaks are directly influenced by the mountain itself.

Mountain Green has several memorable holes. Number 2 is a 487-yard, par 5 that will have some players thinking about going for the green in two. With trees lining both sides of the fairway, control and accuracy on your first three shots will provide the best opportunity at par or better. Hitting your layup shot just short of the 100-yard marker will leave the best look into a well-protected and well-undulated putting surface.

At 140 yards, the par-3 8th hole plays uphill and may require an extra club off the tee. There's an "M" shaped bunker in front, so you'll need to carry the ball onto the green. After you putt out, look back at the tee and admire the views of the Shenandoah Valley. No wonder this is Mountain Green's signature hole.

The 309-yard 12th hole is a short par 4 that requires some thought. Consider hitting something less than driver off the tee and play your tee shot out to the left, short of the farthest fairway bunker. From there, you'll have an easy pitch shot into the green and a good chance at birdie. This is arguably the most scenic par 4 on the course.

Number 16 is another par 3 that plays 176 yards and requires an accurate shot off the tee into an elevated green. If you favor the right side, the ball should funnel down to the putting surface. Par is a good score here.

While Mountain Greens is the resort's championship golf course, I'm not exactly sure how to classify Woodstone Meadows. The course features 9 par 3s, 7 par 4s, and two par 5s, so it's not exactly an executive course. Heck, the two par 5s are longer than any par 5 on the Mountain Greens course! If that's not enough, the 400-yard, 5th hole says it all. Randy Armentrout in the pro shop will tell you that he scores better on the longer course (I heard that from several people).

Woodstone Meadows offers three sets of tees and plays to a par of 65. The Blue Tees play 5,065 yards, the Whites play 4,518, and the Forward Tees play 3,606. I'm confident that one of those lengths will provide a challenge. It's a player-friendly golf course with wide-open fairways off the tees and gently sloping greens. If things aren't going well, just take a deep breath and look at the scenery around you; it's amazing!

As you play your way around the course, you'll find some good elevation changes, both up and down. Many tee boxes are elevated and play downhill to a wide fairway and then uphill to the green. Water comes into play on the majority of the par 3s and guards the green closely on a couple. The greens are in fabulous condition and feature subtle undulations, good speed, and roll true! Many greens are elevated with severe drop-offs on either side, which can make for an interesting up-and-down! Woodstone Meadows is a very forgiving layout and is the perfect course for beginners and casual golfers who just want to get outside and enjoy themselves.

The 3rd hole is the first par 5 and plays 458 yards from the White Tees. Aim to go over the checkered flag off the tee, and you may get some extra roll. Longball hitters who can avoid the two fairway bunkers on the right can go for the green on their second shot. The green is small, and a lot longer than it is wide. Three pot bunkers guard the front right of the green. It's a par 5 that can give up some low scores! Either way, it's a fun golf hole!

Tyler, a starter I spoke with at Woodstone Meadows, favors the 6th hole. It's a short 284-yard, par 4 that plays uphill to an elevated green. There are two pot bunkers in the middle of the fairway in the landing area. Your choice is to hit your tee shot over them or lay up short. Either way, you'll have a short approach shot into a large, elevated green.

Number 17 is another fun little par 4 that plays 336 from the White Tees. The hole plays downhill from tee to green, so you're going to hit your tee shot possibly farther than you've ever hit it before. There are woods and water on the left; if you spray it to the right towards the condos, hopefully the net will save you!

It's safe to say that with everything the resort has to offer each season and the superior playing conditions of the golf course, Massanutten has secured its position as one of the premier all-season resort destinations on the East Coast. For more information or to book your next Massanutten vacation, visit www.massresort.com.