Ballyhack is a private golf club in Roanoke, Virginia, designed by Lester George. Ballyhack became the second club to join Dormie Network when it was acquired in 2016. The dramatic inland links-style golf course rests amidst the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its dramatic elevation changes of 50 to 70 feet, which are just part of the challenge of this visually stunning locale. Onsite golf amenities also include a driving range, a putting green, and a head golf professional.
Ballyhack is an ideal destination for building relationships, whether through group golf trips, business retreats, or family leisure travel. Onsite amenities include cozy cottages, Appalachian-meets-Lowcountry cuisine, a boutique golf shop, and a concierge team to coordinate logistics and trip planning. As part of Dormie Network membership, access to the club and its amenities is reserved for members and their invited guests.
A Shot-Maker’s Course in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The golf course at Ballyhack is an 18-hole inland links-style layout designed by Lester George. Ballyhack features massive 150-yard fairways, deep gouged-out bunkers, and rugged terrain. Don’t forget to greet the famous family of African Boer goats who live right near the 14th green, a living testament to the property’s unique, wild charm. Onsite golf amenities also include a driving range, a putting green, and a head golf professional.
To preserve the private club experience, tee times at Ballyhack are spaced at generous 15-minute intervals. This minimizes course traffic and ensures pristine course conditions year-round. The tradition of caddies remains an essential part of the Ballyhack experience, with caddie and forecaddie services providing valuable course knowledge, strategic guidance, and personalized support throughout each round.
Course Details
Architect: Lester George
Year built: 2009
Year acquired by Dormie Network: 2016
Style: Inland links
Greens, fairways, tees: Bentgrass
Specs: 18-hole course with a par of 72, length of 7,294 yards, rating of 76.1, and a slope of 155
Recent Rankings and Accolades
#5 Best Course in Virginia (Golf Digest, 2025)
#210 Greatest Courses in America (Golf Digest, 2025)
Course Tour
The Clubhouse at Ballyhack
The clubhouse at Ballyhack is a 11,500-square-foot rustic yet elegant clubhouse that sits at the helm of what used to be Saul Dairy Farm. Framed by the farm’s historic grain silos, the clubhouse features exposed beams, a stately stone fireplace, and a 600-bottle glass-encased wine room.
The main dining room, offering vast views of the course and Blue Ridge Mountains, seats 62, while the adjacent boardroom can accommodate groups of up to 16. Open-air, stone-laid patios overlook the short game area and the 18th green, with seating for 24.
Cozy Cottages in the Mountains
Lodging at Ballyhack consists of 15 cottages offering a total of 60 beds across three distinct layout types: 10 Dormie Cottages, four Executive Cottages, and one two-level Owner’s Cottage. Each cottage offers a comfortable pastoral retreat with breathtaking mountain views, and convenient access just steps from the course.
Amenities and entertainment features vary by cottage type, allowing members to select the cottage that best suits their trip. All cottage units include private master suites with en-suite bathrooms, common seating areas, and wet bars. The spacious layouts provide flexible settings for small meetings, private dinners, and casual gatherings after a day on the course. Guest services are managed onsite by a dedicated hospitality team.
A Menu Fusing Lowcountry and Appalachian Flavors
The Ballyhack culinary program celebrates the flavors of the South, with a menu rooted in hearty comfort food and regional tradition. Menus evolve with the season and are led by an executive chef.
The kitchen draws on two distinct influences: the rich culinary heritage of the Appalachian Mountains and the bright, seafood-driven character of Lowcountry cuisine. Each dish balances familiar Southern favorites with modern touches, honoring Virginia's diverse regional influences while still surprising even the most discerning palate.
Ballyhack's beverage program rounds out the experience with crafted cocktails and curated wine selections, each chosen to complement the meal and keep every visit feeling fresh.
Sample Three-Day, Two-Night Ballyhack Trip Itinerary
Most members spend three days and two nights at Ballyhack, playing multiple rounds while enjoying onsite lodging, chef-prepared meals, and evening social experiences.
Day 1
11:30 a.m. - Arrival by car concierge has arranged, and cottage check-in
Noon - Lunch on clubhouse terrace with a mountain view
1:30 p.m. - Tee time with a forecaddie
6:30 p.m. - Housemade charcuterie appetizers arrive at the cottage while you refresh for dinner
7:30 p.m. - Bourbon or wine tasting by the clubhouse fireplace
8 p.m. - Plated Big Beef Experience dinner
10 p.m. - Putting on 18th under the lights (staff-attended bar available at green)
Day 2
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast buffet at the clubhouse
8 a.m. - Shop the latest equipment and apparel in the Golf Shop
8:30 a.m. - Custom short-game clinic with golf staff
9 a.m. - Tee time with forecaddie
11 a.m. - Pre-ordered turn snacks available in clubhouse between holes 9 and 10
1:30 p.m. - Lunch in clubhouse
2:30 p.m. - Custom club fitting, extra 9, or full 18 (Par 3 Goat Trak course available at 5 p.m.)
8 p.m. - Virginia BBQ dinner delivered to cottage
9 p.m. - Cocktails by the fire pit
Day 3
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast buffet in the clubhouse
8:30 a.m. - Tee time with forecaddie
1:30 p.m. - Event scoring, awards, and lunch on the clubhouse terrace
Consider adding one or more activities to your trip:
Putting under the lights on the 18th green
Target practice and long drive games at the practice facility
Cocktails in the clubhouse or at the cottage fire pit
Club and ball fittings or clinics with golf staff
Bourbon tasting or a tour through the 200-bottle wine room
Club Contact
540.427.1395
joe@ballyhackgolfclub.com
3609 Pitzer Road
Roanoke, VA 24014
Looking to play Ballyhack? As a private club, the experience is exclusive to Dormie Network members. Request an invitation to join.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ballyhack
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No. Ballyhack is a private club available exclusively to Dormie Network members and their guests. Guests must be invited by a member.
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Ballyhack is located at 3609 Pitzer Road, Roanoke, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This intentional geographical isolation reinforces an "off-grid" experience to ease you away from urban noise while maintaining proximity to major transportation infrastructure.
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You can travel to Ballyhack via three airports depending on whether you are flying via private aviation or commercial carriers. To complete your journey, Dormie Network offers private Sprinter van transportation to and from the airport.
ROA Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (10 miles)
FBO at Signature ROA / Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (10 miles)
RDU Raleigh-Durham International Airport (142 miles)
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While Ballyhack offers a complete, self-contained oasis, the surrounding Roanoke area features many attractions.
FloydFest Music, Magic, and Mountains
Go Outside Festival
Roanoke Star atop Mill Mountain
Hiking trails, fly fishing, and local craft breweries
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