The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Ballyhack
Discover Virginia’s Top Golf Trip Destination, A Serene Escape that Offers an Artful Elevation Challenge for Golfers
Ballyhack Golf Club | Roanoke, Virgina
There are golf courses that impress you… and then there’s Ballyhack.
Set in the dramatic folds of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, this ruggedly romantic escape is the kind of place that lingers in your mind long after you’ve stepped off the 18th green. The terrain alone feels like a love letter to golf—towering elevation changes, sprawling fairways, and sweeping mountain views that photographers dream about. But Ballyhack is more than just a picturesque view; it’s a pure golf experience shaped by century-old farmland, bold design, and a commitment to hospitality that can only be described as quintessentially Southern.
Once home to the Saul Dairy Farm, this land has seen a century of transformation—from rural pasture in the 1920s (you can still spot "Ballyhack" stamped on historic maps) to a world-class golf destination recognized among America's best. Today, it's serene yet soul-stirring, welcoming in a way that only Virginia can be. Southern hospitality pervades every aspect of the club, while the onsite herd of African Boer goats adds a whimsical touch.
As a Dormie Network property, Ballyhack offers premier golf, luxury lodging, inspired culinary experiences, and boutique shopping.
Here’s the ultimate guide to planning a trip to Ballyhack Golf Club.
Making the Most of Your Trip to Ballyhack
One of Ballyhack's greatest strengths is its dual identity: remote enough to feel completely removed from the everyday grind, yet close enough to Roanoke to make travel seamless. Whether you're flying into Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport or road-tripping through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the journey is easy—and the arrival is unforgettable. It sets the tone for everything that follows.
Ballyhack is purpose-built for connection. It’s the perfect backdrop for business entertainment, a buddy trip, a family getaway, a private tournament, or a corporate retreat where the conversations matter just as much as the scorecard. Groups of all sizes fit comfortably here, from intimate foursomes to expansive leadership gatherings. The setting naturally encourages the kind of meaningful interaction that's hard to manufacture in a conference room back home.
Arguably the best part? The service. Dormie Network's concierge team and onsite staff handle every detail, eliminating any travel stress. They coordinate lodging, tee times, gifting, dining, transportation, and those thoughtful extras that transform a trip from "great" to "unforgettable." Every group gets a tailored experience—because cookie-cutter doesn't cut it when you're trying to impress clients or create lasting memories with friends.
About the Course at Ballyhack
Designed by Lester George, a Richmond-based architect with an uncanny ability to read terrain, Ballyhack is both a modern marvel and a reverent nod to golf's roots. George collaborated with Bill Kubly, CEO of Lincoln, Nebraska's Landscapes Unlimited, to create something truly special. Ballyhack was built in 2009 and acquired by Dormie Network in 2016.
The numbers tell part of the story: 190 sprawling acres of former farmland, reimagined into a strategic playground with 50–70 feet of elevation change that will test your club selection and your nerve. Fairways stretch up to 150 yards wide—generous landing areas that lull you into a false sense of security until you realize the real challenge is what comes next. Old-style, gouged and blown-out bunkers look like they've existed for centuries (spoiler: they haven't, but George's artistry makes you believe otherwise). Pristine bentgrass greens and fairways complete the package, all across a 7,294-yard layout rated 76.1 with a slope of 155.
The result is a course that moves with the land instead of against it. Every tee box gives you a fresh vantage point; every green complex tells its own story; every round feels like a new adventure—even if you’ve played it dozens of times.
Matt Bevan, Head Golf Professional shares that one of his favorite holes on the course is par 4 hole #16. “This is a hole that would be on most players’ favorite golf hole list since it contains every ingredient that represents Ballyhack in a nutshell. Elevation changes, forced carries, high grass, winding creek bed, perfectly placed bunkering, and a green framed into the rolling farmland as if it has been there since time began.“ Check out which holes are voted the most intimidating.
Read up on tips from Head Golf Professional Matt Bevan for how to play Ballyhack’s slopes.
Cleverly disguised within the native grasses at Ballyhack is the par 3 course named the Goat Trak. This short-course challenge ranges from 40 to 150 yards and offers unique approach angles not found in the regulation routing. It’s equal parts strategic and delightfully mischievous—much like the herd of African Boer goats roaming the property and keeping hillsides neatly trimmed.
About the Facilities at Ballyhack
The course may take the spotlight, but the facilities round out the experience with comfort, quality, and convenience. Ballyhack’s clubhouse and cottages are intentionally designed to reflect the region—mountain-inspired, warm, and refined with a hint of rustic charm.
The clubhouse is versatile and inviting, offering spaces for both celebration and conversation. It’s the kind of place where you can host a client lunch, savor a three-course dinner, or simply relax with a drink after your round. From a 16-seat boardroom for private meetings to a 62-guest dining room for lively evenings, the clubhouse adapts to any group. Outside, a 24-seat patio offers al fresco dining paired with mountain views.
Ballyhack offers thoughtfully appointed lodging accommodations totaling 60 beds across 10 Dormie Cottages, four Executive Cottages, and one Owner’s Cottage. Cottages provide the perfect balance of privacy and connection, all just steps from the course. Each retreat features access to outdoor fire pits, inviting guests to unwind, socialize, or savor a quiet evening under the stars. Across all cottages, guests will find elevated touches such as private master suites, spacious common areas, and wet bars—everything you need to unwind.
For larger groups or client entertainment, book the Owner’s Cottage for more space and entertainment options. Spread across two levels, it features a golf simulator, a pool table, a kitchen, and a wet bar—everything you need to impress, entertain, and relax in style.
About the Unique Cuisine at Ballyhack
Every trip to Ballyhack is rounded out by culinary experiences crafted by Executive Chef Tanner Sorenson.
Fusing the hearty traditions of Appalachian cuisine with the bright, coastal character of Lowcountry cooking, Chef Tanner creates menus full of warmth, memory, and unexpected sophistication. Think cast iron comfort meets coastal refinement.
Dining at Ballyhack is meant to be shared. Whether gathered around a cozy cottage table or in the clubhouse dining room, each meal is a curated experience. Seasonal menus rotate quarterly, highlighting the freshest ingredients from the region. Full of Southern warmth, these dishes honor the roots of hospitality while proving that tradition and innovation are the perfect pair at the table.
The clubhouse boasts a 600-bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar—a collection worthy of celebration dinners or late-night pours when conversations stretch into the evening. And if you want your dinner to tell a story of its own, Ballyhack offers bespoke dining experiences, from chef-tasting menus to custom events tailored to your group.
What People Say About the Experience at Ballyhack
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from those who’ve visited Ballyhack and know firsthand why it’s a true bucket-list golf destination in Virginia.
The Hackers Paradise says, “Stepping into the Owner’s Cottage at @ballyhack_golfclub… and wow 🤯⛳️ Views like this are what golf trips are all about — pure perfection from the moment you walk in. 🌄✨.”
Zero Restriction shares, “Fall at @ballyhack_golfclub. It's a favorite of ours, particularly as the leaves begin change. Ballyhack's dramatic elevation, stellar views, and great hospitality make this the perfect fall getaway. Don't forget to say hi to the goats.”
Goated Putters declares, “Ballyhack Review Inbound! The 𝐆 𝐎 𝐀 𝐓 𝐄 𝐃 Golf team spent the entire weekend at Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke, Virginia. We stayed in the cottages, played the course multiple times, and built new relationships with our friends at Play Yellow and Life Ring Foundation! If you’re ever in this area and want all the bells and whistles, stay and play at Ballyhack Golf Club, part of The Dormie Network! You can’t go wrong. This entire club and all of their staff are absolutely 𝐆 𝐎 𝐀 𝐓 𝐄 𝐃!!”
Photographer Tristan Fredrick reflects, “Ballyhack Golf Club. Maybe the coolest photos I’ve ever taken on a golf course 🤌”
Ballyhack’s accolades speak for themselves. The club continues to earn regional and national praise and industry recognition, including:
#5 Best Course in Virginia (Golf Digest, 2025)
#210 Greatest Courses in America (Golf Digest, 2025)
#9 Best Private Course in Virginia (Golfweek, 2025)
#5 Best Course in Virginia (WorldAtlas, 2025)
#3 Best New Private Golf Course (GOLF, 2009)
Ready to Experience Ballyhack?
Now you have the ultimate guide—everything you need to know about planning a trip to Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke, Virginia. Members of Dormie Network can check cottage availability (Members Area login required) to see if your preferred dates are available, then contact any concierge to book.
Not yet a Dormie Network member? Learn more about membership and discover why Ballyhack might just become your new favorite escape.
