A Course You Can Play

Lorton's Pohick Bay Demands Accurate Play

So many golf courses these days are built within and around housing developments that brick and mortar become as much a part of the layout as grass and trees. Instead of foraging through twigs and dry leaves, a mis-hit could send the middle to high handicapper stepping onto private property to retrieve a wayward shot.

That's why it was refreshing to play Pohick Bay Golf Course in Lorton. One of the area's authentic mature beauties, Pohick Bay is a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Washington but a complete departure from the city and its suburbs. No houses or condominiums, just nature--surroundings conducive to golf as it was meant to be played.

Scenic though it is, Pohick Bay's tight fairways and challenging greens can ruin a good walk. At 6,405 yards from the back tees and just 5,897 from the middle, Pohick Bay rewards accuracy on almost every hole, so hit a driver at your own risk.

Such is the issue at No. 13, a par 5 that plays 483 yards from the back, 451 from the middle. A well-struck driver sets up nicely for an approach to hit the green in two. But go left with enough gusto, and the drive may go through the fairway. Block the tee shot, and water awaits.

Erring on the side of caution, though, means taking out a long iron, sending the tee ball some 190-200 yards, laying up on the second and then shooting at the flag with a wedge.

No. 13 begins a stretch of three holes that underscores Pohick Bay's merits as a stern test of golf with a majestic backdrop. All three holes surround the course's small lake, and water is a factor at each.

No. 14 is a par 4 that plays 344 yards from the back, 311 from the middle. But the first cut of fairway is narrow and, like much of the course, rests at an incline, so sometimes even precise tee shots lead to sidehill lies for the approach.

The 15th is a longer par 3, 187 from the back, 164 from the middle, with a small green. Miss right and chance going into the water.

The closing 18th offers golfers a chance to unleash their anger. It is a par 5 that plays 508 from the back, 473 from the middle, and is perhaps the only hole on the course that requires a driver.

But true to form, the fairway does not leave much room for error, with tree-lined rough to the right and left--which is an appropriate way to finish the day, where the only developments players need concern themselves with are those of course management.

Pohick Bay Golf Course

* Where: Lorton.

* Par: 72.

* Year Opened: 1982.

* Designer: George W. Cobb.

* Spike Policy: Soft spikes only.

* Yardage: 6,405 from back tees; 5,897 from middle tees; 4,948 from forward tees.

* Greens Fees: $22 weekdays, $31 weekends.

* Directions: From Washington take 395 south to 95 south. Take Lorton exit 163 and turn left off the ramp onto Lorton Road. Turn right on Armstead Road, then right on Richie Highway. Turn left on Gunston Road. Course is a mile and a half on the left.