Signature At West Neck, The
Designed by Arnold Palmer, the Palmer Signature golf course opened in 2001.
The course is located in Back Bay, one of the lesser-developed areas of Virginia Beach, but winds its way through two developments housing developments: West Neck, which is a 55+ community, and Indian River Plantation with its multi-million dollar homes. The two developments are always with you as you make your way around the course.
Highlights on the front nine include #3, the course's number one handicap hole. Named "Deadman's Curve" #3 measures 455 yards. You've got water short, out of bounds to the right, and a steep dogleg right. If you don't get enough distance off the tee ball, you won't have a good angle to the green. Ergo, Deadman's Curve.
#5 is a challenging par-3. From the back tees, it's 203 yards; all carry, with water and a large bunker in front. Long is no picnic either, as the green's slope will move chips towards the water and deep rough. Plenty of bailout room to the left off the tee, though, if you think bogey's good enough on this hole.
# 9, a 541 yard par-5 hole with water right and a serious series of bunkers left requires accurate an accurate drive and fairway hit.
#11 is one of several "signature" holes at The Signature. Named "Stonewall," it's easy to see why. "Just" a little 155 yards par-3, but you'll need to gauge the wind for correct club selection, lest you leave it short of the stonewall lined green in the water.
#18, a 451 yard par-4 long is named "Coliseum" for the amphitheater-like mounding around the green. There's plenty of room off the tee, though water hugs the last half of the hole on the right side.
Par for the course is 72. From the back tees the course plays to 7,010 yards. From the foward tees the course plays to 5,012 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 17, a par-5 that plays to 562 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 11, a par-3 that plays to 155 yards from the back tees.
Watch out for # 3, a 455 yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at The Signature At West Neck Golf Course is # 11, the 155 yard par-3.