Briarwood
Par 27 - Level 3 - 79 Slope Rating
Plays from 950 – 1,461 yards
Briarwood is one of the most diverse, unique, and quietly entertaining courses in The Villages. It shares a special bond with its sister course, Walnut Grove - so much so that it feels incomplete to play one without the other. They don’t just sit side by side; they travel together. If you’re playing Briarwood, do yourself a favor and read the Walnut story too. It’s a matched set.
My first impression of Briarwood was simple: this course is a ride. Not just because it’s tucked away on the northern edge of town, but because you actually go somewhere here. You’ll log more cart miles than on any other executive course, pass a handful of unexpected landmarks, and make at least one stop that deserves a rating of five stars. So, buckle up. This isn’t nine holes - it’s a road trip.
The first hole is the shortest ride of the day - just a few feet from the starter shack. Steer clear of the water, avoid the sand, cross the road, and suddenly you’re officially on the trip. From here on out, Briarwood pulls away from the curb.
Hole #2, pictured above, is one of the prettiest stops along the way. A pair of perfectly symmetrical trees frame the shot like they were placed by a set designer. Aim for the green’s right for an uphill putt for your best chance at par.
The third hole introduces one of Briarwood’s most memorable roadside attractions: a perfectly circular fence protecting an endangered species. It’s even visible on Google Maps. Up close, it’s better. But first - club up for this 150-yard shot.
It's on the 4th that you get a better view. These aren’t turtles, by the way - they’re gopher tortoises. As a Minnesotan, I felt an immediate kinship. In fact, one time a tortoise came out from under the fence to watch my approach shot – I mistakenly aimed at the flag and the roll took it far to the left. He was not impressed. Aim right to avoid that embarrassment.
The next leg of the journey winds through a peaceful oak forest toward the fifth hole, where you’ll find the best restroom in The Villages. This is not hype. This is a destination. Make the pit stop. Stretch your legs. Take a picture if you must. Before moving on, turn around and grab one more photo of the tortoise circle.
Fully refreshed, you arrive at Briarwood’s signature fifth hole. The approach is narrow and guarded by a well-placed trap, but the real thrill comes once the ball lands - the green is a thrill ride of its own - fast and furious downhill.
Hole #6 is short - just 114 yards - but demands precision over a fully frontal sand trap. The good news is that, like all Briarwood greens, it’s huge, fair, and beautifully maintained.
Hole #7 asks for even more power - literally. Take a cue from the overhead power lines and club up. It’s uphill, over water, and one of those shots where doubt is far more dangerous than distance. When in doubt, go long.
You'll love Briarwood 8. It offers three views worth stopping for. First, look up to spot the eagle’s nest perched in the tower above - two birds if you’re lucky, which feels like a promising sign with two holes left. Next, glance left for a sweeping view at the Nancy Lopez Championship course. The third view is the one that matters most - the green. This uphill 137-yard shot has sand lurking left, so aim right. It’s your last clean look at par.
Briarwood is one of six executive courses that sit directly alongside a championship course. Can you name the others? Click here for the answer.
And then there’s the ninth. The final stretch. At 179 yards, it’s one of the hardest closing holes you’ll play on an executive course. Massive traps guard the left. The fairway slopes hard right into a stand of trees. My natural fade forces a decision I never enjoy making: take on the sand or risk disappearing into the woods. Grab a big club and let it ride.
Briarwood doesn’t feel like nine holes. It feels longer, fuller, and more memorable than that - like a road trip packed with scenery, landmarks, and stories you’ll talk about afterward. And remember - wherever your final drive ends up on the 9th - it’s just another stop along the way. Briarwood is worth the ride!
Toughest to Easiest
9, 7, 6, 1, 8, 5, 3, 4, 2 - toughest green – 5
Speaking a Road Trips - the best parts are often the Roadside Attractions you encounter along the way - click here to see 18 of The Villages best "attractions" and see if you can match them to the nearest course. (hint: 2 of them are on Briarwood!)
From the Blacks!
The journey from the black tees will be way more than a leisurely "Sunday drive". Four holes exceed 178 yards, the massive 9th at 206! And if distance alone is not warning enough, the tougher angles you’ll play on #1, 2, 5 & 8 could trip you up as well. Easily one of The Villages most challenging courses from the blacks – but a ride of a lifetime!
Go Green!
Yes. Absolutely. Beginners or light hitters or anyone just wanting to enjoy the round instead of facing the stress of this game should play Briar from the green tees. Even #9, at just 146 yards, is comfortable. The rest of the holes play about 100 yards each. The box on #5 will feel great. But the one on #7 means you’ll still have to bomb it over water – if you want to skip the possible splash, the drop zone is near the cart path on the back left side of the green. Don’t miss out on this course because of the tee box – go green and enjoy it!
What’s nearby?
You likely drove past the Nancy Lopez Country Club on the way to the Briarwood starter shack – drive back! It’s renowned for good food in a classy setting. Most of the country clubs have a similar feeling dining room – not Nancy. They don't call it the Legacy Restaurant for nothing! And if you wear your best red golf shirt you might just blend in! Check it out!
Beauties at Briarwood
That's the beautiful Nancy Lopez Championship course alongside the 3rd hole at Briarwood.
Easily the best Restrooms on any Villages course - it's worth drinking your whole water bottle on holes 1-4 just so you have to stop here on the way to 5! (But save the birdie juice until the 8th)
My impressions are based on playing from the Gold tee boxes. The Black and the Green tee boxes pose different challenges or benefits described as well. The rankings of the toughest to easiest holes are just my opinions - yours will be far different, as will your favorite courses and most difficult and attractive holes. I welcome your opinions or thoughts on any of this - click to leave a comment.
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