Golf Course Advice

[georgetowngrad05]

Just wanted to see if anyone could give me any advice on courses in the DC/MD/VA region. I play Little Bennett in MoCo a lot, looking to branch out further. Thanks for any help.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

I played Twin Oaks in Clifton, VA this summer and really liked it. It has two courses - the Oaks and the Lakes - the Oaks is probably the better of the two.

[dajuan]

I play very cheap courses in or very near the District. As far as courses in the District go, I like Langston the best. It's much better than Hains Point and often in better condition than Rock Creek - though I do like Rock Creek as well, especially the back nine.

[EasyEd]

Algonkian near Sterling is long and flat. Goose Creek, between Sterling and Leesburg is hilly but somewhat short. Herndon is short, somewhat hilly. All on the affordable side.

[Coast2CoastHoya]

Redgate in Rockville. I played it a couple weeks ago. Nice greens, pretty challenging, lots of hills, some water, narrow fairways, lots of rough, reasonably priced, seemed like a nice crowd.

The greens at the Blue Course at Hains Point are all torn up right now (haven't played the White Course lately so I'm not sure about that one). Somebody messed up and killed the grass on like 16/18 of them. Anyway, it's still Hains Point; cheap, easy to get to, flat, no water, great views of DC, no stress.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

tothebeach said:

Redgate in Rockville. I played it a couple weeks ago. Nice greens, pretty challenging, lots of hills, some water, narrow fairways, lots of rough, reasonably priced, seemed like a nice crowd.

The greens at the Blue Course at Hains Point are all torn up right now (haven't played the White Course lately so I'm not sure about that one). Somebody messed up and killed the grass on like 16/18 of them. Anyway, it's still Hains Point; cheap, easy to get to, flat, no water, great views of DC, no stress.

I beg to differ on the no water at Haines Point comment - if you sport my snap hook playing on an island means the water is always in play.

[TigerHoya]

DC Sports and Entertainment may be taking over the National Park Service courses in the District and greatly improving them reportedly.

[Coast2CoastHoya]

stpetersburghoya said:

tothebeach said:

Redgate in Rockville. I played it a couple weeks ago. Nice greens, pretty challenging, lots of hills, some water, narrow fairways, lots of rough, reasonably priced, seemed like a nice crowd.

The greens at the Blue Course at Hains Point are all torn up right now (haven't played the White Course lately so I'm not sure about that one). Somebody messed up and killed the grass on like 16/18 of them. Anyway, it's still Hains Point; cheap, easy to get to, flat, no water, great views of DC, no stress.

I beg to differ on the no water at Haines Point comment - if you sport my snap hook playing on an island means the water is always in play.

Hahaha, likewise with my killer slice. Give me graphite clubs instead of metal, and boaters beware!

[Jack]

Haines Point is now completely unplayable with the greens, and will likely take years to recover. It should be closed and rebuilt- it is too much of an asset to let it remain as it is.

[Coast2CoastHoya]

jack said:

Haines Point is now completely unplayable with the greens, and will likely take years to recover. It should be closed and rebuilt- it is too much of an asset to let it remain as it is.

Agreed; it's really bad. Worst greens I've ever played on actually. Also agreed that it's a major asset and should be rebuilt (hopefully still retaining its character as the easiest course around!). But it's still fun if you don't care about your score (or take a stroke off per hole to ease the pain like we did!).

[DrumsGoBang]

Instead of the courses, go to "Top Golf" in Alexandria. It's bowling, darts, and golf combined. The balls have RFID tags in them and you can shoot at targets and keep the score of the computer.

[morepunkthanyou]

Pohick Bay in Lorton, Va., is really nice. There's a good variety of big driving holes, doglegs and challenging par 3s. Some water, but it doesn't come into play much. If you play after 2 you get a discounted rate.

I played Haines with Coast2Coast a few weeks ago, and yeah, it was kinda brutal. What made it more brutal was the jackasses in front of us who had a guy in their group who LITERALLY could not get off the tee box. And he was lefty, so that must have meant he hated freedom and puppy dogs, too.

[DrumsGoBang]

Must have been a Genesis Fan

[bubbrubbhoya]

www.ezlinks.com/

I found this the other day. It has courses from around the country (an area that includes MD and VA!). The "Tee Time Specials" section is something that I'm going to try out; it has pretty good discounts and you can reserve well ahead of time.

[Oh My!]

More options that don't have any greens nearly as ridiculous as the 3rd at Little Bennett:

If you live in MoCo (I did for 13 years after GU), the most afoordable decent course is likely Needwood (especially if you get to know the starters!!) If you're restricted to Upper MC, you likely have to consider paying more $$ for closer courses. The best are PB Dye & Whiskey Creek. More affordable Up-County would likely be Worthington Manor. All 3 of these are in the Urbana area at the same exit as Little Bennet off 270.

Another great one is Poolesville---Very Long, very fair, and the site of several GU Athletics events over the years. Affordable, too.

If you drive a bit North, Maryland National is usually in great condition & not a bad course. It's a bit West of Frederick, and only about 15 minutes from Little Bennett.

I now live in PG County, so I've been playing different courses, and I would say I like Compass Pointe the best. 36 holes, VERY-well priced ($65 riding on a weekend primetime), and considering it has only been open for a little over 5 years, the fairways & greens are in better shape than most private courses around here. It would be a bit of a drive from Upper MC, but I think it would be worth it. It's pretty much sandwiched between Annapolis & Baltimore, off of the B-W Parkway.

Now, if you don't mind driving even a bit further East, perhaps the best "local" course of them all, when you consider fees, condition, scenery, clubhouse, etc. HAS GOT TO BE Queenstown Harbor. It's across the Bay Bridge, but Rated by Golf Digest as one of the Top 100 Public Courses in America a few years back (may still be). 36 Holes, River & Lakes courses, and the River Course is a true test of skill.

If you prefer links-style courses, try Blue Mash (in Olney/Laytonsville area of MC) or Upland (out Route 50 & 404, on the way to Ocean City.

OK, sorry for the long rant, but now you've got options!

[hifigator]

Not very familiar with the DC area, but if you are near Jacksonville, then Sawgrass, is amazingly affordable for a course that hosts the "fifth major." Also Bay Hill in Orlando is now semi-private during the week I have heard. Also there's this course in California that has the reputation of being the nicest public course in the Country. I think it is called Pebbel Beach.

[Bando]

hifigator said:

Not very familiar with the DC area, but if you are near Jacksonville, then Sawgrass, is amazingly affordable for a course that hosts the "fifth major." Also Bay Hill in Orlando is now semi-private during the week I have heard. Also there's this course in California that has the reputation of being the nicest public course in the Country. I think it is called Pebbel Beach.

[DrumsGoBang]

Hey HIFI!! Tell me more about places where I don't live or don't care to visit.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

hifigator said:

Not very familiar with the DC area, but if you are near Jacksonville, then Sawgrass, is amazingly affordable for a course that hosts the "fifth major." Also Bay Hill in Orlando is now semi-private during the week I have heard. Also there's this course in California that has the reputation of being the nicest public course in the Country. I think it is called Pebbel Beach.

In a related note I hear there's a really nice tower in the middle of Paris. Does that help?

[hifigator]

Thanks St. Pete! I also hear there is an interesting Arch near there on the Champs Elysie (sp?)