Black Rock Golf Course

$26 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2013 at 8am

Played here about 10yrs ago and enjoyed it just as much. Played from the whites (6,383) with two (2) older players and seemed to get in alot of trouble on the doglegs. No GPS so watch your yardages to the corners or you'll drive through them. Greens looked slow but with a recent sanding they moved and held very good. Shot 84/39putts as they had alot of fron pin placements. Used red flags for every setting which made it hard to know where they really were. Love the layout but if you hit over 250yd drives, move to the blues and you'll stay in the fairways. 4.5hr round and had a steady slow pace as the ranger told us it would be BUT is worth the senior $29 rate.

$26 (cart included), played on Thursday, August 2013 at 8am

Great staff! The course superintendent keeps this course in great shape based on all the play it gets. Level out all the teeing areas.

$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, April 2012 at 10am

This is an update of my earlier review from 2008. Our group of travelling seniors played here 4-17-2012, for the Senior Rte of $26, which is quite good for a course of this quality. Course remains a nice challenge, as previously stated. Conditions today were pretty good with the notable exception of the bunkers, which were very inconsistent. The same bunker varied from fluffy stuff, almost like talcum powder, to absolute hardpan. Otherwise, fairways, greens and tee boxes were good. This part of Maryland has had no rain to speak of in the last 60 days, so the course was very firm, but still played well. One other quirky thing: every green had a red flag. No reason for it, just that the course got tired of moving flags around(?): at least that was the answer the Ranger gave to me...go figure. Pace of play was a bit slow for a weekday by our usual standards, but bearable: we didn't see much action from the Ranger. Clubhouse remains marginal, and does not offer draft beer, only by the can. We usually order a couple of draft pitchers and several orders of fries, but had to do with cans at $3.00 each. Fries were a little expensive for the portion size. Next time we play Black Rock we'll probably go elsewhere for our post-round refreshments.

$41 (cart included), played on Saturday, July 2009 at 8am

Generally open layout, but lots of elevation changes, sloped fairways, trees and stragetic water, so fair for high handicappers but enough challenge for better golfers too. Lovely layout west of Catoctin Mountains, we watched several red-tailed hawks spiraling around over the course. At $45 weekend rate, and less than an hour from Baltimore or most of Wash DC, this is excellent value course, not Whiskey Creek, Greystone or Old Hickory, but really nice golf experience, expecially for the $!!

$21 (cart included), played on Tuesday, December 2008 at 10am

Our group of travelling seniors plays Black Rock about twice a year, most recently on 12-9-08, for $25/golfer (including cart), which is a good price for this course. The course is also in the Tee Time Book.

Conditions were seasonal: that is, greens were pretty firm early on, then softened as they thawed a bit, putting speed was a little inconsistent, and most of the water hazards were at least partly frozen over. Despite the weather, the bunkers were in excellent shape.

The layout is quite nice for a muni, rolling terrain, lots of mature trees, creative use of elevation change, bunkers aplenty, and good use of water. No two holes look quite alike, and the views are excellent. Course is fairly compact, and is walkable.

Clubhouse is showing its age, and could use an update. Snack bar is small, but adequate, although they do NOT have draft beer, only by the can. Staff is always pleasant and professional.

Overall, it is not Pebble Beach, but it is a nice course that is fun to play, and provides us mortals a fair challenge. We recommend it.

$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2008 at noon

Our Senior Golf Group from Norbeck Country Club (Rockville, MD) chose to have an away outing at Black Rock. We drove approximately 60 miles to the course and the price was right and the course was in great shape.

$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2008 at 10am

Prices higher than other local courses. Many tee boxes are not level.

$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2008 at 10am

Prices higher than other local courses. Many tee boxes are not level.