Maryland National Golf Club

$41 (cart included), played on Tuesday, December 2006 at 10am

Our group of travelling seniors played here for $39 + MD Tax, for a total of about $41, and this is a great price for this outstanding course. I don't know what the previous reviewers were smoking/drinking the day they played, but we enjoyed the course, despite our scores!

Great layout, taking full advantage of varied terrain, and the creek that wanders though the layout. No two holes look remotely alike, and there are no houses anywhere near. There is some annoying noise from I-70, which is very close, especially when the semi-rigs hit the "Jake Brake" on the downslope.

Despite being in the dead of winter, the course is in fine shape: tee boxes were reduced to three instead of the usual five, but we coped. Fairways are in fine shape, as are the tees. Bunkers were firm, due to all the recent rain, but the greens were surprisingly good, with only a few showing signs of the winter. Some gorgeous holes, too: including a long downhill par 5 with about 500 feet of vertical drop from tee to green...WOW!! Greens are contoured, but not excessively so, and pin placements were very fair. Clubhouse is very nice, good pro shop and bar area. Staff was uniformly excellent: professional and competent, with prompt and atentive service. Carts have GPS, and it was very helpful, as the scorcard is minimalist, and does not show a complete layout of the course. Course is NOT walkable in my view, especially for seniors, due to verticality and distances between greens and following tees.

I rated it not vacation worthy simply because it's kinda in the boondocks, with no real accommodations anywhere near (probably 12 or more miles to the nearest mainstream motel).

It's a very nice course, at the same level as Musket Ridge, which is only about three miles away, and Whiskey Creek, which is about 20 miles east. Better than Worthington Manor, another upscale course just south of Frederick. Check your wallet, then give it a try!!

$46 (cart included), played on Wednesday, July 2009 at 10am

if you want your game challenged you will find it here.

$46 (cart included), played on Monday, August 2008 at 2pm

Greens were very hard in spite of heavy recent rain. Cut too short - several greens were stressed or dead. Course does not finish well - last 4 holes were very poorly designed, poor sight & target lines. Whoever rated this course for various golf publications must have been on Arthur Hills payroll. There are much better choices to play in the area.

$51 (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2008 at 10am

great day!