Longview Golf Course

$36 (cart included), played on Thursday, June 2011 at 10am

I have reviewed this course before, but came back to see how the recent changes worked out. The course installed three new holes on the back, and a very nice practice facility. Sadly, as the previous reviewer noted, it's still the same old Longview, despite the new Fox Hollow name. The new holes, #10, 12 (a very challenging par 5), and 13 are OK, but clearly need some time to grow in. The greens on these three holes are SUBSTANTIALLY larger than everything else on the course. The rest of the course is the same as previous reviews, and frankly, just ain't worth the price they charge: we paid $37 as seniors for a weekday round, and I felt that $27 would have been more appropriate. Pace of play was awful...there was a foursome a few groups ahead of us that had at least two holes open in front of them...with no ranger in sight at any time. Baltimore County just doesn't take pace of play seriously; at least not at this course, whatever it's called. Play Pine Ridge or Rocky Point instead of this track.

$21 (cart included), played on Friday, April 2011 at 8am

Tee Time Golf Pass made the price reasonable. No way I would play the regular rate to play this course. Greens were aerated a few weeks before our round and it did not look like they were addressed after that. This course has been redone and renamed Fox Hollow, but it still is conditioned like Longview, poorly. The "fairways" need at least a full season of growing in, and there are rocks just under the surface on a few of them. Decent practice area and range, but the range is mats. Would have like to have seen grass hitting areas.

$31 (cart included), played on Tuesday, April 2009 at 10am

Played here 4-7-09, a windy, blustery day. The course was empty, so the pace of play was not a problem. Greens had been aerated in the last week, so putting was "uncertain." Fairways and tees were in good shape, bunkers were very firm and had not been maintained for a while.

Layout is pretty simple: most holes are straight, some elevation change,no water anywhere, and bunkers are not intrusive. Unispired architecture, but design was obviously intended to provide a servieceable public course, and that goal has been reached.

We paid $33 for seniors, which I thought was little high, considering the aeration, but not grossly out of line. Course is one of several in the Baltimore County system, and there is a discount card available for these courses which offers good savings over rack rates.

The few staff we encountered were competent and professional. Clubhouse is basic, and pro shop has a small selection of logo apparel, plus some balls, gloves and tees. A few bags and some clubs also on display. Snack bar was not open today, but is also a minimal operation.

Overall, Longview is not a bad course, but not particularly memorable for anything. Worth a visit, if in the area, but I would recommend you try Rocky Point or Pine Ridge, both relatively close, as they are both more interesting layouts.

$26 (cart included), played on Saturday, February 2008 at 10am

Overall, for winter time golf in the mid-atlantic, the course was in decent shape. Their old curmudgeon of a head pro has retired, so staff friendliness and personality have improved tremendously. This is a good course for the inexperienced golfer or someone looking for a tune up. Online tee times available through baltimoregolfing.com., so a last minute tee time could be checked and booked.