$26 (cart included), played on Thursday, April 2012 at 8am
Played here 4-4-12, on the last day of the "aeration special" green fee of $30, plus tax. This is an update of my previous ranking. I think it's a wonderful golf course by every measure, and I highly recommend it. The only negative was that the recently aerated greens were just not ready. They were still pretty bumpy, and the course obviously recognizes that, as they've extended the special rate for a few more days. I also wanted to address previous comments about the bunkers being in poor shape. As played yesterday, they were pretty good: fairway bunkers were firm, and greensides were medium soft and very playable. I guess the course read those earlier comments and addressed the issue! Try Musket Ridge: you'll enjoy it!
$31 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2008 at 10am
PLayed here 9-2-08, on a special "Aerated Greens" discount price of $35...a SUPER deal.
Wonderful golf course in every measure: scenic, challenging, fair, superbly conditioned. Even though the greens had been aerated the previous week, we found them quite good: very playable, and the aeration just was not a factor.
The layout is awesome: the course has significant elevation change, and the architect took full advantage of it. The tee box on the opening hole is about 100 feet above the landing area, which is scalloped and mounded, and ends at a sizable pond, with the green slightly offset to the left: wow, what a great golf shot! No two holes look remotely alike, and there are very few blind shots, so it is not tricked up (as is the PB Dye course just a few miles away). Tee boxes were in good shape for this late in the year, and all are flat, with no crowning. Fairways were in great shape, and are generously proportioned in most cases. First cut rough is punishing, but not overly so. Bunkers are many, some exceedibgly deep, but all had good sand and were playable. Greens are largish, and most are fairly heavily contoured.
Pro shop is quite nice, if small, and the 19th hole is very "English-clubby." The day we were there, the bar attendant was a delightful lady named JJ, and she is worth the trip herself!
This course compares very favorably with the other upscale courses in the area, PB Dye, Maryland National, Hollow Creek, Worthington Manor, and IMHO, is a very close second to Whiskey Creek...and at $35, it is absolutely TOPS! I did not recommend it for a vacation stop, since the area is just not well-suited to that, but this golf course is a real delight, and I highly recommend it.