MD/DC/VA Golfers - Twelve Monkeys Mental Divergence

[Terphack]

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Rearviewmirror]

Hey folks! Just found this thread. Any particular recommendations for winter courses in the DC area that don't require a member to sign you in?

 

Recently played Maryland National (absolutely loved the design) and Whiskey Creek (also great, but very tough final stretch and didn't love the pin placements ~4-5ft from the edge of the green) and also played University of Maryland (love this course), National at Tantallon, East Potomac (my local go to), Langston, Falls Road and Hampshire Green (didn't like the course design at all).

 

I'm mainly looking for courses that drain well, are walkable, don't make you hit off mats for par 3s, and have greens that aren't impossible to putt on in winter (the amount of sand/size of aeration holes on Tantallon made it virtually impossible).

 

Thanks!

[davechen]

My go-to courses were (before I joined a club) Falls Road, Needwood and Northwest Park in MoCo.  They all drain pretty well, I think.

[aiyyer]

Worthington Manor. I think it still has a walker rate. 

[Terphack]

UMD drains pretty well but last(?) year they installed concrete slabs with mats on the par 3's. Not ideal but it really helped get the tees back in shape for spring.

[aiyyer]

Courses open tomorrow! 

[Terphack]

Sure hope some of you guys get out there, might be a bit soggy but that is what old shoes are for.

I have been down with knee problems and surgery since early November. These warm days are tempting but I think I need another couple of weeks before swinging a club.

[dcmidnight]

This kind of weather is exactly what the Adidas boots were made for.

[davechen]

Argyle was still closed today.  Praying it opens tomorrow.

[misplacedtexan83]

Playing Gunpowder today 

[dashanks]

Can't imagine playing in this slop even if the courses are open.   Just got an email from my course (Pilgrim's Oak, just over the Pa. border) that they are staying closed for the weekend at least.

[misplacedtexan83]

It’s winter golf at 70 degrees would rather get mud on the clubs than not. Also got to try my new smoke driver so it’s a bonus 

[davechen]

Yup, I'd rather play golf in the mud than sit on my butt at home.

[misplacedtexan83]

Gunpowder was in the best shape I have ever seen even it. Top 5 course in MD this year! 
 

 

[aiyyer]

Played Worthington Saturday. Other than bunkers bring  sloppy, very playable. 

[tboh]

Drove down & played Blue Ridge Shadows 

Actually got to dam warm ... to funny

Not to soggy 

Greens were great 

$35

Love that course

 

Edited February 2 by tboh

[HenryReardon]

On 10/31/2023 at 8:59 AM, HenryReardon said:

Hey everybody, I am moving to the DC area (likely Arlington or Alexandria) in the spring. Looking to get the scoop on the golf scene either in the thread or over DM. Thanks in advance!

Move is official. Will be in Arlington as of 3/10. Looking forward to teeing it up soon!

[davechen]

2 hours ago, HenryReardon said:

Move is official. Will be in Arlington as of 3/10. Looking forward to teeing it up soon!

Welcome, welcome!

 

Unfortunately this thread isn't very active anymore.  We formed a golf club and the active folks are on a club discord server.  If you're interested, check out:  https://sites.google.com/view/thehivegolfclub

[HackinNut]

On 1/30/2024 at 6:39 PM, tboh said:

Drove down & played Blue Ridge Shadows 

Actually got to dam warm ... to funny

Not to soggy 

Greens were great 

$35

Love that course

 

 

I play BRS all the time.  I love the greens there.  If I lived closer, I would play it even more often 

[CarlLipbaum]

6 hours ago, HackinNut said:

 

I play BRS all the time.  I love the greens there.  If I lived closer, I would play it even more often 

Have the greens been in good shape there?  Haven't played there in years.  Greens were bad the last couple of times I played it.  But it's been a long time...

[tboh]

On 2/27/2024 at 2:27 PM, CarlLipbaum said:

Have the greens been in good shape there?  Haven't played there in years.  Greens were bad the last couple of times I played it.  But it's been a long time...

I thot they were great for this time of year

Course gets a little "soggy" to say the least

[jjgott]

Hey everybody,

 

I’ve decided to try and establish a handicap this year. One problem I have is most of my buddies have no interest in doing the same. Do you have any suggestions on the best way to find likeminded folks? I live close to UMD so was thinking of maybe signing up for a twilight membership but wasn’t sure if it made sense without knowing anybody. I’d say I probably play to a 12-15 depending on how much time I have to practice. 
 

Thanks in advance!

[misplacedtexan83]

18 hours ago, jjgott said:

Hey everybody,

 

I’ve decided to try and establish a handicap this year. One problem I have is most of my buddies have no interest in doing the same. Do you have any suggestions on the best way to find likeminded folks? I live close to UMD so was thinking of maybe signing up for a twilight membership but wasn’t sure if it made sense without knowing anybody. I’d say I probably play to a 12-15 depending on how much time I have to practice. 
 

Thanks in advance!

Welcome. 
 

Congrats for wanting to better yourself and keep an accurate handicap to showcase it. 
 

The local group is called the Hive. A bunch of good guys who golf for fun but keep handicaps for the events they host.  
 

 If you're interested, check out:  https://sites.google.com/view/thehivegolfclub

Get out there and meet some people.  UMD is a great spot for all walks of life. And a good course to play at. 

 

Edited March 6 by misplacedtexan83

[Terphack]

17 hours ago, jjgott said:

Hey everybody,

 

I’ve decided to try and establish a handicap this year. One problem I have is most of my buddies have no interest in doing the same. Do you have any suggestions on the best way to find likeminded folks? I live close to UMD so was thinking of maybe signing up for a twilight membership but wasn’t sure if it made sense without knowing anybody. I’d say I probably play to a 12-15 depending on how much time I have to practice. 
 

Thanks in advance!

UMD member here although I haven't played since early November while recovering from knee surgery. I plan on getting out next week to start knocking off the rust. Tuesday night spring league signup is underway, get in as a single if you don't have a partner.

[HackinNut]

On 2/27/2024 at 2:27 PM, CarlLipbaum said:

Have the greens been in good shape there?  Haven't played there in years.  Greens were bad the last couple of times I played it.  But it's been a long time...

 

They weren't in bad shape last week when I played there.  They are definitely getting better.  There is that one green on the back nine ... #14 Par 5 ... the green is tucked in the trees.  That green is always the worst because it doesn't get any air.  They need to put up one of those huge fans you see at other courses with the same problem.  

I also heard rumblings that they had a new Super??  Not sure on that.  The guys playing with me said something about it, but I cannot confirm.  

I am playing a tournament there on May 3rd 

Edited March 22 by HackinNut

[Speeder_757]

Does anyone have a good golf instructor they recommend? I'm a decent golfer, looking for someone who is conversational and has a great grasp on the fundamentals. I am based in DC but can travel around the DMV if they are worth it! 

 

I used to see a guy at 1757 who has now moved down to Florida. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated! 

Let me know if this is not the right forum. 

[misplacedtexan83]

1 minute ago, Speeder_757 said:

Does anyone have a good golf instructor they recommend? I'm a decent golfer, looking for someone who is conversational and has a great grasp on the fundamentals. I am based in DC but can travel around the DMV if they are worth it! 

 

I used to see a guy at 1757 who has now moved down to Florida. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated! 

Let me know if this is not the right forum. 

Howdy .. a lot of great instructors in our area but all depends on how much you want to spend. 
 

Spanky at Oak Marr ( my instructor for 8 years). Works with what your swing can provide and gets you in the positions you can achieve not what a book says. 
 

Brandon at Olney Golf Park is another 

 

Eismann academy at Laurel hills is becoming a big one a lot of people are using.  
 

Bernie at Caves 

 

Mike Dickinson just voted top 100 pga instructor but might be a haul for you 

 

 

[jak77]

19 hours ago, Speeder_757 said:

Does anyone have a good golf instructor they recommend? I'm a decent golfer, looking for someone who is conversational and has a great grasp on the fundamentals. I am based in DC but can travel around the DMV if they are worth it! 

 

I used to see a guy at 1757 who has now moved down to Florida. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated! 

Let me know if this is not the right forum. 

 

Mark Russo at Nighthawk Golf Center in MD. Been a long-term student of his for almost four years. On GD's best in-state list.

 

Has the tech (trackman, force plates, video analysis), is super easy to talk to, understands that everyone has a unique swing/physical traits, and breaks down changes in a digestible and easy to remember/practice way. Video recaps with drills to work on at the end of every lesson.

 

Since working with him, I've gone from shooting in the high 90s/low 100s to mid 70s/low 80s on average. 

Edited April 5 by jak77

[Speeder_757]

4 hours ago, jak77 said:

 

Mark Russo at Nighthawk Golf Center in MD. Been a long-term student of his for almost four years. On GD's best in-state list.

 

Has the tech (trackman, force plates, video analysis), is super easy to talk to, understands that everyone has a unique swing/physical traits, and breaks down changes in a digestible and easy to remember/practice way. Video recaps with drills to work on at the end of every lesson.

 

Since working with him, I've gone from shooting in the high 90s/low 100s to mid 70s/low 80s on average. 

 

23 hours ago, misplacedtexan83 said:

Howdy .. a lot of great instructors in our area but all depends on how much you want to spend. 
 

Spanky at Oak Marr ( my instructor for 8 years). Works with what your swing can provide and gets you in the positions you can achieve not what a book says. 
 

Brandon at Olney Golf Park is another 

 

Eismann academy at Laurel hills is becoming a big one a lot of people are using.  
 

Bernie at Caves 

 

Mike Dickinson just voted top 100 pga instructor but might be a haul for you 

 

 

Thank you both for these suggestions, they are incredibly helpful. 

 

Jak77 - Mark seems great! He look a little far away, but his prices are alot better than what im seeing. Is Mike good with drills and such, and giving you good homework off the course? 

 

Misplacedtexan83- Loved these suggestions! I gave a long look at Eismann academy. Anyone over there you recommend? I doubt i do Mr. Eismann as his lessons are North of $300, but it looks like he has a ton of staff there. 

 

I cant thank you both enough for your help in this dire time of need! hahah 

[dcmidnight]

1 hour ago, Speeder_757 said:

I gave a long look at Eismann academy. Anyone over there you recommend?

 

I've taken lessons from Wonsuk Rhee before at Laurel Hills really good instructor. They focus a lot on speed work/pressure plate type stuff - follow them on IG and you'll see.

 

I've mostly been working with Erika Larkin out at Creighton Farms the last several years. She originally taught an Aimpoint class at our club maybe ten years ago. Very good with drils and off the course work. But its a long haul to get out there.

 

Plenty of great suggestions here - my advice is to find someone close to where you are.

Edited April 5 by dcmidnight