Recs for courses around Baltimore?

howaboutme · May 28, 2020

Looking to get together with an old buddy for golf so I'm looking for recommendations for courses that are almost equidistant between the Philly area (actually in the southern counties closer to Del) and northern VA. That seems to place the Baltimore area as the most likely place. Looks like along 95 and not 270. Looked through the past few pages and didn't see anything.

No particular specifics other than a good public course that has typically good conditions and easily accessible from 95. Thanks in advance!

cristphoto · May 28, 2020

The Woodlands is a nice layout and conditions are usually very nice. They have a second course there also (Diamond Ridge) but its not as nice. Just off the Baltimore Beltway in Woodlawn in the Baltimore suburbs.

Pdj608 · June 1, 2020

Bulle Rock is a Pete Dye course, is very nice and top 100 public (its in Havre de Grace off of I-95); if youre looking closer to Baltimore, the only course Ive played there is Pine Ridge which was nice as well.

cristphoto · June 1, 2020

Another option would be Timbers at Troy in Elkridge. A couple miles south of Baltimore just off interstate 95. Nice layout.

howaboutme · June 1, 2020

Appreciate the rec's all! Right now it looks like Woodlands and Pine Ridge are about equidistant between the 2 so likely one of them. Any preferences between the 2? Walkable? Thanks!

cristphoto · June 2, 2020

They will allow walkers at Woodlands but I wouldn't. A lot of holes there is a great distance from green to tee. No houses on the course but just the way the holes cut through the woods. Pine Ridge actually hosted the Womens LPGA Championship there in 1975 and 1976. Driving by it now it doesn't seem to be of that caliber to host a major. Appears somewhat plain from the outside. I've never played it however. Played Woodlands many times and always enjoyed it.

Greenie · June 2, 2020

I use to play all the courses mentioned in this thread when I worked in the area for 24 yrs. I haven't played any of them in the last 8 yrs. though so I don't how much my input would help. Bulle Rock would be the best choice. IMO it is a higher upscale course. I'd group the other courses together down the scale from Bulle Rock. I always liked Woodlands the best. Timbers of Troy was 5 mins from where I worked and I liked it a lot too. Pine Ridge was my least favorite..

There used to be 16-20 of us that would go out and play. We always got the most interest when we went to the Woodlands. Everybody seem to like it the best. Quite often when we would take the day off work we would play Diamond Ridge as a warm up 18 and then get serious playing the Woodlands. The are both there together. As Cristphoto mentions Diamond Ridge isn't as nice as the Woodlands.

howaboutme · June 2, 2020

Thanks all! Very helpful indeed. It sounds like Woodlands is best. I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

woofelfin · June 3, 2020

Waverly woods is another great option- played there last time I was spending the weekend in fells point.

howaboutme · June 27, 2020

Just want to say thank you for recommending the Woodlands. We played it yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nice setting, great conditions, excellent pace of play (spaced out tee times because of covid), forgiving but interesting. Just very nice. Carts w/ GPS and notes showing you pace of play is a nice touch too.

We would go back to play Diamond Ridge but wondering why it's not as nice?

thesamwise · June 27, 2020

Diamond Ridge is not a bad course, but (if memory serves, it's been a little while), the layout is not as interesting as Woodlands and the grounds are not as well kept. It's just more of a traditional muni course than the Woodlands, which is a really great course. You won't have a bad time at Diamond Ridge; it's just not as good as Woodlands.

cristphoto · June 28, 2020

If you're looking for a compromise between NOVA and Philly I'd do Timbers at Troy next. Literally adjacent to Interstate 95 (take Route 100 exit). The problem I see with Diamond Ridge is if you played Woodlands first its so nice you have high expectations. Problem is the mundane layout and conditions plus its only a couple dollars less. I'd give it an acceptable rating if it was 30-40% less. Timbers is a much better option. Waverly Woods is a good option too but not as convenient to route 95.