Played 9/16/07. Course was in good shape despite very dry summer. Greens had just been aerated w/ sand so were not in top form, which was fortunate because some of the greens were steep/fast enough as it was.

This is a pretty course for a public layout and would be very scenic in the fall. However, it has a lot of blind shots that can really stump you the first time playing, and it helps to see greens up close to know where to aim if you want to keep ball on the green after approach. Blue tees (6700 yds) are challenging but not too much - not out of reach for mid-handicappers like me. A few uphill holes are tough to reach and several extremely steep downhill 3's that are difficult to judge if you have never played them. Not a course to play if you need flat lies all the time and don't like going uphill, but overall a fair course. My wife thought women's tees were reasonable, in most cases shortening and eliminating severe carries facing men, but there are still a few holes where par is tough for ladies.

Like most publics, expect slow going if the weather is nice - our round was 5+ hours, and Ranger came by once to say it was always like this between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Not surprising as it's a nice venue.

Would play again.

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All Montgomery County facilities

Course looks like a sheepherders flock died and they sprinkled grass seed over them for the fairways. A lot of tricked up holes with blind tee shots. Way over priced with unfriendly staff who act like they are doing you a favor when they take your money. We played on father's day and I guess the staff decided they would squeeze in a few extra groups making for a + 6 hour round. With all the money they charge for green fees you would think they could afford one large flat screen TV for the bar area, but no, some genious decided to buy a several small screen TV's and perch them half way up the wall for easy viewing.
All in all a big dissapointment. Don't waste your money.

Customer Service

Horrible. Unfriendly,tired looking staff

Played here 7-19-07, so this will update some of the previous comments, with which I generally agree. Used the White tees, which are 6157 yards, and the 70.8/129 rating/slope seems about right. Design is excellent for this piece of ground, no two holes mirror each other, although #9 and #18 have the same general profile, as do the two downhill par 3's, #6 and #12. Course is NOT walkable for a senior: lots of verticality and some long hauls from green to tee. Very pretty course: clubhouse looks very elegant, and commands the terrain; Sugarloaf Mountain is the target line for a couple of tee shots, and the designer made good use of the elevation changes. The course management has changed: it was formerly part of the Montgomery County Park system, but after a political struggle, was taken over by the Montgomery County Revenue Auhtority, which ran the several other county courses. Might be just me, bt I have the sense that conditions have slipped just a little bit. The greens were not in as good shape, fairways were a little more shaggy and less well-defined, several of the bunkers were loaded with rocks, etc. This course used to rival the several very good daily fee courses in the area, such as Worthington Manor, P.B. Dye, Maryland National, etc. Now, it's just another muni, albeit a very nice one: although not quite as manicured as Clustered Spires in Frederick, it's beter than Rattlewood. After the change to the MCRA, the course no longer accepts the Tee Time Book, and the variety of fees can be bewildering. On 7-17, it was $39.95, which included a Continental breakfast (packaged muffins), and a lunch sandwich (which was made to order, and quite good), and was supposed to include driving range tokens, BUT, the range is closed on Thursday mornings for mowing. The point is, check the fees on the web AND on the phone before making the trip. It's a very interesting and challenging course, and well worth the trip.

Customer Service

On this day, pro shop staffer was OK, snack bar staff was not especially warm and friendly, starter was excellent and compensated for the other two.

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Clustered Spires, P.B. Dye, Maryland National, Rattlewood

Quite some ups and downs, certainly need better thinking/course management;

strange to have 1st tee and 18th green so far from club house, almost should have built a Hole 0 and 19, very good excercise though as I like to walk on the course

Played first time, 2hrs for front 9 + 10-11, 17-18. Open and hilly terrain; traditional design, many dog-legs; very challenging course with quite some blind shots; relatively open, won't lose too many balls in woods as in Redgate

Customer Service

nice and friendly

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nice winer rate, could be bit pricy in summer. Maintenance and crouse condition appear to be very good, comparable to Redgate; should have much better scenic views in summer than those courses in the city

Great maintenance, great greens, holes are shaped well, fun par threes. Not extremely crowded, which was unexpected because we played on a gorgeous Saturday morning.

None that I could see, but very long hitters might be able to overpower this course (but not being one, and not playing with any, I can't be sure of that!) Also could be a fairly long course to walk.

Well-maintained and very enjoyable course out near the border of Montgomery and Frederick counties. After a long and wet winter, the course seemed to be in great shape -- no real marsh areas or bare spots. The course itself is not exceptionally long, but there are certainly some tricky shots, and the elevation changes make club selection challenging (or infuriating, depending on how you deal with hitting uphill or straight downhill). Relatively forgiving course, but not wide open, and approach shots on some holes force you to make good decisions. Greens were in superb shape for the most part, quick and true.

Customer Service

Very good, from what I could see. Ranger was helpful and friendly, as were the clubhouse folks.

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Driving range was in great shape, and the prices in the clubhouse for food are pretty low. Seven bucks for a pitcher of beer is fine by me.

Top notch club house and practice facility. The staff was excellent too.

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What a terrific course. The fairways were in excellent condition, especially for being early in the season (March). The tees were a little bit iffy, but not at all unacceptable. The greens were rolling really well. Much of this course is open and subject to some pretty heavy winds. There is a lot more room on this course than you would expect, but the lush rough makes you pay. My only complaint, is that I would have like to see more variety in par 3 lengths.

Customer Service

Top notch staff

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Modest grill and a nicely stocked pro shop.

Excellent fairways and tees.

Greens are horrible. Better off putting on the fairways than on the green. You can only walk 9 holes coz if you walk 18 you wont be alive to play again. Very expensive course.

This course is built with one and only thing in mind - "make it as difficult as possible to play". You can definitely enjoy all the scenic views and beautiful fairways but not your golf game. Very demanding course requires precise shot making. You aim to the fairway as if you are aiming to hit the green. You will be in trouble if you miss the fairway.

Customer Service

excellent

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Excellent driving range.

Your head has got to be in the game at LB. If you don't think your SCREWED! Driving Range = PHAT

Don't speed around the roads getting to the course. COPS always around and they will get your butt.

This course is a Female Dog. Don't get me wrong; I think it's one of the best in the area, but it always plays harder than what you expect. Prepare to use every club in your bag and don't hold your head when you boggy #4. It's the hardest green out there. #10 is a long par five that plays with the wind always in your grill.

Customer Service

Very nice

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Driving Range is the best around for a public course.

good undulated greens, shot makers course

too short

nice par 3''s not driver off every hole no two holes are the same except maybe hole 6 and hole 12

Customer Service

good

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na

Even though the course is only 6600 yards it plays like a big course. The fairways are medium width, and well designed mounding and the thick rough keep the errant ball from leaving the premises. There are at least 7 really good par fours (1,4,7,9,11,16,and 18) and the 4 par 5's are also good holes.

There's a huge valley in the middle of the course that is used for two of the four par threes. Those holes are not strong except the first time when you try to guess on the elevation component for club selction.
I didn't have any problem walking the course on a 95 degree day. There are a lot of blind shots that you have to mark well to find your ball, and I can see that being a problem for cart riders. Our group didn't lose any balls.

The course is in a higher elevation than most in the D.C. area and the fairways, greens, and rough are lush and healthy. The rough is well defined and relatively high, but because the grass grows straight up the ball pops out very easily. The greens are big and modestly fast. We had a couple three putts in our group but not many. Some of the tees have been resodded, but are in good shape except for the two short par threes, which like all short par threes get a lot of wear and tear. Overall the conditions are as good or better than the best country clubs in the D.C. area.

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