Traveling to D.C. In 2 weeks

wtodd · April 16, 2017

Heading up to D.C. In 2 weeks. Going to do the normal tourist things with the wife and kids but I'm looking to squeeze in a round of golf. Any suggestions on where to play? I've thought about Potomac bc of location, views, etc but any other suggestions would be great.

snoilr1 · April 17, 2017

If your goal is to sneak a round in and rejoin the family without missing much, East Potomac is a good choice. It's easy to get to if you're staying in DC. If you can play early in the day during the week, pace should be reasonable. You shouldn't have much trouble meeting back with the family by lunch time if you tee off 7-8 am. It's typical muni conditions, but very walkable and very cool views. It's crowded and slow in the afternoons and weekends if the weather's decent.

If you aren't worried about time on the day you play, there are lots of better choices in VA and MD. Be aware that DC traffic could turn a round into most of a day easily, though. And there isn't always an "opposite" direction from rush hour traffic.

In VA, Westfields, Laurel Hills, Potomac Shores are all nice courses and relatively close. There are also nice courses in the Leesburg and Manassas areas, but you're looking at least an hour travel, each way.

Someone else can probably give you better info on MD courses, as I don't cross the border to play much golf.

totes570 · April 17, 2017

Most of the nice public courses in Maryland are 30+ minutes if you're staying in Potomac. Going north in the AM, is doable but you are always at risk either direction with the traffic. I would recommend either Whiskey Creek or Worthington Manor near Urbana, MD. Falls Road (just north of Potomac) is the nearest public in MD but its an average course and gets really crowded because of the area and its the only public course surrounded by country clubs.

Happy to provide any other recommendations if you narrow down your area.

SHIVAN · April 17, 2017

Only reliable way to play East Potomac without it sucking out a complete half day is to get off in the first tee time. Otherwise, it's going to be 5hrs+.

Laurel Hill will be 4.25 to 4.5hrs if you get off early. it is also right off of I-95S, and probably be in very good condition in two weeks. They just aerated in the last couple weeks.

I know some people are going to mention Worthington Manor, PB Dye, Whiskey Creek, and such, but that is quite a haul out of the touristy side of DC (aka southern DC).

I'd put Laurel Hill and Old Hickory as the top two within reach of the southern side of DC and not be a complete time vampire. Though you will still need to be there SUPER early to avoid traffic in either direction.

ElMacho · July 18, 2017

East Potomac's conditions have improved appreciably in the 2 years I've been playing here.

chrikim · August 3, 2017

Heading down to the Leesburg area on Labor Day weekend for a wedding and trying to sneak out for a round. Seems like the two courses in the area are Raspberry Falls and the Golf Club at Lansdowne (staying at the resort).

Does anyone have any thoughts on these two courses or anything else they would recommend in that area? Thanks in advance

SHIVAN · August 3, 2017

Recently played Lansdowne, and it was in decent shape, but I did not like the tight dogleg landing areas, and elevated tees and greens as much as I like the Raspberry Falls layout. Personal preference, but as long as the greens aren't punched at RF, I would play there over Lansdowne.

dugly2ugly · August 5, 2017

Heading down to the Leesburg area on Labor Day weekend for a wedding and trying to sneak out for a round. Seems like the two courses in the area are Raspberry Falls and the Golf Club at Lansdowne (staying at the resort).

Does anyone have any thoughts on these two courses or anything else they would recommend in that area? Thanks in advance

Raspberry, in my opinion, is one of the best 3-4 public tracks in the greater DC metro region. It gets some heat for also being one of the more expensive, but I think it's a better value than some of the nearby courses that only charge $15-$20 less and are not nearly the quality of course.

If you have to "sneak out" for a round, don't bother to look at any other courses besides these two. The next closest course in the same class as RF is probably Westfields, a good 20-30 minute drive from Landsdowne.

I've only played the RTJ course at Landsdowne, which is supposedly the lesser of the two at the resort. I remember it as being a solid course and not a bad option to have without having to get in the car and drive. I've heard good things about the Norman course.