Philly or DC for golf trip in September?

[chrisronline]

Hey folks,

 

I'm looking to take a golf trip in late September with three buddies to either the Philly or DC area. The main thing to know is that my three buddies aren't really golfers - they own their own clubs but play rarely and I don't think it matters which course they play. At the same time, I want to select a variety of courses that will interest them, but also keep me happy.

 

In my ideal world, that means a links style course, a course with plenty of elevation changes, course with lots of water, etc.

 

We'd also like to do other things during down time and that's the main con to the DC area as I feel traffic will just be a pain and getting anywhere could take a long time. I'm not sure about the Philly area but I can't imagine it's any worse than DC.

 

I did do some research into DC courses (northern VA side) and came up with this as a possibility:

Laurel Hill Golf

Forest Greens

Old Hickory

Pohick Bay

 

There are other nice public courses on the VA side but I'm trying to balance price and quality.

 

I haven't done much scouting in PA but heard that Valley Forge area is nice with lots of options.

 

So I'm turning to you lovely people for maybe some recommendations!

 

Thanks!

[Mych]

Philly can get chilly in late September but both should be OK weather-wise. DC traffic is very time-dependent. If you plan to drive during non-rush hour times it's still reasonable. Philly can be just as bad depending on where you're trying to go (like toward King of Prussia at rush hour). For going into DC to do touristy stuff, I highly recommend driving to one of the suburban metro stations and riding the metro train in.

 

You'll really enjoy Laurel Hill, it's my favorite of those you listed. It has everything in your list (elevation, water, some holes with a links-style design).

[davep043]

You might also look at Westfields as one of your Virginia courses. There's also a cluster of pretty good courses northwest of DC near Frederick, including Whiskey Creek, Worthington Manor, Musket Ridge, and PB Dye. You could look around Annapolis, MD, with Renditions, South River, and Queenstown Harbour across the Bay Bridge.

[DrDon]

Many courses in the DC area aerate their greens in September.

[Firegolf26]

Check out these courses in SEPA: most of these course are within 30-50mins of rah other, especially if you stay in the burbs:

 

These are Chester county/Delaware county

 

wyncote -in Oxford. Best look for Links style, beautiful scenery and playable even for your buddies.

 

Glenn Mills GC- Glenn Mills. Challenging, but amazing public course. Elevation changes, great layout.

 

Rock manor -Wilmington - great public track to play.

 

If you stay close to Philly/in city:

 

Cobb’s Creek OLDE course- lots of history, and challenging in west philly/Delaware county border

 

Riverwinds -across the river in Jersey; but links style.

 

 

Up in Montgomery county- the 422 corridor between King of Prussia up towards Pottstown (valley forge) has about 4-5 good options, and centrally located. Great nightlife , casino, big mall, restaurants etc.

 

I’d recommend:

 

Turtle creek- one of my favorites, sorta links style, little easier to play/

 

Ravens Claw- elevation changes, water, tough track.

 

If i had to go 3 must play course in Philly/SEPA:

 

1) Glenn Mills

1b) Wyncote

 

3 ) Ravens Claw

 

 

 

[snoilr1]

If you do go with DC, I would recommed swapping Twin Lakes for Pohick. They’re similar cost and conditions, but both courses at Twin Lakes are better in my opinion. Lakes course is friendliest to high handicappers.

 

Old Hickory is fine, but it’s located in an area that’s surprisingly hard to get to unless you happen to stay near it. In that price range, I’d play Potomac Shores or Westfields if you want to stay closer in, or head farther west to Bull Run or Stonewall, if you’re up for going a little farther. Stonewall is a little pricier, but better conditions than the other 3.

 

If you stayed near Nutley street Metro to the west, or Springfield to the south, you could head opposite direction from rush hour in the mornings on your way to play. Then finish up and head home during the lull between morning and evening rush. Then take Metro into DC later in the day. You (probably) wouldn’t have to deal with too much traffic.

[chrisronline]

Very helpful information! Thanks all!

[Firegolf26]

Also, check out Broad Run GC in West Chester, PA. Beautiful course in the rolling hills of Chester county. You’ll get your elevation changes there!

[KCCO]

Going to Philly you are not far from very many nice courses in South Jersey

[dcmidnight]

Where are you staying? Some of the courses listed here can be hours apart in rush hour traffic. And yes DC traffic is miles different than Philly traffic and encompases a much wider area. Use the feature on Google Maps where you can tell it what time of day and what day you'll be traveling. Easy to see how a 30 minute trip can become a two hour trip.

 

And if you do take Metro, please be aware that on any given day you're likely to be on a broken down train, offloaded, bused on a detour - any of the above. Cannot recommend. And I've lived less than a mile from a major Metro stop for the last 15 years.

 

If you really want to come to this "area" stay up in Frederick, MD, lots of courses within a few miles of each other and you never have to get into or deal with much traffic.

 

Worthington Manor - has hosted US Open qualfiers

PB Dye

Little Bennet

Maryland National

Musket Ridge

Whiskey Creek

Clustered Spires

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Many courses in the DC area aerate their greens in September.

Most are done in mid to late August and are fine by early to mid September

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Where are you staying? Some of the courses listed here can be hours apart in rush hour traffic. And yes DC traffic is miles different than Philly traffic and encompases a much wider area. Use the feature on Google Maps where you can tell it what time of day and what day you'll be traveling. Easy to see how a 30 minute trip can become a two hour trip.

 

And if you do take Metro, please be aware that on any given day you're likely to be on a broken down train, offloaded, bused on a detour - any of the above. Cannot recommend. And I've lived less than a mile from a major Metro stop for the last 15 years.

 

If you really want to come to this "area" stay up in Frederick, MD, lots of courses within a few miles of each other and you never have to get into or deal with much traffic.

 

Worthington Manor - has hosted US Open qualfiers

PB Dye

Little Bennet

Maryland National

Musket Ridge

Whiskey Creek

Clustered Spires

I HIGHLY endorse the Frederick suggestion. Best collection of public course in the area!

[chrisronline]

Update here. Thanks all for the suggestions and advice!

 

We're going to stay in northern VA (around Laurel Hills) as I recently found out one buddy has a college friend in the area with a huge house we can stay for free. I'm not sure we'll be able to make the trek up to Frederick trip, but good information for our next one!

[GolferDrew]

Update here. Thanks all for the suggestions and advice!

 

We're going to stay in northern VA (around Laurel Hills) as I recently found out one buddy has a college friend in the area with a huge house we can stay for free. I'm not sure we'll be able to make the trek up to Frederick trip, but good information for our next one!

 

I live pretty close to Lauren Hills. If you guys need anything on your trip (recommendation, additional golf partner) let me know.

[jwellefson1]

I heard Laurel Hills has piss-poor service, but I've never gone out there to go check it out. If you're not a service-focused golfer (like me) then don't worry about it. I definitely recommend Westfields, and if you're okay driving a bit then definitely go out to Stonewall or Raspberry Falls. Those are my favorite NOVA courses. Also like Dave said you should make the trek to Renditions if you can, it's one of my favorite courses in the DMV just for the novelty of it (they make replicas of holes from courses like Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills, and TPC Sawgrass to name a few). Reston National is one that isn't way too pricey, it's pretty decent and one of the most played courses in the state of VA. If you're a fan of a lot of water on the course, go out to 1757, but if you don't avoid it like the plague. I've also heard good things about Augustine down in Stafford (which would suck to get to during rush hour). If you take Route 15 to get back to Rochester (I've made that trip far too many times) then stop in Frederick if you can for a round. All the courses that have been mentioned there are just as nice (or nicer) with a less insane green fee since you're out of the way a bit.

 

Also I'd be really appreciative for some course recommendations in Rochester, most of my family is up there and I'd appreciate some ideas for when I head up next!

[snoilr1]

If you’re staying near Laurel Hills, you might look into driving south to play Augustine. It’s comparable to some of the nicer courses you’re looking at, but $30 cheaper because it’s farther out from DC. Its not that far from where you are staying, and will probably be an easy trip on a weekday.

 

As for Laurel Hills service, I have no idea what that poster is talking about. It’s got a fully stocked clubhouse with a bar/restaurant, nice driving range, short game area and putting green. The USGA just held the Publinks Championship there a few years ago and pumped a bunch of money into it. It’s probably the nicest muni I’ve seen, and comparable to the upper end of the high end daily fee courses in the area.

[jwellefson1]

If you're staying near Laurel Hills, you might look into driving south to play Augustine. It's comparable to some of the nicer courses you're looking at, but $30 cheaper because it's farther out from DC. Its not that far from where you are staying, and will probably be an easy trip on a weekday.

 

As for Laurel Hills service, I have no idea what that poster is talking about. It's got a fully stocked clubhouse with a bar/restaurant, nice driving range, short game area and putting green. The USGA just held the Publinks Championship there a few years ago and pumped a bunch of money into it. It's probably the nicest muni I've seen, and comparable to the upper end of the high end daily fee courses in the area.

 

Keyword in my post was the word "Heard." I've never been, but I played with a dude who said the service was awful. I'm not really a fan of heading all the way out there unless I'm making a day of it ya know? Definitely worth getting down there, sorry for any confusion there.

[jwellefson1]

Just an update for you, I finally got down to Laurel Hill. I don't really care about service on a golf course in general, I don't pay much attention to it, but it wasn't bad or anything so don't worry on that front. It's definitely one of my favorites in the area though, definitely a great test of golf. It's not necessarily the most beautiful course but its really well-designed and was in great condition for a municipal course. One of the better courses in the area and I am sure you will enjoy!

[DonatelloNobodie]

If your buddies aren’t that into golf, don’t waste money on high priced courses. Play some value golf on good, inexpensive, courses. Why pay for marketing & hype? Save the money for drinks & food in the evenings.

 

Recommend in NVA:

• Pohick Bay
  
• Twin Lakes
  
• Herndon
  
• Pleasant Valley
  
• South Riding
  
• Brambleton
  
• Algonkian
  
• Bristow Manor
  

Courses to skip (over priced):

• Raspberry Falls
  
• Laurel Hills
  
• 1757 (quirky & over priced)
  
• Reston (over priced for poor conditions late season)
  
• Bull Run (very slow pace of play)
  
• Westfields
  

Use GolfNow to get deal rates. Never pay rack rates.

[chrisronline]

Also I'd be really appreciative for some course recommendations in Rochester, most of my family is up there and I'd appreciate some ideas for when I head up next!

 

Sure! My top three in the area are: Ravenwood, Greystone, and Mill Creek. I'd definitely check out one of those while you're here!