Golf culture in Bethesda/Gaithersburg/Rockville area

[thewral]

How is the overall golf culture/scene for public and private golf in these areas?

 

Some other Qs:

Hard to find grass ranges? Damn near impossible in my current area.

 

Quality privates—I am sure there are some with large initiation/waitlist/need to know X people... but any under the $40k range that someone new to town can get into. Heard Manor is alright?

 

How much longer is the season compared to the Boston area (mid April to late October)?

 

Wife is considering a job in the area and my goal (if you’ve read some of my other posts) has always been to move South and or West from the Northeast for better golf. Because of this, I’m not exactly thrilled but do want to support her career. I’d also have to find a job down there.

[Insidious2]

Golf is a year round sport in Maryland, if you want it to be. Courses here don't close for winter.

 

Rockville is a good area for golf with some very nice courses within 30-45 minutes (everything in DC is 45 minutes away). Of the 4 corners of DC, northwest is probably the best in terms of golf.

 

Best private in that area that wont break the bank but isn't bottom dollar is Lakewood.

[burnsniper]

Some of the best private country clubs in the country are in Bethesda: Chevy Chase Club and Congressional Country Club (not to mention Columbia Country Club and Burning Tree Club as well). Congressional and Columbia are probably doable with a big check for someone who is new to town with some networking. Chevy Chase requires significant net working. Burning Tree is a very exclusive men’s only club.

 

TPC Potomac is also in Bethesda and “more reasonable” from a cost standpoint private option.

 

As the previous poster mentioned, there are some good public options NW of DC if you can budget the time for the drive (traffic) and the long round (crowded).

 

Cost at both private’s and publics are significant and in relation to the tremendous wealth in the area.

[Munich77]

Except public courses in Montgomery county are quite reasonable you can get on for rounds in the $50 range. Of course unless you play early the rounds take way too long.

[thewral]

Thanks all for the quick comments. Appreciate it. Have sent an inquiry into Lakewood, they seem pretty good. Any thoughts on Manor Country Club in Rockville?

What would you say are the best publics within 15-20 minutes of Rockville?

[DCLefty]

Best public courses near Rockville - I'd say Whiskey Creek, Worthington and Blue Mash. Good luck with the job/move!

[mizuno player]

I would do Manor before Lakewood. Manor charges their assessments each month. So, monthly dues of $525 ( this is a guess. It was close to this last time I looked.) is all inclusive. No bill at the end of month or year. I have friends at Lakewood and they all say they average over $1000 per month. Also, in my opinion. Manor is a much nicer course.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Another quality public course within 20 minutes of Gaithersburg is Little Bennet.

There are some munis nearby Falls Road, Needwood and Poolesville that are decenf for munis.

Whiskey Creek and Worthington Manor mentioned above are maybe 20 to 20 minutes from the area but age in my mind 2 of the top 5 public courses in the entire DC area. Both are around $110 to $125 on prime weekend times.

[thewral]

Thank you all! Will be checking out Manor this weekend.

[mizuno player]

> @thewral said:

> Thank you all! Will be checking out Manor this weekend.

 

Don't forget the invite!! You won't be disappointed. Good luck.

[Stirfry]

Hello interested in your experience at Manor if you played the course. I’ve been considering joining for a little while now. Thanks!

[MountainGoat]

I’ve lived in the area for over 40 years. Rockville and immediate surrounds are so rich with public courses that private membership is fairly unusual. It’s more of a social status statement than a golf solution. Before you move here, talk to the locals about traffic. If you’re not careful, you’ll spend a lot of your day in a car and won’t have time for golf.

[ChipDriver]

If you’re going to look at Manor then stay on Rt 28 and go check out Argyle too. Pretty reasonable. Another club around here might be Woodmont possibly. TPC Potomac might be more reasonable if you’re younger. One of the most challenging courses around here and lots of fun. Finally - Four Streams is still open and they’ve had all sorts of ups and downs but might be worth a look.

[wagsgt]

Def join private. Public are brutal around here 4.5+ hr rounds

[cl2hr79]

A little late to the party, but the area is great if you have the money to go private. Many of those courses have already been mentioned. I don't know the exact details, but from what I understand, Montgomery County has blocked the construction of non-municipal public courses over the years. The only exception is Blue Mash, which is a very nice course, but also built on top of a dump.

 

I heard the reasoning for this is because of environmental concerns, but I have a feeling that this is the same boat as all of the speed cameras being for "safety" concerns.

 

To the county's credit, their muni's are mostly decent courses, kept is pretty good shape, and well priced for the the area. They can just be long rounds if you aren't careful about selecting your tee time. Montgomery County's stance on public golf has been great for Frederick County. There are some great courses right across the county line if you're willing to take the trek on 270.