Par 3 Courses?

[pilot25]

My kid is interested in golf. She like going to the range and using the short game area. I want to take her to a par 3 course because she only hits it 60 yards with a driver. However, my search in the Baltimore - DC area has come up completely empty. Anyone know of a Par 3 course in the area?

[DrOldSchool]

I learned on a few courses as a kid 30+ years ago, not sure if they are all still there or if they are worth it. One was Mitchell's near Owings Mills, right off 795. Going west there was Liberty Road par 3 east of Frederick off Route 26. Yingling's golf center was further west near Hagerstown.

 

I think there was also a Par 3 and driving range off Route 2 around Severna Park.

[birdiebarrage]

> @pilot25 said:

> My kid is interested in golf. She like going to the range and using the short game area. I want to take her to a par 3 course because she only hits it 60 yards with a driver. However, my search in the Baltimore - DC area has come up completely empty. Anyone know of a Par 3 course in the area?

 

A little further out, but School House Nine in Sperryville, VA is an excellent par-3 for new and experience golfers. It's a fun design with interesting greens. Also has a huge putting green and a good pub with all kinds of arcade games and the like. Family friendly.

 

East Potomac Red course is for beginners. I'm not sure if its a par-3, but its short and a good place to play as a newbie. Always a lot of kids on that course.

 

 

[cristphoto]

Take a look at Willow Springs Golf Course. About 5-10 minutes west of Ellicott City right on route 70. Take rt 32 exit and get on Livestock Road. 18 hole course with three or four short par four holes per side and the rest are par threes. All the 3's are 60-150 yards depending on tee box. Short course, easy to walk, plus the driving range is lit so you can practice after sundown. Good place to start a new golfer.

[Pepperturbo]

Can't help you with the location as I reside in the West. But 100% support anyone learning the game should play Executive courses. Look up executive as opposed par 3, they are the same. Here in the West, they are referred to as Executive courses.

[pilot25]

Thanks everyone. I live in Frederick County. The Range/Par 3 course on Liberty Road in Frederick has sadly fallen in disrepair. Its changed hands a few times and the current owners are trying to rebuild it. Unfortunately since this is Maryland you have to get a permit in order to get a permit to do anything. So it'll probably be years before they complete any changes.

 

I started on Par 3 courses in NJ when I was a kid and am surprised there are so few, if any, around.

[DrOldSchool]

Is the Frederick Golf Club still around on the south side of town off 340? It was basically a pasture that someone stuck some flags in 20 years ago, but for someone looking to learn that would probably work, and be economical versus the other courses around.

 

Sad to hear the range off 26 fell apart, but it's not surprising. I remember when they converted the par 3 greens to astroturf. Also remember going around there when I was young with my dad. Good times.

[Noles]

Why not at a regular course and just tee it up at the 100 yard mark or near there?

[pilot25]

> @DrOldSchool said:

> Is the Frederick Golf Club still around on the south side of town off 340? It was basically a pasture that someone stuck some flags in 20 years ago, but for someone looking to learn that would probably work, and be economical versus the other courses around.

>

> Sad to hear the range off 26 fell apart, but it's not surprising. I remember when they converted the par 3 greens to astroturf. Also remember going around there when I was young with my dad. Good times.

 

Never heard of Frederick Golf Club but Google Maps says its still there. Hope Valley is gone. Going to be houses and the VFW course off 40 is becoming townhouses.

 

If you were here when Maryland National started, it is a premier public course. Top notch. Musket Ridge is also very good but MN feels more like a CC. The course in Middletown Hollow Creek changed hands and is now Richland Golf Course. I went last year and wasn't impressed at all. Sand traps have been a constant problem for the 8 years I've been in the area. Previous owner tried fixing them with major renovation but they still get water logged and then they never replenish the sand so its like hitting out of cement.

I usually move my ball instead of ruining my club but I won't go back there until someone tells me they have fixed things.

Worthington Manor is the US Open qualifier course and is nice as is Whiskey Creek but WC is kind of lower tier compared to the others in the area. They are all priced about the same so I go to Maryland National when I can. Staff is friendly and happy and that is a major departure from the grumpy retiree who mans the starter area at most public places.

 

I don't know that golf is holding up in the area. I play weekdays and almost always by myself and there is usually no one in sight unless they are taking advantage of a Golf Now deal. Seems like more courses are struggling than doing well. That is just my WAG though. I think Tiger spurred a generation of golfers but the last decade has been hard on the industry. Now that he won the Masters, and there is buzz, maybe people will turn out again.

 

 

[pilot25]

> @Noles said:

> Why not at a regular course and just tee it up at the 100 yard mark or near there?

 

Never thought of that.....What a good idea.

[DrOldSchool]

> @pilot25 said:

> > @DrOldSchool said:

> >

> Never heard of Frederick Golf Club but Google Maps says its still there. Hope Valley is gone. Going to be houses and the VFW course off 40 is becoming townhouses.

>

> If you were here when Maryland National started, it is a premier public course. Top notch. Musket Ridge is also very good but MN feels more like a CC. The course in Middletown Hollow Creek changed hands and is now Richland Golf Course. I went last year and wasn't impressed at all. Sand traps have been a constant problem for the 8 years I've been in the area. Previous owner tried fixing them with major renovation but they still get water logged and then they never replenish the sand so its like hitting out of cement.

> I usually move my ball instead of ruining my club but I won't go back there until someone tells me they have fixed things.

> Worthington Manor is the US Open qualifier course and is nice as is Whiskey Creek but WC is kind of lower tier compared to the others in the area. They are all priced about the same so I go to Maryland National when I can. Staff is friendly and happy and that is a major departure from the grumpy retiree who mans the starter area at most public places.

>

> I don't know that golf is holding up in the area. I play weekdays and almost always by myself and there is usually no one in sight unless they are taking advantage of a Golf Now deal. Seems like more courses are struggling than doing well. That is just my WAG though. I think Tiger spurred a generation of golfers but the last decade has been hard on the industry. Now that he won the Masters, and there is buzz, maybe people will turn out again.

>

>

 

My mom is still in the house I grew up in near Mt. Airy (dad is hanging out with Francis Scott Key if you know what I mean). So I am in the area a couple times a year. Bring my clubs when I can. Musket Ridge was my favorite of the “newer” courses that were all built/opened around the time I graduated Linganore in 97. I always thought Maryland National was overrated - it’s probably a sour taste from when that one par 5 hole had a giant tree blocking the green at about 100 yards out in the fairway. Always preferred musket, whiskey, and worthington, and the links at Gettysburg. Always hated clustered and pb dye. Was sad to see west winds closed too - probably played 300 rounds there growing up. Didn’t know hope valley closed. The vfw course was gonna be made into houses 20 years ago, surprised it took so long. Maybe they’ll do something about the dead mall across the street from it.

 

I also learned the game at the McDaniel college course in Westminster (along with the long gone Wakefield valley) and maple run in Thurmont when it first opened. I still play the front 9 twice when I go back to maple - the back was is and probably always will be in horrible shape on a very poor design. There are some cheaper courses just over the pa line to learn on as well, like cedar ridge and Flatbush.

 

[pilot25]

That tree is gone. I understand the golf gods hit it during a storm. MN dropped their prices but kept the amenities and they keep the course in top shape. I think they hyped the course early in its existence and it didn't live up but it is really nice now. Lower revenue per player but that lot is always full on the weekends and they attract a lot of tournaments. I think Musket has a better layout though.

 

The one thing that has bummed me out about the area are the driving ranges. There is the one on 70 which is dumpy but rumor has it that it was sold to a developer. The range on Liberty road is okay but at 150 yards it slopes hard straight up so you cannot really tell your distances. All the clubs we just mentioned have severe drops on their ranges. Worthington, MN, and Musket are such a far drop that on some of the closer "greens" you can't even see it. MN is the worst in that category. I think the 200 yard green drops like 30 feet. Benefit is MN and Musket charge $20 all you can hit. If I am going to work on distances I go to Olney Golf Park which is a haul from Frederick but its the only range where you are essentially level to the down range area.

[Noles]

Why not at a regular course and just > @pilot25 said:

> > @Noles said:

> > Why not at a regular course and just tee it up at the 100 yard mark or near there?

>

> Never thought of that.....What a good idea.

 

It will be fun for you to design a course for her and to adjust it as she gets better.

[cristphoto]

The several courses previously listed in the Frederick area are all mostly upper tier ($50-$100) and while excellent are not the best place for a beginner. I stand by my original suggestion of Willow Springs (short course, decent price, and never crowded so a beginner isn't pressured) for a new golfer. As previously suggested Fredrick Golf club is also a shorter course and probably more convenient for the OP but it would be a difficult course for a beginner to learn on as the conditions are pretty poor (understatement). On the plus side its usually never crowded (due to conditions) and costs about $20 which includes cart. Scorecards for both courses attached.

[DrOldSchool]

I played Willow Springs as a teenager when it first opened. My folks considered moving there when it was being developed, but didn't when they went with an executive course design. As @cristphoto suggested, it's a solid learning course. The first hole may be tricky for a new player, hitting it across a little creek to a protected green, but from there it'll be good to learn on. It used to be on GolfNow when I looked a few years ago, not sure about now, and its an easy drive from Frederick.

[ceejay81]

Burke Lake in Fairfax, VA is your best bet for a legit 18 hole par 3 course. Check it out sometime.

[cristphoto]

> @ceejay81 said:

> Burke Lake in Fairfax, VA is your best bet for a legit 18 hole par 3 course. Check it out sometime.

 

Probably not on the OP's radar as he is in Frederick.

[ceejay81]

> @cristphoto said:

> > @ceejay81 said:

> > Burke Lake in Fairfax, VA is your best bet for a legit 18 hole par 3 course. Check it out sometime.

>

> Probably not on the OP's radar as he is in Frederick.

 

I know, I'm putting it on his radar now. Driving ~60 miles is NOT far to travel for some golf. Grew up in Fairfax/Chantilly and we always visited the Frederick courses and still do now while living in DC. Was just a suggestion as there's not much to choose from as far as par 3 courses go in the DMV.

[howaboutme]

> @Noles said:

> Why not at a regular course and just tee it up at the 100 yard mark or near there?

 

I second this.

 

What I do with my 10 yr old daughter is we both tee of at the same spot (not from the tips). Then we go pick up her ball and then head to my ball further down. Then she does a drop and hits from there to the green. For par 3s, we tee it up, then drop either on the green or on the fringe, depending on if she wants to chip or not. We also only go during slow times, either mid-week or afternoons on weekends and always ask to just go out as a 2-some. I play fast anyways and this is no different. We can get through 9 holes in 2 hrs or less.

[pilot25]

> @ceejay81 said:

> > @cristphoto said:

> > > @ceejay81 said:

> > > Burke Lake in Fairfax, VA is your best bet for a legit 18 hole par 3 course. Check it out sometime.

> >

> > Probably not on the OP's radar as he is in Frederick.

>

> I know, I'm putting it on his radar now. Driving ~60 miles is NOT far to travel for some golf. Grew up in Fairfax/Chantilly and we always visited the Frederick courses and still do now while living in DC. Was just a suggestion as there's not much to choose from as far as par 3 courses go in the DMV.

 

Someone told me about that place. Its an hour twenty from where I live with good traffic. Not sure that is better than just making a real course smaller but thank you for mentioning it.

 

I thought there was a par 3 course off Rt50. I played there once about 15 years ago. I'm sure it is houses now.

 

 

[pilot25]

Anyone ever been to Vince's Sports Center par 3 course in Newark, Delaware? Recommend or no? I happen to be at Univ of Del with my daughter and this place is just a few minutes away.

[ceejay81]

> @pilot25 said:

> > @ceejay81 said:

> > > @cristphoto said:

> > > > @ceejay81 said:

> > > > Burke Lake in Fairfax, VA is your best bet for a legit 18 hole par 3 course. Check it out sometime.

> > >

> > > Probably not on the OP's radar as he is in Frederick.

> >

> > I know, I'm putting it on his radar now. Driving ~60 miles is NOT far to travel for some golf. Grew up in Fairfax/Chantilly and we always visited the Frederick courses and still do now while living in DC. Was just a suggestion as there's not much to choose from as far as par 3 courses go in the DMV.

>

> Someone told me about that place. Its an hour twenty from where I live with good traffic. Not sure that is better than just making a real course smaller but thank you for mentioning it.

>

> I thought there was a par 3 course off Rt50. I played there once about 15 years ago. I'm sure it is houses now.

>

>

 

Yeah, that was a great driving range with a pitch and putt course in Fair Oaks. It's definitely a big housing development right now. :disappointed:

[aiyyer]

Wow ! Did not know Hope Valley and Westwinds closed .

 

[dajanx]

little bit of a hike but sterling golf course is entirely par 3 kept in fair condition.

[Johnny Biarritz]

> @pilot25 said:

> > @Noles said:

> > Why not at a regular course and just tee it up at the 100 yard mark or near there?

>

> Never thought of that.....What a good idea.

 

I do the tee-from-100 thing with my 6 year old when we go out. Could probably even move up to 75 or so. He just hits it around a little bit. Eventually he'll move back to longer yardages.

[cristphoto]

I retract my suggestion of Willow Springs. I played there this week (first time there in about a year) as our club is aerating. The greens appeared to have disease as large spots on them were dead and cracked. Plus they raised the price substantially which makes me wonder if they’re milking every last penny prior to converting to real estate.