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FEATURE

Golf a Little Higher this Wet Season:
A Review of Montgomery County Golf

Montgomery County Golf course is one of the largest companies in the area. MCG owns nine courses and manages an additional four in the MD and DC metro area. The company has been around about fifty years, starting with Poolesville Golf Course and Sligo Creek in 1959. The newest courses are Little Bennett built in 1995, and Rattlewood which was acquired about the same time.

Golfers will notice the scenery and forest preserves distinguishing individual holes on the older courses, while newer course are smoother, and focus on overall layout. Rattlewood was designed by a private golfing developer to be open even in the wet season, because the holes are at the right positions to drain efficiently. This is especially important around DC which is predominantly wetlands.

The courses also offer a lot of diversity. Falls Road is considered easier, but a little tricky. Hampshire is “tight”, but well-maintained for a challenge. Laytonsville is considered one of the most straightforward, and Little Bennett is the fastest course according to experienced golfers. Needwood is a good walking course, but Northwest is for a whole day of golfing. Poolesville has a good slope to the course, with a slightly lower par.

Little Bennett is probably more exciting than it actually “fast”. The holes have been described to have “character”, making shots interesting. It’s meant to be tough, built on rolling hills and fairly narrow. One golf reviewer comment “you’ll need every club in the bag” to get through the course. The price is fairly low for Maryland, and their very good about special offers and group deals.

Falls Road isn’t MCG’s most innovative course, but it’s managed to maintain one of the best followings in the country. In a year, 60,000 rounds of golf are played at Falls. It may be because the course focuses less on picture perfect greens as it does on keeping holes clear and “fluffing” out standing water. The course is good for recreational players, and more level making it easy for walkers. Its popularity makes it a bit pricey, but grilled out hamburgers and convenience keeps golfers coming back.

All MCG courses are best known for friendly staff, good food and good aerage of the greens. The courses are fairly spread out from one another, but in more convenient locations than a lot of area courses. For directions and pricing see the MCG website at www.montgomerycountygolf.com.