Queenstown Harbor - The River

I haven't played The River course in several years. It's March and the Bermuda was dormant, but the fairway lies were still good. I was amazed at the condition of the bunkers. There are plenty of bunkers and many of them are extremely deep and very large. The sand in the bunkers was perfect--beautiful white and fluffy and just a pleasure to play out of (if playing out of bunkers can ever be a pleasure). I was also a little worried, because the course was packed...it looked like it was going to be a 5+ round, but it wasn't! Marshals were moving around and it took us exactly 4 hours. They have remodeled the clubhouse since the last time I was there and it really is nicely done...the bar and dining areas are separated from the Pro Shop and it's a nice layout. The River is one of my favorite courses and is definitely worth a trip to play.

I played The Lakes last in 2020. I keep hoping my experience will be different each time I "try it again," but it's always the same...I just don't enjoy the round. In fairness to the course, the night before were torrential rains so it was CPO (rightly so). We did preferred lies because there was standing water everywhere. My usual complaint is still the same...the rough is very inconsistent and very long so I just don't like playing out of it. And, there are a couple of holes that force a lay up (at least for me), and those holes along with a couple of others simply don't fit my eye. It was a good price ($50 senior rate and $58 in Tee Time), but it still was a long day when you don't like the course. It might be someone else's "cup of tee," but not mine. Will be a while until I try it again...maybe I'll be smart enough to stick with The River course.

I wanna start off by saying I really enjoyed my time here and the course was really a lot of fun (w the exception of 2 of the par 5s that force a three shot by way of layup which I HATE). It’s deceptively tight, particularly around the greens, some great approach shots fantastic risk reward holes and beautiful views of the Chester River. I thought the routing and design of the course was really great overall.

That being said, the operation isn’t great. It’s like a local public course that’s trying to get into the mid range golf resort business but with out any set plan or strategy. They do not have a restaurant on site; the tavern is a snack bar. Out of my 3 rounds I played by myself twice and no one thought to ask if i wanted to be paired w someone else. They gave me the wrong code for my bungalow, and not much recommendations in terms of local places to go. I would like to see the place put more money in to their practice facilities as well part of the draw of staying on site at a golf resort is using practice facilities and theirs was lacking in quality to be honest. The range was old rubber mats and the short game area left a lot to be desired given the amount of room they had. Overall, if they are going to charge 375-400 a night for 1/2 of a bungalow, they need to have a better value proposition than they currently offer. You can stay down the road at a full amenity hotel for less.

Overall nice course. Water comes into play on many holes and it can be extremely challenging if you don't keep it in the short grass. The carts were some of the best I've seen with a large mounted GPS system included. Clubhouse restaurant was a bit disappointing with a limited selection. The course is good, but I felt the price was a little high, as there's comparable courses in Ocean City that are cheaper. Would still recommend trying it out though.

Beautiful course. Tall grasses and marshes to trick the eye. Greens rolled beautifully. Issue? Tee boxes on three holes were under repair so two par 4s were under 300 yards and one par 3 was just 80 - 90. I'm not a superintendent, but with basically three boxes on each hole, can't you just close one of them at a time on each hole for maintenance/repair and let us play from one of the other normal tee boxes? That was disappointing.

I play The River a lot and really like just about every aspect of that course. The Lakes, though, is a different matter. The greens were the best of the course--they ran true and of average speed. The fairways were decent, but the grass felt like walking and hitting off a brillo pad. They look like they are getting ready for a bunker project, as there were slabs of slate/rock around the drains in each bunker and there was very little sand. Not sure what's going on there. What I really didn't like was the rough. It was very thick and long--didn't look like it had been cut in a while. And, so many different grasses/weeds/crabgrass that it was just really hard to hit out of and very inconsistent lies. The only word that came to mind for the rough was "gnarly." They were cutting the grass while we were playing, but it was fairways. I didn't enjoy the round much today because of the rough, especially when I only hit 9 fairways. The back nine was better and "cleaner" than the front. Even though The Lakes is in the Tee Time Book, I'm not sure I'll play it again. I think I'll stick to The River.

Hadn't played here in 20 years. Played on 22 Oct & will play again on 24 Oct. Was cart path only due to all the rain from Sunday - was smart thing to do. Even though it was wet the greens were fast and true! I can only imagine what they are like in the summer. I recommend this course to everyone. They have enough variation in the tees to accomodate all levels of play. Definitely a must if you haven't played here. 2.5 hour drive for me but worth every penny.

I've played both the River and the Lakes numerous times and these courses are very pretty and always enjoyed a round there. Last week just happened to be very hot and there were a lot of slow players so things got a little backed up b/c of small groups. Not a big deal.

But what really bugs me are the chiggers I've gotten on at least two occasions from being on the course. I'm talking about the small chigger mite that lives in these areas and burrows into skin and leaves a painful and itchy welt. Believe me it sucks. There is a ton of wildlife in the area, deer, turkeys... and chiggers target them. It's one thing if you are in the weeds/woods and get them but I didn't look for any out of bounds ball and stayed within the fairway course. I won't play there again until after a hard freeze. Don't know why QT has this problem other local courses do not. Load up on deet.

I play both these course multiple times every year although the River less often. The River is awesome with interesting holes from 1 to 18. Today from tee box to green the course was excellent. Greens were rolling very well(took me a few holes to stop rolling them 6 feet past.) The practice facility is the best of any course I've played in Maryland. Pro shop is loaded with clothes, hats, shoes, hats, etc.

Had a 11:09 tee time. took 5 hours to play, not something you expect in prime time on a Sunday. Worst part was we never saw a Marshall the entire round. Afterwards I mentioned this to the staff and they said he called in sick. Found out their was a group of 20 or in front of us and one group had 3 holes open in front of them. We waited on every tee box on the back. Greens recently aerated but rolled nice. Fairways in great shape. I played River last year and said it was not worth the $125 and I will say the same about Lakes, not worth $75. Should have learned. Kicker was 1 hour to get back home over Bay Bridge. Not coming back. Would recommend at twilight rate or similar.

A delight.. Each hole a different challenge.
Great views.
I would love to play again now that I have a better idea of design. Staff couldn't be more helpful

When you pay over $100 for a round you have certain exceptions, like a grass driving range, GPS , cooler on the cart. Staff that knows the course, rangers that actually do something. We had to wait for 2 groups on 16 tee. Asked the ranger what pace of play was and he said well all the groups are playing a good pace. Really... 10 minute tee times we should not be waiting on almost every tee. 4 hours 50 minutes . $4 for a gatorade.. kinda steep. The putting green was the nicest green of all. Best thing was ranger going around with ice cold towels. I would never pay that fee again. Would do twilight rate.

Great course the starters were friendly and the staff was very professional. I would highly recommend this course as a must play.

I have played a couple of time at the Lake course but it was my first time playing at the River course. Beautiful weather and beautiful course. No one pressured behind us. So perfect day to enjoy golfing!

i am surprised people have not rated the river excellent. staff is always more than friendly. with the wildlife, water views, and excellent conditions. this is one of my courses i play multiple times in a year

Greens are in good shape. Course still wet of course

I enjoy this track every time I play it. No tricks, its all right in front of you,

The River Course at Queenstown Harbor is still one of the best public-access courses in Maryland. The vitas along the Chester River are stunning. The greens were fast and true. Because several of the holes have hazards that cross the fairways, it is important to have accurate yardage info. Bring your "A" game when you play the River Course.