Westminster National Golf Course

One of my favorite courses within 50 miles from me, great layout and conditions. Not a very challenging course but still all as much fun. Would recommend checking it out if you haven’t played.

It’s always fun playing this course. I like the layout. It’s an affordable course to play around here. But it was crowded and it took 5 and 1/2 hours to play! Too long! It was hot and there was only one place to get water on the whole course. There are no cart persons or rangers to help give drinks or snacks on the course. But that is probably why the price is reasonable. It’s not always that crowded and slow.

At a mere 45 minute drive from Baltimore City and just over an hour from the Rockville area, this lesser-known course in Northern/Central MD is well-worth the trip. Westminster National is inexpensive, rarely crowded, has a kind down-to-earth staff, an interesting and challenging layout, and is usually in good shape (you won't find lightning-quick greens here on the average day, but you'll be thankful for it). The only cons that can be found are that it takes a bit of experience to know where to play your shots, the course is somewhat secluded, and some people don't like the small "turtleback" greens (however I actually like that feature, as the small greens make the short course more challenging). Also- WALKERS TAKE NOTE, the course is very difficult to walk, especially using a push cart. It is extremely hilly terrain, and there are a couple of longer walks between holes. I have walked this course dozens of times, but it is a bear for sure.

As my title suggests, Westminster National is a completely unique golf course and therefore has gained both die-hard fans and some critics. To many (myself included), this course is an excellent test of course management, patience, accuracy, and the short game. What the course lacks in length and bunkering, it makes up for in a layout that demands accuracy. Some golfers (mostly first-time visitors) claim the course is quite tricky, almost unfairly so, with tight fairways, small greens, blind doglegs, and many holes where just a slight miss in the wrong spot is disastrous. Typically though, after several rounds (or when playing with someone who knows the course well), the course becomes much easier to navigate.

The photo may not look like the weather was "perfect" on my most recent outing to Westminster National, but I challenge anyone to find a better setting for golf than these conditions yesterday. It was misty and had rained the night before, and the greens were on the slower side but lush and smooth (one benefit of the course I've yet to mention is that it drains extremely quickly, so playing this course during or soon after a heavy rain is more do-able than at other courses). There was little to no wind, it was about 62 degrees, and there was a general mystic look to the course and the surrounding countryside (see pics). There were probably less than 30 people total on the course, and my twosome never saw a group ahead of us or behind us. It had rained multiple inches the night before, and while the carts were restricted to paths, the course was not sloppy or muddy whatsoever.

I recommend this course based solely on the value and scenery, but I bet that first-time players will come back for the golf as well. Westminster National is one of my favorites in central Maryland!

The course needs some work but you get what you pay for.

This is the second time I have played this course this year and I enjoyed it both times. The greens are still trying to fully mature but everything else was in good shape.

The staff was friendly and helpful.

I will definitely be back.

Played here last year and enjoyed it, so I decided to try it again. Enjoyed the day very much. Course was crowded, as it was the first nice day of the season. Pace of play was a little slow as a result - 4 1/2 hours - but not terrible. Greens had recently been aerated, so they were not as smooth, but they should recover quickly. Great hot dog at the turn. I will play it again.

First time playing this course. Staff was very friendly and very helpful, detailing things I needed to know about the course. I really enjoyed the course. The hilly terrain made it interesting and challenging without being unfair. The course was in pretty good shape especially considering it was still February. I will definitely be back. I'm anxious to play it after Spring has sprung.

Drive an extra few miles to enjoy a great layout, reasonably priced and open countryside for your viewing pleasure IF you have to wait in any tee box.

Had tee time at noon, about 42 degrees and cart path only. Needless to say no problem with pace of play. For this time of the year the course was in remarkable shape and greens in good playing condition. Overall the experience was very good and fun. Being a new VP subscriber made the experience more enjoyable paying less for the round. The club house pro was enjoyable to talk with and very thoughtful concerning my preround. Recommend this course anytime.

Course was in great shape and pace of play was the bomb finished in 4 hours on the money

Course was in great shape. A course with many hills, and trees. Has several blind shots, water hazards, and doglegs. It has many tight holes, but also some wide open holes.This course isn't long but still challenging, and fun.

Had 2pm tee time. Was a foursome. Overall the course was in good shape from tee to green for this time of year. Had a enjoyable experience. Would recommend this course to any golfer who likes a challenge. The course is very hilly but fun. The club house and food was very good and the people who was running the place was engaging. A good place to play for the price.

Second time playing this course and won't be the last. A little short even from the back tee's, except for 2 par 3's of 200+, but none the less a fun course to play. Our round (4some) took about 4 hours on a holiday, never had to wait on a tee box, course In excellent shape as always. Greens did still show slight remains of prior weeks aeration but still rolled true and relatively quick after the morning dew dried.

There are a few holes with very steep inclines so you must have ball control to play this course, or else plan on some hiking. All in all, it is a fun course to play and quite challenging for most players.