Patuxent Greens
Location » Laurel, Md.
Phone » 301-776-5533
Fees » Weekday $39; weekend $49
Par/yardage/rating/slope
71/6,238/70.1/123
Conditions » 2
Layout » 2
Facilities » 3
Value » 4
* Out of a possible five golf balls
Description » Short, flat 22-year-old course with little definition or diversity of holes. The fairways and surrounds are in poor condition, including ankle-high grass on some tee boxes. The greens are flat and slow but are in good shape and roll true. This is a vanity course, where a career-best round is possible. Several narrow fairways and water on 15 of 18 holes, some of it hidden, are the lone defense of Patuxent Greens.
Reasons to play » Inexpensive, uncrowded, relaxed atmosphere. Easy course to walk. Nice clubhouse setting, with a wrap-around deck overlooking the lake and 18th green.
Designer » Patuxent Greens was built by Russell Roberts, whose other local works include Old Landing (Rehoboth, Del.), Nassawango (Snow Hill, Md.) and municipal courses for the towns of Bowie and Hagerstown. Most of the tracks are short and straightforward, appealing to middle- and high-handicap players. The west course at the Bay Club (Berlin, Md.) is one of his best, with a double green at Nos. 9 and 18 and an island par 3 at No. 14.
Best hole
No. 9, par 4, 392 yards
This is the most daunting tee shot on the course with water on both sides of the fairway. But looks are deceiving. The hazard on the right is in play only for short hitters or shanksters. The fairway is more generous than it appears from the tee box. Nice approach to an attractive green complex.
Signature hole
No. 18, par 4, 348 yards
It features an attractive dogleg with tennis courts and swimming pool left, woods to the right and a green surrounded on three sides by water. Play a tee shot up the right side to cut yardage, then a wedge to the green over water. Or play down the left side for a longer, less intimidating approach over land.
Prettiest hole
No. 15, par 4, 357 yards
There’s a crowded feel to Patuxent Greens. Too many players are visible on adjacent holes. The exception is No. 15, which has some seclusion on the southeast perimeter of the property, which is bordered by thick forest. This dogleg right, which plays shorter than on the card, begins the course’s best stretch, the final four holes.
Reachable hole
No. 1, par 5, 459 yards
The other two par-5 holes at Patuxent Greens are 503 yards and bend to the right. This one bends in an odd S-shape but can be reached with a drive up the right side of the ample fairway, then a draw on the approach. Tall trees, however, will eat up any shot that fails to obey.
