13 Best Golf Courses in Maryland

Golfing in Maryland has a rich history with unique features, including one of the oldest golf clubs in the country, the Baltimore Country Club, founded in 1898. Some of Maryland's golf courses, including Worthington Manor and Bulle Rock, have hosted championship events for the PGA Tour and US Open. Eagle's Landing has been called the best course in the state, and Bulle Rock has been described as one of the best in the nation. While there are other private courses in the state that are highly ranked, here, this article will focus on courses that are open to the public or to resort guests. Read on to discover some of Maryland's best golf courses.

Bulle Rock Golf Course, Havre de Grace

This 18-hole public golf course in Havre de Grace, Harford County, is on an old thoroughbred racehorse farm, Blenheim Farm, covering 275 acres. Designed by Pete Dye in 1998, this Par 72 course is 7,375 yards long with a slope of 147 and a course rating of 76.6. Greens fees at Bulle Rock range from $65 to $120, depending upon the time of day and day of the week. Memberships are available. Bulle Rock hosted the LPGA Championship from 2005 through 2009. It has consistently ranked among Golf Digest's best courses in the state since 2011 and was recognized by Zagat as one of the nation's top 50 golf courses. The course is about 50 minutes from Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport and is open year-round.

Amenities at Bulle Rock include a restaurant and the Gourmet Pub & Grill. A driving range and practice tees are also available for members only, as these facilities are not open to the public. Because it is not part of a resort, the nearest accommodations to Bulle Rock are Airbnb's, VRBOs, and hotels such as the Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites in Aberdeen, five miles from Bulle Rock, or Hilton Garden Inn in Bel Air, ten miles from Bulle Rock.

Westminster National Golf Course, Westminster

Westminster National Golf Course in Carroll County is an 18-hole, Par 71 public golf course 5,945 yards long, with a slope of 120 and a 69.2 rating. Created in 1989 by architect J. Michael Poellot, it is about an hour from BWI Airport. Greens fees range from $27 to $58. Memberships are available. Amenities at Westminster National include a driving range, two practice greens, a snack bar, a pro shop, golf lessons, and a banquet room that can be reserved for special events. Westminster National is open year-round.

Track Shack Indoor Golf Studio offers practice facilities on-site. Hungry golfers can eat and drink at the Track Shack Food + Drink. Although Westminster National is not a resort, fine accommodations are nearby. The Boston Inn and the Best Western Westminster both offer highly rated lodging close to the course.

Worthington Manor Golf Club, Urbana

Designed by Ault Clark in 1998, with a length of 7,034 yards, slope of 145, and Par 72, Worthington Manor Golf Course in Urbana, Frederick County, was ranked the number one golf course in Maryland by Golf Pass. It has a rating of 74.7. Worthington Manor is 35 miles from BWI Airport, and greens fees range from $29 to $79. This course, which is known for its challenging layout, is famous for hosting U.S. Open Qualifiers. Amenities on-site include a driving range, a practice area, and dining at JT's Grill and Bar 19. Worthington Manor is open year-round.

Hotels in nearby Frederick are your best bet for lodging, as Worthington Manor is not part of a resort. Some suggested options are Airbnb, and other rentals may also be available close to Worthington Manor.

Eagle's Landing, Berlin

Located in Worcester County on the Sinepuxent Bay, in view of Assateague Island National Seashore, you'll find Eagle's Landing. Conceived by Dr. Michael Hurdzan in 1991, this 18-hole, Par 72 course is 7,003 yards long, with a slope of 129 and a 73.6 rating. It is considered one of the most scenic and challenging courses on the Eastern Shore and was rated the number-one course in Maryland by GolfAdvisor.com in 2016. Eagle's Landing was designed to preserve the natural environment; therefore, the course includes freshwater ponds, salt marshes, and a tidewater pool. Amenities at Eagle's Landing include a driving range, a clubhouse featuring the Caddy Shack Cafe, and a golf shop.

Greens fees at Eagle's Landing are between $15 and $58. The course is not part of a resort, but accommodations in Ocean City/Berlin are numerous and include Hampton Inn and Suites in Ocean City and the Atlantic Hotel in Berlin. Although the course is close to Salisbury-Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY), the nearest international airport is BWI, which is about two and a half hours away. Eagle's Landing is open year-round.

Turf Valley Golf Club Original Course, Ellicott City

Turf Valley Golf Club Original Course is an 18-hole, 6,762-yard-long golf course in Ellicott City, Howard County, about 20 miles from the BWI Airport. It was originally designed by Edmund B. Ault in 1959 and was one of Howard County's first private golf courses. The course was redesigned in 2022. The Original Course is a resort-style Par 71 course with a slope of 131 and a rating of 72.0. It is open to members and resort guests year-round.

As the course is part of a resort, greens fees may be included in a stay package. The Golf Getaway package ranges from $285 to $310 for single occupancy and $395 to $420 for double occupancy. It includes unlimited use of the driving range, access to the resort's sauna, hot tub, and pool, and a golf view room. The course also features Alexandra's American Fusion restaurant, a great place with delicious fusion dishes by Executive Chef Brandon Wean. Golf club membership is available and requires an initiation fee and monthly fees.

Rocky Gap Golf Course, Rocky Gap State Park Resort, Flintstone

Found in Rocky Gap State Park Resort, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Gap Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course in Flintstone, Allegany County. Established in 2000, this is Maryland's only golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. It features breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains and Lake Habeeb. The course is 7,002 yards long, has a 145 slope, Par 72, and a rating of 74.2. The greens fees start at $32 for juniors in 2025 and can go up to $189 for 18 holes on the weekend. Memberships are available, as are resort packages. The closest major airport is Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), nearly 150 miles away.

This golf course is part of the Rocky Gap Resort, which includes a casino, six eateries and bars, and a spa. Other outdoor activities available to resort guests include paddleboarding, swimming, hiking, and kayaking. Rocky Gap Golf Course is open year-round, weather permitting.

Links at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels

Talbot County's Links at Perry Cabin is in St. Michaels on the Miles River, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay. The course was designed by Pete and Alice Dye in 2018 and was his final project. This resort-style course is 7,023 yards long, has a slope of 148, Par 72, and a 74.9 rating. One of the course's unique features is an island green on the 17th hole. Amenities here include an indoor practice simulator. To play the Links at Perry Cabin, you must be a member of the golf club or a guest of the Inn at Perry Cabin, so greens fees do not apply. Links at Perry Cabin is 72 miles from BWI Airport and is open year-round.

Luxury resort accommodations at the Inn at Perry Cabin offer comfortable suites to guests. Tennis courts, swimming, spa services, dining at Stars, Purser's Pub & Courtyard, and High Tide Pool Bar are all available on-site. Select resort packages offer golf credits to guests.

Queenstown Harbor River Course, Queenstown

Queenstown Harbor River Course is an 18-hole public course in Queenstown, Queen Anne's County, along the Chester River. It is a Par 72, 7,096-yard-long, 138-slope course with a 74.2 rating. Lindsay Ervin established it in 1994 and reopened it in 2011. The course is known for its spectacular views of the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay and for its challenges. Amenities include a driving range and practice facilities. Greens fees range from $38 to $115, depending on the season and time of play. The course is also easily accessible as BWI Airport is less than 50 miles away.

Three well-appointed cottages are available on-site for accommodations, and The Tavern at Queenstown Harbor provides brunch, lunch, and dinner. Resort activities for guests who stay on-site include yoga classes and paddleboarding.

Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links, Berlin

Rum Point Seaside Golf Links is located in Berlin on the Sinepuxent Bay overlooking Assateague National Seashore Park. This Scottish-style, 18-hole public course was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1997. It is one of the only courses in the area that features bent grass on the fairways and greens. The course is Par 72, 7,001 yards long, has a slope of 122, with a 72.6 rating, and 17 holes have a direct view of the bay. Other facilities on-site include a driving range, pro shop, and putting green.

While Rum Point is not a resort, there is an apartment on the premises that is available for rental if desired. The apartment has three bedrooms, a walk-in closet, WiFi, and waterfront views for a comfortable stay. Moreover, stay-and-play packages are available. For dining, the Grille at Rum Point is also on-site and serves food and drink to guests. Rum Pointe is about 25 miles from the Salisbury-Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY), and 125 miles from BWI Airport. It is open year-round. Greens fees range from $55 to $189, depending upon the season.

Fairway Hills Golf Course, Columbia

Designed by Ron Prichard in 1995, this public style, 18-hole golf course in Columbia, is owned and operated by the Columbia Association, but you need not be a member to play there. The course, which is Par 70, has a rating of 69.4, is 6,012 yards long, and has a slope of 129. Fairway Hills features Bermuda grass on the fairways and bent grass on the greens. It also houses a driving range, pro shop, practice sand trap, putting green, and lessons. The course is 20 miles from BWI Airport.

Fairway Hills is not part of a resort, so there are no on-site accommodations. Airbnb's and hotels such as the Double Tree by Hilton Columbia are recommended. Hungry golfers will want to note that it is said that the best hot dogs in Howard County are served at Fairway Hills. Green fees at Fairway Hills start at $20 for juniors on 9 holes and can reach $43 for adults completing 18 holes, although memberships are also available. The course is open year-round.

River Marsh Golf Club, Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Cambridge

River Marsh Golf Club is part of the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort in Cambridge, Dorchester County. This 18-hole resort/public-style course sits along the Choptank River. It is 6,801 yards long, has a 132-slope, Par 71, and a rating of 73.0. Known for its challenging and scenic holes, the course was designed in 2002 by Keith Foster and Kevin Hargrave and features bent grass on the fairways. It is about an hour and a half from BWI Airport.

The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort is a full-service resort offering lodging, a spa and salon, and the River Marsh Marina. You may choose to dine at any of the seven eateries on site. All hotel guests and non-guests are welcome to play the course at River Marsh. Greens fees change daily due to dynamic pricing but average $65. Stay-and-play packages are also available, and River Marsh is open year-round.

Black Rock Golf Course, Hagerstown

Black Rock Golf Course, an 18-hole, public/municipal golf course in Hagerstown, Washington County, provides golfers with spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains. The Par 72, 6,646-yard-long course has a slope of 124 and a rating of 70.9. It was designed in 1989 by Robert Elder and is known for mature trees framing many of the holes, demanding accuracy from golfers. The course is about 75 miles from BWI Airport. A pro shop, putting green, indoor golf simulator, and driving range are all found here.

There are no on-site accommodations at Black Rock, but Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Hagerstown provides comfortable lodging just a few miles from the course. Greens fees range from $25 to $60, depending on the day of the week. Black Rock is open year-round.

Main at Northwest Park Golf Course, Silver Spring

Main at Northwest Park Golf Course is an 18-hole public, traditional-style course in Silver Spring, Montgomery County. This course along the Anacostia River was designed in 1964 by Ed Ault. It is 7,376 yards long, has a 131 slope, and is Par 72, with a 74.9 rating. Ryegrass is featured on the fairways, with bent grass on the greens. A driving range with 41 stalls, a state-of-the-art clubhouse with a pro shop and snack bar, and golf lessons are all available.

Accommodations near Northwest Park Golf Course include Hilton Garden Inn Silver Spring and Cambria Hotel Rockville. Greens fees at Northwest Park range from $22 to $67, depending on the time of year and day of the week. The course is open year-round and is just half an hour from BWI Airport.

End Your Golfing Adventure

These top-notch golf courses in Maryland are not only among the best in the state but also some of the best courses in the country. Whether you just want to hit the links for a game of golf or enjoy a stay in a comfortable resort that includes a golf course, you cannot go wrong in choosing one of the Maryland golf courses discussed here.