Musket Ridge Golf Club

Musket Ridge Golf Club: This delightful Joe Lee design is laid out in a natural woodland setting, with much of the course exuding a pleasantly open feel. The starting hole on each nine-hole loop plays down and away from the elevated clubhouse, giving a taste of the majestic Maryland landscape that's constantly in view from the course.

The handsomely crafted and well-presented layout is characterised by pleasantly undulating terrain and a stylish mix of straightaway and doglegging holes. A liberal scattering of small pine trees define the holes, along with rolling mounds and an attractive array of clear-to-see fairway and greenside bunkers. Generally good-width fairways should inspire confident hitting from the tee, but they do occasionally tighten up (as you may do) at the long par-4 7th and uphill par-5 9th.

Musket Ridge's two nines, the Blue and the Ridge, sweep up and downhill, with some holes riding high, while others meander through meadowland at lower levels. Between the holes there's generally enough space, although this isn't a particularly expansive or roaming layout. A round here is certainly a walkable proposition, although one with plenty of elevation change and undulation.

Pick of the holes: the redan-style par-3 2nd is just one of many excellent holes to enjoy in this classy layout. Along with the downhill par-4 1st it brings water into play, which no other holes do. Here at the 2nd you are required to make a tee-to-green carry over the pond to an awaiting and heavily bunker defended green.