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The course conditions were disappointing. There were many bare spots in many fairways. Some greens had bare spots.

The course was extremely wet when we played. Water was standing in most bunkers, on cart paths, and in fairways. Apparently there was a lot of rain the night before, but the course does not drain well.

The irony is that there are numerous bodies on water on the course. Plenty of places for rain water to drain to. In fact, there are many forced carries over water. One of my female playing partners had trouble carrying the many water hazards.

The greens had been aerated so the course was not in prime condition. However, the staff/management are trying to make the golf experience more user-friendly by allowing carts in the parking lot, 90 degrees on the fairways, and maintaining golfer contact info in the computer system.

This course is too long from the senior tees. Many holes played into the wind and were unreachable, even with good drives. The greens are elevated with most pins tucked behind bunkers. Some of the fairways were generous, but I grew weary hitting fairway woods into many greens. The speed of the greens made the course even more difficult.

Course conditions are improving. 14th hole is still a disaster. Might as well change 14 back to a par 3, since ICC has destroyed it as a par 4. Bunkers are still almost unplayable, but fairways and greens were not bad. Tee boxes still need work, but course is much better than it was last year, when we stopped playing it.

Sligo Creek is an easy course to walk, with a mix of less challenging and more challenging holes. Most of the par 4s are short, but a couple require a tee shot over a stream or hazard. The par 3s played 150-180 yards. The par 4 9th requires a very good tee shot to get around the corner for the approach shot. The greens were in pretty good shape. Overall, a nice way to get in 9 holes.

The course is good but the amenities are lacking. The cart paths were so rough it was uncomfortable riding on them. Signs to the next first tee, 10th tee, next tee were lacking. Greens rolled smooth but some had holes in them. Rough was plush, and most fairways were in good shape. The course is showing its age. Not very user friendly, especially for players not familiar with the layout.

There is nothing pretentious about Bowie, but it's an enjoyable course for the money. The greens were painfully slow due to all the rain we've had recently, and some of the fairways were a little spotty. But the layout is interesting with a mix or fairly easy and somewhat challenging holes. The par 4 10th and par 5 11th are examples of the contrast. Trees come into play on most wayward tee shots. Bowe is not fancy, but it's fun.

Having played almost every course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the River Course at Hampton Cove ranks near the bottom in terms of interest and value. There is water in play on most holes, but otherwise the layout is not that interesting. The greens had been sanded so shots would not hold and putting was uneven. There are many superior courses in Alabama for less money. The clubhouse is nice, as are all RTJ facilities. The staff seemed disinterested, except for the cart attendants anxious for tips.

Hilltop has a quirky layout. Some holes are short and fairly easy. Others are long and difficult. Playing from the blue tees two of the par-3s were about 200 yards each. One required a carry of almost 190 yards over a hazard. One par 4 was 410 yards uphill from the blue tee, 440 from the back tee. Conversely, two other par 3s were less than 100 yards. The elevation changes are interesting.

Marlton has an interesting layout. Some holes are short and not too difficult. Others, such as the par 5s and the 5th hole, are challenging. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The conditions were wet and the greens had been aerated, plus it was early in the season, but it will surely be better next time o ut.

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.

Fairway Hills has a mixture of challenging and less difficult holes. Familiarity is a benefit since there are some blind shots, and even finding the first tee is not self-evident (hint, it's through a tunnel, across the road). Hazards cross some fairways, so an otherwise straight shot might end up unplayable. Slow play may be a problem on some days. Some tee shots require a considerable bend, or less than a driver. The layout is fun, but quirky.

Potomac Ridge features three diverse nines, each with challenges, and some easier holes for fun. We played the Meadows and Ridge nines, although I enjoy the Hollow just as much. Some fairways are narrow and a tee shot off line will wind up in the woods. Some greens are multi-tiered, with three-putts looming from the wrong side of the hole. Conditions were above average and the pace of play was good. An enjoyable experience, even with a double-bogey on the last hole.

White Plains is a budget-friendly municipal course with an interesting layout. There are many blind tee shots and some elevation changes. Standing water is a problem on some holes, especially in front of the 10th green. Less than a driver is required on some tee shots with doglegs. Trees often come into play for shots slightly off line. There is nothing fancy about White Plains, but it's not boring either.

The Hyatt Resort is under construction. This affects some of the holes on the golf course, for example, the 1st hole on the Oaks is narrowed by a construction fence on the left side. Some of the fairway lies were so tight it was like hitting off a cart path. Some fairways slope into hazards. Some greens are undulating to extremes...on the wrong level and a 2-putt is almost impossible.

The Resort Course at La Cantera is pricey but nice. The view of downtown San Antonio from the 10th green is impressive. It was fun to see the carved stones commemorating past champions of the PGA tour event that was once played at La Cantera.

This is a challenging layout. The course plays longer than its yardage because there are many uphill shots to elevated greens. One notable exception is the short, downhill par-3 8th. Trees and water can come into play, but most fairways are generous. There are some deep bunkers that are best to avoid. Overall a good course, with a few memorable holes.

Walden is a hybrid course, with an original back nine layout and a newer front nine. Some of the holes, like the par 5 2nd, border on ridiculous. Even after a good drive, to go for the green in two requires a difficult shot from a downhill lie to a tiny green surrounded by hazards. Even a layup is difficult, since the landing area is not clearly visible and the fairway slopes to the left into a lateral hazard.

Some of the holes on the original back nine are also quite difficult. The par 5 10th is difficult to reach even in three shots since a transverse water hazard requires a layup on the 2nd shot unless you hit a monster drive.

Conditioning is an issue on some of the greens. The course was originally semi-private but I suspect they are having trouble maintaining a membership base.

Lake Presidential features an interesting layout with lots of memorable holes. Some holes are extremely difficult, with sloping fairways, runoffs into hazards, and undulating greens. There are some dramatic elevation changes and elevated greens. Some tee and approach shots require substantial carries. I shot about 7 strokes higher than my average score, with several-three putts and double-bogeys. Not easy, but fun.