jimhutch13

Weather was perfect, and yet course was not crowded - this is still a hidden treasure in the middle of a Maryland suburb. The course has been working on conditions this summer, obviously, because many previously washed out or damaged areas had been re-sodded and roped off for carts; this is a great step.

My only reservation is the lack of course marshals when it is not crowded. There was a group of EIGHT playing together (a wedding party), but they let people play through. However - there was also a twosome/couple holding up many people while they argued about the playing lesson the man was trying to give his partner. I literally stood in the fairway for five or six minutes with no acknowledgement or any action being taken by either player in the green 100 yards away while I tried to be patient. I finally gave up and progressed to the next tee.

I do hope Walden gets more play - it really is a good layout with a variety of challenges as well as some easy holes...ideal for the community it serves.

My girlfriend wanted to try to play her first round, so I chose this course a little further outside of Ocean City's "golf belt", hoping that a late Saturday tee time would allow us room and not slow everyone down. Needless to say, it poured rain and we had to reschedule for Sunday morning...but the course was relatively empty and we were able to play.

While very wet, there was no appreciable effect on course conditions - lush fairways, great greens, and rough that was deep but fair. The wide range of tees allowed us both to enjoy our rounds and be challenged. It is a short course, but played very long because of the wet fairways that could not be mowed Sat/Sun. The staff was wonderful, and the casual setting made for an enjoyable morning/early afternoon. I look forward to playing it again when a bit drier - it will be a whole different course.

FRom a layout standpoint, it is a strategic course - many distance decisions, and a couple of blind, unmapped water hazards (#2 front of green, #9 fairway drainage ditch). Lots of doglegs, but they all are right to left. My only criticism is the par 3's - from the white tees they all were 130-150 yards, which made for a little lack of challenge...the blue tees provide more variety in club selection. This is an excellent course for beginners - the tee locations take over-water carries out of the equation, which speeds play and reduces frustration.

Overall, a really enjoyable facility and day of golf!