HollandA

Westfields is 20 years old, and remains the best in the DC area. At 100 degrees today, it was a challenge to be out there, but their amenities helped - iced towels, water to drink on every other hole, and a good pace of play.

The course is great- the front 9 is a challenge, so make sure you've warmed up. If you can make it through the first 8 in good shape, then its time to have some fun and score. But if you're in the trees, don't take the hero shot - get it back on the fairway and get back.

So, I'd suggest anyone looking for a classic tree-lined layout to take the drive out to Clifton, VA and have a great time at Westfields.

Finally, they've often got deals on their website, but they are temporary. Jump on them!

Crandon was the best of three courses we played in a recent trip to Miami.

The fairways were quick, the rough was low, and the course design was always interesting. The best part of the course was how it was carved from the natural terrain of the Key Biscayne mangroves. The front 9 stood out for how it flowed through natural areas. The back nine was more of a traditional florida layout, but it featured views across the bay to Miami.

The wildlife was everywhere - iguanas on virtually every hole. We saw a crocodile, several raccoons, and innumerable seabirds.

They make you take a forecaddie, which we thought would be excessive, but he was great- really helpful in finding our balls and directing us around the course.

If I lived in Miami, I'd play here every weekend.

I don't know how many times I've played at East Potomac's Blue Course. But there's probably only two or three courses in the world I've played more than this course. Commonly called Haines Point, this course is one of three golf courses within the District of Columbia. All of them are public, and run by the National Park Service.

East Potomac is the definition of "scruffy Muni." It's cheap, draws all types of golfers, and the conditioning can be spotty - I remember one year where they misapplied weed killer instead of fertilizer to the greens, killing almost all of them. It is just above the water level of the Potomac River, built on landfill, so it can be very wet, and drainage has been a problem.

However, this year I've noticed that the conditioning is the best its been.

Throughout, there's some interesting holes, and a some great views. You're always a part of the city - and there's no where else where you can say "Aim at the Washington Monument!).

As we finish off our round, you should feel happy to have played a historic course in the nation's capitol. As its flat, you should have walked 18 - and you've earned your pitcher of beer in the clubhouse. Chances are, you'll feel pretty good about your score, as its reasonably hard to lose your ball. Enjoy your time at Haines Point - I know I've had many good memories here.

Read the rest of my review, with details on individual holes at: http://dcgolfer.weebly.com/course-reviews/east-potomac-blue-course

I had played Potomac Ridge a few times almost a decade ago, but hadn't been back for years.

The years in between haven't been good to the course. What once had aspirations to be a "country club for a day" venue is now a scruffy, beat up place. No food to speak of, and the pro-shop is very quiet and nearly empty.

However! That means you can play an interesting course for a good price. Ironically, the apparent lack of watering of the fairways means that the course plays firm and fast, while the greens are still receptive. And, as few people are on the course, the only thing limiting your speed is how fast you want to play. Bottom line - you can have fun, but don't expect much.

You can score. Have fun, but

This is a wonderful golf course, that could use some work on management.

The course was in wonderful shape, and the design is interesting - hilly, some blind shots. The par 5s are short and gettable, but they feature strategically placed hazards.

The big problem was that they jammed everyone out in twilight time, so it got very backed up towards the end. THe back nine took 3 hours to play - too long.

What a place. Magical views and setting along the Pacific.

Don't worry that the pace of play is terrible - where else would you rather be? Too bad that the front 9 is the better as it hugs the cliffs, but the back 9 keeps the sea views.

The rough is much nastier than its short length looks. For someone coming from bent grass on the east coast, it takes some getting used to on the Poa and Kikuyu grasses. Hit it in the fairway!

What a wonderful course. I showed up early in the morning as a singe, without a tee-time. The marine layer was still covering the sun, but it was comfortable. I got paired with a couple of the locals who played often, and could help direct me on some of the blind shots.

The course is almost totally flat, but the design is interesting - and takes the small hills to make a few blind shots testing.

The back nine is not to be missed, as the course plays along the water, where it almost reaches the Hotel del Coronado, and plays along the marina. The greens are subtle, but challenging.

I played Loudoun County during a VSGA One Day Play Day this summer.

The course was lush and green: in perfect shape. The greens were soft and receptive, but rolled true, and fairly fast.

The design was interesting and varied. Some tight holes, and some where you could crack you driver. Length was rewarded on most holes, but you have to make sure you know where you're hitting it to - as it is laid over many hills, there are many blind drives - a few with a hazard at the bottom. So - know what you're hitting to before you you shoot!

If I lived near by, I'd be perfectly happy to play this course every week.