Maryland’s 204 golf courses sit in one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most golf-rich corridors — the 35-mile belt between Baltimore and Washington DC contains eleven of the state’s twelve highest-ranked courses, anchored by Congressional Country Club, one of America’s most celebrated private venues. Golf in Maryland is driven by affluent government-adjacent communities, a long playing season in its maritime climate, and a competitive public market that includes some of the region’s finest daily-fee options.
Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course — redesigned by Andrew Green in 2020, winner of Golf Digest’s Best Transformation award — is Maryland’s benchmark, hosting US Opens and Presidents Cups. For public golfers, Pete Dye’s Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace stands as the state’s top accessible layout, while Whiskey Creek in Frederick delivers outstanding conditions through Catoctin Mountain piedmont. The Eastern Shore and Ocean City areas add a beach corridor market to Maryland’s already dense metro golf scene.
Maryland Golf by Region
Baltimore / Northern Maryland
Greater Baltimore has a strong mix of public and semi-private courses. Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace — a Pete Dye design northeast of Baltimore that hosted the LPGA Championship from 2005 to 2009 — is consistently rated Maryland’s top public course. At 7,375 yards with Dye’s trademark bold shaping, it delivers a championship-caliber round. Greystone Golf Course (White Hall) offers 140 feet of elevation change through rolling northern Maryland terrain, while the city-operated Diamond Ridge and Woodlands courses serve Baltimore’s urban public market at accessible prices.
Washington DC Suburbs
The DC suburbs are home to Maryland’s most prestigious private clubs, including Congressional Country Club in Bethesda (Blue Course redesigned 2020, multiple US Open and Presidents Cup host) and Burning Tree Club. Public access in this corridor is more limited and premium-priced than the Baltimore area, but Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Frederick (about 45 minutes west of DC) is an outstanding public alternative — a J. Michael Poellot design through Catoctin Mountain piedmont with bentgrass throughout and exceptional conditioning.
Eastern Shore / Ocean City
Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers a different golf character — flat, open, coastal. The Ocean City area and Chesapeake Bay communities have resort and semi-private courses that attract beach vacation golfers. Green fees run $40–$70 at most Eastern Shore layouts, offering solid value for summer visitors who want a round during a beach trip. Queenstown Harbour Golf Links provides the strongest links-influenced experience in this flat eastern market.
Top Courses in Maryland
- Congressional Country Club — Blue Course (Bethesda) — Private; redesigned by Andrew Green (2020); host of multiple US Opens and Presidents Cups. Golf Digest Best Transformation 2021. Maryland’s top-ranked course.
- Bulle Rock Golf Course (Havre de Grace) — Pete Dye design; former LPGA Championship host; Maryland’s top public course by most rankings. Green fees ~$75–$110.
- Whiskey Creek Golf Club (Ijamsville) — J. Michael Poellot design through Catoctin Mountain piedmont in Frederick County; exceptional conditions and bentgrass throughout. Green fees ~$55–$80.
- Greystone Golf Course (White Hall) — Public course north of Baltimore with 140 feet of elevation change; one of the best-value upscale public rounds in the metro area. Green fees ~$45–$70.
- Rocky Point Golf Course (Essex) — Well-regarded Baltimore-area public course on Back River; waterfront views and accessible pricing. Green fees ~$25–$45.
- Queenstown Harbour Golf Links (Queenstown) — 36 holes; best links-influenced public experience on the Eastern Shore with Chesapeake Bay views. Green fees ~$35–$60.
When to Play Golf in Maryland
Maryland enjoys one of the longer golf seasons on the East Coast, running March through November with year-round play possible in mild winters. Peak conditions span April through October. Spring (April–May) is lush after winter, and the DC and Baltimore areas host large volumes of spring golf demand. Summer (July–August) brings humidity (82–90°F) — early morning rounds are preferred. September and October are outstanding: comfortable temperatures, excellent conditioning, and fewer crowds than summer. Eastern Shore courses extend through late November in mild years given their coastal moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many golf courses are in Maryland?
Maryland has 204 golf courses in our database, concentrated in the Baltimore-Washington corridor with a secondary cluster on the Eastern Shore. Despite being a mid-size state, the wealth and population density of its suburban DC market drives a highly competitive golf economy.
What is the best golf course in Maryland?
Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course (Bethesda) is Maryland’s top-ranked course after its acclaimed 2020 Andrew Green redesign. For public access, Bulle Rock (Havre de Grace) is the state’s top daily-fee layout and is Golfweek and Golf Digest’s consistent top-ranked public course in Maryland.
When is the best time to golf in Maryland?
April through June and September through October. The spring window before DC’s humidity builds is excellent; September-October brings top conditions and cooler play. Eastern Shore golf is best in May and September when summer crowds ease.
How much does golf cost in Maryland?
Public courses in Baltimore run $25–$50; quality daily-fee tracks charge $45–$80; and premium public courses like Bulle Rock run $75–$110. The DC suburb corridor skews pricier for public access; Frederick County and the Eastern Shore offer better value.
All Golf Courses in Maryland
Browse all 204 Maryland golf courses in our database below, including green fees, location, and course details.