Several years ago, when I was still considering a move from Loudoun County, Virginia, to the Frederick area, there were many pros and cons to consider. One of the ‘pros’ that finally convinced me to move was the abundance of quality golf courses near Frederick, MD.

Golf is one of my passions, and since moving to Maryland, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed discovering all the spectacular golf courses around Frederick. 

In this article, I rank the Best Golf Courses Near Frederick, MD, based on my personal experience playing rounds at each. 

The 11 Best Golf Courses Near Frederick MD

Frederick MD Golf Courses - Map

Public and Semi-Private Golf Courses Around Frederick

As most golfers know, there are two universes when it comes to golf courses: public and private. Some public golf courses are considered ‘Semi-Private’ in that, in addition to being open to anyone, they offer some sort of limited membership.

Pb dye golf bridge 11 hole

Private Golf Courses around Frederick (often called Country Clubs) are limited. Most notably, Holly Hills Country Club, just east of town, is a private golf club.

This article and ranking will focus exclusively on public golf courses around Frederick MD, as well as semi-private courses.

Several of the courses in the list below are public but offer some sort of limited membership.  Worthington Manor and The Links at Challedon are good examples.

Factors to Consider When Ranking Frederick Golf Courses

True golfers know that golf is more than a game. Playing a round of golf is an experience. Many factors go into how a golf course delivers its overall experience. 

Whiskey creek golf view 18 hole

These can be very personal to each golfer, but when ranking golf courses, here are the factors that matter to me:

  1. The Setting, Beauty, and Scenery of the Golf Course
  2. The Character of the Course (Uniqueness of Layout and Creativeness of Holes)
  3. Quality of the Course (Greens, Fairways, Tee Boxes)
  4. Quality of the Facility
  5. The Before and After Golf Amenities
  6. Price

Greens Fees for Golf Around Frederick (What Are Costs Like?)

There’s a golf course for everyone in the Frederick area.  Golf can be an expensive sport.  Greens fees at the premier courses on the list below (for example, Whiskey Creek, Worthington Manor, PB Dye) can be well over $100, especially on weekends.

For serious golfers, you won’t find the cost for these courses out of the ordinary, especially for the tremendous golf experience they deliver. 

Whiskey Creek 9th Hole

At the same time, there are some fabulous places to play golf for less near Frederick.  Clustered Spires and Glade Valley are great courses close to Frederick with very reasonable greens fees.

For a really fun golf experience at a reasonable rate, head to Little Bennett Golf Course south of Frederick.  This course, along with Rattlewood nearby, are Montgomery County Golf (MGC) courses, perfect for less serious golfers or economically minded players.

Little bennet golf course tee shot

(Have you played these Frederick Golf Courses? Did we rank something too high or low?  Let us know in the comments.)

1. Worthington Manor Golf Club

Photo Credit: WorthingtonManor.com
Photo Credit: WorthingtonManor.com

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Stunning views!  If you enjoy golf with beautiful scenery, panoramic tee shots, and picturesque golf holes, then you’ll love Worthington Manor Golf Course.  Located 10 minutes from Frederick in Urbana, Worthington is a special course right in our backyard.

However, bring your ‘A’ game because Worthington is a challenge.  The first time I played Worthington, I got paired with a group of low handicappers who wanted to play the tips.  Of course, I joined them, and let’s just say it was a humbling experience.

Worthington has plenty of accolades and is a regular U.S. Open Qualifier host.  They offer several membership options; however, they are only available periodically.  (Many of my Urbana buddies are members and rave about the benefits.)

2. Whiskey Creek Golf Club

Whiskey-Creek-Golf-Club-sign-scaled

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Whiskey Creek Golf Club is another ‘destination’ golf course located in Ijamsville, about 15 minutes from Frederick.  It is packed with character, with many memorable holes, most notably the signature 18th that still has ruins from an old farmhouse.

Whiskey Creek was designed by Architect J. Michael Poellot and Ernie Els and features several holes with elevated greens and stunning views.  The fifth tee is the highest and provides a view across Maryland.  The 14th hole is similar, this time looking over the creek itself (which seems to attract golf balls). 

People come from all over the DMV to play Whiskey – the overall golf experience, including the course, the clubhouse, the bar, and the grill, are fabulous.  We in Frederick are lucky to have it in our backyard.

3. Musket Ridge Golf Club

Photo Credit: MusketRidge.com
Photo Credit: MusketRidge.com

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Yet another classic Maryland golf course, this one 20 minutes up I-70 from Frederick, is Musket Ridge Golf Club.  The course layout matches the name, as you’ll spend time playing up and down a Catoctin Mountain ridge during a round at Musket Ridge.

Starting with the first hole, tee shots are dramatic, often elevated and blind.  If you can play around during the fall when colors are near peak, it’s a stunning setting.

I find the greens at Musket Ridge particularly challenging, so bring you the best putting game.

I’ve heard good things about their membership options if you live in the area.

4. Little Bennett Golf Course

Little-Bennett-Golf-Tee-Shot-Warning

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  This course might have the biggest golf bang for the buck around Frederick.  Little Bennett Golf Course is a super fun and interesting course in Clarksburg.  It’s one of my favorite places to play golf around Frederick.

Little Bennett is a Montgomery County Regional Park filled with fun things to do (read about bike riding in Little Bennett).  It happens to have a golf course right in the center, with very reasonable rates.

Don’t let the reduced greens fees fool you.  This is a great golf course with creative holes that reward shot-making, imagination, and course knowledge.  More than anything, it’s a fun track.

5. PB Dye Golf Club

PB-Dye-11th-Hole-Tee-Shot

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Could easily be higher on this list.  PB Dye Golf Club is a massively creative golf course and a must-visit if you are a golfer in the Frederick, MD area.

Designed by famous golf architect Pete Dye (who also designed the Links at Perry Cabin on Maryland’s Eastern Shore), P.B. Dye Golf Club will test your golf skills and require every club in your bag.

The course is packed with character, quirky, and difficult.  The layout is beautiful, on a gorgeous rural setting south of Frederick.  It’s also the only course in Maryland that uses Penn G-2 Bent Grass.  

Membership programs also available.

6. Maryland National Golf Club

Maryland-National-Golf-Club-Near-Frederick

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Maryland National was the Frederick area golf course I heard plenty about long before I moved here.  For good reason, it’s a gorgeous course just down the road from Musket Ridge in the Catoctin Mountains.

It has a rolling hills vibe to it, with plenty of water and regular wildlife wandering onto fairways.  I also love the facility, excellent practice area, cool tavern, and just an all-around great place for a golf outing.

Rates are very reasonable, but for that reason, I find tee times on weekends in very high demand.  Check it out!

7. Glade Valley Golf Club

Glade-Valley-Golf--scaled

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Glade Valley Golf Club is a no-frills course just east of Frederick in the middle of a pleasant Walkersville, MD community.  It sits in rural countryside at the foot of the Catoctin Mountains, kept in great condition.

Glade Valley is one of the courses I love to walk.  It’s not too strenuous up and down, and walking a round at Glade Valley feels like a walk in nature.

Greens fees are very reasonable, especially for the quality of the course and its facilities.  I wouldn’t consider it a ‘destination’ course, but it’s a great place to put in your Frederick golf course rotation. 

Glade Valley also has membership options.

8. Rattlewood Golf Course

Rattlewood-Hole-6-Tee-Shot

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Rattlewood is another golf course where I’m a regular player, and the more I play it, the more I like it.  Rattlewood is about 20 minutes east of Frederick, just south of Mount Airy.  Similar to Little Bennett, it’s run by Montgomery County.

It’s a stress-free place to play, has reasonable rates, and never seems to be crowded.  For the prices, I’m always impressed with the condition of the course and the greens. 

It’s another course I often walk nine holes, usually when I need a tee time at the last minute.

It has a few exciting holes where the tee shots require you to clear water or allow you to go for the green (always fun!).

9. The Links at Challedon

Photo Credit: TheLinksatChalledon.com
Photo Credit: TheLinksatChalledon.com

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Another course near Mount Airy is The Links at Challedon.  This is the course I’ve already decided I need to play more in 2025 because I always seem to visit it on bad weather days.

It’s an attractive course with excellent facilities.  The restaurant/grill is great for an after-golf meal.  Tees and greens are well-kept, and it has a robust membership program for those nearby.

10. Clustered Spires Golf Club

Clustered-Spires-Frederick-MD-scaled

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  The golf course closest to Frederick, and with some of the best rates you’ll find anywhere, check out Clustered Spires Golf Course.

Clustered Spires is operated by the City of Frederick and is located on the northeast side of town on what used to be a dairy farm.  It is a laid-back, low-key place frequented by local Frederick golfers.  It’s another place I often visit to walk nine holes at the last minute.

Despite being close to Frederick, the course still feels rural and natural.  It’s also a great place for beginners or high handicappers as it’s not terribly difficult.

11. Richland Golf Club

Photo Credit: Richland Golf Club on Facebook
Photo Credit: Richland Golf Club on Facebook

Ratings and Rankings: 

Why Play It:  Richland Golf Club is in Middletown, MD, just up the road from Frederick.  Some say it’s dated, but in my opinion, it’s a well laid out course with interesting and creative holes.

It’s less hilly than its Maryland National and Musket Ridge neighbors to the north.  But the course is long and challenging, and shooting a good score is tough.

You get many of the same Catoctin Mountain views at Richland, characteristic of so many of the golf courses around Frederick.

Read Detail Reviews of Frederick Area Golf Courses

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Glenn VanLandingham Travel Writer
Glenn is a travel enthusiast and adventure seeker who lives in Frederick, Maryland, and Bend, Oregon. He and his wife Nicole use EpicBend and EpicFrederick to chronicle their adventures in these amazing places so others can live their best lives in Frederick and Bend.
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