Looking for a Whiskey Creek Golf Course Review? This article is a review of Whiskey Creek by a local Frederick, MD, golfer who’s played it many times.
Whiskey Creek is a course in Ijamsville, Maryland, about 15 minutes from Frederick. It is a public course that is highly ranked in Maryland.
Have you played Whiskey Creek? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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Whiskey Creek Golf Course Review: Rankings
Speaking of rankings, let’s get right to it. Here are some of the rankings that feature Whiskey Creek.
- No. 15 in Maryland. Top100GolfCourses.com
- No. 10 in Maryland. Golfer’s Choice 2023
- No. 3 in Maryland. GolfCourseGurus.com
- No. 194 in USA. GolfCourseGurus.com
- No. 2 in Frederick Area. EpicFrederick.com
Read on, and you’ll see why Whiskey Creek is a gem of a Frederick area golf course, one of the reasons Nicole and Glenn decided to live where they live. We rank it as the second-best golf course in the Frederick area (we rank Worthington Manor Golf Course 10 minutes down the road #1.)
Whiskey Creek Golf Course Basics
- Location: 4804 Whiskey Court Ijamsville, MD 21754
- Distance From Frederick: 10 miles, 17 minutes
- Designer: Architect J.Michael Poellot, design consultant Ernie Els
- Rates/Pricing: Dynamic Pricing, usually $80 to $130
- Course Statistics: Par 18 Length 7001 Slope 138 Rating 74.6
- Walkable?: Yes but grueling
- Tee Times: Online
The Best Characteristics of Whiskey Creek Golf Course
Growing up in Maryland as an avid golfer, I had heard of Whiskey Creek long before I played it. The many years I lived in Northern Virginia, I would hear about day trips various golfer friends would make to Maryland to play Whiskey Creek.
When first moving back to the Frederick area, Nicole and I happened to choose a place to live very close to this golf course, and now I’ve become a regular there. Whiskey Creek has become the equivalent to Widgi Creek Golf Course in Bend.
The best attribute about Whiskey is that it is a course with character. You’ll remember your round there, maybe not because it’s the most pristine, dramatic, or scenic course.
You’ll remember it because it’s unique and different. It combines history, beauty, and a sense of ‘place’. Plus, there are several enjoyable holes to play.
The 18th signature hole represents this more than anything. It’s the frequently photographed hole with the old stone house ruins in the middle of the fairway, left over by 19th-century German immigrants long before the area was a golf course.
Whiskey Creek Golf Course Layout
The Whiskey Creek course layout involves climbing up and down on the front nine, then a very different journey on the back. I usually have a preference in 9 holes at golf courses, but not at Whiskey. I enjoy the front and back all the same.
To be upfront and genuine in this review, it must be said that some holes at Whiskey are pretty ordinary. You won’t be wowed standing on every tee box. But there are enough changing elevations and quirky doglegs to keep you more than interested.
The front nine works your way uphill until hole #5. Hole 5 is one of my favorites, as you have a tremendous view of a Maryland landscape on the tee box. Then you hit something less than the driver and work your ball to the left, down towards a tricky-to-hit green.
The front nine finishes with a 9th hole that completes your journey down to the clubhouse and gives long hitters a chance to reach a par 5 in 2 shots.
The back nine at Whiskey feels like a totally different journey as while there are still elevation changes, you instead back a loop along the ‘Creek’ itself.
You’ll see the par 3 11th on your drive into the golf course, and it’s a tester (can’t miss left or right). If you can par the 12th hole, be very proud of yourself as that hole is a doozy.
Hole 14th, you finally get a look at the actual ‘Creek’, and be careful hitting the driver, especially from forward tees, as I have put several balls in the water by hitting too long.
Save some energy and get your camera ready for the 18th because it’s one of the main reasons you came to play here.
Best Holes at Whiskey Creek
Whiskey has some really memorable holes. These are the ones I enjoy the most.
The first hole sets the tone for Whiskey with a dramatic, rising dogleg right and green surrounded by mounds and bunkers.
The front nine finishing par 5 is classic Whiskey, with an elevated tee shot that fades right. The downhill and openness will temp you to go for the green in 2.
My favorite hole, besides 18, has incredible views from the tee and a strategy hole as you can hit a lot of different clubs off the tee (and I have). The green is sneaky hard to hit.
You’ll see this par 3 on the drive in. It’s a challenging tee shot (can’t miss left or right) into an extended green held up by a rock wall in a cove of trees.
You finally take on the ‘Creek’ itself on this par 4. Be careful hitting driver off the tee as I’ve hit multiple balls into the creek by hitting too far.
If you aim at the ruins in the middle of the fairway, you are guaranteed to hit the straightest drive of the day (because that’s how golf works!). Going left of the ruins gives you a (slight) chance to reach the green in 2. Take lots of pictures!
What Else You Need to Know About Whiksey Creek Golf Course
Whiskey Creek is not only a memorable golf course to play but a well-run operation and a great place to spend a day.
Golf carts are brought down to you or picked up in the parking lot, and check-in at the clubhouse is a breeze.
Its got a fabulous clubhouse, bar, and restaurant to definitely visit before or after your round. I usually have a burger and beer on the picturesque porch after my round and watch groups come into 18.
The bar always has lots of craft beer on tap (including locals), and of course…whiskey!
Enjoy.