Hollow Creek Golf Club
With the rolling
hills of Frederick County as a backdrop, the Hollow Creek Golf
Club makes it's stance as one of the "elite golf clubs"
in all of the area. The mixture of scenic surroundings and quality
design culminates in a treasure for
us all to enjoy.
The 6,610 yard Rick Jacobson design makes the
most of the natural underlying land as the hilly course winds
through the Maryland countryside. Even though the length of the
course won't over power most games, the overall design is a good test
of shot making ability.
The well protected and
slick G-2 bent grass greens require a good short game, not to
mention a delicate putter to combat the multi-leveled undulating
design. A few tees and greens have great views of the surrounding
mountains and the variable lies in the fairways make for testy iron
shots. But like all good courses a challenge is what golf is all
about.
 Amigos
favorite Hole:
The hole we liked best at
Hollow Creek was the number 17, 446-yard par 4. One of the
longer Par 4's on the course, it
starts with a mountain view that is truly spectacular.
The wide open fairway is
straight and downhill, which give you that added down hill role. Even though most
will be able to go for it with a one wood, some long hitters
may want to lay back because a good shot into the green favors at
least a pitching wedge.
Right handed players with a tendency to push or slice the ball should
be leery of a
lurking fairway bunker in prime location on the right side, not to mention the dense foliage that lines
the fairway in this direction.
 The most challenging shot
on this testy hole is your approach shot. The narrow green is on a small
pedestal with trouble in just about every direction. The only true
safe miss would be to the right of the green, but the back to front
slope of the green makes for extremely difficult chips.
On
a sunny humid Sunday, one Amigo started with a great tee shot with a superb kick back into the fairway with down hill roll. The
other Amigo's tee shot didn't fair as well and ended up in the right side fairway bunker.
 Near
the green, one Amigo lie green side in two while the other battled
his way to the green with two more shots.
With two downhill chips, one Amigo was a bit heavy with the
lobe wedge sending his ball well past the hole and to the fringe at
the bottom of the green, while the other hit a good shot leaving a 6
foot attempt for par.
Review Date:
08/30/2003
Course review ratings are conducted on a five point scale. ( 1 = Double Bogey 3 = Par 5 = Eagle)
Tees:
Every level of playing ability is accommodated with 4 sets of tees. Very well maintained and all around good placement.
Fairways:
Beautifully done with a flow that truly matched the surrounding rough. The bent grass fairways were very receptive of irons and well kept with minimal divot damage.
Rough:
Two cuts of rough that do punish based on luck of lie. The first cut does punish miss hits but is easily escapable and not much of an issue. The second cut of rough had differing styles including long thick heathered grass where lost balls were a definite issue. Put if shots stray this far from the fairway they should be punished.
Traps:
Quality placement and design throughout. All greenside bunkers had ample sand and were soft making for relatively effortless escapes. The fairway bunkers were well spaced and placed and did not punish to much allowing you to pick the ball clean with a good lie.
Greens:
Great greens in just about every aspect. Multi-tiered G-2 Bent grass that were very quick during our visit. In very good shape but some of the greens on the back nine were being reworked and under minor repair. Once these changes are complete, a definite 5 ball rating.
Amenities:
With a 15,000 square foot clubhouse, every amenity possible is available. Large grass driving range and huge practice putting green await both pre and post round practice. The "Black Truffle Bistro" serves three meals a day and has an exceptional menu with a wide range of choices. The large brick patio overlooking the 18th green sets the perfect atmosphere for post round beverages or hosting events and outings.
Staff Services:
Everyone from the starter to clubhouse attendants were very friendly and accommodating. Maybe because it was a twilight round but there was no beverage cart attendant this day.
Pace of Play:
On a Sunday with hardly a cloud in the sky there was no issue with pace, finishing the round in less than 4 hours and 45 minutes.
Overall Average:
4.6, Birdie Course
Outstanding Course, must play recommendation
The GolfinAmigos would like to thank Mr. Joe Burden the Manger of the Hollow Creek Golf Club for allowing us to visit and review the course.
CLICK HERE for additional course information...
Location:
50 Glenbrook Drive, Middletown MD 21769
Tee Time Phone:
301-371-0400
Course Type:
Semi-Private
*The opinions expressed in this course review are those of the individual reviewer(s) and do not reflect the editorial opinion of
www.GolfinAmigos.com
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