There are many generic superlatives to describe a great golf course; exceptional, challenging, beautiful, scenic and on and on. But the highest accolade any course can receive is its ability to stick in your mind after the round.

Its how certain holes and the way you played the course replay in your head over and over again. The course literally offers such a unique experience that you can't wait to make your next tee time. Well in my mind no course does this better than Arthur Hills designed Maryland National Golf Club in Middleton Maryland.

Maryland National Golf Club delivers more character on any one hole than you might see in 18-holes at your typical muni. It's the abundance of varying design characteristics that makes the course unique. The varying blend of elevation changes, mounds with sloping fairways and small quick greens presents a challenge you just don't see at most other tracks.

Calling the course a private club for a day might be an understatement. You receive the "royal treatment" at Maryland National with a well appointed clubhouse, locker room and one of the best practice facilities you'll find anywhere. The range provides a true example of the real elevation changes and targets you'll experience on the course. A large tavern and restaurant overlooks the course in the valley and the expansive size of the clubhouse makes it perfect for large groups and outings.

On the course diversity is abound and you'll need your "A" game to post a good score. The most important decision of the day is choosing the right set of tees to play for your game. The best advice I can give you is to look at the length of the Par 3s. Each Par 3 on the course has a forced carry, plays up hill or down hill to small greens.

Choose the tees that give you the most reasonable chance at getting on the green without struggling. This is the correct set of tees to play for your game. This is probably a good rule of thumb at any course, but at Maryland National the Par 3s are the most scenic yet challenging of any course in the Mid-Atlantic.

There are long Par5s, short Par 4s and then there’s the downhill 246-yard Par 3 12th. Fairways range from dual wide targets to small strategic shots like the 336-yard Par 4 16th. Each hole has it's own distinct feel and challenge where no two are even slightly similar.

From tee to green Maryland National requires you to think. Your ability to manage your game, take what the course gives you and capitalize when opportunity arises is what this course demands. Maryland National Golf Club is the ideal course to test your game.

So the next time you're striking the ball and just feel like your home course doesn't test you any more do yourself a favor and take your game to Maryland National and see where you really stand. Are you up for the challenge?

Amigos Favorite Hole: There are a plethora of holes to choose as favorite at Maryland National but the one still distinctly stuck in my mind is the 585-yard Par-5 No. 2.

For starters the hole drops more than 100-feet in elevation from tee to green and at the tee all you see is a ridge and fairway to the right an a couple of bunkers down the left side. This is one of a few semi-blind shots off the tee and if it's your first trip to Maryland National the safe play is usually the best choice in your plan of attack.

Depending on which tees you're playing, you might have a go at the green in two. But no matter how far you hit your drive you still have to contend with a large Red Elm tree sitting in the middle of the fairway 150-yards directly in line with the green. Unless you can work the ball from side to side, the prudent play is a lay-up either right or left of the green leaving a wedge in with your third shot.

The green is guarded will on the front by bunkers and there is no room to go long behind, so take our advice and play for Par. Getting greedy at Maryland National can add up quickly on the score card if you’re not careful!