Call me old fashioned but some of my most memorable rounds of golf are at classic courses. Sure, I can appreciate the new 8,000-yard courses where driver wedge is the standard approach of play, but if you're a true fan of design then there's nothing better that having to truly "think" your way around a course.
I like a course that makes you think your way around dog legs. I like playing holes that make you consider hitting something besides a driver at each Par- 4 and Par-5 tee and I definitely like a course that rewards accuracy over anything else. I know many golfers who can hit the ball 300-yards but only a couple who can do it with accuracy.
So, if you're like me and appreciate a classic tree lined design in perfect condition then it just doesn't get any better than a day, round or membership at National Golf Club at Tantallon in Fort Washington Maryland.
When we first teed off the most noticeable appreciable characteristic was the impeccable conditions. The bent grass fairways were like a carpet with only a few visible divots. The greens rolled so smooth and true that any ball rolled on a good line had no choice but going in the cup and the rough actually had three distinct cuts with no spottiness anywhere.
The course recently underwent a $3.5 million renovation project and the hard work defiantly shows.
The second appreciable characteristic was the course design. The course first opened in 1961 and Architect Ted Robinson did a great job with the rolling terrain.
The mature tree lined fairways are the main obstacles to avoid on the course and even though most fairways have adequate landing areas the many trees guarding each side definitely enter your mind before every shot.
The third most appreciable characteristic is the variety of holes. There are short, medium and long Par-3s and Par-4s; long three shot Par-5s and risk reward birdie Par-5s. You're constantly presented with considering the various ways to play each hole.
It's that perfect course to be a member at because it can play totally different if tees are placed forward or back, pin position changes or when the rough lengths change. One day you might pull out a driver on a Par-4 and the next day you might chose an iron for position.
The fourth most appreciable characteristic is the location. The course is located 15 minutes from Old Town Alexandria and only 11 miles from downtown Washington. We all know the woes of traffic in the DC metro area and the location of National Golf Club at Tantallon alone make it a great option for any corporate outings or event. Those looking for a private club at a reasonable price should definitely check out the Clubs membership options.
Amigos Favorite Hole: We just couldn't settle with one favorite hole at National Golf Club at Tantallon. That's why we chose the demanding 220-yard Par-3 15th and the 556-yard Par 5 16th as our favorite pair. These two back-to-back holes definitely put the "icing on the cake" for a round to remember.
The Par-3 15th has the most challenging tee shot anywhere on the course. The length alone will test the most highly skilled golfers and puts a premium on an accurate tee shot. Then if you consider the long narrow long two tiered green as a target, a par is great score on this hole. But what might creep in your mind the most at the tee is the dramatic dip in elevation from tee and then back-up to the green.
The only advice that might help is trust your swing, choose the right club and swing away!
If by chance you made a big number on the Par-3 15th, then the Par-5 16th offers a good chance to get a stroke or two back with a good drive. The elevated tee provides a memorable view and the slight dogleg left is accessible and reachable from the fairway.
These two back-to-back on the back nine definitely stuck in my mind after the round. With the overall personality of design and the varying ways to approach the course, you can see why National Golf Club at Tantallon is a "great place" to play the game but would be even a "better place" to be a member.