If you live near Washington or Baltimore, you've probably made a few summer time trips to the Maryland or Delaware shore.

The shore is a great weekend trip and is close enough where you don't have to spend your entire weekend traveling to and from.

Recently we visited the Upland Golf Club in Denton, MD. The course is located on the eastern shore side of the Chesapeake Bay about 20 miles past the Bay Bridge.

This links style gem is conveniently located just beyond the mid-way point to the shore and is a great way to break up the drive. Quality permeates from every aspect of the property. The friendly staff offers curb service when you arrive and the amenities of the large Victorian clubhouse would make most private clubs envious.

Once on the course you're immersed in the classic links design. Tall fescue heather grass frames each fairway, adding a visually appealing depth to the design. After your first wayward tee shot though,  you soon realize that the ambiance created by the fescue grass is not just an aesthetic feature. The grass doubles as punisher for any stray shot, which can add strokes to your score in a hurry if you're not careful.

From tee to green, conditions of the course are simply outstanding. The fast undulating greens will challenge the best putters with a nice mix of both ample and delicate slope changes.

Depending upon pin position each green can play very differently, and being below the hole is a always a good idea.

The bent grass fairways are meticulously manicured and accommodating to both irons and fairway woods. The hard surfaces are cut tight and give ample role for a nicely struck draw off the tee. But you want to be careful: the extended roll can do just as much harm as it does good. The low cut rough does little to guard against wayward shots and carries over to thicker and punishing tall fescue grass very easily.

 Amigos Favorite Hole: The hole we liked best at the Upland Golf Club was the number-3 315-yard Par 4. This classic risk/reward hole can be reached by the long driver for a definite birdie or possible eagle. But beware of the wind which will play a big part on your ability to drive this green, not to mention the small water hazard which parts the fairway.

The best play is a smooth long iron or fairway wood to the left fairway. The left fairway makes the pin more accessible for a precise wedge shot, which will leave you a great chance at birdie without the risk.

Just remember that like all the greens at Upland, makeable putts are much more approachable below the hole. If you have time to walk up and look at the pin position and slope, you will have a better shot at a birdie opportunity.