The stretch of I-95 between Baltimore and Philadelphia is a common route for many commuters and salesman alike. Even though the cities are only an hour’s drive apart, the small towns and suburbs between are home to a plethora of quality golf courses.

A couple of weeks ago we made a trip up I-95 to play Pilgrim's Oak Golf Course in Peach Bottom Pennsylvania. This “hidden gem” is a world away from both cities but close enough to escape and enjoy one of the most interesting and best conditioned courses anywhere!

I'm going to let all golf courses in the Mid-Atlantic in on a "little secret". There is a simple two part formula that can make any course successful. This formula might sound like simple common sense, but after many rounds at a variety of different courses, there are two traits I see in the most successful courses.

The first ingredient is a "quality design". Yes, what “makes” a quality design is subjective but a consensus of true quality always includes tremendous variety.
What this means is the course needs enough "difference" to keep repeat business coming back.

What's in a name? "Names" are usually given to distinguish one from another. When it's applied to golf course or club most try to be true to the origin of the land or namesake of where the course resides. This can be a person who owned the land before the course was there or the city or county the course serves.

But sometimes the name is more than just a "distinguishing attribute". A name if well thoughtout, can exude its own essence capturing an innate feeling present when you fully experience everything a course or club has to offer. Recently we made our first trip to Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston Virginia and I personally can't remember any course I've previously played with a more appropriate name.

Have you ever played a new course and it seems like it's just another course blending with the many others that you played over the years. You know the course name may be new and different but the holes, layout and feel just seems to blend with all those courses you've played in the past. A "unique creation" is a difficult task for any course designer.

Well if you appreciate the "different" and embrace the "unique" then the links styled layout of Bristow Manor Golf Club is just what the doctor ordered.

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.