Woodholme Country Club features a distinguished Herbert Strong design from 1928, showcasing small greens, deep greenside bunkers, and undulating fairways across natural terrain with minimal earth movement. This Maryland venue offers five tee sets, seven water crossings, and an uncommon par 73 for championship golf holidays.
Woodholme Country Club features a distinguished Herbert Strong design from 1928, showcasing small greens, deep greenside bunkers, and undulating fairways across natural terrain with minimal earth movement. This Maryland venue offers five tee sets, seven water crossings, and an uncommon par 73 for championship golf holidays.
Nestled in Pikesville, Maryland, Woodholme Country Club presents a somewhat underrated Herbert Strong design from the late 1920s that exemplifies the artistry of golf's Golden Age. Built over natural terrain with minimal earth movement, the course features small greens, deep green-side bunkers, and undulating fairways with significant elevation changes that add to its uniqueness.
The Woodholme golf course was designed in 1927 by Herbert Strong, one of the pillars of the "Golden Age of Golf Design." Strong's approach emphasised working with the existing topography, creating a routing that flows naturally across the rolling Maryland landscape.
The course at Woodholme Country Club is a somewhat underrated Herbert Strong design from 1928, which Ed Ault revised in the mid-1960s and mid-1970s. Author Daniel Wexler observed in The American Private Golf Club Guide: "A low-profile operation, though somewhat altered, manages to retain a classic feeling today."
The original Strong layout received thoughtful updates through Ed Ault's renovations in the 1960s and 1970s, ensuring the course remained relevant for modern championship play whilst preserving its Golden Age character. The course plays to a unique par of 73 and ranges from 5,503 to 7,226 yards, offering five tee sets to accommodate golfers of varying abilities.
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Pure bent grass greens, tees, and meandering fairways characterise the playing surfaces, whilst seven water crossings and five par 5's create strategic complexity. Some feel that shortening one or two of the four par fives on the back nine to long par fours would turn this classic old course into a serious championship layout.
Within 16km (10 miles):
30-60km (19-37 miles):
Natural Combinations: Maryland's Baltimore-Washington corridor offers exceptional multi-course itineraries, combining Woodholme's Golden Age architecture with modern championship designs. The region's compact geography allows access to diverse architectural styles within comfortable driving distances.
Difficulty Mix: From accessible daily fee options to championship-level private clubs, the Baltimore area provides comprehensive golf experiences for extended golf holidays.
Base: Baltimore and Bethesda offer premium accommodation within striking distance of multiple championship venues.
With a policy towards maintaining a low profile, Woodholme has hosted a number of significant area events, including the 2008 Maryland State Amateur Championship, 2006 USGA Woman's Open Qualifier, 2002 Maryland Senior Open Championship, 1995 USGA Mid Amateur- second course, 1982 Mid-Atlantic Amateur as well as hosting three USGA Amateur Qualifiers, most recently in 2012.
BWI Airport: 31km (19 miles), 25 minutes via I-695 - Primary international gateway with excellent rental car facilities
Public Transport: Light rail connections available from BWI to central Baltimore, with onward bus services to Pikesville requiring approximately 90 minutes total journey time
Car Rental: Multiple agencies at BWI Airport provide optimal flexibility for multi-course golf holidays across Maryland's championship venues
Spring: Course opens for full play typically in early March, with conditions improving rapidly through April as bent grass surfaces firm
Summer: Peak season from May through September offers optimal playing conditions, though advance booking essential.
Autumn: September through November provides excellent golf with fewer crowds and attractive Maryland fall colours enhancing the natural setting
Winter: Limited winter play depending on weather conditions, with course typically closing for maintenance during January and February
As a Troon Privé managed property, Woodholme members receive exclusive access to extraordinary golf and lifestyle benefits throughout the world. Guest play arrangements require member introduction or corporate invitation.
For golf travellers seeking authentic Golden Age architecture in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, Woodholme represents Maryland's finest example of Herbert Strong's design philosophy, combining strategic challenge with natural beauty across one of the region's most distinctive championship layouts.
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