GolfPass publishes its annual Golfers’ Choice list using verified player reviews, not editorial picks. For 2026, the platform analyzed 2,154 reviews submitted across 54 Maryland public golf courses throughout 2025, weighting recent reviews more heavily to reflect current conditions. Richland Golf Club in Middletown earned a 4.03 out of 5.0 rating from 439 reviewers and was named to the list.
One reviewer called Richland “a little hidden gem in Middletown, MD,” citing course conditions and staff. That description captures what the course delivers: bent grass throughout, a 141 slope from the Gold tees, and course design that stands up to far better-known venues in the region.
The GolfPass Golfers’ Choice 2026 Maryland Rankings
The full list spans 20 courses from across Maryland. Here are the top 20, with Richland among them:
| # | Course | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whiskey Creek Golf Club (Ijamsville) | 4.67/5 | 542 |
| 2 | Maryland National Golf Club (Middletown) | 4.78/5 | 715 |
| 3 | The Links at Lighthouse Sound (Bishopville) | 4.65/5 | 133 |
| 4 | Bulle Rock Golf Club (Havre de Grace) | 4.72/5 | 426 |
| 5 | Eagle's Landing (Berlin) | 4.72/5 | 528 |
| 6 | Ocean City Golf Club – Newport Bay (Berlin) | 4.49/5 | 464 |
| 7 | Blue Mash Golf Course (Laytonsville) | 4.55/5 | 717 |
| 8 | Waverly Woods Golf Club (Marriottsville) | 4.35/5 | 671 |
| 9 | Mountain Branch Golf Course (Joppa) | 4.42/5 | 376 |
| 10 | River Marsh Golf Club (Cambridge) | 4.27/5 | 600 |
| 11 | Wicomico Shores Golf Course (Mechanicsville) | 4.09/5 | 118 |
| 12 | Black Rock Golf Course (Hagerstown) | 4.43/5 | 421 |
| 13 | Enterprise Golf Course (Mitchellville) | 4.27/5 | 182 |
| 14 | Clustered Spires Golf Course (Frederick) | 4.17/5 | 656 |
| 15 | Oakland Golf Club (Oakland) | 4.14/5 | 192 |
| 16 | Links at Challedon (Mount Airy) | 4.26/5 | 659 |
| 17 | Compass Pointe Golf Course (Pasadena) | 4.21/5 | 589 |
| 18 | Westminster National Golf Course (Westminster) | 4.24/5 | 380 |
| 19 | Glade Valley Golf Club (Walkersville) | 4.26/5 | 1,151 |
| 20 | Richland Golf Club (Middletown) | 4.03/5 | 439 |
Source: GolfPass Golfers’ Choice 2026, Maryland. Ratings based on 2,154 verified reviews from 54 Maryland courses published in 2025.
What the Ranking Means for Western Maryland Golfers
Middletown sits in western Maryland’s Middletown Valley, between Frederick and the Appalachian foothills. Two courses in this small town appear on the GolfPass 2026 list: Maryland National at #2 (rated 4.78/5 from 715 reviews) and Richland at #20 (rated 4.03/5 from 439 reviews). They are four miles apart.
For golfers based in or near Frederick County, both courses are under 15 minutes away. The GolfPass data gives you a reviewers’ verdict on both: two very different experiences within the same valley, separated by four miles and nearly a full rating point.
Why Reviewers Call Richland a Hidden Gem
The “hidden gem” label shows up in reviews of courses that consistently deliver more than expected. At Richland, that reputation comes from a few specifics:
- Bent grass throughout. Tees, fairways, and greens are all bent grass, uncommon at public courses in Maryland. Bent grass rolls more consistently than bermuda or blended surfaces, and the difference is noticeable from the first putt.
- Course design by Rick Jacobson. Par 72, 6,764 yards from the blues, rated 72.7 with a 134 slope. Water on six holes. The 15th is a 185-yard par 3 to an island green with no bail-out. The 11th, a 565-yard par 5, offers a reachable island green in two for longer hitters.
- Range balls included. Every green fee at Richland includes practice range balls. Golfers warm up on the driving range before a round at no extra charge, unlike courses that charge separately for range balls.
- Challenge relative to reputation. The course plays to a 141 slope from the Gold tees, topping several higher-profile courses on the GolfPass list. The design holds up under scrutiny.
How GolfPass Built the Golfers’ Choice 2026 List
GolfPass collected 2,154 reviews from 54 Maryland public golf courses published throughout 2025. Rankings use the GolfPass Rating Index, which applies a recency weight, giving more weight to 2025 reviews than older ones, to reflect current course conditions rather than historical reputation. Only courses with a sufficient number of verified reviews qualify.
This methodology differs from editorial rankings based on course architecture or prestige. The Golfers’ Choice list reflects what players who booked and played the course actually reported. Richland’s 4.03/5 from 439 reviewers placed it among the top 20 in a state with more than 150 golf courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richland Golf Club one of the best public golf courses in Maryland?
Yes. GolfPass named Richland Golf Club to its Golfers’ Choice 2026 list of the best public golf courses in Maryland, based on analysis of 2,154 reviews from 54 courses statewide. Richland earned a 4.03/5 rating from 439 verified GolfPass reviewers.
What do reviewers say about Richland Golf Club?
GolfPass reviewers describe Richland Golf Club as “a little hidden gem in Middletown, MD,” praising its course conditions and friendly staff.
Where is Richland Golf Club located?
Richland Golf Club is located at 50 Glenbrook Drive, Middletown, MD 21769. Approximately 10 minutes from downtown Frederick via US-40 Alternate, and 35 minutes from the Washington Beltway via I-70.
Book a Round at Richland
GolfPass Golfers’ Choice 2026. One of Maryland’s 20 best public courses. Range balls included with every green fee.
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