Take the Long View: Let 'er Rip

The first bit of advice for players unfamiliar with the University of Maryland golf course: Keep the driver handy. The layout--mere steps from the College Park campus and across from Byrd Stadium--beckons long hitters.

But there's even more to fancy for the Grip It and Rip It enthusiasts. At 6,654 yards from the back tees and 6,271 from the middle tees, the par-71 layout isn't overwhelmingly long, but the length isn't distributed evenly, resulting in some lengthy par 4s. Appropriately, the long holes feature fairways of generous width, encouraging players to worry more about length than accuracy, while the shorter holes tend to reward smart choices rather than free swinging.

The first hole confirms there is no secret to scoring on this course. It is a 430-yard par 4 from the back tees, 427 from the whites, and turns ever so slightly to the right, meaning a tee shot and an approach both straight and long will do the trick.

The putting surface at No. 1, like those at most of the holes, is not unmanageable either. There are few treacherous undulations around the course, and kind pin placements often can be rewarding after going such a distance to get to the green.

The third-hardest hole on the course, No. 1 is simply a warmup for the most challenging of tasks ahead. No. 2, the toughest hole, is a 467-yard par 4 from the back tees, 440 from the middle. The fairway is relatively accommodating, but hook it badly, and there's water guarding the entire left side; slice it, and the ball could be lost in the woods lining the right.

The hole also winds to the left, setting up a desirable approach for big hitters with enough command to draw their tee shots. Short hitters, especially those who fade the ball, may choose to lay up and hope a friendly putter can salvage a par.

The first chance for the short hitter to score comes at No. 8, a 133-yard par 3 from the back, 112 from the front. Depending on the pin placement, club selection becomes the issue on this downhill tee shot--water lurks behind the green to penalize those who don't dial in the right distance.

At a combined 750 yards from the middle tees, the final two holes offer a perfect example of the contrast the course provides. They seem designed to lull a player into false confidence before biting back. The par-4 17th is the least difficult hole, 335 yards from the back, a mere 310 from the middle to a flat green. A birdie here is almost a necessity going into the long last hole, an open, slightly uphill par 4, 455 yards from the back tees and 440 from the middle, that only the longest hitters will consistently reach in regulation.

Conforming to the course's intent, No. 18 is dead straight and expansive, offering players a final chance to uncork the big drive that they by now have grown accustomed to needing on this layout, where length matters more than accuracy.

A Course You Can Play

* Architect: George Cobb.

* Opened: 1959.

* Par: 71.

* Yardage: 6,654 yards from back tees; 6,271 from middle tees; 5,563 from forward tees.

* Spike policy: Nonmetal spikes required.

* Phone: 301-403-4299.

* Directions: From downtown D.C., take Route 1 north to 193 west (University Boulevard) and follow to course. From Beltway, take exit 25 onto Route 1 south to College Park, then turn right onto Route 193 west. Golf course is at second stoplight.

* Rates: $32 weekdays to walk, $44 to ride; $50 before 3 p.m. on weekends to walk/ride; after 3 p.m. on weekends $33 to walk, $44 to ride.