PAR Perspective: A Round at National Golf Club Fort Washington, Maryland

Following up on my recent round at Reston, I made my way down to National Golf Club in Fort Washington, Maryland — a private, member-owned course nestled just minutes from National Harbor. We played on a particularly hot and humid Mid-Atlantic weekend, the kind of summer day where every swing feels a little heavier. But that’s golf around here, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

National has that classic, old-school private club feel — complete with a traditional clubhouse, pool, and dining area. There’s something comforting about these kinds of clubhouses: they might not be flashy, but they feel like home. This visit was part of another group outing, 12 players across three tee times, and as always, I had my tournament director hat on keeping an eye on pace of play.

We added a twist this time — the Pink Ball game. Each foursome rotates one pink ball among the group, and the team that finishes with their pink ball intact wins. Simple in concept, tough in execution. It adds a little bit of pressure to every shot, especially when the pink ball lands in the hands of a player facing a challenging hole. High-risk fun, and a great way to keep things interesting.

While we didn’t stay for lunch this time, I’ve dined here before. A few years back, the food setup was fantastic, and I believe ownership may have shifted around then, ushering in some welcome improvements. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to revisit that experience next time.

As for the course conditions — it’s a visually charming layout with a few tricky holes and just enough water to keep you honest. The rough? Very rough. But in this region and season, that’s more a reality than a complaint. Mid-summer makes it tough for superintendents to hit that perfect balance between growth and playability.

The greens were slow, rolling more like carpet than glass, but consistent. For reference, I’d say they were rolling around an 8 or 9 on the stimpmeter. For most weekend warriors, that’s comfortable. Tour-level greens can hit 12–13, where the slightest tap sends your ball flying — but that’s a blog for another day (maybe something on reading greens like a pro coming soon? Stay tuned.)

All in all, National Golf Club delivered a solid experience. It’s a great community course tucked just outside of D.C., no more than 20 minutes from the city. With MGM, a private marina, and even a local airfield nearby, Fort Washington is a low-key gem for golfers thinking about relocation or just a weekend round with easy access.

So, where’s next on your Road2Par?