Designer: Gus Hook (1923)
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
History: Carroll Park was designed in 1923 by local architect Gus Hook and like other courses in the area, was whites only at that time. This was challenged and by the 1930s, it became the only Baltimore city course that allowed black golfers. All courses were officially desegregated in the 1950s.
Conditions: 5/10, Conditioning at Carroll Park is slightly below average with spotty teeboxes and fairways and very slow greens.
Value: 4/10, Carroll Park will set you back between $26 to $35 to walk depending on time and day.
Scorecard:
Tee Par Yardage Rating Slope
Blue 34 2787 33.1 116
White 34 2593 32.0 111
Red 34 2536 34.5 116
Hole Descriptions: All across cities in the northeastern U.S., there are dozens of municipal courses like Carroll Park. By this, I mean courses with some decent history and good bones but in dire need of a facelift and some TLC. Unfortunately, in a city like Baltimore with many bigger problems, I don’t see change coming to Carroll Park any time soon.
Laid out on a small, hilly plot in the southwestern part of the city, Carroll Park is a 9-hole course and the closest of Baltimore’s five municipal courses to downtown. It is easily seen from I-95 South and is well-known as the first course in the area to allow African Americans to play. While on the short side at 2787 yards with no par fives, Carroll Park isn’t as easy as you’d expect with some blind shots, elevation changes, and several doglegs. All-in-all, it is a fine option for locals on a budget or learning the game, but isn’t a place I’d go out of my way to play again.
The course opens with a 365 yard par 4 that runs slightly uphill and to the left. Scattered trees run down either side, but this fairway is plenty wide for your first swing of the day. Like most on the course, this green slopes slightly back-to-front and is defended by a left bunker.
The 2nd hole is a deserving number 1 handicap and probably the most memorable hole at Carroll Park. A 358 yard par 4, this hole features an intimidating semi-blind teeshot over a huge plateau in the fairway. In addition to having a blind teeshot, this fairway slopes hard right-to-left and thick forest runs down the left side the entire way. At about 220 yards, this hole turns slightly to the right and continues uphill towards another back-to-front sloped green.
The 3rd hole turns around in the opposite direction and plays back downhill as a 371 yard par 4. Trees line either side of a fairway that contains a speed slot for golfers to obtain extra roll. This approach then runs back uphill to a green that slopes severely back-to-front defended by a false front and bunkers on either side.
At 342 yards, the 4th hole is a shorter par 4 that features a tight, tree-lined fairway that bends right at around 230 yards. The approach runs slightly downhill to a wide, flatter green defended by a small hazard short right.
The 5th is Carroll Park’s longest hole as a tight, straightaway 373 yard par 4. With OB running down the left the entire way and several trees on your right, golfers will want to hit this fairway. This diagonal green is somewhat narrow and slopes back-to-front with bunkers on either side.
After five consecutive par fours to start your round, the 6th hole is the first of back-to-back par threes at 170 yards. This one-shotter features a difficult to hit, extremely narrow, back-to-front sloped green flanked by large bunkers.
Requiring a somewhat long and awkward walk around the clubhouse, the 7th is another moderately challenging par 3 at 178 yards. Playing slightly downhill, this hole features a small, relatively flat green surrounded by bunkers left, long, and right.
At 307 yards, the 8th hole is Carroll Park’s shortest par 4 and is potentially reachable for the longest hitters. This is a nice little dogleg right featuring a downhill teeshot to a fairway with strong land movement. This approach runs back uphill to an elevated, back-to-front sloped green flanked by bunkers.
Carroll Park closes with another short dogleg in the 323 yard 9th. This par 4 features a generous fairway that bends to the left at around 210 yards. This green again slopes back-to-front with bunkers on either side.
General Comments: There is no range at Carroll Park but there are two practice greens to warm up on. The clubhouse is simple yet sufficient and pace of play was solid.
Verdict: A 9-hole municipal course with some civil rights history and decent bones, Carroll Park could benefit from some tree removal and better maintenance. It is a solid option for locals on a budget or beginners but this isn’t somewhere I’d travel to see.
