Review:

Among the high-fashion golf course designers of the day, Arthur Hills would be among most people's top 10. His name is not Dye, Fazio, Nicklaus or Jones; but then this short list tends to demarcate celebrity, not talent, among golf architects. Celebrated or not, Hills has earned a reputation for entering a piece of property where a golf course has been proposed, summing up its parts and putting together the best layout possible.

He has done that at Waverly Woods in Marriottsville, Md., near Ellicott City. The wooded property is lushly endowed with wetlands, and even though Hill's routing plans were constantly confounded by them, in the end a pretty and challenging track emerged.

There are only 36 bunkers on this golf course, and the greens are relatively gentle and small. The trick is to get your ball in the right place in the fairway from which to attack them. The landing areas could be called generous, but Hills layout tests your accuracy and strategy from the tee. Where wetlands come into play, you'll need some heft or good judgment, because there are some forced carries or layups off the tee.

But the mix of holes is very interesting, especially among the par fours, where Hills uses a variety of green complexes and bunkering to delight and test you. The signature hole is the ninth, a 450-yard par 4 that will measure your length and accuracy off the tee and your long-to midiron skill, hitting as you do into a small green.

Waverly Woods is a handsome, shot-making test and one of the best values among the new courses. Walking is permitted, and there is an extensive practice area.

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