Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 9
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Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 9
An elegant green complex at the ninth hole completes a long, spread-out, scenic front nine at Wetlands Golf Club. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 5
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Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 5
A wraparound bunker is the key feature at the par-three fifth hole at Wetlands Golf Club in Aberdeen, Md. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club - 2nd
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Wetlands Golf Club - 2nd
The tough approach to the second green at Wetlands Golf Club in Aberdeen, Maryland. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 18
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Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 18
The green of the 18th hole at Wetlands Golf Club is a tough finisher that requires players to avoid water on the drive and the approach. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club - 10th
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Wetlands Golf Club - 10th
A view of the cozy, Cape Cod-style clubhouse at Wetlands Golf Club is visible from the 10th fairway. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 11
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Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 11
In addition to being the longest par 4 at Wetlands Golf Club at 459 yards, the 11th hole has a tree in the middle of a wide fairway. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 14
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Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 14
The heavily protected green at the 14th hole, the shortest par 5 at Wetlands Golf Club at 484 yards, will leave power players with a tough decision -- whether to try to reach in two shots. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 2
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Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 2
It doesn't take long for players to see the reason for the name of Wetlands Golf Club. This is a view of the green on the second hole. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 1
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Wetlands Golf Club -- No. 1
The daunting opening tee shot at Wetlands Golf Club is over a pond with wetlands on the left and out of bounds on the right. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club - 1st green
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Wetlands Golf Club - 1st green
Decorative boulders near greens, here at the first hole, are rarely in play at Wetlands Golf Club in Aberdeen, Md. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
Wetlands Golf Club - 1st hole
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Wetlands Golf Club - 1st hole
A sprawling bunker complex fronts Wetlands Golf Club's first hole. Kevin Dunleavy/Golf Advisor
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At Wetlands Golf Club, north of Baltimore, vastly different nines add up to a fun, fascinating test

ABERDEEN, Md. -- It's hard to find a golf course with nines as different as those at Wetlands Golf Club.

The back -- built on a small parcel of land -- is short (3,135 yards/par 350) with parallel fairways and some co-located tees and greens, but with several interesting holes. The front nine, finished in 1995 after the acquisition of an adjacent farm, is long (3,593/par 36), scenic and wide open with ample room to miss. Put the two nines together and they form a fun, unique golf course with fast greens, Scottish accents, less trouble than the name suggests and plenty of memorable holes.

While the front nine is all about power and risk/reward, the back requires accuracy and careful club selection, especially off the tee.

Family owned and managed, Wetlands Golf Club has a down-home charm that is evident at Bogie's Sports Bar and Grille.

While the top-ranked public course in Maryland -- Pete Dye gem Bulle Rock -- is two miles to the east across I-95 and draws a decidedly different crowd, Wetlands is a worthy upscale complement with a downscale price tag.

Kevin Dunleavy is a longtime resident of northern Virginia, a graduate of George Mason University, an award-winning reporter covering golf, colleges, and other sports for the Washington Examiner, and a single-digit handicap still seeking his elusive first hole-in-one. Follow Kevin on Twitter at @KDunleavy.
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At Wetlands Golf Club, north of Baltimore, vastly different nines add up to a fun, fascinating test