Paint Branch Golf Course

Paint Branch Golf Course is a public facility located in College Park, Maryland, designed by Ed Ault and Bill Love. The course serves the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and sits within the University of Maryland community, making it accessible to both local residents and visitors to the region. As a municipal-style layout, it provides straightforward golf in a setting shaped by the Mid-Atlantic's rolling terrain and mature tree cover. The design reflects the practical approach typical of Ault's work, which emphasized playable public golf across numerous projects throughout the mid-to-late twentieth century. The routing works with the natural contours of the land, incorporating the wooded character common to this part of Maryland. Golfers encounter tree-lined fairways and modest elevation changes that require thoughtful club selection and course management rather than overwhelming length or severe hazards. Paint Branch serves a diverse playing population, from university students and faculty to area residents seeking convenient golf without the formality or expense of private club membership. The course operates as a straightforward daily-fee facility, focusing on accessibility and pace of play. Its location near the University of Maryland campus gives it a functional role in the local golf landscape, providing a venue for recreational rounds, student play, and casual outings in a region where public golf options are valued for their availability and affordability.