When Atlantis fell, the only survivors were its golfers, whose vast knowledge of water hazards saw them to safety. Hone game-saving skills with today's Groupon: for $110, you get a one-person golf package (a $240 value) at Blue Mash Golf Course in Laytonsville. The golf package includes the following:
An all-day golf outing that includes the following:
- 18 holes of golf, including cart rental (up to a $79 value)
- A large bucket of range balls (a $11 value)
- A lunch voucher for $20 worth of grill fare, sandwiches, and drinks
A one-hour private golf lesson with head pro Mike O’Barsky (a $130 value). The lesson may be scheduled separately from the golf outing.
Blue Mash's course takes club-toting competitors careening through 6,885 yards of well-kempt emerald alleyways designed by prolific course architect Arthur Hills. Begin a day of wanton divot tearing and tender iron hugging with a stint at the all-grass driving range, where a bucket of range balls duly subject themselves to experimental swings as golfers take aim at distant targets. An obedient golf cart then transports duffers to the first tee, where a double dogleg forces them to either carry a half-dozen bunkers and land on the second section of the fairway or precisely roll shorter orbs onto an ever-narrowing tract of short grass. Much of the back nine circles a central body of water, demanding confident play, safe drives, and secret incantations to stave off the waterlogged spirits of abandoned balls. After a hard-fought game, players can redeem their $20 lunch voucher for meatball subs ($7.50 each), chicken wings ($6.75 for 8), and other noshes from Blue Mash's menu of savory grill fare.
In a separate or same-day session, runaway swings gain traction during a one-hour lesson with head pro and Golf Performance Academy founder Mike O'Barsky. Renowned for belting dimpled orbs more than 400 yards—in spite of a 145-pound stature—Mike imparts the subtle art-science of his smooth swing to clients hoping to improve driver accuracy and distance, also teaching other on-course facets such as chipping, pitching, and competitive grass counting.