New to USA Golf...

[clarkey_127]

Hi all

 

I'm relatively new to the USA (and the forum) having arrived in Boston from Australia. I've been trying to find somewhere to play but it seems the set up for golf here is a little different to what I am used to back in Oz. So I'm after a bit of help to get my golf game back on track and find somewhere to play regularly.

 

From what I have found there doesn't seem to be a consistent competition element to clubs here. Previously my home course that I was a member at would have member competitions Wednesday's (6am to 1230pm tee off), Friday (6am to 930am tee offs), Saturday (6am to 1230pm tee off) and Sunday (morning mixed with 9am to 12pm tee offs) usually in stabelford format but with various tweaks such as best ball, multipliers etc and stroke was once per month on a Saturday and Wednesday each, outside the club championships. Being a member of a club I was then afforded an opportunity to play at other courses in the area in their competitions (paying guest fees) if spots were available. So you could find a competitive game any day of the week basically.

 

Anyway thats the environment I'm used to playing so ideally I'd love for something similar, I'm looking to scratch that competitive itch, talk s*** and enjoy some golf. I'm happy to join a club here but given we are expats and likely to move somewhere else or return to Oz in the next 3-5 years so initiation fees don't make sense and I'll struggle to play over the July August period when the kids are off school the fees need to be reasonable definitely <5K maybe 3-4K. My two boys are starting to show some interest in golf so maybe a club with good family facilities would be worth paying a few extra $$$'s for...

 

 

​Any recommendations for something that comes close to my likely unreasonable expectations would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

Hi all

 

I'm relatively new to the USA (and the forum) having arrived in Boston from Australia. I've been trying to find somewhere to play but it seems the set up for golf here is a little different to what I am used to back in Oz. So I'm after a bit of help to get my golf game back on track and find somewhere to play regularly.

 

From what I have found there doesn't seem to be a consistent competition element to clubs here. Previously my home course that I was a member at would have member competitions Wednesday's (6am to 1230pm tee off), Friday (6am to 930am tee offs), Saturday (6am to 1230pm tee off) and Sunday (morning mixed with 9am to 12pm tee offs) usually in stabelford format but with various tweaks such as best ball, multipliers etc and stroke was once per month on a Saturday and Wednesday each, outside the club championships. Being a member of a club I was then afforded an opportunity to play at other courses in the area in their competitions (paying guest fees) if spots were available. So you could find a competitive game any day of the week basically.

 

Anyway thats the environment I'm used to playing so ideally I'd love for something similar, I'm looking to scratch that competitive itch, talk s*** and enjoy some golf. I'm happy to join a club here but given we are expats and likely to move somewhere else or return to Oz in the next 3-5 years so initiation fees don't make sense and I'll struggle to play over the July August period when the kids are off school the fees need to be reasonable definitely <5K maybe 3-4K. My two boys are starting to show some interest in golf so maybe a club with good family facilities would be worth paying a few extra $$$'s for...

 

 

​Any recommendations for something that comes close to my likely unreasonable expectations would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

I forgot to mention I'm in the Newton area if that helps....

[raynorfan1]

You've probably figured by now that you're not going to find a club close to Newton in the <$5,000 range, even as a junior "deal". Needham golf club (a nine holer one town over) is probably the closest you'll get.

 

Best bet from a competitive situation is to join one of the "touring" series - The New England Series or BAGS.

[clarkey_127]

You've probably figured by now that you're not going to find a club close to Newton in the <$5,000 range, even as a junior "deal". Needham golf club (a nine holer one town over) is probably the closest you'll get.

 

Best bet from a competitive situation is to join one of the "touring" series - The New England Series or BAGS.

 

I'm happy to travel up to an hour to find the right place, I might check out the touring series you mentioned, thanks

[raynorfan1]

An hour of travel probably does open up a bunch of options in your price range. I'd take a look at The International in Bolton - probably on the inside edge of an hour from Newton, two very good courses, good practice facility. I think they probably have <40 memberships for less than $5K.

[BrianL99]

An hour of travel probably does open up a bunch of options in your price range. I'd take a look at The International in Bolton - probably on the inside edge of an hour from Newton, two very good courses, good practice facility. I think they probably have <40 memberships for less than $5K.

 

Best Membership Value in New England, but there's no competitive golf there ... it's tough to get a game.

 

Call Robin at 978-779-1317

[medicoreMAgolfer]

Share Raynorfan's view - you're not going to find something close to Newton in that price range that is private. Just too much demand inside 128 and too few courses. If I were living in Newton, a couple of private places I would look into would be - Oakley, Sharon, Franklin, Blue HIll, Thorny Lea, Framingham, and Brockton. These are all probably in the 30-45 minute range. Some of them MAY have decent under 40 deals with low /no initiation. I don't have any specific knowledge on any of them, just things I Have heard over the years from folks

 

Public options - not sure I have great advice on what you're looking for. The public places near Newton (Leo J Martin, Newton Commonwealth, Brookline/Putterham) are all very long rounds and mediocre tracks. They may have mens clubs that allow you to get out early and have some sort of competitive dynamic - but not 100% sure. I am a big fan of George Wright in Boston, which is relatively close to parts of Newton and has some very good golfers there, but conditions are very iffy and not sure how the men's club works there given owned by the City of Boston

 

However, more broadly, the culture in New England for golf is very different than what you're experienced from Australia (which is a shame, IMHO). Most clubs, outside of the structured tournaments, don't have a competitive game on a weekly basis. You get your foursome, go play on Saturday morning with that group and go home. I have been told Franklin has a program on Saturday mornings where one guy organizes 4-6 foursomes, puts people in groups based on handicaps, they get the first tee times, people throw in $10 and it is a fun setup - but I don't know of many other places that have that structure

[Imp]

You've probably figured by now that you're not going to find a club close to Newton in the <$5,000 range, even as a junior "deal". Needham golf club (a nine holer one town over) is probably the closest you'll get.

 

Best bet from a competitive situation is to join one of the "touring" series - The New England Series or BAGS.

http://www.golfthetour.com or http://www.bagsgolfne.com

 

The Tour has about 2x the players every event than BAGS... so if you want a LOT of competition, then The Tour. If you want a smaller group? BAGS. :)

 

--kC

[clarkey_127]

An hour of travel probably does open up a bunch of options in your price range. I'd take a look at The International in Bolton - probably on the inside edge of an hour from Newton, two very good courses, good practice facility. I think they probably have <40 memberships for less than $5K.

 

Best Membership Value in New England, but there's no competitive golf there ... it's tough to get a game.

 

Call Robin at 978-779-1317

 

Ive tossed up joining the international a few times, good to hear the feedback is positive on it, thanks

[clarkey_127]

Share Raynorfan's view - you're not going to find something close to Newton in that price range that is private. Just too much demand inside 128 and too few courses. If I were living in Newton, a couple of private places I would look into would be - Oakley, Sharon, Franklin, Blue HIll, Thorny Lea, Framingham, and Brockton. These are all probably in the 30-45 minute range. Some of them MAY have decent under 40 deals with low /no initiation. I don't have any specific knowledge on any of them, just things I Have heard over the years from folks

 

Public options - not sure I have great advice on what you're looking for. The public places near Newton (Leo J Martin, Newton Commonwealth, Brookline/Putterham) are all very long rounds and mediocre tracks. They may have mens clubs that allow you to get out early and have some sort of competitive dynamic - but not 100% sure. I am a big fan of George Wright in Boston, which is relatively close to parts of Newton and has some very good golfers there, but conditions are very iffy and not sure how the men's club works there given owned by the City of Boston

 

However, more broadly, the culture in New England for golf is very different than what you're experienced from Australia (which is a shame, IMHO). Most clubs, outside of the structured tournaments, don't have a competitive game on a weekly basis. You get your foursome, go play on Saturday morning with that group and go home. I have been told Franklin has a program on Saturday mornings where one guy organizes 4-6 foursomes, puts people in groups based on handicaps, they get the first tee times, people throw in $10 and it is a fun setup - but I don't know of many other places that have that structure

 

cheers, I'll check those clubs out.

 

Back home I generally played with the same guys but if one or more of us couldn't play anyone slotted in or we jumped in another group, your handicap was always measured so you were always playing for something even if you weren't in the running for the trophy (usually a voucher in the pro shop). Admittedly probably because of this I struggle to just go out and play 18 holes on my own, I get bored as nothing is on the line, no consequences which probably shows some lack of self discipline!

[clarkey_127]

You've probably figured by now that you're not going to find a club close to Newton in the <$5,000 range, even as a junior "deal". Needham golf club (a nine holer one town over) is probably the closest you'll get.

 

Best bet from a competitive situation is to join one of the "touring" series - The New England Series or BAGS.

http://www.golfthetour.com or http://www.bagsgolfne.com

 

The Tour has about 2x the players every event than BAGS... so if you want a LOT of competition, then The Tour. If you want a smaller group? BAGS. :)

 

--kC

 

The Tour and BAGS looks interesting, it could be a good fit, I'll definitely look at these, ta

[ArtMBgolf]

Private courses are more likely to have regular members tournaments and show up and play events.

If they cost to much to join, consider a semi-private course, which is a course that doesn't have enough members to be

private, but will tend to have member type activities.

 

Some public courses have active men's clubs also, so visit the courses and ask about their golf associations.

 

And after you establish a handicap at one of these courses, you can play in state run tournaments.

[jdl]

 

However, more broadly, the culture in New England for golf is very different than what you're experienced from Australia (which is a shame, IMHO). Most clubs, outside of the structured tournaments, don't have a competitive game on a weekly basis. You get your foursome, go play on Saturday morning with that group and go home. I have been told Franklin has a program on Saturday mornings where one guy organizes 4-6 foursomes, puts people in groups based on handicaps, they get the first tee times, people throw in $10 and it is a fun setup - but I don't know of many other places that have that structure

 

Cyprian Keyes has a weekly "sweeps" on weekend mornings, similar deal to what you described, you join and throw in some cash, then there are prizes, skins, etc from that pool. I don't play in it but some friends do and they like it. My problem is I usually end up playing behind these groups and they are SLLLLOOOOWWWW. 5 hour rounds on a weekend morning. Ugh. I do give the staff there credit though, they are pretty good at organizing events for the members.

 

They also have at least one league that plays Thursday afternoons, might be other days as well.

 

Of course, most people don't like that course, so that may render this information moot. :)

[medicoreMAgolfer]

jdl - good point on leagues. I know in the metro west, the clubs have a bunch of leagues where you play other clubs. I am most familiar with the Thursday league, where you have to be 40 and have an index greater than 10 and less than 20. I believe there is a Friday league, where you need to have index of 5-20, but no age descrimination

[raynorfan1]

Private courses are more likely to have regular members tournaments and show up and play events.

If they cost to much to join, consider a semi-private course, which is a course that doesn't have enough members to be

private, but will tend to have member type activities.

 

Some public courses have active men's clubs also, so visit the courses and ask about their golf associations.

 

And after you establish a handicap at one of these courses, you can play in state run tournaments.

 

Sort of counter-intuitively, I think public courses probably have more regular competitive golf than privates, at least in New England. I'm a member of a private course and a "season pass" holder at a muni. The men's club at the muni has two events a week (Sundays and Thursdays).

 

The private course has relatively few members-only competitions. Maybe three or four events a year. Plus some random ones sprinkled in...but they're all one-off, without a season-long commitment. There are also a few member-guest events, but those are a very different beast. Each club has its own culture, but private clubs in the US generally don't lend themselves to competitive golf because the pool of players - when limited to members - is too small to get good turnout every week. If you have 300 members, and 25% of them are at all interested in competitive golf, you've got a max of 75 participants in any given week. You'd be lucky to get ten guys to show up.

[Imp]

And after you establish a handicap at one of these courses, you can play in state run tournaments.

More info on State tourneys: http://www.mgalinks.org/

 

*If* you do wish to someday play in state tourneys or even some other clubs, they may ask you get a GHIN. Joining a group/league may or may not get you a GHIN http://www.ghin.com/ (Which is what most clubs use to track handicap here in the US). Just be sure to ask before you join if you get a GHIN (pronounced GIN) or not.

 

--kC

[clarkey_127]

Thanks for the help, will see how I go!

 

Ta

[jimb6golf]

Not sure about the prices but try Foxborough CC, Cape Club of Sharon and Hopkinton CC. You could also try Charles River CC, Woodland GC and Walpole CC but they are likely a lot more money. All are within an hour of Newton with good course layouts, etc. Not sure about the competitive games though.

[SecondandGoal]

Probably right around your hour drive range, Country Club of Halifax (Halifax, MA) might be a good choice if you haven't already hooked up somewhere. No initiation fees, one of the lowest annual dues in the area. There's even a couple specials going right now - join for 2018 now, get the balance of 2017 for free, and if you have a referral from a member, which I'd be happy to provide, you get 20% off your first year and 15% off your second year dues - that make it even more reasonable, and well below your budget.

 

Lots of competition on the course, in the form of regular tournaments, a Wednesday night men's league, and constant weekend mini-competitions.

 

Shoot me a PM if you want more details.