Massachusetts Golf Courses - Eastern Mass Boston, North, South

[Judge Smails]

Red Tail, Waverly, Crosswinds, Shaker, Blackstone, etc

I moved to Boston two years ago and when I moved I would have appreciated a few reviews. So here we go . . .

Red Tail - Amazing course, really great lay out. Expensive and a bit of a driver, but it won't disapoint. Great conditon all around, plenty challenging without being overally penal. Lots of variety and interesting design from hole to hole.

Waverly - I enjoyed this course a lot. It is cheaper than Pine Hills (which I have not played) so I check it out. Plymouth isn't a bad day drive at all from anywhere Boston or south so long as there isn't Cape traffic. Waverly was fun lay out, in solid shape. The greens were very nice and ran fairly fast and true. Condition wasn't out of this world for a premium course, but still quite nice.

Crosswinds - The new neighbor to Waverly. I love course that skimp on the fancy stuff (no club house yet) but have a great lay out. Crosswinds had a lot of interesting holes and a lot of elevation changes. I played the front nine of the original 18 and the new 27 "Z" course. The front nine was fun, but I thought a bit overally penal. The greens were a bit on the slow side but in nice shape. I really enjoyed the back on the Z course. Not quite as penal, but still very exciting and fun. Some very cool holes here.

Blackstone Valley - Played when I was out in Worcester. Solid course.

Shaker Hills - This place was fine. Decent condition, quality lay out, what you would exect from a higher priced course. BUT, pace of play was horrible AND they throw you off at 7 pm. NO matter how much day light was left. Starting around 2 and not fininishing in 5 hours and not being allowed to play 17 and 18 were enough for me to never go back. But the course itself is fine.

Presidents - Fun little track, right in Quincy. Short but well conditioned. Best of the "city" courses in my opinion as far as conditioning. Fun little place and worth checking out for a quick 9 or 18.

Acushnet River Valley- Not sure what it cost because I played in a tourney, but I think the rates are reasonable. This place is far away but I was working in the area at the time I played. I really enjoyed the lay out here and was pleased with the condition. Really solid course all around.

[Sean2]

I would also suggest you play Atlantic and Southers Marsh, also in Plymouth, and Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater.

[Judge Smails]

I haven't heard of Marsh, but I have played Old Scotland and thought it was very average. Not a bad track for the price though I suppose.

[Sean2]

Southers Marsh is mostly par 3s with a few par 4s. It is always rated one of the top golf courses in the area. You can check them out here: http://www.southersmarsh.com/

[Judge Smails]

Hmm, strange that it isn't a "full" or "real" course, but does look like it is well conditioned.

[Sean2]

It is challenging. Lots of carries over cranberry bogs. Nice track.

[wdailey3]

Any thoughts by anybody about Granite Links?

[Awalkspoiled]

Any thoughts by anybody about Granite Links?

 

Ridiculously overpriced, but some nice views and nice challenges if you play far enough back. I've been twice and won't go back on my own dime. If you go too far forward it's a 3w/wedge course. Pace of play is slow, and it seems to be a hard-drinking, hooting and hollering rather than a serious golf atmosphere type of place. My first time there we were following a fivesome and the threesome behind us drove into us three times. Of course, they were three guys playing from the front tees. Overall I was disappointed - put this place 30 miles from the city and it would attract no notice.

[jrm6458]

I can't say I have played any of the previously mentioned courses as I play mostly in Metro West Boston. My usual haunt is Stow Acres. It is a little pricey, but both the North and South courses offer a challenge yet are very different courses in terms of strategy.

Butternut Farms, which is just down the round from Stow, is also a good course. It is very tight and gets a bit boring at times. Not very long...mostly 3W and wedge. Pass of play depends on the day at both courses. During the week, it is very reasonable.

Sandy Burr in Wayland is another course. Front nine is fun. Back nine is very boring. Driver, wedge the entire time. Good course if you just want to play...pace of play is atrocious though.

Maplegate is another course I've had the chance to play. It is in Bellingham (45 minutes form the city). Not a bad course. Have only played it once. I seem to remember that it was in good shape especially for playing at the beginning of November.

I also played Owl's Nest up near Woodstock, NH and a course in Eastman, NH (can't remember the name). Not bad courses but I don't like the courses in New Hampshire because of the severe elevation changes. You get penalized so much just because you have never played there. I don't like finding my ball in a hazard after I just striped what looked like a beautiful ball. Not very fun. They are beautiful courses, though.

If remember any of the other courses, I 'll let you know.

Anyone played New England Country Club?

[MrMom]

[quote name='jrm6458' post='847195' date='Jan 3 2008, 12:54 PM']I can't say I have played any of the previously mentioned courses as I play mostly in Metro West Boston. My usual haunt is Stow Acres. It is a little pricey, but both the North and South courses offer a challenge yet are very different courses in terms of strategy.

Butternut Farms, which is just down the round from Stow, is also a good course. It is very tight and gets a bit boring at times. Not very long...mostly 3W and wedge. Pass of play depends on the day at both courses. During the week, it is very reasonable.

Sandy Burr in Wayland is another course. Front nine is fun. Back nine is very boring. Driver, wedge the entire time. Good course if you just want to play...pace of play is atrocious though.

Maplegate is another course I've had the chance to play. It is in Bellingham (45 minutes form the city). Not a bad course. Have only played it once. I seem to remember that it was in good shape especially for playing at the beginning of November.

I also played Owl's Nest up near Woodstock, NH and a course in Eastman, NH (can't remember the name). Not bad courses but I don't like the courses in New Hampshire because of the severe elevation changes. You get penalized so much just because you have never played there. I don't like finding my ball in a hazard after I just striped what looked like a beautiful ball. Not very fun. They are beautiful courses, though.

If remember any of the other courses, I 'll let you know.

Anyone played New England Country Club?[/quote]

If you are coming out to Metrowest to play MapleGate another course just as nice near by is Glen Ellen. Glen Ellen is a nice track at a good price, more wide open. You may want to play it this year because they are thinking about tearing it up in 2009 to build Condos. If they build they will be keeping nine holes and have it run through the condo complex.

[url="http://www.glenellencc.com/"]http://www.glenellencc.com/[/url]

Q: Anyone played New England Country Club?
R:
Played it a few years back. Nice course a little tight driving on some holes, more of a target course with some forced carries. Hale Irwin did the re-design. Nice but seemed just a litle pricey if I remember correct.

[freddiec]

I heard that Hollywood, (yes Hollywood in California) just purchased Waverly Oaks in Plymouth, MA. They plan on creating some type of East coast Hollywood in the area. Not exactly sure what the means, but I heard it from 2 good sources.

[dmagalhaes]

I heard that Hollywood, (yes Hollywood in California) just purchased Waverly Oaks in Plymouth, MA. They plan on creating some type of East coast Hollywood in the area. Not exactly sure what the means, but I heard it from 2 good sources.

 

You are correct, It will be open until October of 2009 and then leveled to build Plymouth Rock Studios. Sadly, I played Acushnet River Valley last thursday (I live 10 minutes away and play there 2 or 3X per year) and it is not the same as when the OP played it last year. It is a town owned course and condition wise has gone down due to the town's financial troubles. What used to be a lush course is now brown and hard.