Private courses turned semi-private...

[RhodyGolf]

I recently saw that Agawam Hunt in Rumford, RI and Metacomet in East Providence, RI are offering public tee times. Has anyone played either of these courses? Which one is worth a shot first?

 

Are there any other privates turned semi-private in the RI/CT/MA area that don't really advertise that you can play them without being a member?

[SecondandGoal]

Don't really want to advertise it, but my club went semi-private this year. CC of Halifax, Halifax MA. Worst thing that's happened to the club. Used to be able to get in a 3-hour round on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, not any more.

[chippa13]

Any course you can play in 3 hours on the weekend without being the first group out probably doesn't have enough members to survive.

[jdl]

> @RhodyGolf said:

> I recently saw that Agawam Hunt in Rumford, RI and Metacomet in East Providence, RI are offering public tee times. Has anyone played either of these courses? Which one is worth a shot first?

 

Just booked some times for 8/24 at Metacomet, will let you know how it goes. :)

 

> Are there any other privates turned semi-private in the RI/CT/MA area that don't really advertise that you can play them without being a member?

 

Marlboro CC allows public play on Mondays I believe. The International goes back and forth on allowing the public. It looks like now you'd need to stay at their lodge to be able to play.

[Drudersh]

> @chippa13 said:

> Any course you can play in 3 hours on the weekend without being the first group out probably doesn't have enough members to survive.

 

Or is a course you'll never get the invite to join.

[RIFairways]

Played both Agawum and Metacomet. Both are great tracks but I do prefer Metacomet. Metacomet were some of the best greens I've ever played when i played a couple years ago. I saw tee times for Pawtucket Country Club and Segregansett in Taunton on GolfNow. Louisquisset in North Providence and Glocester Country Club are two 9 hole private courses in Northern RI that allows some public play.

[umassgolfer]

I played Agawam Hunt Club a few times 4-5 years back. Good course, but it was the laid-back vibe of the place and the "walk-up, walk-out" nature of it that was the coolest aspect to me, Mr. Public Course guy. Some really fun holes. Bummer to see the club is struggling. $65 to play that course (based on a quick search) seems like a steal for a nice Ross design, even more so if they're keeping it in good shape.

[Imp]

One of the biggest laments I hear about old courses and joining there, "do they have a range?" Fall River? Nope. Agawam Hunt (only early in the morning as they use the 18th hole as the range). Pawtucket? Wannamoisett? Metacomet? Nope. Most of the old courses don't have ranges to warm up with other than a net if you're lucky.

 

However, I wouldn't fall into the trap of calling a course that allows limited public play as "semi-private". To me, a semi-private means they allow almost as much public play, leagues, etc... as members, and usually with blocked off tee times on weekend mornings for members only. Specifically, a semi-private is where the members still have to make a tee time during the busy periods if they want to guarantee a tee time (vs just showing up, where private clubs are nicer, you just show up).

 

I have always liked Agawam Hunt and Metacomet layouts better (more open, less tree-lined, more elevation changes) than Pawtucket and Wannamoisett, (mostly tree-lined straight out and back). Then we add Ledgemont into the mix (and Crestwood in Rehoboth)... and there are a LOT of choices for membership money, and Ledgemont and Crestwood courses are both really fun and varied tracks (vs straight out and back and old greens mostly sloped back to front).

 

The only thing I can think of why Agawam is suffering a hard time, is because within 3 miles, you have 5 courses on that side of the Providence river, which are all private (A.H., Metacomet, Pawtucket, Wannamoisett, Ledgemont) . Something's gotta give, one or two (even three maybe) will lose when memberships start dropping. Then another 1-2 miles away, you also have Crestwood, in Rehoboth.

 

Which private club would you rather play at (speaking from experience here...)? Do you want to hear cars, highway, sirens (fire/police) quite a bit (not all the time) when you're playing? Or do you want it quieter, more secluded, where you don't have constant ambient sounds other than mostly nature? Former: AH, Metacomet, Pawtucket, Wannamoisett. Latter: Ledgemont (Mostly) and then Crestwood (really quiet). My money is on Crestwood. It's 15 minutes away from all those other courses and I know quite a few that went there from the other clubs. Another reason I'd put Crestwood against the others, even though it's newer? The outdoor bar they put in a few years ago. :)

 

--kC

 

 

 

 

[VOX]

> @chippa13 said:

> Any course you can play in 3 hours on the weekend without being the first group out probably doesn't have enough members to survive.

 

I don't know about that. I have played Augusta National and Pine Valley in under three hours and they seem solvent.

 

[1s1k]

> @VOX said:

> > @chippa13 said:

> > Any course you can play in 3 hours on the weekend without being the first group out probably doesn't have enough members to survive.

>

> I don't know about that. I have played Augusta National and Pine Valley in under three hours and they seem solvent.

>

 

Nice humble brag

[kpm0915]

Planning on playing Metacomet next Monday. Can anyone speak of current conditions?

[chippa13]

> @VOX said:

> > @chippa13 said:

> > Any course you can play in 3 hours on the weekend without being the first group out probably doesn't have enough members to survive.

>

> I don't know about that. I have played Augusta National and Pine Valley in under three hours and they seem solvent.

>

 

Gee, sorry I didn't hedge my comment with the ultra-exclusive but of course someone has to toss out the exceptions.

[jdl]

> @kpm0915 said:

> Planning on playing Metacomet next Monday. Can anyone speak of current conditions?

 

How was it?

[NJGolfer0624]

Headed to Metacomet next Wednesday.... I will post an update.

[jdl]

Played Metacomet today, course is in good shape. A few strange things - as it's a private course, there are no markings at the tee box to tell you what hole you're on. Wasn't too tough to figure out once we found #1 though. Routing is pretty straightforward, there are a couple of holes where it would be nice to have played it once before but not too bad. Of course the greens are very fast and tricky, a couple of pin placements were really brutal. This article might be helpful to get an idea on how to play some of the holes https://theobsessedgolfer.com/course-reviews/metacomet-country-club/.

Back 9 has some oddities. 10 is a decent, long par 3. Then the 11th is one of the strangest holes I've ever played. It's a simple par 4, but it's used as the driving range by the members. So you're teeing off, and 50 yards or so in front of and off to the right, the members are hitting yellow range balls out into the fairway. So first of all, use a white ball on that hole! There does seem to be a protocol that they will stop hitting while you are hitting your second shot. And BTW, that second shot is hit over the entrance road! So between the driving range and having to make sure traffic is stopped, it's a weird hole. Then #12 is a 240 yard par 3. Or maybe a short par 4, probably better to think of it that way.

Last peculiarity is when we were done, around 3:30 or so. Went to the outdoor patio and got some drinks. But the kitchen had closed, so no food!

Overall I really liked it. Putted terribly and my short game was off, but still had a good time.

[Bnelly428]

> @SecondandGoal said:

> Don't really want to advertise it, but my club went semi-private this year. CC of Halifax, Halifax MA. Worst thing that's happened to the club. Used to be able to get in a 3-hour round on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, not any more.

 

I played CC of Halifax last year or 2017 through GolfNow. Really enjoyed the course and thought about joining. I'm still in the city so it was quite the drive.

 

What are the rounds taking on the weekend now? 5+?

[SecondandGoal]

> @Bnelly428 said:

> > @SecondandGoal said:

> > Don't really want to advertise it, but my club went semi-private this year. CC of Halifax, Halifax MA. Worst thing that's happened to the club. Used to be able to get in a 3-hour round on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, not any more.

>

> I played CC of Halifax last year or 2017 through GolfNow. Really enjoyed the course and thought about joining. I'm still in the city so it was quite the drive.

>

> What are the rounds taking on the weekend now? 5+?

 

No, it's not that bad. Morning rounds are still about 3:30 to 3:45. Afternoon rounds are more like 4 to 4:30. Still better than most public courses.

 

Whoever brought up the point about the course not surviving when you can play in 3 hours on a weekend afternoon is probably right, but I still miss it. "Street people", as we affectionately refer to them, in general have no respect for the course, and no consideration for others. Slow as all hell. There are, obviously, some members like that, but overall it's a great club with mostly great members. I live less than a mile up the street, so we're there all the time, and still more than getting our money's worth out of our membership.

 

They're doing the annual "pay for next year now, get the rest of this year free" special again, and also offering a 20% first year/15% second year discount if you're referred by a member (which I'd be happy to do, as I get the same discount). Not sure what age group you fall into, but they added a very reasonable "young executive" membership.

[cbbaron]

> @SecondandGoal said:

> > @Bnelly428 said:

> > > @SecondandGoal said:

> > > Don't really want to advertise it, but my club went semi-private this year. CC of Halifax, Halifax MA. Worst thing that's happened to the club. Used to be able to get in a 3-hour round on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, not any more.

> >

> > I played CC of Halifax last year or 2017 through GolfNow. Really enjoyed the course and thought about joining. I'm still in the city so it was quite the drive.

> >

> > What are the rounds taking on the weekend now? 5+?

>

> No, it's not that bad. Morning rounds are still about 3:30 to 3:45. Afternoon rounds are more like 4 to 4:30. Still better than most public courses.

>

> Whoever brought up the point about the course not surviving when you can play in 3 hours on a weekend afternoon is probably right, but I still miss it. "Street people", as we affectionately refer to them, in general have no respect for the course, and no consideration for others. Slow as all ****. There are, obviously, some members like that, but overall it's a great club with mostly great members. I live less than a mile up the street, so we're there all the time, and still more than getting our money's worth out of our membership.

>

> They're doing the annual "pay for next year now, get the rest of this year free" special again, and also offering a 20% first year/15% second year discount if you're referred by a member (which I'd be happy to do, as I get the same discount). Not sure what age group you fall into, but they added a very reasonable "young executive" membership.

 

Ive always wanted to play CC of Halifax been to few weddings there will try to get there before season is over

[SecondandGoal]

> @cbbaron said:

> > @SecondandGoal said:

> > > @Bnelly428 said:

> > > > @SecondandGoal said:

> > > > Don't really want to advertise it, but my club went semi-private this year. CC of Halifax, Halifax MA. Worst thing that's happened to the club. Used to be able to get in a 3-hour round on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, not any more.

> > >

> > > I played CC of Halifax last year or 2017 through GolfNow. Really enjoyed the course and thought about joining. I'm still in the city so it was quite the drive.

> > >

> > > What are the rounds taking on the weekend now? 5+?

> >

> > No, it's not that bad. Morning rounds are still about 3:30 to 3:45. Afternoon rounds are more like 4 to 4:30. Still better than most public courses.

> >

> > Whoever brought up the point about the course not surviving when you can play in 3 hours on a weekend afternoon is probably right, but I still miss it. "Street people", as we affectionately refer to them, in general have no respect for the course, and no consideration for others. Slow as all ****. There are, obviously, some members like that, but overall it's a great club with mostly great members. I live less than a mile up the street, so we're there all the time, and still more than getting our money's worth out of our membership.

> >

> > They're doing the annual "pay for next year now, get the rest of this year free" special again, and also offering a 20% first year/15% second year discount if you're referred by a member (which I'd be happy to do, as I get the same discount). Not sure what age group you fall into, but they added a very reasonable "young executive" membership.

>

> Ive always wanted to play CC of Halifax been to few weddings there will try to get there before season is over

 

It's a great track, the superintendent is a genius. Greens aren't quite as pristine as they have been in the past because of the added play and j3rks that can't be bothered to repair their ball marks, but they're still superb.

[1s1k]

Just had to cancel my noon tee time at CC of Halifax. Looks like some nasty weather is rolling in. I was really looking forward to playing there as I have never been there.

[jimb6golf]

> @umassgolfer said:

> I played Agawam Hunt Club a few times 4-5 years back. Good course, but it was the laid-back vibe of the place and the "walk-up, walk-out" nature of it that was the coolest aspect to me, Mr. Public Course guy. Some really fun holes. Bummer to see the club is struggling. $65 to play that course (based on a quick search) seems like a steal for a nice Ross design, even more so if they're keeping it in good shape.

 

Just played in a tournament at Agawam a couple of weeks ago and it was a pretty nice course. Some rough areas they still need to fix (hole 15 comes to mind) but overall it's a fun, challenging course with lots of elevation changes. I only drove by Metacommet and it looked pretty good too.

[kpm0915]

Metacomet was great, those greens were fast and pure.