Recommendation for a couple - quick 18 / Boston area

[Ross_Albatross]

We're heading south to Boston in 3 weeks, my girlfriend and I, to see the Habs-Bruins home season opener + Pats on Sunday and we'd like to sneak in a quick 18 probably on Friday, if not, then Saturday. Quick disclaimer:

• Relatively decent players, my index is hovering around 2-4 and her's is at 14 / I'm playing from 6,500ish and she's comfortable up to 5,300ish;
• We're club members, 2 tracks, and one is a links course - a bit similar to Granite Links, so that wouldn't be that much of an experience (unless the sight/skyline/tavern is truly worth it);
• We're usually walkers and it seems the Boston area is friendly to that (don't mind cart obviously), we'll have our clubs (not bringing our push carts) and we don't mind carrying if it's not tremendously hilly;
• Rates wise, ok going up to 150$ish if it's definitely worth it (paid a lot more at some other tracks, Mayakoba for one) or else we're totally fine with 'cheaper' options if it doesn't mean rounded tee boxes, patchy greens, etc;
• We'll be staying in the Back Bay area - ok with 45ish minute drive or even more, if that means an unforgettable day;
• Any other pointers as it relates to golf in Boston at this time of year?

 

Been reading a bit here and there... few names that always pop up, that we could get a tee time at (it seems) : The Wright / The Park / South Shore / Granite Links / Red Tail / Shaker Hills / Butter Brook / Gannon / Brookmeadow / Brookline / Braintree... else? Otherwise, if there's a way to sneak in to a private club, we'd definitely be up for that. Been lurking on the websites of the courses I've mentioned above and none are offering tee times 3 weeks in advance, figures... any way of securing a tee time without having to jump on the site when the window is open?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Imp]

Skip Granite Links. Not worth it.

 

If you can get a recip on any of the privates and there are a ton of them, that should be your 1st choice, except TCC in Brookline... unless your club is top 50 private already, or you know someone, you're not getting on. Maybe look into Dedham Golf and Polo, Brae Burn, Cohassett, Hatherly, Widows Walk. Lots of public tracks inside 95... The International is outside of 495, but also nice (since you mentioned red tail). 

 

Publics, GeoWright best bet hands down. Not much else "in boston" worth it other than that. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ross_Albatross]

1 hour ago, Imp said:

Skip Granite Links. Not worth it.

 

If you can get a recip on any of the privates and there are a ton of them, that should be your 1st choice, except TCC in Brookline... unless your club is top 50 private already, or you know someone, you're not getting on. Maybe look into Dedham Golf and Polo, Brae Burn, Cohassett, Hatherly, Widows Walk. Lots of public tracks inside 95... The International is outside of 495, but also nice (since you mentioned red tail). 

 

Publics, GeoWright best bet hands down. Not much else "in boston" worth it other than that. 

 

Thanks for the quick reply; I'll reach out to my pro to see if anything's possible on his end... or else, I'll say that I've known a few Ouimet... on the public side, everywhere I looked everyone is giving great reviews to George Wright - bit intriguing, interesting for a local club

[trilinkrealty]

Unless your pro can connect you somewhere George Wright is definitely the answer. Such a fun course!  I'll be there monday

[goduke7]

Sign up for Thousand Greens and put in a request. I'd bet someone will host you two. 

[Ross_Albatross]

16 hours ago, goduke7 said:

Sign up for Thousand Greens and put in a request. I'd bet someone will host you two. 

Damn, good call thanks - didn't know about Thousand Greens, read a bit and will see about going that route.

[goduke7]

NP. Just put all the details you mentioned in your request. Someone will host you. I know if I saw that and was free I would without hesitation. 

Also FWIW guest fees at all the privates is $150 or thereabouts. 

[Ross_Albatross]

26 minutes ago, goduke7 said:

NP. Just put all the details you mentioned in your request. Someone will host you. I know if I saw that and was free I would without hesitation. 

Also FWIW guest fees at all the privates is $150 or thereabouts. 

Perfect - it's right down our alley, if the experience is worth it (which is should/would)

[Imp]

There's a fun little 9 hole course in Whitinsville... private, old, donald ross course that is the 2nd best (should be 1st) in the country. Whitinsville GC. Not sure if they do Thousand Greens. WELL worth the drive. But, It's a hike and I get it.

[goduke7]

Whitinsville is on TG and has a high acceptance rate. Most of the MA courses have very high acceptance rates. Winchester is the only glaring omission from the list. 

[jimb6golf]

There are plenty of courses in the Boston area worth playing.  If you can get onto the private courses try for the Donald Ross courses, they are really special.  Also consider TPC Boston, or Foxboro (near the stadium) some other private courses and really nice this time of year.

 

Oh the public side you have:

$$$

Pine Hills (RTJ course)

Red Tail, in Devens

Shaker Hills

 

$$

Butterbrook

Crosswinds

Sandy Burr

George Wright

 

$ (not that anything is inexpensive unfortunately)

Olde Scotland Links

Brookmeadow

Maplegate

 

There are plenty more but they may be too far away for you (although some above are an hour or more outside the city).  I'm not that familiar with those north of the city, but I'm sure there are a few there as well.  Good luck and enjoy the weekend in the Boston area.

[Ross_Albatross]

On 9/25/2024 at 8:02 PM, jimb6golf said:

There are plenty of courses in the Boston area worth playing.  If you can get onto the private courses try for the Donald Ross courses, they are really special.  Also consider TPC Boston, or Foxboro (near the stadium) some other private courses and really nice this time of year.

 

Oh the public side you have:

$$$

Pine Hills (RTJ course)

Red Tail, in Devens

Shaker Hills

 

$$

Butterbrook

Crosswinds

Sandy Burr

George Wright

 

$ (not that anything is inexpensive unfortunately)

Olde Scotland Links

Brookmeadow

Maplegate

 

There are plenty more but they may be too far away for you (although some above are an hour or more outside the city).  I'm not that familiar with those north of the city, but I'm sure there are a few there as well.  Good luck and enjoy the weekend in the Boston area.

Thanks for those recommendations, they'll come in handy if nothing comes up on the private side. I'll look into a few options that weren't on my radar yet.

[Ross_Albatross]

Round is this upcoming Friday - I was unable to grab a tee time at George Wright (nothing showing on their website this morning at 7am and when it did, rounds starting at 3pm)... so had backups plans at Shaker Hills and Butter Brook - both tee times around 11am on Friday, same price range, same distance from our hotel; what would your pick between the two, why?

[goduke7]

2 hours ago, PracticeSwinger said:

Round is this upcoming Friday - I was unable to grab a tee time at George Wright (nothing showing on their website this morning at 7am and when it did, rounds starting at 3pm)... so had backups plans at Shaker Hills and Butter Brook - both tee times around 11am on Friday, same price range, same distance from our hotel; what would your pick between the two, why?

Shaker. Generally better conditioned. 

Edited October 7, 2024 by goduke7

[goduke7]

While out in Harvard or Westford you likely want to do the most basic New England thing ever and go get some apples and take pictures with the leaves. Hollis Hill Farm in Fitchburg has views of Wachusett Mountain, pretty solid food - burgers, pulled pork, brisket type stuff and a full bar. Carlson Orchard is in Harvard has excellent hard cider. Food menu is more limited to apps and pizza though. Doe Orchard in Harvard and has a more traditional farmstand and apple picking scene. No F&B. 

 

 The food at shaker is fine if youre getting a burger, but if it was me and I was coming in and finished golf at 3:30 (Yes youll be looking at a 4+ hour round), I'd go to Hollis Hill as they have a band from 5-8 on Friday, listen to some music, grab a beer and watch the sun set over WaWa. 

[Ross_Albatross]

2 hours ago, goduke7 said:

While out in Harvard or Westford you likely want to do the most basic New England thing ever and go get some apples and take pictures with the leaves. Hollis Hill Farm in Fitchburg has views of Wachusett Mountain, pretty solid food - burgers, pulled pork, brisket type stuff and a full bar. Carlson Orchard is in Harvard has excellent hard cider. Food menu is more limited to apps and pizza though. Doe Orchard in Harvard and has a more traditional farmstand and apple picking scene. No F&B. 

 

 The food at shaker is fine if youre getting a burger, but if it was me and I was coming in and finished golf at 3:30 (Yes youll be looking at a 4+ hour round), I'd go to Hollis Hill as they have a band from 5-8 on Friday, listen to some music, grab a beer and watch the sun set over WaWa. 

Thanks for that! I've read about the 4+ hours round at Shaker, no worries - we're on a mini vacations and we'll go there with that attitude (can't complain with Habs-Bruins opener + round of golf + Pats-Texans on Sunday). That message was been forwarded to my GF, the official foodie organizer of the weekend haha

[jdl]

On 10/7/2024 at 9:59 AM, PracticeSwinger said:

Round is this upcoming Friday - I was unable to grab a tee time at George Wright (nothing showing on their website this morning at 7am and when it did, rounds starting at 3pm)... so had backups plans at Shaker Hills and Butter Brook - both tee times around 11am on Friday, same price range, same distance from our hotel; what would your pick between the two, why?

I like Butter Brook better but it's just a personal preference. Kind of like that the front 9 is mainly tree-lined holes and then the back 9 is more out in the open. Shaker has more dramatic elevation changes. Also much better clubhouse and practice facilities if that matters to you.

Edited October 8, 2024 by jdl

[Ross_Albatross]

3 minutes ago, jdl said:

I like Butter Brook better but it's just a personal preference. Kind of like that the front 9 is mainly tree-lined holes and then the back 9 is more out in the open. Shaker has more dramatic elevation changes. Also much better clubhouse and practice facilities if that matters to you.

Thanks for the explanation; seems we can’t go wrong with either - good reviews all around… except for pace of play at both spots, but as I mentioned; we’ll be there with a vacations mindset so nothing to worry about (unless it means getting harassed by rangers)

[ingster1]

I’ve played both Shaker and Butterbrook a bunch over the years.  Both are good public courses with decent conditions and layouts.  I find Shaker to be a bit more challenging overall with more elevation changes and greens that are faster and typically more sloping.  

[Ross_Albatross]

2 hours ago, ingster1 said:

I’ve played both Shaker and Butterbrook a bunch over the years.  Both are good public courses with decent conditions and layouts.  I find Shaker to be a bit more challenging overall with more elevation changes and greens that are faster and typically more sloping.  

Thanks for that; seems like it by looking at the rating/slope evaluation between the two courses. Just wanted to figure out if both were in good conditions lately (tee boxes, fairways, greens) or if one was a clear winner in that regard

[ingster1]

30 minutes ago, PracticeSwinger said:

Thanks for that; seems like it by looking at the rating/slope evaluation between the two courses. Just wanted to figure out if both were in good conditions lately (tee boxes, fairways, greens) or if one was a clear winner in that regard

Candidly, I haven’t played either recently so I can’t really comment on current conditions.  I will say that both courses get a lot of play in the summer.  

[jimb6golf]

Both good courses in my opinion with some nice New England scenery too (trees are changing colors currently so it should be a nice round).  As others stated Butter Brooks has a parkland feel front nine and a links feel back nine.  I believe both courses were designed by Brian Silva who did a lot of the better courses in this area too, not 100% on that one though.  Can't really go wrong with either course in nice conditions.  Enjoy the golf, the Bruins and Pats (well maybe not the latter as they are disappointing this year).

[Ross_Albatross]

On 10/9/2024 at 3:23 PM, jimb6golf said:

Both good courses in my opinion with some nice New England scenery too (trees are changing colors currently so it should be a nice round).  As others stated Butter Brooks has a parkland feel front nine and a links feel back nine.  I believe both courses were designed by Brian Silva who did a lot of the better courses in this area too, not 100% on that one though.  Can't really go wrong with either course in nice conditions.  Enjoy the golf, the Bruins and Pats (well maybe not the latter as they are disappointing this year).

Thanks for the info!… it’s go Habs go tonight (not much expectations though)! And we’ll definitely be rooting for the Pats come Sunday, they need it

[Judge Smails]

Butter Brook all day!! I don't live in Mass anymore but BB is one of the few courses I miss!

[cbbaron]

On 10/10/2024 at 4:53 PM, PracticeSwinger said:

Thanks for the info!… it’s go Habs go tonight (not much expectations though)! And we’ll definitely be rooting for the Pats come Sunday, they need it

This Bruins fan wishes the Habs would become relevant again

[Ross_Albatross]

On 10/13/2024 at 8:25 PM, cbbaron said:

This Bruins fan wishes the Habs would become relevant again

They got a good young core, but still a few years away I would guess. Was a fun game last Thursday, got chirped good with our Habs jerseys on, loved it !