Highfields or Shining Rock??

[BBKB1217]

which do people prefer??

 

will be out in the area on Thurs and will have the afternoon to sneak out.

[bryanr]

I've never played Highfields. Shining Rock is a great course and well worth the play, though keep in mind that they haven't built a clubhouse yet and there are no practice facilities (not even a putting green last I was there). If you're traveling in and looking for a place to spend the day or grab a bite after, Highfields would be the better choice (it does look nice and has good reviews).

[BBKB1217]

good point. I dont need much in the way of facilities (love Cross Winds and Butter Brook and they both just have trailers for clubhouses) so its not really a factor for me.

I could always warm up at Highlands and then head down to Shining Rock if people feel thats the better course. From what Ive been able to read, seems like I cant really go wrong at either.

[MAPster]

For my money its Highfields every time.

[Judge Smails]

I am really not a fan of Shining Rock. I'd take Crosswinds anyday. I don't like the front at Butterbrook, but would rather play there before Shining Rock as well.

[DCSerafin]

In my opinion, these are totally different courses (so easy to compare and contrast), but it like comparing a car to a truck. It depends on what type of course you want to play. Shining Rock is target golf and the first 4 or 5 holes are very difficult. The greens are very undulating and for the most part if your off the fairway, your dead. Expect a long round playing during peak times and walking is just not an option. At Highfields, you can hit driver on many holes and spray the ball around somewhat. Three of the Four par fives are reachable in two and you can go very low. There is a lot of OB (due to the houses bordering the course). The greens are large and while some are sloped and certainly have breaks, nothing compared to Shining Rock. I would compare the "layouts" of Shining Rock to Cyprian Keyes and Highfields to Kettle Brook.

Conditions Overall: Both comparable but Kettle Brook is more mature so you "should expect" it to be more plush.

Tees: very comparable but certainly the above statement comes into play

Fairways/Rough: There are some spots at Shining Rock that need some help, but again, the above comment comes into play. I've never had a bad lie (fairway or rough) at Highfields, enough said?

Greens: Shining Rock's greens are challenging to say the least, it you are pin high or above, good luck to you. Possible the fastest "public greens" in central MA Highfields greens are plush and consistent with good speed to them.

Layout: I think Shining Rock's Layout is a great classic New England track but has a couple downfalls: 1.) Walking is just not an option, even if you wanted to; 2.) If you miss a fairway, you're pretty much dead. 3.) Long rounds just can't be avoided. 5+ hours. Highfields has a nice modern layout with some challenging holes,. some risk/reward holes and some plain holes. The course is walkable which is nice and rounds can be played in a reasonable amount of time.

Pricing is a little different Highfields at 61 and SR at 75 with a cart on weekends although SR offers a discount if you tee off before 7 on weekends.

I have and will play both courses again. I have different expectations for each and play them each for a different reasons.

[bryanr]

[quote name='DCSerafin' timestamp='1317300656' post='3602105']
In my opinion, these are totally different courses (so easy to compare and contrast), but it like comparing a car to a truck. It depends on what type of course you want to play. Shining Rock is target golf and the first 4 or 5 holes are very difficult. The greens are very undulating and for the most part if your off the fairway, your dead. Expect a long round playing during peak times and walking is just not an option. At Highfields, you can hit driver on many holes and spray the ball around somewhat. Three of the Four par fives are reachable in two and you can go very low. There is a lot of OB (due to the houses bordering the course). The greens are large and while some are sloped and certainly have breaks, nothing compared to Shining Rock. I would compare the "layouts" of Shining Rock to Cyprian Keyes and Highfields to Kettle Brook.

Conditions Overall: Both comparable but Kettle Brook is more mature so you "should expect" it to be more plush.

Tees: very comparable but certainly the above statement comes into play

Fairways/Rough: There are some spots at Shining Rock that need some help, but again, the above comment comes into play. I've never had a bad lie (fairway or rough) at Highfields, enough said?

Greens: Shining Rock's greens are challenging to say the least, it you are pin high or above, good luck to you. Possible the fastest "public greens" in central MA Highfields greens are plush and consistent with good speed to them.

Layout: I think Shining Rock's Layout is a great classic New England track but has a couple downfalls: 1.) Walking is just not an option, even if you wanted to; 2.) If you miss a fairway, you're pretty much dead. 3.) Long rounds just can't be avoided. 5+ hours. Highfields has a nice modern layout with some challenging holes,. some risk/reward holes and some plain holes. The course is walkable which is nice and rounds can be played in a reasonable amount of time.

Pricing is a little different Highfields at 61 and SR at 75 with a cart on weekends although SR offers a discount if you tee off before 7 on weekends.

I have and will play both courses again. I have different expectations for each and play them each for a different reasons.


[/quote]

Great info, thanks

[Shemp]

Shining Rock is a painfully slow golf course unless you get one of the first half dozen or so tee times. Short pat 4s, long par 3s combined with woods that have yet to be cleaned and it's a recipe for disaster when the 18+ hdcpers show up. Highfields is ok, and a more fun track imho.