New England Golf Monthly's "Top 25"

[celticlt]

[i]triggs is no were near a top 25 not ever a top 100 just a junk yard, should be used as a bomber range not a golf course[/i]

[Imp]

You opinion is so important you had to say it twice?

[Shemp]

[quote name='dartboss04' timestamp='1337019966' post='4912756']
In their latest issue New England Golf Monthly ranks the top 25 public courses (listed below). I'm not sure what the criteria was, but the rankings seem a little off to me. Granted I've only played 5 of the courses so far (Meadowbrook, Wintonbury, Bass River, Dennis Pines, Lake of Isles), but have plans to play at 4-5 more this year (Newport National, CT National, The Ranch, Red Tail, Cranberry Valley). My problem with this list is Lake of Isles at #23. Besides price, it blows the other 4 courses I've played away. If they rank LOI at 23, it makes me question the validity of the whole list. BTW, Where's Crumpin Fox or Fox Hopyard?!?!

Anyone else play a bunch of these and have any thoughts, missing courses, etc? Obviously these lists are super subjective and probably just fronts for advertising, but it's fun to discuss anyway.

[list=1]
[*]Newport National (RI)
[*]CT National (CT)
[*]The Ranch (MA)
[*]Green Mountain National (VT)
[*]Meadowbrook (RI)
[*]Red Tail (MA)
[*]Belgrade Lakes (ME)
[*]Granite Links (MA)
[*]Shining Rock (MA)
[*]Portsmouth (NH)
[*]Stowe Acres (MA)
[*]The Ledges (ME)
[*]Wintonbury Hills (CT)
[*]Waverly Oaks (MA)
[*]Farm Neck (MA)
[*]Old Marsh (ME)
[*]Bass River (MA)
[*]Green Meadow (NH)
[*]Triggs (RI)
[*]Pinehills (MA)
[*]Cranberry Valley (MA)
[*]Dennis Pines (MA)
[*]Lake of Isles North (CT)
[*]Olde Scotland Links (MA)
[*]Wentworth Hills (MA)
[/list]
[/quote]

I'd toss a few... Green Meadow, Shining Rock, Bass River, Dennis Pines.

I'd add Blackstone National, Crumpin Fox, Sugarloaf and Taconic.

[raynorfan1]

[quote name='Shemp' timestamp='1340043884' post='5122336']

I'd add Blackstone National, Crumpin Fox, Sugarloaf and Taconic.
[/quote]

I'm going to have to give Blackstone another shot. I played it a couple years ago (September 2010, according to my notes) and really didn't enjoy it all that much. Since 2009, I've been keeping a ranked-order list of courses played, and I put Blackstone in at #29 out of 60 public courses. Nowhere near the same league as Crumpin Fox or Taconic. At least, not on the day that I played it.

I'll have to get back there this summer.

[cubiclegolfer]

I would definitely check the correlation between add dollars spent with New England Golf Monthly and these "rankings"

[Smithj36]

Surprised Great River in Milford CT and Oxford Greens in CT aren't on the list. In my opinion they are both better than WIntonbury Hills. Wintonbury is a nice track but the first 3 holes are exactly the same as 10,11 and 12.

[ThePlatypus]

[list]
[*]Newport National (RI) GREAT TRACK!
[*]CT National (CT) okay track
[*]The Ranch (MA) DYING to play but can't get anyone to commit to the drive
[*]Red Tail (MA) GREAT TRACK!
[*]Granite Links (MA) OVERRATED!!!!!
[*]Shining Rock (MA) okay track
[*]Stowe Acres (MA) This is laughable!
[*]Waverly Oaks (MA) Another laugher!
[*]Farm Neck (MA) DYING to play - maybe one of these days...
[*]Pinehills (MA) WAY OVERRATED!!!
[*]Cranberry Valley (MA) Huh? What? Glorified goat patch!
[*]Lake of Isles North (CT) good track not worthy of $150 though.
[*]Olde Scotland Links (MA) Snooze...
[*]Wentworth Hills (MA) Weren't they on the verge of bankruptcy 2 years ago?
[/list]
I agree with one of the posters above - marketing dollars gets you on the list.

Two hidden gems - Wachusset and Montaup (RI)

[AdidasGuy18]

[size=4]I think that Cyprian Keyes (MA) should get a mention. Very challenging layout and the fairways and greens are in very good condition.Mea[/size]
Also Blissful Meadows (MA) should of got a mention also.
I would put The Ranch and Crumpin Fox in the Top 5 of public courses period!!

Just my opinion.

[ThePlatypus]

Played Waverly Oaks today for $45 at 4:45 - greens were very slow, pace of play was even slower. I played the front 9 twice. I haven't played in 7 weeks so it was just good to get out.

[bmoney003]

Played Meadowbrook today. Absolutely stunning. And triggs?!?!? Hahah what a joke. That place is a dump

[OrangeCrush]

[list]
[*]Red Tail (MA) LOVE this course when it's "mowed" played there a couple of times when the grass was too high on the TEE box and fringe!
[*]
[*]Stowe Acres (MA). That place is such a sh*t hole. 6 hour rounds and average conditions!
[*]
[*]The Ledges (ME) AWESOME course when it's dry. Played there earlier this year for the 1st time in 3+ years and I was very bummed out it was so wet in the oddest places. Next time I play there we will be in a 2+ week drought!
[*]
[*]Waverly Oaks (MA). I LOVE this course, as for the Crosswinds fans. I think the price is swaying your views. I was not blown away by that course and it's NOT one I would drive 90 mins too where I would for Waverly.
[*]
[*]Old Marsh (ME) On my wish list!
[*]
[*]Green Meadow (NH). Let me say I LOVE the Jungle course and HAAATE the Praire but let me say WHY I love the Jungle course. For $28.00 in the afternoon to walk 18 you will not find a better VALUE. Is it the best course? NO! But for the MONEY, it's a great course. Can't find too many 7000yd courses at that price range. I have met some GREAT people playing that course as well. Could the tee boxes on some holes be better, sure but again thinking of the price I can deal with it.
[*]
[*]Pinehills (MA) Played the Jones course. it was "good" but I wasn't BLOWN AWAY by any means!
[*]
[*]Olde Scotland Links (MA), I enjoy this course, it fits my eye. Just hate the mosquitos on the humid days.
[/list]
I understand this is not a Mass only review but Butter Brook, Kettlebrook and Highfields would get a nod as well.

[Kevinmcfl]

Have not played all the courses on the list but it seems way off.
My top ourses are
1. Wentworth By the Sea: private I think but what views
2. Crumpling Fox
3. Lake of Isles:just too expensive but wow!
4. Fox hop yard
5. The Ranch

I also like wintonbury hills, Oxford greens.

Hidden gem; Sterling Farms, Stanford Ct. Try it

[geoangus]

[quote name='Kevinmcfl' timestamp='1359172162' post='6300623']
Have not played all the courses on the list but it seems way off.
My top ourses are
1. Wentworth By the Sea: private I think but what views
2. Crumpling Fox
3. Lake of Isles:just too expensive but wow!
4. Fox hop yard
5. The Ranch

Always wanted to stay at Wentworth by the Sea, but

I also like wintonbury hills, Oxford greens.

Hidden gem; Sterling Farms, Stanford Ct. Try it
[/quote]

I always wanted to stay at Wentworth by the Sea, but didn't realize the golf course warranted acclaim. Your 3-5 are absolutely solid, Fox Hopyard is local to me, and when the wallet allows, I never miss the opportunity to go there. Oxford is on the short list of courses I want to check out.

[Imp]

Kevin... "Crumpin Fox"

--kC