My 2020 Massachusetts Golf Rankings: Course 34-25
This past June I decided, maybe in some quarantine haze, that I wanted to try to play every single course in Massachusetts. Public, Private, 9-hole, 18-hole, executive/par 3. If it has a tee and a hole with a flag in it, I want to play it. There are roughly 365 courses in the state, so this is going to take some time to complete.
I managed to get to 35 different courses from June-December and now that 2020 is over, I thought I’d rank the courses I’ve played thus far to mark the year.
Every time I play, I snap some pictures on my phone and do a little write-up in Instagram. I tried to make this list feel a bit different, so I have a couple categories to keep me on topic (kind of). I also tried very hard to not allow score to ruin or sweeten my view of a course and experience.
Now, some of these 35 courses I had played before, but starting June 16 when I played Thorny Lea my ticker sat at “zero.” I wanted to document each round. So some of these courses I have played before, some I didn’t know existed until I poked around on the internet.
Finally, the count starts at 34 because I am lumping in Crosswinds, which has 27 holes, as one golf course. I played all 27 in one day (it’s great, go play them all) and depending on the day, they’ll send you out to two different nines.
Anyway, here are courses 34-25. Thanks for reading and check back next week when courses 24-15 are revealed!
#34 Norwood CC
Norwood, MA
Context: I played here in late November as a single paired up with three other singles. I picked it because I offered to drop something off for my wife to a client and figured I’d parlay my currier duties into a round of golf on an unseasonably warm day. It should be noted, during this round I had two people write to me on IG that they were hoping to play this place with me because it was their home course.
How many times had I played here before this round? Zero.
Why you should play here: Every course deserves to be played, even the bad one like Norwood CC. During these COVID times, hanging out after a round isn’t recommended. But this place seems to have a real great townie-like vibe. From the random guy approaching me in the massive hotel parking lot asking where the first tee is to the starter yelling at “Fitzy” to hurry up and get to the first tee to the small set of tables in the car park for post round beverages, it could be an entertaining spot during a normal year.
Norwood CC the kind of place that will likely provide one weird story or a mid-round fight if the pace of play isn’t up the standards of the group behind you (yes, we had a near dust-up. I would have backed the guy in my group who was pissed at the guy in the group behind us after he mumbled about us waiting on a par 4 for the fairway to clear.)
How far I would drive to play here: I would have to think real hard about playing here if I even lived in Norwood. The course isn’t very much fun. No standout holes or feature, aside from the low flying planes on the back nine. I’ve been told this might be in the running for the worst course I play during my quest. We’ll see!
#33 Cedar Glen (9 hole course)
Saugus, MA
Context: A mid-August quick nine after searching for “courses near me” on Google (I’m not proud of it, but it’s been a big help in finding spots I’ve never heard of). I started as a single and caught up with Jeff, a Saugus High School golf coach who also works for American Airlines. He was wearing a long sleeve shirt that he likely had on while working the runway that morning: bright yellow with reflectors. One of the nicest guys I met this summer on a golf course.
How many times had I played here before this round? Zero.
Why you should play here: You’ll probably meet my playing partner Jeff, who works part time at the course and coaches the Saugus golf teams there, too. Also, any spot that displays shock and awe when you show up 20 minutes before your tee time is okay by me. The place was dead quiet, so the lady in the window sent me to the first tee immediately. I went from “engine off in car park” to “first tee shot” in about six minutes.
As far as the golf course, the third hole is a behemoth, 255 to a raised green. And the fourth is a good little par four with an interesting approach shot and green complex.
How far I would drive to play here: 10 minutes. If I had known about Cedar Glen when I worked on the North Shore, I would have swung by for a quick 9 every now and then on my way home. It’s just close enough to Route 1 for a detour E9.
#32 CC of Billerica
Billerica, MA
Context: A ridiculously warm December 1 after a downpour the previous night. I played as a single except for about 4 holes when I joined up with another single. This was another great pro shop experience. I showed up a tad early and was told I could go straight to the first tee. I played in under 3 hours, too.
How many times had I played here before this round? Zero.
Why you should play here: The wide array of bunkers is interesting. From little dot bunkers to massive deep ones; they would be really great if they were maintained. If you like quirky golf courses with hard doglegs and blind shots then this one is worth a visit.
How far I would drive to play here: 10 minutes. There’s nothing about the course that’s super appealing. However, I imagine in a normal summer it could be a lively place. The clubhouse is big and it seems like a good spot to hang outside and watch golfers come in on 9 and 18.
#31 Nahant GC (nine holes)
Nahant, MA
Context: Played here as a single on September 1. You might think you’re on Cape Cod when you drive through the tiny neighborhood and then suck in the windy, sea salted air. It’s delightful.
How many times had I played here before this round? Zero.
Why you should play here: Nahant was described to me as a dive bar, and I couldn’t agree more. This par 30 course weaves around the wetlands. It’s low-key, vacation-vibe golf. A small clubhouse has a crab shack feel, with a little patio out back. It’s the type of place that allows six high school kids out as a group (four of whom I used to teach…). It’s a great place to have some beers, hit some wonky shots (one approach shot is literally hit over the next hole’s tee box. Don’t worry, there’s a fence for protection…), and not give a damn about your score as long as you win your match.
How far would I drive to play here: 10 minutes. Nahant is not an easy place to get to, and the course isn’t going to leave you in awe. I combined this round with a visit to some friends on the North Shore. A round at Nahant either has to be a 27 hole golf event with some diehard buddies or tack the round on to something else you’re doing that day (beach, oysters, whatever).
#30 Wayland CC
Wayland, MA
Context: My jaunt around Wayland CC was the second round of the day on November 7 (I played Sandy Burr that morning). I signed up as a single and was paired with a couple, Debbie and Dave, and their son, Nick. I played with a half-set, which I enjoyed. I had never experienced blinding, fall sun like I did during the round. Balls were nearly impossible to find among the leaves and the glare.
How many times had I played here before this round? Several, but I had not played it in probably 20 years.
Why you should play here: A fantastic place to bring a beginner. Wayland CC is as flat as a pool-table and not long at all. If you’re a seasoned golfer, it’s an excellent course to chase a low score. Drivable par fours and short par 5s abound. I found myself most impressed with holes 14-17. 17 is a long par 3 that sits on the marsh. It’s a quiet, lovely spot at the end of the day.
How far I would drive to play here: 17 minutes. Truthfully, if I’m heading out in the direction of Wayland CC, there are other courses I’d prefer to visit. But in a bind, I’d tee it up here again.
#29 Quail Ridge (nine holes)
Acton, MA
Context: A July round, I only played nine, but I guess they have some different tees for the second nine. Another round as a single (I realize I can’t get anyone to join me for some of these less spectacular rounds…). I played with three buddies that were… not good at golf. But pleasant golf companions.
How many previous rounds here? Once.
Why you should play here: There’s a bit of land movement at Quail Ridge. The third and fourth holes, a long par 4 (pictured above) and a cool little par 3 over a pond with a green protected by some bunkers are good holes. They also use the golf course for “soccer golf.” If you play late in the evening, you might come across some guys thumping soccer balls around the course. This happened when I played at twilight with my wife a few years back. It was kind of cool to share the course with people not playing golf.
How far I would drive to play here: 6 minutes. An average nine hole course isn’t going to pull me in and make me drive too far (especially when Butterbrook is around the corner…). My mom has lived in Quail Ridge’s housing complex for three years, and I’ve only played the course twice. I could walk to the first tee… and I don’t.
#28 North Hill CC
Duxury, MA (nine holes)
Context: The final round of 2020 for me. A Sunday afternoon in December with Dan (in the running for most rounds played with me so far in this quest…), and father-son combo Mike and Bill. The course came at the recommendation of Robbie Vogel. North Hill is open year round, so if you’re itching for a round give them a ring.
How many times had I played here before this round? Zero
Why you should play here: The first three holes are very good. They wind up and down and offer plenty of challenge. The hills and hollows at North Hill CC make it interesting and the greens are big and well protected by bunkers and drop-offs. It’s another course that would have plenty of energy during normal times. Even during this round, a group of old pals hung out on the patio chatting and smoking cigars.
How far I would drive to play here: 18 minutes. A solid nine hole course with more good holes than bad.
#27 Ponkapoag Course 2
Canton, MA
Context: A June round in scorching heat as a single. The place has been allowed to fall into disrepair. The grass was barely mown and the tee boxes were horrific. The fact that it’s sitting at No. 27 means it has some bright spots though…
Why you should play here: It’s cheap and if you’re not too picky about score and conditions, you can play it pretty quickly because most people would prefer to play Ponky’s Course 1. Bring a buddy and some beers and go chop it around. The second hole (pictured above) is really good and as you walk down the fairway the reveal of the dogleg, winding down a massive hill is great. The back 9, particularly from the approach shot into 12 (the tee shot is stupid) to the 16th hole is a solid stretch, too. On a quiet day, a 36 hole adventure at both courses would be fun, too.
How far I would drive to play here: 11 minutes. I’d gladly shoot down 93 from Boston to play Ponky Course 2… as long as there’s no traffic.
#26 Butternut Farms
Stow, MA
Context: The rare round with my brother. A great walk talking about music, TV, and other random stuff. An October round without many on the course.
Why you should play here: Butternut Farms offers an incredibly specific type of golf challenge. It’s bowling alley narrow, with trees lining every fairway in an aggressive manner. It’s a sleepy little course that shares a property line with Stow Acres so you’re likely to play a quick round.
How far I would drive to play here: 16 minutes. Butternut can be a maddening place to play golf if you’re just a little wild off the tee. If you want to hit driver, this isn’t the place to go.
#25 Stow Acres South
Stow, MA
Context: A fall round with my friend Phil, who I’ve been playing golf with for more than 20 years. This was a cold, early morning time. We were paired up with two other guys. They were not good and were kind enough to let us scamper off as a twosome. I almost lost my shoe on the fourth hole as I tried to cross a stream to retrieve a wayward tee shot.
Why you should play here: South Acres South offers a proper challenge as a golf course. At this point in the ranking, the “weight class” of courses shifts. You’re going to hit every club in your bag here. You’re going to be frustrated by the design of some of the holes, particularly on the back nine, which leaves a lot to be desired. But you’re going to complete your round and feel like you played 18 holes of golf.
How far I would drive to play here: 16 minutes. I’d be hard pressed to pick between Butternut and Stow Acres South, it would probably depend on my mood and what I’m looking for out of the day.
Next week I’ll continue with course 24-15.