| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1928.1 | Just a few Beauties! | CAPNET::EHS | | Wed Jul 27 1994 13:46 | 12 |
|
1. Shaker Hills (Ayer, MA) If the greens are back in shape. (Call first)
2. Sky Meadow (Nashua, NH) Bring some Cash.
3. Crumpin Fox (Bernardstown, MA)
4. Bretwood (Keene, NH)
5. Wentworth By the Sea (Portsmouth, NH)
6. CC of NH (Gardner, NH on Mt. Kearsarge)
7. New Seabury (Blue course) Cape Cod
Just to name a few... Have Fun!
Ed
|
| 1928.2 | some of my favorites | NIODEV::POWIS | | Wed Jul 27 1994 14:24 | 59 |
| Well, I'm not sure if the courses I'll list would make any kind of an
"official best courses" list, but they're some of my favorites. Also
note that 95% of the golf I've played in New England is in NH and VT,
so I won't comment on the other 4 states. All the courses are public,
as I don't have the right connections to get on the private ones.
Keep in mind that I'm just an avarage hacker, no a great golfer. Things
I take into consideration when rating a course are: general condition
(which, of course, can vary by season), course layout, overall
challenge, and scenery. There's also quite a few I've played but didn't
bother listing. At the end of this list, I'll list others that I've
never played but intend to play whenever I can.
Oh yeah, there's a good chance that many of these will be more than 2.5
hours from Boston.
(listed in no particular order...)
New Hampshire
-------------
Course Name Location Comments
Beaver Meadow Concord Oldest public course in NH, I think
The Shattuck Jaffrey Scenic, very difficult
Bretwood Keene Island green on par-3 13th
Perry Hollow Moultonboro 9-hole, very hilly, difficult
Hale's Location Conway 9-hole, lot of hills, bunkers
Jack-O-Lantern Woodstock scenic, fairly easy
Souhegan Woods Amherst bunkers,bunkers,bunkers
North Conway North Conway scenic, fairly flat
Vermont
-------
St. Johnsbury St. Johnsbury Old f9, new b9, _very_ hilly
Stowe Stowe scenic, hilly
Equinox Manchester open, small greens
Haystack Dover cut through the woods, hilly
Williston Williston hilly but short (par 69?)
Mt. Anthony Bennington open, hilly
Stratton Bondville scenic, open, hilly
Maine
-----
Samoset Camden open, a few holes on ocean
Courses I haven't played but have heard are very good
-----------------------------------------------------
Crumpin' Fox Bernardston, MA
Shaker Heights Ayer(?), MA
Far Corner Boxford, MA
Trull Brook Tewksbury, MA
several on Cape Cod
Portsmouth Greenland, NH
Sky Meadow Nashua, NH
The Balsams Dixville Notch, NH
Basin Harbor Vergennes, VT
Killington Sherburne, VT
Crown Point Springfield, VT
Lake Morey Fairlee, VT
-Steve-
|
| 1928.3 | best-of N.E. list v1.0 | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Thu Jul 28 1994 11:30 | 49 |
|
thank you for the ideas. here's my best-of N.E. list so far:
Premier Courses:
--------------------------------------
Tallwood CC Hebron CT (? not sure about this one)
Richter Park GC Danbury CT
Cape Cod CC N. Falmouth MA
Cranberry Valley Harwich MA
Ocean Edge GC Brewster MA
The Captains GC Brewster MA
Bethel Inn & CC Bethel ME (not a day trip)
Sable Oaks GC S. Portland ME
Samoset Res GC Rockport ME (not a day trip)
CC of N.H. N. Sutton NH
Sky Meadow Nashua NH
Tory Pines Francestown NH
Wentworth by-the-sea Portsmouth NH
Championship-level courses:
--------------------------------------
Oak Ridge GC Feeding Hills MA
Poquoy Brook CC Lakeville MA
Triggs Mem GC Providence RI
Richmond CC Richmond RI
Might-be-great-but-don't-know-enough-about-em courses:
--------------------------------------
Braintree GC S. Braintree MA
Juniper Hill GC Northborough MA
Rehoboth CC Rehoboth MA
George Wright GC Hyde Park MA
Far Corner GC W. Boxford MA
New Seabury (blue) Mashpee MA
Other very good + good value courses:
--------------------------------------
Timberlin GC Kensington CT
Bel Compo GC Avon CT
Tunxis Plantation #2 Farmington CT
Hickory Hill GC Methuen MA
Pembroke CC Pembroke MA
Trull Brook GC N. Tewksbury MA
Biddeford & Saco CC Saco ME
Amherst CC Amherst NH
Bretwood GC Keene NH
Jack O'Lantern Res Woodstock NH
Exeter CC N. Kingstown RI
|
| 1928.4 | can it be (for $11)? | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Thu Jul 28 1994 13:55 | 9 |
|
re: Tory Pines
Has anyone played Tory Pines? I just called, and greens fees are
$22 weekday, with a 2-for-1 offer currently. Hard to believe that
this could be in the 'Premier' category... the review I saw said
'Ranked in the top 3 in New England for scenic views'. Is it long
on views and short(er) on architecture?
|
| 1928.5 | Tory Pines | CAPNET::EHS | | Thu Jul 28 1994 14:14 | 21 |
|
Tory (sp) Pines had a face lift done last year on the back nine which
used to be the front 9. I played the course before and after the
change. The changes included lengthening short par fours and replacing
a few greens. Roland Stafford has a teaching school located at Tory
Pines and I believe they have pushed the right buttons in order to get
the questionable New England course ranking. The course is relatively
easy (back nine tighter than front) with short sloping fairways and
small Donald Ross greens. (This is a Donald Ross course). The course
has seen three different owners in the last 10 years. The price for
playing is definitely right. The scenic views are complemented by the "Old"
Crotched Mountain Ski resort which is located across the street.
Great Clubhouse with a super bar! A decent little course that may be a
bit over rated but very well liked with nice, service-minded employees.
ED
PS. If you choose to play the course beware of the funny par five on
the back nine. You'll know which one I'm talking about when you
see the yardage.
|
| 1928.6 | | KOALA::DEFELICE | | Thu Jul 28 1994 14:16 | 6 |
| Isn't the front 9 of Tory Pines a Donald Ross design? Perhaps that
influenced the rating.
Haven't played there yet but I am planning on taking a 2-day Roland
Stafford clinic being offered.
|
| 1928.7 | play Crumpin-Fox | TECRUS::TECRUS::GEWIRTZ | | Thu Jul 28 1994 14:26 | 7 |
| I think you have a big omission in your list, which is Crumpin-Fox.
I think that it is easily the best public course in New England. It has
the best greens, and is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design with many
spectacular holes. It is also not much beyond two hours from Boston.
I highly recommend that you try to fit this one in.
-Evan
|
| 1928.8 | Chicopee CC | USPMLO::DESROCHERS | Mine's made outta unobtainium! | Thu Jul 28 1994 14:57 | 10 |
|
See 778.*
Also, Westover (in Chicopee/Granby/South Hadley?) is pretty
decent. Very tough!!
It's about 8 miles from Chicopee CC and also very reasonable
$$$wise.
|
| 1928.9 | | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Thu Jul 28 1994 14:57 | 21 |
|
re: -.1 Crumpin-Fox
"Magnificent Robert Trent Jones course. Beutiful views and
challenging from four different sets of tees. Black 7007,
Blue 6525, Gold 6096, Red 5432".
Reader response: 4 stars (of a possible 5)
Price range: 4 stars (of a possible 5, 5 being most
expensive)
I called to find out about the price. It's $55 any day of the
week, with a $75 package that includes range balls, a cart, and
a $15 credit toward dinner in addition to the greens fee. Not
a bad deal at all.
...anyway, the point is to go to the best, not the cheapest,
so it looks like I'll be adding it to my list. Thank you for
the suggestion.
/jim
|
| 1928.10 | What about Stow North? | USCTR1::MAHER | | Thu Jul 28 1994 15:43 | 8 |
| I'm a little surprised nobody has mentioned the North Course at Stow
Acres, I havn't played there in a few years but I would suspect its
as nice a public course as there is in Central Mass.,,,also Maplegate
in Franklin Mass is very nice though a little pricey.....I would also
second the votes on Trull Brook and Overlook.
Dean
|
| 1928.11 | Stone Acres | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Thu Jul 28 1994 16:08 | 15 |
|
re: Stow Acres (North)
I played the South course last year, which received a 5-star
rating as did the North course.
The playing conditions were so poor that I'm not considering it,
although it may have been a fluke. What I remember is *plenty*
of rocks in the traps (I was genuinely concerned about damaging
my clubs), burnt grass (granted it was a dry summer), and
inconsistent greens. I've heard great things about Stow North,
but my experience with the South course is going to keep it off
my personal list for a while.
|
| 1928.12 | Shaker Hills, Maplegate | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Thu Jul 28 1994 16:53 | 12 |
|
re: Shaker Hills GC (5-star rating)
$42 Mon-Thu, $47 Fri-Sun, price includes cart.
3 greens are currently "pretty ugly", and were over-seeded
the first week in July. No temporary greens, at least.
re: Maplegate (2-star rating as of 1993)
odd. I've also heard great things about this course; maybe the
rating is no longer valid.
|
| 1928.13 | | OFOS01::MURPHY | | Thu Jul 28 1994 17:10 | 7 |
| Three I would add to the list: Plymouth CC
Foxboro CC
Norton CC
All three are semi-private and allow public play at certain times.
Dan
|
| 1928.14 | Best of N.E. v1.1 | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Thu Jul 28 1994 18:15 | 59 |
|
Best of New England GC's, v1.1:
Premier Courses:
--------------------------------------
Richter Park GC Danbury CT
Cape Cod CC N. Falmouth MA
Cranberry Valley Harwich MA
Ocean Edge GC Brewster MA
The Captains GC Brewster MA
Bethel Inn & CC Bethel ME (not a day trip)
Sable Oaks GC S. Portland ME
Samoset Res GC Rockport ME (not a day trip)
CC of N.H. N. Sutton NH
Sky Meadow Nashua NH
Wentworth by-the-sea Portsmouth NH
Championship-level courses:
--------------------------------------
Bel Campo CC Avon CT
Crumpin-Fox Club Bernardston MA
New Seabury (blue) Mashpee MA
Oak Ridge GC Feeding Hills MA
Shaker Hills Harvard MA (3 greens in 'ugly' shape now)
Poquoy Brook CC Lakeville MA
The Balsams Dixville Notch NH (not a day trip)
Richmond CC Richmond RI
Triggs Memorial GC Providence RI
Might-be-great-but-don't-know-enough-about-em courses:
--------------------------------------
Braintree GC S. Braintree MA
Chicopee Muni GC Chicopee MA
Juniper Hill GC Northborough MA
Rehoboth CC Rehoboth MA
Far Corner GC W. Boxford MA
Bretwood GC Keene NH
Other very good + good value courses:
--------------------------------------
Timberlin GC Kensington CT
Bel Compo GC Avon CT
Tunxis Plantation #2 Farmington CT
Hickory Hill GC Methuen MA
Pembroke CC Pembroke MA
Trull Brook GC N. Tewksbury MA
Biddeford & Saco CC Saco ME
Jack O'Lantern Res Woodstock NH
Overlook CC Hollis NH
Exeter CC N. Kingstown RI
Highly Recommended by GOLF noters:
--------------------------------------
Ballymeade Falmouth MA
Maplegate GC Bellingham MA
Norton CC Norton MA
Plymouth CC Plymouth MA
Stow Acres (North) Ayer MA
Shattuck Inn GC Jaffrey NH
|
| 1928.15 | IYHO?!?! | AIMHI::CORRIGAN | | Thu Jul 28 1994 18:44 | 6 |
|
where'd the premier and championship destinctions come from?????
they look a little skewed to me......
|
| 1928.16 | | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Fri Jul 29 1994 10:12 | 15 |
|
re: where from?
they're somewhat arbitrary distinctions based primarily on the
descriptions in the n.e. golf guide. there's a section in the
beginning of the book that attempts to separate off some of the
5-star courses (but not all) for special mention. these go
into the premier category in my list... but take it with a
grain of salt, as always.
if you have played these courses and can compare them, by all
means do so!
/jim
|
| 1928.17 | Good Value! | MR1MI1::SWANEY | Escape is never the safest plan | Fri Jul 29 1994 15:58 | 15 |
|
Hi ,
Just got off the phone with Tory Pines, the special is only
for Mon,Tues,Wed ($44 for 2 18 holes fees and 1 cart)
I plyed this course last year about 6 times and I'd say for
the 'middle of the road' palyer it's worth the ride.
I loved the views and some of the holes were layed out very nice.
it was about 50minutes from Leominster?
Bill
|
| 1928.18 | Stow Acres, Butternut. | ANDREW::OSTROM | ETP Engineering Mgr. | Mon Aug 01 1994 12:36 | 20 |
|
re: Stow Acres.
We play Stow every Thursday, and the course is in prretty good
shape right now. We played the South last week, and it was in
very good condition. They're hosting the 1995 "U.S. Public Links
Championship" on the North Course next summr, and are prepping
the course now, so (as of 2 weeks ago) it's in better shape than
the South. It always seems to make the list of 50 Best (100
Best?) public courses in the U.S., so might be worth adding to
your list.
Also, I think that the new Butternut Farms course, next door,
owned by one of the original Stow Acres developers, is worth
adding. It's challenging, and the holes along the river are
really pretty. No carts, too, so the grass isn't all pounded
into oblivion by the carts.
Andy Ostrom
|
| 1928.19 | Stow in Stow. | ANDREW::OSTROM | ETP Engineering Mgr. | Mon Aug 01 1994 12:38 | 6 |
|
Also, your list shows Stow Acres in Ayer, while it's in Stow,
naturally...
Andy
|
| 1928.20 | More on Stow | TLE::VOGEL | | Mon Aug 01 1994 13:45 | 18 |
|
I had the same experience as .11.
From what I now understand they wanted to reseed the whole
course (with bent grass?) for the Publix next year. To do this
they just did not water last year and the course burnt out.
While I can understand this, I did have a problem with them
charging us full rate (which is high enough anyway).
Oh...I have been there this year (to the bar only....after playing
Butternut), and the course looked to be in great shape.
I do not know if what I heard is true. Can anyone else confirm/deny
this?
Ed
|
| 1928.21 | Yes, overseeded. | ANDREW::OSTROM | ETP Engineering Mgr. | Mon Aug 01 1994 23:44 | 7 |
|
I do not know if they let it burn intentionally, but yes, they
did reseed (I remember a poster last year explaining the
process). They've begun cutting the fairway short, and letting
the rough grow -- the course is playing tough.
Andy
|
| 1928.22 | | QETOO::BASQUE | | Thu Aug 04 1994 15:53 | 18 |
| I have a couple of favorite courses I have played.
Passaconaway in Litchfield (sp) New Hampshire is a links syle course,
long ont he front 9, flat, with little or no trees. The New Hampshire
amature was played there this year. It is very well kept, with plush
fairways, terribly heavy rough (sometimes impossible to get a ball out
of) and strategically placed sand.
Another on I just spent a weekend at with some friends is Lake Morey in
Lake Morey VT. This is the home of the Vermount Amature. The front 9
is flat with plenty of trees, while the back 9 is hilly and also has
plenty of trees (I know, i think I hit a good deal of them over the
weekend). Some very picturesque holes here.
Just thought I'd lend my two cents.
Ray
|
| 1928.23 | this might help... | USPMLO::DESROCHERS | Mine's made outta unobtainium! | Thu Aug 04 1994 16:21 | 9 |
|
Today's Globe says call the Mass Office of Travel and Tourism
at (800) 227-mass for a FREE 80-page color guide to more than
200 public and semi-private Mass courses.
It's called "Bay State Fairways".
Tom
|
| 1928.24 | Stow update/ | ANDREW::OSTROM | ETP Engineering Mgr. | Thu Aug 04 1994 21:13 | 7 |
|
Just got home from playing Stow Acres. The South course is
certainly begining to see the stress of the hot weather, and the
greens are bumpy. It look like they need to water more. I don't
know how the North course is now.
Andy
|
| 1928.25 | now if I could just swing the club | NOVA::FINNERTY | lies, damned lies, and the CAPM | Fri Aug 05 1994 13:31 | 39 |
|
well, I'm checking in after my first week of playing some of the
courses on the list:
Sky Meadow - great. Knew this already, but it was even better
than last time because wind came into play. What
a great course! Has just about all a golfer
could want (except the opportunity to score well)
Greens were _fast_ and in great shape.
Wentworth by the sea - a beauty, with undulating fairways, ocean
water holes, multi-level greens, and interesting
challenges like large rock formations in a pair
of fairways. Greens are a mix of difficulty, but
all are well maintained.
Trull Brook - A really nice course. Good architecture and
some nice views, too. Trull Brook itself adds
a lot of character to the course. Interesting
right-angle doglegs, and good use of the hilly
terrain. Greens were in good shape, and the
traps were in good shape as well ;) Mostly
open, though a few holes have narrow fairways.
The Captains - maintained like a private club. bunkers are
particularly menacing (due to placement rather
than their number). Greens are a mix of easy
and more difficult, with several multi-level
greens. Moderately hilly. Slow play.
Cape Cod CC - A nice course worth playing, but may not be worth
the drive from Boston if CCCC is your only
destination (IMO). It's a good value and
in pretty good shape. Hard to lose many balls
here, though I did try. Greens are relatively
easy, some rolling, many flat. Several elevated
greens that are challenging.
|
| 1928.26 | Campbell's Scotish Highlands | KOALA::DEFELICE | | Fri Aug 05 1994 14:39 | 15 |
| Jim,
Take a swing out to Campbell's Scotish Highlands in Salem/Pelham. Just
opened this year, but is fast becoming a gem. Greens are in great
shape, a few fairways could be fuller. Interesting layout. All but
2-3 holes were quite nice. Friendly people. Very nice clubhouse.
Water on a few holes. A couple of interesting doglegs. Mostly open,
but very hilly. Some nasty rough in places. Got to play this one from
the blues (which is of good length). It plays much shorter from the
whites. Most holes demand an accurate tee shot. A number of
risk/reward holes. Rustic setting around a working farm. Reasonable
green fees ($26 on weekends). Course is not yet rated by USGA.
Bob
|
| 1928.27 | Heard it was real Nice.... | MKOTS3::CONNOR_P | | Fri Aug 05 1994 23:59 | 7 |
|
Has anyone played the Marlboro Country Club Course lately. I'm
supposed to play there later this month and I'm wondering what
I should expect. Is it tough?
Paul
|
| 1928.28 | give it a whirl! | PCBUOA::SWANEY | Escape is never the safest path | Mon Aug 08 1994 12:05 | 10 |
|
I played there a week ago or so? It was in great shape
and is fairly tough! most holes are some type of dogleg.
most of the par 3's are either long or tough!
you'll have a good time!
Bill
|
| 1928.29 | | SNAX::ERICKSON | Yes I Am !!! | Mon Aug 08 1994 12:32 | 13 |
| Re -1,
Did you play Marlboro in some kind of tournament a week or so ago?
Last year the public could play after 8:00 on Thursday and Friday. This
year the local paper said they switched to Monday and Tuesday. I
called the clubhouse and was told that the public can not play anymore,
they are totally private. On Monday's and Tuesday's they will rent it
out for tournaments. Has anybody played on a Monday or Tuesday, not
involved in a tournament/charity event?
Thanks,
Ron
|
| 1928.30 | | MSBCS::GALVIN | R.T. Galvin BXB1-2/H06 293-5664 | Mon Aug 08 1994 14:06 | 16 |
| RE: Marlboro.
It is totally private year. I play there often with a DECcie
member, and will be in a member/guest this Thurs. The course is in
good shape, and one of the more difficult. The rating from the Blues
is 71.5 (par 71 course). The slope is 128. The greens are like glass,
and if you are a questionable putter, you will be blown away.
My experience there is always 3-4 strokes more then my handicap. If
you can get on, I would highly recommend it.
P.S. they had a little trouble last week when some kid did some
anti-semetic work on the 14th green. They caught the culprit. Not
sure if the green has been repaired yet.
TG
|
| 1928.31 | | SALEM::MAYNARD | LATE FOR THE SKY | Thu Aug 25 1994 11:10 | 3 |
| Today's Boston Globe (25-August) has an in depth article on the best
20 public courses in Massachusetts ...
Jim
|