Good courses in / around central Massachusetts.

[Vacant]

Hello, I'm relatively new to golf and am planning on playing 18 holes a day once the weather lightens up and I find a course I feel comfortable enough with to buy a season membership.

Do any of you from the central Massachusetts area have any recommendations? I'm not completely new to golf as I played for a little bit when I was in jr. high, 10 years ago. Some of the courses I played were: Indian Meadow, Holden Hills, Pine Ridge, Cyprian Keyes, Worcester Country Club, Green Hill, and an extremely poorly kept course with a name I can't remember. It was pretty much the worst golf course I've ever seen and was up a steep hill in kind of in a ghetto area.

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you had any info on how the courses I mentioned have been maintained and if there are any other courses I should check out.

Thanks.

[Doug Green]

Hi! I'd just like to welcome you to the forum. I can't really recommend any course at Massachusetts because I'm from California. But if you ever get the chance to visit my state, you can try playing at La Contenta Golf Course. http://www.lacontentagolf.com/golf/proto/lacontentagolf/ .

[jamo]

Of those you listed, I would only recommend Cyprian Keyes. Central Mass is a pretty big area, and I'm not really familiar with a whole lot west of I-495. I can recommend Highfields in Grafton, but I haven't played much else in the Worcester area. I usually go east to play golf I guess.

[nevets88]

Crumpin Fox in north central MA is a pretty good course. Not sure about memberships, but it's a well maintained course with good facilities,

[Stretch]

If you're far enough East to play Indian Meadows, then Juniper Hill is a better bet just up the road. Not the greatest layout but fairly accommodating to singles and has two courses for a bit of variety. North of Worcester, there's Wachusett CC and South there's Shining Rock, which I heard has improved a lot since being bought by Hopkinton CC. My knowledge is not exactly current, though, sorry.

[jamo]

Originally Posted by Stretch

If you're far enough East to play Indian Meadows, then Juniper Hill is a better bet just up the road. Not the greatest layout but fairly accommodating to singles and has two courses for a bit of variety. North of Worcester, there's Wachusett CC and South there's Shining Rock, which I heard has improved a lot since being bought by Hopkinton CC. My knowledge is not exactly current, though, sorry.

Good call on Juniper. Two great courses, and both are priced well.

Shining Rock is a really nice one also. They just opened in 2010 also, after being bought by Hopkinton CC in the early 2000s. Really tough greens on that course, but it's expensive.

[NI4NI]

I just found this thread.  There are quite a few very nice courses in Central MA; it depends on how far you want to drive and spend.  I would recommend reviewing courses in this MGA link as a good start (Greater Worcester area). http://www.mgalinks.org/member-clubs/greater-worcester.cfm .

I've played a few, and could recommend some based on your answers to the above criteria.

[Cut68]

Just found this thread as well. I can recommend Juniper Hills, Shining rock, Highfields, all very nice. Butternut farms and Stowe Acres are decent as well. Shaker Hills and Red Tail are both great, Shaker being a little cheaper. The international in Bolton is quite a challenge but very expensive

[mp33]

I like highfields in Grafton.  Wachusett is nice and they bought Kettlebrook in Paxton and have done a good job with it.

[jamo]

The one thing that I have to say about Highfields is that it's, well, annoying in the wind. It's in a pretty exposed area (it weaves through a new housing development, and there aren't a lot of tall trees), and it's at the top of one of the tallest hills in the area. If the wind is blowing, don't even look at the flight of your shots at the range, they'll be 50 yards form where they should be. #8 is crazy in a left to right wind, you have to hit an iron and play way back. I just avoid playing there when it is breezy, it gets to the point where it just isn't that fun anymore.

[Andrew24]

Blissful Meadows is a great course in Uxbridge, MA. http://www.blissfulmeadows.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=670&page;=37293

From the courses you listed you probably live farther north in MA, but still a nice course to check out.

[Hambone]

Lots of good golf in central Mass.  Blackstone National is very good as is Blissful Meadows (I'm a member at the Bliss), Wachusett, Kettle Brook, Cyprian, Red Tail, Stow Acres, New England CC, Highfields.  I'm not a fan of Shining Rock, mostly because of pace of play issues.  Long par 3s, short par 4s are a recipe for slow play.  I've played there 5 or 6 times and never gotten around in less than 5 hours.

The new course at Juniper is good.  Bedrock is ok ~ .

[ggallant1]

Good suggestions so far. I spent my first 24 years in central mass (leominster). Some others to add to the list: Woods of Westminster, Westminster Country Club, Templewood, Gardner Municipal, Oak Hill

[leten7ao]

Many of great courses in Massachusetts.  In Eastern MA you have 3 great ones in plymouth alone.  More deatil here: Snaphookgolf.net