Best Ross Courses in Boston

[Bill Healy]

Mark,  Ross did not design Oakley.  When he emigrated to America, his first employment was at Oakley.  While there, he demonstrated his interest and skill as a golf course architect by improving several of the holes.   Bill Healy

[Dan_Callahan]

I've played Belmont a few times in the last couple of years. It's a very, very good course. One of my favorites. Nice piece of rolling property. I don't find it nearly as difficult/tricky as Concord, but that doesn't detract from the experience. A few holes across the road are flattish (I think in the middle of the front 9), but otherwise there is serious elevation change everywhere else.

An interesting note about Belmont: They had a massive traditional New England-looking clubhouse (kind of a modified colonial that had been added to a number of times). Apparently, they decided they didn't like it, and last year tore down the entire thing. When I played last May, there wasn't a clubhouse, just a huge hole in the ground. I'll be interested to go back this spring and see what they put in its place. If I had to guess, I would bet it's great.

[John Ezekowitz]

I am a member at Belmont and posted a photo tour this summer: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,52992.0.html

In that thread, the late Tom MacWood, who clearly knew far more about the history of GCA, and I had a brief debate on how much Ross was left. I think that with the exceptions of the five holes in the Valley (5 through 9), the rest of the course clearly has the bones of what Ross laid out after the recent restoration.

Having played most of the courses mentioned here, I would put Belmont a step below Essex and Charles River, but equal to or better than everything else that has been listed (note I have not played Worcester).

It also has the best conditioned greens in the state. The greens are vesper.

[Patrick_Mucci]

John,

When I last played Belmont the greens were German Bent/Velvet, and they were sensational.

You also had a phenomenal "skyline" green that just needed to have some firs someone planted removed, which I suggested, understanding the "safety" element from the hole behind it.
It was on the back nine, played up the hill and might have been # 17.

Did they ever restore the "skyline" effect ?

[John Ezekowitz]

Pat,

You are right, it is 17. They have taken out some trees, but unfortunately it is still not a skyline green. I have seen balls run over that green down onto the fairway of 13, which is about 40 feet behind it.

They have been doing a good job of removing trees. Hopefully those will go soon as well.

[Brad Tufts]

Here are my Top 25 in Mass that I have played.  Just my opinion, that's it.  As I said, I have not played Worcester, Belmont, Sankaty, Nantucket, Cohasset, Oyster Harbors, Hyannisport, Berkshire Hills, New Bedford, Wianno, Framingham, Woods Hole, Duxbury and a bunch of others, so they will not be listed.  I have played 127 of approximately 375-400 golf courses in Mass. currently.  One being NLE, Colonial in Lynnfield.

1.  Essex....last played 2012, approx. 25 rounds played there total
2.  Myopia...2012, 35
3.  TCC.......2009, 6 (no bump for Champ routing, which I have played 2 of my 6 rounds at TCC)
4.  Old Sandwich...2010, 1
5.  Kittansett....2011, 2
6.  Boston GC....2012, 2
7.  Taconic.....2004, 25ish
8.  Salem CC....2012, 10
9.  Concord CC....2012, about 22
10. Charles River....2012, 4
11. Winchester….2009, 2
12. Eastward Ho….2006, 2
13. Brae Burn….2009, 2
14. Longmeadow CC…2004, 3
15. Plymouth.....2008, 6
16.  Tedesco....2012, roughly 400
17.  Oak Hill CC….2001, 1
18.  Vesper CC….2004, 2
19.  Orchards….2010, 5
20.  Black Rock…2003, 1
21.  Redtail….2003, 1
22.  Weston…2011, 3
23.  Woodland CC….2008, 4
24.  Dedham….2007, 1
25.  Kernwood…2005, 3

[Dan_Callahan]

That's a great list, Brad.

I would have Kittansett ahead of TCC. I love that course, especially when there's some wind.

Looking farther down, I would slot Belmont higher than Concord (I know you haven't seen Belmont yet, but it's that good).

I would have Taconic farther down, but I haven't seen it post renovation.

Longmeadow is definitely one of the most overlooked courses in the state.

I would have Dedham higher than Red Tail. I'd probably have it right behind the Orchards. I think I'd have Red Tail at 25 in a tie with the Ranch.

I don't think Wianno would crack your top 25. Neither would Cohasset and Duxbury. Worcester would, and Sankaty might just because it's so damn cool. You might love Nantucket, but for the 8-12 handicap it is a beast if there's wind (and there's always wind). Lost ball fiesta even with caddies helping out.

Have you played Wyantenuck? It wouldn't be able to bump anyone out of your top 25, but it's a very fun course in Great Barrington.

[John Ezekowitz]

Brad, if you can, you should get back to TCC. It has changed dramatically from 2009 as they get ready for the Amateur. There has been a lot of tree clearing and some new tees put in.

[Mark Steffey]

Here are my Top 25 in Mass that I have played.  Just my opinion, that's it.  As I said, I have not played Worcester, Belmont, Sankaty, Nantucket, Cohasset, Oyster Harbors, Hyannisport, Berkshire Hills, New Bedford, Wianno, Framingham, Woods Hole, Duxbury and a bunch of others, so they will not be listed.  I have played 127 of approximately 375-400 golf courses in Mass. currently.  One being NLE, Colonial in Lynnfield.

1.  Essex....last played 2012, approx. 25 rounds played there total

  right on!

[Sean Leary]

Here are my Top 25 in Mass that I have played.  Just my opinion, that's it.  As I said, I have not played Worcester, Belmont, Sankaty, Nantucket, Cohasset, Oyster Harbors, Hyannisport, Berkshire Hills, New Bedford, Wianno, Framingham, Woods Hole, Duxbury and a bunch of others, so they will not be listed.  I have played 127 of approximately 375-400 golf courses in Mass. currently.  One being NLE, Colonial in Lynnfield.

1.  Essex....last played 2012, approx. 25 rounds played there total
2.  Myopia...2012, 35
3.  TCC.......2009, 6 (no bump for Champ routing, which I have played 2 of my 6 rounds at TCC)
4.  Old Sandwich...2010, 1
5.  Kittansett....2011, 2
6.  Boston GC....2012, 2
7.  Taconic.....2004, 25ish
8.  Salem CC....2012, 10
9.  Concord CC....2012, about 22
10. Charles River....2012, 4
11. Winchester….2009, 2
12. Eastward Ho….2006, 2
13. Brae Burn….2009, 2
14. Longmeadow CC…2004, 3
15. Plymouth.....2008, 6
16.  Tedesco....2012, roughly 400
17.  Oak Hill CC….2001, 1
18.  Vesper CC….2004, 2
19.  Orchards….2010, 5
20.  Black Rock…2003, 1
21.  Redtail….2003, 1
22.  Weston…2011, 3
23.  Woodland CC….2008, 4
24.  Dedham….2007, 1
25.  Kernwood…2005, 3

Was Leo J Martin 26 and Sandy Burr 27 I presume?

[John Ezekowitz]

Here are my Top 25 in Mass that I have played.  Just my opinion, that's it.  As I said, I have not played Worcester, Belmont, Sankaty, Nantucket, Cohasset, Oyster Harbors, Hyannisport, Berkshire Hills, New Bedford, Wianno, Framingham, Woods Hole, Duxbury and a bunch of others, so they will not be listed.  I have played 127 of approximately 375-400 golf courses in Mass. currently.  One being NLE, Colonial in Lynnfield.

1.  Essex....last played 2012, approx. 25 rounds played there total
2.  Myopia...2012, 35
3.  TCC.......2009, 6 (no bump for Champ routing, which I have played 2 of my 6 rounds at TCC)
4.  Old Sandwich...2010, 1
5.  Kittansett....2011, 2
6.  Boston GC....2012, 2
7.  Taconic.....2004, 25ish
8.  Salem CC....2012, 10
9.  Concord CC....2012, about 22
10. Charles River....2012, 4
11. Winchester….2009, 2
12. Eastward Ho….2006, 2
13. Brae Burn….2009, 2
14. Longmeadow CC…2004, 3
15. Plymouth.....2008, 6
16.  Tedesco....2012, roughly 400
17.  Oak Hill CC….2001, 1
18.  Vesper CC….2004, 2
19.  Orchards….2010, 5
20.  Black Rock…2003, 1
21.  Redtail….2003, 1
22.  Weston…2011, 3
23.  Woodland CC….2008, 4
24.  Dedham….2007, 1
25.  Kernwood…2005, 3

Was Leo J Martin 26 and Sandy Burr 27 I presume?

Don't forget the immortal Presidents GC.

[Mark Steffey]

Don't forget the immortal Presidents GC.

you do need a hard hat to play there... but pres does hold some big name tournaments that bring out the best MA golfers.

[Brad Tufts]

I actually have a huge soft spot for President's.  A few goofy holes, but a really fun 5670 par 70.  They have actually about finished a 5-yr renovation project so it's as fair and interesting as it ever has been.  I came in 4th in the NCC in 2007 or so.  Too bad the general public doesn't get to see it with the nasty-fast greens and great pin positions like we do in the NCC (like back on #1 and #3, where they never put it for the public)...it might be a hidden gem if so.  The rating is 68.1, which is exactly where it should be.  I actually teamed with another guy one year in the NCC 2-ball in Oct. to shoot a 61 BB....I was the steady guy while my partner tried to drive all the par 4s, I think he shot 64 on his own ball that day.  One will probably beat their handicap at Presi's, and the beer's cold in the 19th!

I have played Wyantenuck...I made the round of 8 in the Mass. Am there in 2011.  It's a neat course, but I don't include it because Mass. is a deep state for good private golf, and Wyantenuck has a few wacky holes like #2, #4, #8, #9, and it gets a little boring down on the river plain #s13-16.  I like #7, #10-#12, and LOVE #17.

Leary....never had the pleasure of Leo J, but I have played Sandy Burr a couple times...there are a few good holes out there, but it's as mail-in as Ross gets.  A public list would be much harder to produce, with some names that most on here have not heard nationally....Mass is a crap state for public golf beyond a few good ones.  I have not played The Ranch or Shining Rock, probably the last two publics remaining of note that I haven't seen.

I do have to get back to TCC (I have a few wangle-angles), as I have heard the new tees and prep for the US Am has the place looking pretty spectacular.  One of my fellow Tedesco long-range golf course committee members played there last summer and was so impressed that it's a big example of why we want to put $2.2M into making Tedesco as good as it can be.  Not that Tedesco cares all that much about the rankings (mine or otherwise!), but despite the cool things we can do to resto-renovate our course to bring it back to prominence, I don't see it moving up too far considering the great courses we have in Mass.

[Tyler Kearns]

How was Belmont left off the list ?

Pat,

I've never been to Boston, so I put together a list of Ross courses hoping for some feedback on what I should try and see when I'm there.  Your addition of an under the radar course like Belmont is exactly what I was hoping for, if not for this initial trip but for the next.

TK

[Brad Tufts]

I forgot to mention that Whitinsville would probably be in the #12 to #17 range on my list if it were 18.

Whitinsville is easily the best private 9 in the state, and best 9 overall.  I have not played Edgartown, but have heard its vibe is better than its golf course.  Bellevue is also supposed to be decent.  There are some other fun nines in Mass as well, like Olde Salem Greens (Stiles), Greenock CC (Ross), North Andover CC (Ross), Fresh Pond (Ross associate Walter Johnson), Rockport GC (goes back to 19th century), Marion GC (G. Thomas before moving to CA), and a great one with some alternate greens for a few holes on the Vineyard, Mink Meadows (Stiles).

[Brad Tufts]

Personal public list....I have not played The Ranch, Miacomet on Nantucket, Shining Rock, and a couple others that could factor at the back end of this list.  I included a couple courses that are private but can be accessed through a hotel stay, etc.

1.   Taconic, Williamstown, MA Stiles
2.   Redtail, Ft. Devens, Silva
3.   International (Oaks), Bolton, Fazio
4.   George Wright, Hyde Park, Ross
5.   Wachusett, W. Boylston, Ross
6.   Waverly Oaks, Plymouth, Silva
7.   Wahconah, Dalton, Stiles
8.   Butter Brook, Westford, Mungeam
9.   Pinehills Nicklaus, Plymouth, Nicklaus
10.   Cape Cod National, Brewster, Silva
11.   CC of Greenfield, Greenfield, Findlay/Barton
12.   Cape Cod CC, Falmouth, Emmet
13.   South Shore CC, Hingham, Stiles
14.   Farm Neck GC, Oak Bluffs MV, Cornish/Robinson/Mungeam
15.   New Seabury Blue, Mashpee, Mitchell/Rees Jones
16.   William J. Devine GC, Franklin Park, Wright/Campbell/Ross
17.   Gannon Municipal, Lynn, Stiles
18.   Glen Ellen CC, Millis, ?/Ron Pritchard reno.
19.   Crumpin-Fox, Bernardston, Rulewich
20.   Pinehills Jones, Plymouth, Rees Jones
21.   Blackstone National, Sutton, Rees Jones
22.   Beverly Golf & Tennis, Beverly, Stiles/Wogan
23.   Captains (Port), Brewster, Silva
24.   Shaker Hills, Harvard, Silva/Mungeam
25.   Ocean Edge, Brewster, Cornish/Silva, then Nicklaus redo. 

The next few that I have played would be among Captains (Starboard), Sandy Burr, Waubeeka (which I haven’t seen since the recent work, so could make the top 25 now), Stow Acres North, Bass River, Dennis Pines.

[Sean Leary]

Personal public list....I have not played The Ranch, Miacomet on Nantucket, Shining Rock, and a couple others that could factor at the back end of this list.  I included a couple courses that are private but can be accessed through a hotel stay, etc.

1.   Taconic, Williamstown, MA Stiles
2.   Redtail, Ft. Devens, Silva
3.   International (Oaks), Bolton, Fazio
4.   George Wright, Hyde Park, Ross
5.   Wachusett, W. Boylston, Ross
6.   Waverly Oaks, Plymouth, Silva
7.   Wahconah, Dalton, Stiles
8.   Butter Brook, Westford, Mungeam
9.   Pinehills Nicklaus, Plymouth, Nicklaus
10.   Cape Cod National, Brewster, Silva
11.   CC of Greenfield, Greenfield, Findlay/Barton
12.   Cape Cod CC, Falmouth, Emmet
13.   South Shore CC, Hingham, Stiles
14.   Farm Neck GC, Oak Bluffs MV, Cornish/Robinson/Mungeam
15.   New Seabury Blue, Mashpee, Mitchell/Rees Jones
16.   William J. Devine GC, Franklin Park, Wright/Campbell/Ross
17.   Gannon Municipal, Lynn, Stiles
18.   Glen Ellen CC, Millis, ?/Ron Pritchard reno.
19.   Crumpin-Fox, Bernardston, Rulewich
20.   Pinehills Jones, Plymouth, Rees Jones
21.   Blackstone National, Sutton, Rees Jones
22.   Beverly Golf & Tennis, Beverly, Stiles/Wogan
23.   Captains (Port), Brewster, Silva
24.   Shaker Hills, Harvard, Silva/Mungeam
25.   Ocean Edge, Brewster, Cornish/Silva, then Nicklaus redo. 

The next few that I have played would be among Captains (Starboard), Sandy Burr, Waubeeka (which I haven’t seen since the recent work, so could make the top 25 now), Stow Acres North, Bass River, Dennis Pines.

Good thing you don't keep lists or anything.

[Tim Martin]

Anybody have any info on Duxbury Yacht Club? I believe Wayne Stiles was the architect of record.

[Brad Tufts]

Good thing you don't keep lists or anything.

You have to take advantage of the threads on the stuff you know.

I hope you ran one OB left on #2 at TS-North today.  During my only round there, I returned to my cart after one hole only to find a coyote sitting on the seat rummaging through our stuff.

[John Ezekowitz]

Anybody have any info on Duxbury Yacht Club? I believe Wayne Stiles was the architect of record.

I played in a junior tournament there about six years ago. I remember it being a pretty good course, but that the holes in the forest were overgrown and narrow. The clubhouse sits on the high point, and the holes that play around it in the open reminded me a bit of heathland golf. It is a beautiful setting.

[Tim Martin]

Anybody have any info on Duxbury Yacht Club? I believe Wayne Stiles was the architect of record.

I played in a junior tournament there about six years ago. I remember it being a pretty good course, but that the holes in the forest were overgrown and narrow. The clubhouse sits on the high point, and the holes that play around it in the open reminded me a bit of heathland golf. It is a beautiful setting.

Thanks John. There really are a lot of cool beach towns on the South Shore.

[Andy Treen]

Brad,

If you have the opportunity to play Miacomet GC on Nantucket do it!  The front nine (original nine) is quirky and fun but there is a stretch on the back nine; 13-17, thats unreal.  Possibly the best greens on Nantucket, deffinitly the most consistent.  Sankaty Head and Nantucket GC are so seasonal that their greens evolve through the season and their peaks match the clubs respective tournament schedules. Sankaty's vary much more than NGC's.  Sankaty's condition between their member-guest and club championships is unreal.  Firm and Fast!

I would say Miacomet is a more enjoyable round than one NGC, though pace of play can be an issue during July and August.  You can certainly remember more holes.

October on Nantucket is great.  Sankaty Opens to public play after Columbus Day.

[Patrick_Mucci]

How was Belmont left off the list ?

Pat,

I've never been to Boston, so I put together a list of Ross courses hoping for some feedback on what I should try and see when I'm there.  Your addition of an under the radar course like Belmont is exactly what I was hoping for, if not for this initial trip but for the next.

Tyler,

Before the highway took away about 5 holes, I'd have to imagine that Belmont would be at the top of any list.
It's enjoyable, although you will notice the disconnect.

Good luck

TK

[Mark McKeever]

Anybody have any info on Duxbury Yacht Club? I believe Wayne Stiles was the architect of record.

I played in a junior tournament there about six years ago. I remember it being a pretty good course, but that the holes in the forest were overgrown and narrow. The clubhouse sits on the high point, and the holes that play around it in the open reminded me a bit of heathland golf. It is a beautiful setting.

Thanks John. There really are a lot of cool beach towns on the South Shore.

Agreed Tim!  I played there with a college friend once who grew up in Duxbury.  It's a neat track with some really strong holes.  I agree that it felt tight in the trees at times, but there's a lot of good stuff out there.

Mark

[Patrick_Mucci]

Pat,

You are right, it is 17. They have taken out some trees, but unfortunately it is still not a skyline green. I have seen balls run over that green down onto the fairway of 13, which is about 40 feet behind it.

They have been doing a good job of removing trees. Hopefully those will go soon as well.

John,

Has there been any effort to revitalize or reintroduce the Ross style to some of the bland holes created by the Rt 2 ROW ?