Boston Golf Club - Would you flip the nines?

[Matt Bielawa]

I played BGC a couple weeks ago and mentioned to my caddy as we finished that I thought flipping the nines would make a lot of sense.  He nodded and said he hears that quite frequently.  #8 and #9 would make for a strong finish, while #16, #17, and #18 were a pretty easy stretch and somewhat underwhelming finish.  The only reason I liked 18 as a finishing hole is that it had the best site for the clubhouse and enabled the 19th hole to overlook the green.  However, my understanding is that the routing and opening of the course came well before that site was picked for a permanent clubhouse.  So, they could have located the clubhouse elsewhere, or just keep that clubhouse site and overlook the 9th instead (Harbor Town is the only clubhouse I could think of that does that).

Anyone else think flipping the nines would make the course better, or does it even matter?

[Andy Troeger]

Matt,

I personally wouldn't switch the nines. The best holes on the course for me come in the middle stages of each nine (#5, 6, 14, 15), and even though #9 is tough I don't think it is one of the better holes out there. I like the opportunity that Boston GC gives you to finish reasonably well, especially given the overall challenge of the course. It is a really good golf course either way. #5 is an awesome drive and pitch hole.

[Chris DeToro]

I wouldn't switch the 9s either.  I really like the closing stretch of holes and think it's a great cap to the round with a mix of scoring holes and some tough ones as well.  #5 is an awesome hole--one of the best short par 4s I've ever played.  Reminded me a lot of 14 at Bandon Trails. 

I found the entire course to be underrated in terms of difficultly but it could've been the conditions (windy and soft)

[Mark McKeever]

I would not switch them either.  The last few holes allow the player to gain ground if they are down in a match as well.

Mark

[Chris DeToro]

I'm a big fan of the course in general--what'd you guys think?  Why doesn't this course get talked about more on this site?

[Andy Troeger]

Even though it shows up in all the major top 100 lists, I think it is generally underrated. I liked it slightly more than neighbor Old Sandwich, but both are top 50 in my book.

I think discussion here is often based as much on access as it is quality. It is hard to have a discussion unless a decent percentage of the group has played a course, or unless someone puts in the work to do a full photo tour.

[Chris DeToro]

I'll have to get some pics next time

I haven't played Old Sandwich, but feel like BGC holds its own in a region of great golf courses.  How do you feel it stacks up to the older classics in New England?

[Andy Troeger]

I'll have to get some pics next time

I haven't played Old Sandwich, but feel like BGC holds its own in a region of great golf courses.  How do you feel it stacks up to the older classics in New England?

Level with The Country Club and ahead of everything else I played (Eastward Ho, Newport, Wannamoisett, Winchester, Oyster Harbors). It can hold its own in pretty much any neighborhood. Those other courses didn't disappoint either. Even being up there for a little over a week, I missed a lot of other really neat places.

[Matt Bielawa]

I've got a bunch of photos from my round.  I'll get them up within the next couple days.

Wouldn't #5 be even better if it were #14?  Facing that hole toward the end of a close match could be awesome in my opinion.  I see what the rest of you are saying though.

[Ally Mcintosh]

I always meant to do a full thread after my visit last August. Give me a few days.

As for switching the nines, I liked the routing as is. Plus - and I realise you jump on a cart for the transition anyway - isn't 18 green to 1 tees a much longer walk than 9 green to 10 tees?

[Matt Bielawa]

Yes, it is, but on the other hand, #10 is much closer to the clubhouse as a starting hole than #1 is.  #10 would be more of a "gentle handshake" as well, if that's your preference for starting holes.

[Andy Troeger]

I've got a bunch of photos from my round.  I'll get them up within the next couple days.

Wouldn't #5 be even better if it were #14?  Facing that hole toward the end of a close match could be awesome in my opinion.  I see what the rest of you are saying though.

I think #15 might be the best hole on the course, actually, although one could make an argument either way with that and #5. #10 isn't that tough, but #11-14 would be tough right out of the gate. You get to play the same good holes either way, but I don't think there's much chance of them switching. Finishing by the clubhouse makes more sense logistically than finishing way down the hill.