Our Picks for The 10 Best Golf courses in Massachusetts
1. The Country Club (Clyde & Squirrel)
Address: 191 Clyde Street, Brookline MA 02467
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 146
Course Rating: 75.4
Total par (men’s tees): 70
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,930
Scorecard: Link
The Country club were constructed at different times with input from numerous architects. The club was eventually formed in 1882. soon afterwards, golf arrived in the shape of a simple 6-hole layout, which was soon extended to 9 holes by Willie Campbell.
2. Old Sandwich Golf Club
Address: 247 Old Sandwich Rd, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360, Plymouth County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 139
Course Rating: 74.1
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,908
Scorecard: Link
In the golf universe the words “old sandwich” mean a top rated Coore & Crenshaw course located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Old Sandwich Golf Club opened its tees for play in 2004.
3. Essex County Club
Address: 153 School St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts 01944, Essex County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 136
Course Rating: 72.5
Total par (men’s tees): 70
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,401
Scorecard: Link
Essex County Club is considered the first great Donald Ross design and perhaps his most intriguing. It was 1893 when Essex County Club opened as the first 9-hole course in New England. Hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1897 and 1912.
4. Myopia Hunt Club
Address: Off 435 Bay Road, South Hamilton, Massachusetts 01982, Essex County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 135
Course Rating: 73.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,539
Scorecard: Link
In the early years of the U.S. Open, Myopia Hunt Club hosted it four times: 1898, 1901, 1905, and 1908. Founded in 1882 by J. Murray Forbes, designed and built by Herbert C. Leeds in 1894 and he continued working at the Club for over 30 years.
5. Eastward Ho Club
Address: 325 Fox Hill Rd, Chatham, Massachusetts 02633, Barnstable County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 143
Course Rating: 78.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,437
Scorecard: Link
Eastward Ho is a private, Member owned Club which opened for play on July 3, 1922. The man responsible of creating this classic layout in 1921 was Herbert Fowler – best known for his work at Walton Health and The Berkshire. It was later renovated by Keith Foster in 2004.
6. Boston Golf Club
Address: 19 Old County Road, Hingham, Massachusetts 02043, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 141
Course Rating: 75
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,020
Scorecard: Link
Designed by the architect Gil Hanse, this course reflects his appreciation for the game’s roots in the British Isles as well as it’s minimalist design. This golf course was opened for play in 2005. It is ranked in the country’s top 100 by every golf publication.
7. The Kittansett Club
Address: 11 Point Rd, Marion, Massachusetts 02738, Plymouth County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 140
Course Rating: 73.8
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,811
Scorecard: Link
The Kittansett Club, appropriately named from two Native American words meaning “near the sea.” A club was formed and the course was built with play beginning in 1923. Kittansett was one of the first courses to be built with predetermined specifications. Consulted Donald Ross and William Flynn regarding the course layout but it was founding member Frederic C. Hood who undertook the actual construction of the course.
8. Sankaty Head Golf Club
Address: Sankaty Head Golf Club, Nantucket, MA 02554, USA
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 129
Course Rating: 72.5
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,623
Scorecard: Link
The course was designed by Emerson Armstrong and opened in 1923. On June 4, 2019, the Sankaty Head Golf Club was chosen to be the host site of the USGA’s 41st U.S. Mid-Amateur. This was their first hosted USGA championship and was played September 25–30, 2021.
9. Salem Country Club
Address: 133 Forest St, Peabody, MA 01960, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 131
Course Rating: 73.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,824
Scorecard: Link
Salem Country Club, founded in 1895, is one of America’s great courses designed by architect Donald Ross. The greens but more specifically the green sites are considered perfection and each holes are thoughtfully designed. Known for its 18 holes that represent Ross’s greatest creaion.
10. Vineyard Golf Club
Address: 100 Club House Ln, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539, Dukes County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 142
Course Rating: 75.1
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,146
Scorecard: Link
The Vineyard Golf Club is only organic golf course in the U.S. It uses no synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides. The golf course was opened in 2002. Designed by William ‘Buddy’ Johnson in 2005, the Vineyards’ strategy and playability puts a premium on accuracy and shot making.
