New to area how long does fall golf last?

[youngun87]

So I just moved up to the Boston area and was wondering how long fall golf lasts? My father wants to come up to visit and experience fall golf with the leaves etc..... we come from Texas where we don't really have seasons and he wants to come when foliage is in full bloom? What date range would you all recommend? Thanks

[DCSerafin]

From a foliage standpoint, the first couple weeks in October should work but keep an eye on the news-weather as weather does impact how early or late the foliage peaks. Depending on the course, fall golf can last into thanksgiving weekender and beyond. Some courses close down for the winter after that date and some will remain open until the first snow. It really is different for each course and dependent upon the weather.

Enjoy, this really is the best time to play (except for the shortened days of course)

[TBD203]

In my experience (Source- work in the travel industry) 10/11/14 will be the best weekend for you. I imagine southwestern CT and Boston aren't significantly different. If you're willing to make a bit of a drive, Crumpin Fox in Bernardston MA is an awesome track when the leaves start changing.

[pingfool]

excellent course conditions through November - if you're ok playing in 50degree weather -

possible frost delays early am - but usually clear by 9-10am

[Imp]

The 'peak' foiliage happens about 2-3 weeks earlier up north (NH/ME) than down here in coastal southern New England (RI/CT). It really does depend on where you want to play.

[bruinsPATSirish]

[quote name='TBD203' timestamp='1409827777' post='10061985']
In my experience (Source- work in the travel industry) 10/11/14 will be the best weekend for you. I imagine southwestern CT and Boston aren't significantly different. If you're willing to make a bit of a drive, Crumpin Fox in Bernardston MA is an awesome track when the leaves start changing.
[/quote]

+1 on Crumpin Fox, it's about 20 minutes from where I grew up and that course is awesome. The International in Bolton and RedTail in Ft Devens are two more public tracks that are nice if you want to get out of Boston and see some real trees and fall colora

[hockeyplayer19]

I would include Blackstone National in Sutton, MA as another very scenic course during foliage (or any) season. Great layout, good conditions and lots of trees.

I also agree with previous posters, monitor the weather reports as a cool, rainy few weeks can accelerate the fall foliage season. NH/ME/VT will hit the foliage season 2-3 weeks prior to MA/CT/RI.

[mikedamone]

The further south you go in Mass the better. I play most of my golf on Cape Cod and I usually can play thru December no problem. With the exception of the ridiculous winter we had last year I can usually get at least 1 round in January and February.

[youngun87]

OK cool thanks for the response guys

[moose557]

Grew up and just moved from just outside of Boston. Late September till mid October is ideal for what you are looking for. As others have said its earlier the farther north you go.

For how long the season goes if there is no snow on the ground you can always find a course thats open. All depends on how cold you can tolerate. Through October is fine. Mid to late November starts to get real dicey with many courses having frost delays in the mornings. My groups general rule was if the high for the day is over 40 we would play, but it would be considerably colder then that in the mornings when we tee'd off.

Latest we ever played was around the second week of December. Ground was frozen. Had a friend hit one left of the green into a pond only to have the ball hit the frozen water and take a giant bounce onto the green. We decided after that shot that was going to be the last round of the year.

[moose557]

Also, with the foliage early the better because it gets old real quick when those leaves start falling. We would play "fall rules" where if you knew pretty much where your ball landed, but couldnt find it under massive amounts of leaves you got a free drop.

[youngun87]

Thanks for the replies. I also wanted to see what you guys wear for winter golf? I basically just have a wind shirt and thats it..... Do you all wear base layers and then golf shirt, sweater? Are there any brands that make good cold weather stuff?

[Imp]

Under Armor heat gear as a base, then figure out how windy it is relative to temperature and go from there. "Not windy" will usually have me in a long sleeve polo from 40* and up. "Not windy" and under 40, I'll have a light wind jacket as a top layer. "Windy" depends on temp, as I won't play in windy conditions (over 15mph) if it's under 45*. That is really my breaking point. Also, sometimes will just have a knit cap for my head.

[moose557]

Second under armour heat gear. Then I go long sleeve polo. Keep a jacket in the cart for warm up and incase the wind s blowing. Knit cap. Usually just wear normal golf pants but if the weather is hovering near 40 I throw on long underwear underneath.

[Tony772]

[quote name='moose557' timestamp='1410055282' post='10077723']
Grew up and just moved from just outside of Boston. Late September till mid October is ideal for what you are looking for. As others have said its earlier the farther north you go.

For how long the season goes if there is no snow on the ground you can always find a course thats open. All depends on how cold you can tolerate. Through October is fine. Mid to late November starts to get real dicey with many courses having frost delays in the mornings. My groups general rule was if the high for the day is over 40 we would play, but it would be considerably colder then that in the mornings when we tee'd off.

Latest we ever played was around the second week of December. Ground was frozen. Had a friend hit one left of the green into a pond only to have the ball hit the frozen water and take a giant bounce onto the green. We decided after that shot that was going to be the last round of the year.
[/quote]

You haven't played winter golf if you've never used a hammer to get your tee in the ground.

[ChipDriver]

[quote name='youngun87' timestamp='1409797702' post='10060859']
So I just moved up to the Boston area and was wondering how long fall golf lasts? My father wants to come up to visit and experience fall golf with the leaves etc..... we come from Texas where we don't really have seasons and he wants to come when foliage is in full bloom? What date range would you all recommend? Thanks
[/quote]

Shoot son...fall golf lasts until winter. Then it's winter golf.

I'll take the advice of people who know about when the leaves turn - but just my personal advice having lived in Texas and in the mid-atlantic. Don't play! Just kidding- sort of. Boston in September can get as cold as Dallas in January....it's farther north and it's more humid so it amplifies the cold. 45* in the morning simply won't feel like 45* in Dallas. No it won't be snowing but your Pop might feel a little like a Pop-sicle. There's no wind-shirt or Under Armour that will make dad warm enough.

Where did you live in TX?

[dmagalhaes]

Last year I played on the weekends right up until the week of Thanksgiving.

[Imp]

Last week, which was the last week of league, we were talking about getting together playing different courses for the fall. I was asked... "When was the last time you played X course?". "Hold on, let me look." I pull out my phone, open the OOBGolf site, log in "Jan 13, 2013." Yes. January.

Last winter was not conductive to playing golf. But the past 4-5winters? I was out there at least 2-3x a month.

--kC

[DLiver]

[quote name='bruinsPATSirish' timestamp='1409833987' post='10062305']
[quote name='TBD203' timestamp='1409827777' post='10061985']
In my experience (Source- work in the travel industry) 10/11/14 will be the best weekend for you. I imagine southwestern CT and Boston aren't significantly different. If you're willing to make a bit of a drive, Crumpin Fox in Bernardston MA is an awesome track when the leaves start changing.
[/quote]

+1 on Crumpin Fox, it's about 20 minutes from where I grew up and that course is awesome. The International in Bolton and RedTail in Ft Devens are two more public tracks that are nice if you want to get out of Boston and see some real trees and fall colora
[/quote]

This advice is spot on.

[Shemp]

I live 30 miles west of Boston and pretty much every year I get a round in all 12 months. The Cape, South County RI usually have something open during every month of winter.