The International

Pomps · March 1, 2016

Hi folks...I'm looking to join somewhere this year and am leaning towards The International. I'm going to see it this weekend. Apparently it's 36 holes on two solid courses, grass range with unlimited balls included and good practice facility. Plus at $4500 (for my age group) with no initiation, that's much better than other courses I'm considering like Blue Hill, Framingham, Hopkinton etc which have initiations 10-20k.

Does anyone have any experience with The International? How packed is it on weekends? Any feedback would be helpful.

raynorfan1 · March 1, 2016

If it were convenient to me, it would be my first choice, hands down.

Two really good courses; good practice areas; good facilities (and management that feels like they "get it"). Not sure if they're still allowing limited public play - that would be my only knock - but it's a really nice facility.

Pomps · March 2, 2016

Thank you for the feedback. The convenience is my concern as well. I live in Boston. I plan on moving to the western suburbs this year so it shouldn't be as bad, but until then, it's a good hour away....maybe more if I try to go after work to get in a quick 9 or hit the practice area.

Anything close, private and halfway decent requires a meaningful initiation which is always nice to not pay if you don't have to. Otherwise, the closer public tracks like George Wright are just so packed. I can't deal with 6 hour Saturday rounds and that's even if you can get a time.

raynorfan1 · March 2, 2016

Yeah, I wouldn't do it from Boston. Maybe 15 years ago (pre family) when I could have driven out first thing on Saturday morning and just hung out there all weekend. But no way you're making that commute to hit a few balls at the range.

Not sure how old you are (but given the 4,500 international rate, obviously not that old) - but if you're connected at all, you should ask around about the courses closer to Boston. Most initiation fees scale down dramatically for younger people, and it might be more affordable than you think. I'd think about Woodland, Tedesco, et al as viable possibilities - definitely more $$$ than The International, but probably better value for you.

Pomps · March 3, 2016

Thank you for the feedback. I'm 37, so I actually just miss a lot of the more favorable rates that are offered to younger age groups. A lot seem to be cutoff in the low to mid 30s. The key thing is that expect to move out of Boston at some point this year, and I do have weekends pretty free to spend the whole weekend there.

Bandy1080 · March 3, 2016

Instead of looking west maybe look south? Plymouth is a bit shorter from Boston. Pinehills is a great deal and a little less than the International. You do have to book tee times in advance so there's that. But one of the best deals going is the membership at Waverly Oaks. Maybe just do that for a year before you move out west and can get that International membership.

raynorfan1 · March 3, 2016

Keep in mind that unless you're moving to the 495 belt, The International is still going to be pretty far away. I live in a western suburb, and it's still a solid 50 minutes for me - there's just not an easy way to get there.

YoMikeT · March 3, 2016

Played The Oaks course at The International 2 years ago when they briefly opened that course for public play. It's a great track and the practice facilities are top notch. That membership price is very intriguing. I might have to think about joining.

cubiclegolfer · March 5, 2016

Don't know much about International, played the Pines last year, it was in nice shape. Solid layout. One thing I can say about private golf in the Boston Metro area and beyond is that it is an efficient market. You pretty much get what you pay for with regards to location and quality of golf course. There's obviously some exceptions of course. Supply and demand seems to work fairly well and I am sure if the International could bear an initiation they would, but they just can't right now in this market. If you aren't locked in for anything besides a year I say go for it and see how you like it and how much value you can get out of your "investment" without being unreasonable on travel times, etc. Good luck!

Chris_NH · March 6, 2016

I've played The Oaks and The Pines - and liked them both - very solid courses IMO. I liked The Oaks slightly better (emphasis on slightly), but I could be happy playing either one every weekend.

I played The Oaks when it was open to public play a couple of years ago. I played The Pines with BrianL99, who is a relatively frequent poster here and has been a member there for several years. PM him and I'm sure he'll give you all kinds of information. The good thing about Brian is that he won't sugar-coat the negatives, even for a club to which he belongs.

BrianL99 · March 6, 2016

I've played The Oaks and The Pines - and liked them both - very solid courses IMO. I liked The Oaks slightly better (emphasis on slightly), but I could be happy playing either one every weekend.

I played The Oaks when it was open to public play a couple of years ago. I played The Pines with BrianL99, who is a relatively frequent poster here and has been a member there for several years. PM him and I'm sure he'll give you all kinds of information. The good thing about Brian is that he won't sugar-coat the negatives, even for a club to which he belongs.

Are you suggesting I'm not much of a "sugar coater", Chris?

& what Chris didn't mention in his post, was he played the most unbelievable round I've ever seen anyone play, their first time on The Pines.

The Pines is tough and most mid-single digits won't break 90 the first time they play it. Chris turned in a smooth 76-77 that day. You have to play the course, to appreciate what a great score that was.

BrianL99 · March 6, 2016

How packed is it on weekends? Any feedback would be helpful.

"Packed" is not a word that ever has to be used at The International.

A typical golf course can handle 325-350 Members per 18 holes.

We have 425 Members, with 2 courses.

Did you meet with Mike this weekend?

Chris_NH · March 6, 2016

I've played The Oaks and The Pines - and liked them both - very solid courses IMO. I liked The Oaks slightly better (emphasis on slightly), but I could be happy playing either one every weekend.

I played The Oaks when it was open to public play a couple of years ago. I played The Pines with BrianL99, who is a relatively frequent poster here and has been a member there for several years. PM him and I'm sure he'll give you all kinds of information. The good thing about Brian is that he won't sugar-coat the negatives, even for a club to which he belongs.

Are you suggesting I'm not much of a "sugar coater", Chris?

& what Chris didn't mention in his post, was he played the most unbelievable round I've ever seen anyone play, their first time on The Pines.

The Pines is tough and most mid-single digits won't break 90 the first time they play it. Chris turned in a smooth 76-77 that day. You have to play the course, to appreciate what a great score that was.

Ha! If only my game was as good as your memory of it! I had a great day, but stumbled on the way in - low 80s IIRC. But as a guy who's a 10-12 handicap, even that's pretty rarified air on a course like that. That was a fun day.

And yes, you're no sugar-coater, Brian - I know you'd have it no other way ;-)

Pomps · March 6, 2016

How packed is it on weekends? Any feedback would be helpful.

"Packed" is not a word that ever has to be used at The International.

A typical golf course can handle 325-350 Members per 18 holes.

We have 425 Members, with 2 courses.

Did you meet with Mike this weekend?

I did meet with Mike for a couple of hours. I was very happy with the place. It's tough to get a sense of the course without playing it but from walking on some holes I can see it's very well kept. I was also very please with the range and practice area., which is almost as important to me. I'm going to be joining and I'll just deal with the distance. From what I saw it seems like it would be worth it.