North of Boston (495/Andover area) Country Club Recommendations

[matbow]

Hi all,

 

After a 8 year hiatus from the game I picked up the sticks last year and I'm hooked again. I ended up playing the local public course for the most part, and while it was fine, the conditions were never great and it was always pretty busy. It also doesn't help that I'm a single golfer right now and I tend to make last minute decisions about playing so it was hit or miss whether I could get out on any given (weekend) day.

 

So now I'm considering joining a country club with the following aims:

• Social aspect - I'm in my mid 30's, an ex-pat and I don't have any golfing buddies or a real social circle and I'd like to fix that. A club that helps facilitate that would be ideal.
  
• Reasonable (<$5k) annual dues and small/no joining fee at least for the first few years. I have a non golfing wife and toddler son, so small incremental fees for a social member would be ideal
  
• Walk-on golf possible at off peak times (I tend to play after 2pm at the weekend and I'd ideally like to try and get in 9 holes after work a few days a week)
  
• Within a 20 minute drive of Andover
  
• Practice facilities
  
• Not too stuffy or formal
  

So far the clubs that I have reached out to are Andover CC, Indian Ridge CC, North Andover CC, Haverhill CC. Thomson CC.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above clubs or others I should consider?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

[mmckee02]

If you're okay with a slightly longer drive, Vesper Country Club is an incredible Ross, restored by Silva in Lowell. If it were closer to Boston, people would go ape sh!t over it. One of the true hidden gems of the area. Check it out at least while you shop around, you will be floored.

 

MM

[jtirish]

I’ve played in a few member/guests at Renaissance in Haverhill and love that place. Great Silva design (minus the 4th hole) and top notch club house and amenities. It might be on the higher end price wise but I know they definitely have young professional membership offerings.

[outofboundz]

I’ve played in a few member/guests at Renaissance in Haverhill and love that place. Great Silva design (minus the 4th hole) and top notch club house and amenities. It might be on the higher end price wise but I know they definitely have young professional membership offerings.

 

 

To add to this, last fall they ran a solid deal. I think it was $1000 for full membership benefits starting from Labor day to the end of the year and if you joined for 2018 they put the $1k towards your 2018 dues. I didn't do it but if they run a similar deal this year I think I will jump on it.

[matbow]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I'd ruled out Renaissance because I'd heard they were really expensive, but based on the above comments I've reached out to them to at least learn exactly how expensive they are! It does appear they waive initiation fee until you're 40 and have reduced dues (plus it includes family social membership), so maybe it will be comparable to the others when everything is factored in.

 

I'd actually heard about the fall deal they offered, but I didn't know they applied that to 2018 dues; in hindsight that would have been a good way to dip my toe into the water. If I don't make the jump this year I will definitely try and get on that deal!

 

I’ve played in a few member/guests at Renaissance in Haverhill and love that place. Great Silva design (minus the 4th hole) and top notch club house and amenities. It might be on the higher end price wise but I know they definitely have young professional membership offerings.

 

 

To add to this, last fall they ran a solid deal. I think it was $1000 for full membership benefits starting from Labor day to the end of the year and if you joined for 2018 they put the $1k towards your 2018 dues. I didn't do it but if they run a similar deal this year I think I will jump on it.

[outofboundz]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I'd ruled out Renaissance because I'd heard they were really expensive, but based on the above comments I've reached out to them to at least learn exactly how expensive they are! It does appear they waive initiation fee until you're 40 and have reduced dues (plus it includes family social membership), so maybe it will be comparable to the others when everything is factored in.

 

I'd actually heard about the fall deal they offered, but I didn't know they applied that to 2018 dues; in hindsight that would have been a good way to dip my toe into the water. If I don't make the jump this year I will definitely try and get on that deal!

 

I’ve played in a few member/guests at Renaissance in Haverhill and love that place. Great Silva design (minus the 4th hole) and top notch club house and amenities. It might be on the higher end price wise but I know they definitely have young professional membership offerings.

 

 

To add to this, last fall they ran a solid deal. I think it was $1000 for full membership benefits starting from Labor day to the end of the year and if you joined for 2018 they put the $1k towards your 2018 dues. I didn't do it but if they run a similar deal this year I think I will jump on it.

 

I am curious as to what their 2018 dues are but I dug up an old email I received from them for 2017 and this is what it was for under 40:

 

Initiation: Deferred

Indiv: $5,614 (includes social membership for immediate family)

Family: $7,486

 

No food minimum

[matbow]

I am curious as to what their 2018 dues are but I dug up an old email I received from them for 2017 and this is what it was for under 40:

 

Initiation: Deferred

Indiv: $5,614 (includes social membership for immediate family)

Family: $7,486

 

No food minimum

 

$140 more for 2018...

[DavePelz4]

Hi all,

 

After a 8 year hiatus from the game I picked up the sticks last year and I'm hooked again. I ended up playing the local public course for the most part, and while it was fine, the conditions were never great and it was always pretty busy. It also doesn't help that I'm a single golfer right now and I tend to make last minute decisions about playing so it was hit or miss whether I could get out on any given (weekend) day.

 

So now I'm considering joining a country club with the following aims:

• Social aspect - I'm in my mid 30's, an ex-pat and I don't have any golfing buddies or a real social circle and I'd like to fix that. A club that helps facilitate that would be ideal.
  
• Reasonable (<$5k) annual dues and small/no joining fee at least for the first few years. I have a non golfing wife and toddler son, so small incremental fees for a social member would be ideal
  
• Walk-on golf possible at off peak times (I tend to play after 2pm at the weekend and I'd ideally like to try and get in 9 holes after work a few days a week)
  
• Within a 20 minute drive of Andover
  
• Practice facilities
  
• Not too stuffy or formal
  

So far the clubs that I have reached out to are Andover CC, Indian Ridge CC, North Andover CC, Haverhill CC. Thomson CC.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above clubs or others I should consider?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

 

 

Used to live in Westford and was a member at Pleasant Valley. Just an awesome course!

[sir_templar2]

Does anyone have some recommendations for the Nashua area? I am going to visit Nashua CC & Vesper CC, but I was hoping for something a little less pricey.

[jgrzask]

Does anyone have some recommendations for the Nashua area? I am going to visit Nashua CC & Vesper CC, but I was hoping for something a little less pricey.

 

Sky Meadow is a solid course, I've played a couple member/guests there and always have had a good time. I think it is very close to Rt 3

[Underdog1924]

Does anyone have some recommendations for the Nashua area? I am going to visit Nashua CC & Vesper CC, but I was hoping for something a little less pricey.

 

Sky Meadow is a solid course, I've played a couple member/guests there and always have had a good time. I think it is very close to Rt 3

 

Sky Meadow is right off of Rt 3. I don't care for the course. It is in good shape but always felt it lacked character.

 

I really like Nashua CC. Short but lots of charm and in great shape.

[mmckee02]

Does anyone have some recommendations for the Nashua area? I am going to visit Nashua CC & Vesper CC, but I was hoping for something a little less pricey.

 

Once you visit Vesper, it will be hard to say no! :)

[sir_templar2]

I did visit Vesper, unfortunately I didn't play it. What I saw of the course looked pretty amazing. I ended up joining Sky Meadows for monetary considerations and social interaction -- plus its less than 10 minutes from my residence. So far I have only played the front 9 and its quite challenging.