Playing in the NorthEast this August and need help with courses

[Campbells_Soup]

A buddy and myself are flying out to R.I. from California and plan to play in NY, CT, RI, VT, ME, NH and MA. We have never played in those states and would appreciate any help in deciding which courses to play. We would prefer to play courses that are well maintained and under $100 a round. Thanks in advance.

 

 

[Clubtuner]

In RI you probably would want to play Newport National, Montaup CC both are on the island and are great tracks.
In MA Pine Hills, Nicklaus course.

[HackerD]

In Connecticut, some excellent courses are
[list][*]Fox Hopyard*[*]Richter Park[*]Great River*[*]Lake of Isles*[*]Wintonbury Hills[*]Shennecossett[/list]

*Typically priced 100+. But you may be able to find internet discounts (golfnow.com, etc.).

[jbrunone]

Newport National in RI Pinehills in MA and Fox Hopyard inCt

golf now has lots of deals and see if you can get on Bethpage in Ny

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='time4tim' timestamp='1306643194' post='3270067']
A buddy and myself are flying out to R.I. from California and plan to play in NY, CT, RI, VT, ME, NH and MA. We have never played in those states and would appreciate any help in deciding which courses to play. We would prefer to play courses that are well maintained and under $100 a round. Thanks in advance.


[/quote]

I'm in southern NH.

North of Boston, I'd suggest:
Red Tail (a tad over your budget on weekends, completely worth it)
Meadow Creek (Dracut, MA)
Shaker Hills (Harvard, MA)

In NH:
Atkinson (Atkinson, NH)
Breakfast Hill (Greenland, NH)
Portsmouth CC (Greenland, NH)

In ME:
The Ledges (York, ME)
Old Marsh (Wells, ME)

Of those, I'd say Red Tail, Portsmouth CC and The Ledges are the three don't-miss courses, but all are very good and I think you'd enjoy them.

I agree with another poster's suggestion of Nicklaus-Pinehills (even though it may push your budget a bit). Nice course, wide fairways, well-conditioned - a very enjoyable "resort" - style course.

[dsales]

[quote name='Clubtuner' timestamp='1306665797' post='3270269']
In RI you probably would want to play Newport National, Montaup CC both are on the island and are great tracks.
In MA Pine Hills, Nicklaus course.
[/quote]


Great recommendations but I think Meadowbrook should be on that list also.

[oneunderbogey]

If you are going to play in VT, NH, and ME, id play at least one of the mountan courses. They are courses which you only find in the northeast, some of the other courses mentioned are fun and great courses, but they are similar to courses you would find in cali and other parts of the country. The only problem with the mountain courses is they are pretty far from anything else.

In NH consider:
-The Balsams panorama course

In ME consider:
-Sugarloaf
-Sunday River
-Belgrade Lakes

In VT consider:
-Okemo
-Stowe
-Jay Peak
-Green MT

[jbrunone]

Deffinetly Sugarloaf, I feel that course is worth it

[goldengolfer]

If you are going up the southern Maine way try and hit Ould Newbury Golf Club. From my expirience the best nine hole course in MA. The course is in Newbury Ma but is only 45 minutes south of Wells.

[BTP]

You would enjoy[color=#1C2837][size=2] Shennecossett in CT for the price.[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]
[/size][/color]
[size="3"][color="#1C2837"][size=2]Look into Brentwood in NH. Great course and 36 holes.[/size][/color][/size]

[vermontgolfer]

In Vermont:

[u]Central Vermont[/u]
Neshobe Country Club, Brandon, VT
Rutland Country Club, Rutland, VT
Green Mountain National, Killington, VT
Okemo Vally, Ludlow, VT

[u]Norhern Vermont[/u]
Jay Peak Golf Club, Jay, VT
Country Club of Vermont, Waterbury, VT
Vermont National, South Burlington, VT
Sugarbush Golf Club, Warren, VT

[u]Southern Vermont
[/u]The Golf Club at Equinox, Manchester, VT
Haystack Golf Club, Wilmington, VT
Stratton Mountain Country Club, Stratton Mountain, VT

Good luck...enjoy your trip.

Vermont Golfer

[will1994]

In MA I'd reccomend a few courses:


Pine Hills in Plymouth

Tpc Boston in Norton

The Hyannisport Club - If you can get on, may be tough.

Red Tail Golf Club - Might be a bit steep but its great

The Oyster Harbors Club - If you can obviously.


(I'm partial to the Hyannisport Club because I work there, but its ranked as one of the top in the state anyway)

[will1994]

I would actually re-reccomend A public course called Sandwhich Hollows Golf Club - The holes are demanding, yet fair and the course is very well manicured. This is one of my favorite courses in the area.

EDIT: Sandwich Hollows is a Donald Ross design, my favorite I've ever played. And thats against courses like Hyannisport, Oyster Harbors, etc.

I think the design of the front nine is one of the best I've ever played

[sschull]

I'm new to golf and haven't played on it but I heard Bethpage in NY has some great courses. Bethpage Black in particular. It's been used a few times for the US Open I believe. From what I've been told by my friends it's the hardest course around here though and they strongly advise people who aren't good golfers to stay away

[infernomachine]

[quote name='sschull' timestamp='1309234366' post='3341185']
I'm new to golf and haven't played on it but I heard Bethpage in NY has some great courses. Bethpage Black in particular. It's been used a few times for the US Open I believe. From what I've been told by my friends it's the hardest course around here though and they strongly advise people who aren't good golfers to stay away
[/quote]

Gonna have to get in line, and bring a tent because that line starts at night waiting for the next day. Black course doesnt take tee times. heard the yellow is nice

[Matty Fatts]

CT National in Putnam CT is fantastic for about $50 with a cart. Play the tips and its right around 7,000 yards. Tough track. Dont sugguest walking.

[infernomachine]

[quote name='Matty Fatts' timestamp='1309267864' post='3341739']
CT National in Putnam CT is fantastic for about $50 with a cart. Play the tips and its right around 7,000 yards. Tough track. Dont sugguest walking.


[/quote]

played it a couple years ago, they were doing alot of work on it at the time. I'd be interested to hear about the conditions know. has anyone has played it recently?

[BTP]

[quote name='infernomachine' timestamp='1309268826' post='3341779']
[quote name='Matty Fatts' timestamp='1309267864' post='3341739']
CT National in Putnam CT is fantastic for about $50 with a cart. Play the tips and its right around 7,000 yards. Tough track. Dont sugguest walking.


[/quote]

played it a couple years ago, they were doing alot of work on it at the time. I'd be interested to hear about the conditions know. has anyone has played it recently?
[/quote]

I am a member there now and they have done great work. There is a lot of fescue grass growing, although not too thick it's still annoying so you'll want to stay in the short grass. There are some tricky holes, a few doglegs. From the blues it plays about 6300 yards. All the bunkers are in good shape and by that I mean consistent from each one to the next. The greens are rolling out nice right now too. The greens have just the right amount of ongulation so on certain approach shots you'll want to be below the hole. The only thing that concerns me is that the place is rocky. There are a fair amount of stones in the bunkers and I have chipped up more than a few clubs even in the fairway when taking larger divots. If you're a sweeper you'll have no problem, but if you're a digger you may run the risk of scratching up clubs. This has only happened to me a few rounds, not all the time.

IMO it is an easy course to score on. The back nine is more open than the front. There are 2-3 holes that have water in play on the front and then on the back. You can get a good deal on the weekend after 1pm I believe...18 for $39 w/ cart and $5 food voucher. Often their deals involve a food voucher. Walking 18 will run you $25 during the week, not sure on the weekend. Hope you find time to get out here! You will enjoy your experience!

[BTP]

Yes, their deal rates right now are $43 18 w/ cart which includes a $5 food voucher on weekdays and $39 18 w/ cart on weekends after 2pm.

[Vindog]

[quote name='VTgolf12' timestamp='1306677373' post='3270451']In ME consider:
-Sugarloaf
-Sunday River
-Belgrade Lakes

[/quote]
Three solid choices, I like Sunday river a little better than Sugarloaf, but that's just me.

Kebo Valley CC is worth a look, the back nine is surrounded by Acadia Nat'l Park in Bar Harbor. Fluff plays there once or twice a year still. Besides that Mount Desert Island is gorgeous.

If you want your old tyme golf fix go visit Poland Spring Resort. The first golf resort course built in the USA (and yes where the water comes from). Arthur Fenn first, then Donald Ross had their hands in it. Located in the foothills of the White Mountains, a short drive (30 min) from Portland

[OrangeCrush]

I am on board with Chris_NH on the courses.

I would add The Ranch at Southwick in SW MASS, the course is on the CT border and if you plan on playing 36 in a day you might find a great CT or even Eastern NY course as well. The Ranch typically gets the #1 public course in MA every year.

Crumpin Fox is in NW Mass right on the VT border, highly reviewed course!

Also I would HIGHLY recommend you check out either EZlinks or Golfnow.com for teetimes. Granite Links in Quincy MA (south of Boston by a 2-3 exits) is normally $125 to play but you can get teetimes for $88.00. I have not played there but it supposed to be insanely good!

CT courses: Gillete Ridge and Wintonbury Hills are 2 very highly rated courses and G.R. is $65 or less depending on the time & W.H. is $69/$79 at most weekdays/ends.

[geoangus]

For RI:

Newport National. Sign up for the Newport email list - it seems like they've been running alot of specials this season. Newport is a links style course, I'm not even sure they water their fairways. Every time I've been there, conditions were excellent.

Meadow Brook is a newly renovated course, traditional New England style course, tree lined, but most holes are pretty generous. Large greens. Approx 5 minutes from I-95 ($60 with cart)

In CT,

Lake of Isles is running a special thru Aug 31 for $129. This course usually runs $199 in the summer. You'll need to sign up for the Troon Rewards card (no fee involved) to get the rate. I'm pretty certain you can do that at the clubhouse. Challenging course, great conditions, and if you like casinos, Foxwoods is right across the street. Approx 15 minutes from I-95

Fox Hopyard is my local favorite. Excellent conditions, but local knowledge certainly helps on more than a couple of holes. Through TeeTimeWatch.com right now, you can hook up for $95 with cart weekdays (typically $115).

Wintonbury Hills - well kept, great conditions. My only gripe there is that holes 1-4 and 10-13 are basically the same.

Great River in Milford is another excellent course situated near I-95. Typically $120 with cart, you can find it for $88 through EZLinks.com

Definitely check out EZLinks for other deals. Lyman Orchards, which was a Monday qualifier course for the GHO/Traveler's Championship has two 18s, usually runs around $60, but a quick search showed~$30 through EZLinks.

Check out these sites for more info. New England Golf Magazine (mynegm) has some great offers.

www.CTGolfer.com
www.mynegm.com

[justinp766]

GRANITE LINKS!! Quincy, MA
10 min south of Boston, MA

150$ Green Fee's but its worth it!!!

Ranked 37th out of 100 golf courses in the USA last year.