New England Course Bucket List for 2012

[dartboss04]

Here is my New England course bucket list for 2012.

• Great River, Milford, CT (played once but it was pouring rain)
• Crumpin Fox, Bernardston, MA
• Newport National, Middletown, RI
• Gillette Ridge, Bloomfield, CT
• Cranberry Valley, Harwich, MA

Any suggestions for must play public courses within a couple hours drive of central CT?

 

 

[Fore_Man]

I have not played it myself, but have heard that Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, MA is a must play. Website says #1 in Mass by GolfWeek Mag 2011.

[rblmp32]

Since you have Crumpin Fox on there and are in central CT, I assume you've played Fox Hopyard? I enjoyed the heck out of CT National. I'd try there if you've never been.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='Fore_Man' timestamp='1330610866' post='4410059']
I have not played it myself, but have heard that Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, MA is a must play. Website says #1 in Mass by GolfWeek Mag 2011.
[/quote]

I did see that on the MA list. I'm up on the Cape a lot as I have family there, so have played a bunch of those courses. I do need to branch out to other parts of MA.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='rblmp32' timestamp='1330611152' post='4410091']
Since you have Crumpin Fox on there and are in central CT, I assume you've played Fox Hopyard? I enjoyed the heck out of CT National. I'd try there if you've never been.
[/quote]

I have played Fox Hopyard a couple times and love it there. Thanks, I'm checking out the CT National site now.

[broth518]

The ranch in springfield, MA is different also if you want to venture into VT you have a bunch of good courses as well (Okemo, Green Mt. National)

[jlam1127]

The Pinehill Courses in Plymouth, MA, Granite Links in Quincy, MA held an LPGA event there a few years ago...... Red Tail is awesome..... Shaker Hills is nice......

[devinsolar]

+1 on Connecticut National. Personally I didn't care very much for Gillete Ridge when I played it.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='broth518' timestamp='1330614710' post='4410503']
The ranch in springfield, MA is different also if you want to venture into VT you have a bunch of good courses as well (Okemo, Green Mt. National)
[/quote]

I think The Ranch is on the schedule in the traveling men's club I joined this year. I think I may need to get there.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='jlam1127' timestamp='1330614980' post='4410533']
The Pinehill Courses in Plymouth, MA, Granite Links in Quincy, MA held an LPGA event there a few years ago...... Red Tail is awesome..... Shaker Hills is nice......
[/quote]

Another vote for Red Tail. I'm thinking that's a definite. I do see a lot of the Plymouth courses on the top courses you can play lists.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='devinsolar' timestamp='1330615415' post='4410575']
+1 on Connecticut National. Personally I didn't care very much for Gillete Ridge when I played it.
[/quote]

It's funny. Since there is no direct route to Putnam, I can almost get to Boston in the same amount of time. It seems like CT National has some really good deals though.

What about Gillette did you not like? Honestly, I haven't heard too many great things about it. I have a friend who works at Cigna right there, so it's more just to play there once and see how it is.

[shadowCLV]

+1 On Red Tail, Pinehills and The Ranch

All 3 are fantastic courses and very fun to play. They are all around $100 with cart which is pricey. I have played all 3 multiple times and you cannot go wrong!


[quote name='dartboss04' timestamp='1330696855' post='4418135']
[quote name='jlam1127' timestamp='1330614980' post='4410533']
The Pinehill Courses in Plymouth, MA, Granite Links in Quincy, MA held an LPGA event there a few years ago...... Red Tail is awesome..... Shaker Hills is nice......
[/quote]

Another vote for Red Tail. I'm thinking that's a definite. I do see a lot of the Plymouth courses on the top courses you can play lists.
[/quote]

[kmorr2586]

Red Tail
The Ranch
Pinehills
CT National
Highfields
Shining Rock

[Imp]

May want to add Meadow Brook in RI. http://www.meadowbrookgolfri.com

Only been opened as a re-designed course for a couple years now, and it's fantastic.

--kC

[MA golfer23]

For anyone who wants to head to Crumpin Fox this year send me a message. I'm going to be a member there and will likely be playing pretty much everyday.

[MikeM8]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1330704543' post='4419049']
May want to add Meadow Brook in RI. [url="http://www.meadowbrookgolfri.com"]http://www.meadowbrookgolfri.com[/url]

Only been opened as a re-designed course for a couple years now, and it's fantastic.

--kC
[/quote]

+1

[geoangus]

I'd agree with adding CT National, The Ranch and Meadowbrook to that list. You're right, CT National is not the most convenient course to get to. Meadowbrook was designed by the same gentleman who designed Fox Hopyard, and is minutes off of I95, approx 25 minutes east of Groton.

Have you been to Wintonbury Hills? I don't know what it was that I didn't like about Gillette Ridge, but Wintonbury would be my first choice in Bloomfield.

Two others that I've heard great things about, but have not personally played are Richter Park and Oxford Greens.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1330704543' post='4419049']
May want to add Meadow Brook in RI. [url="http://www.meadowbrookgolfri.com"]http://www.meadowbrookgolfri.com[/url]

Only been opened as a re-designed course for a couple years now, and it's fantastic.

--kC
[/quote]

I was able to get to Meadow Brook last year and had a really good time. It's not a bad drive either as it's right over border and off of 95.

[dartboss04]

[quote name='geoangus' timestamp='1330708405' post='4419545']
I'd agree with adding CT National, The Ranch and Meadowbrook to that list. You're right, CT National is not the most convenient course to get to. Meadowbrook was designed by the same gentleman who designed Fox Hopyard, and is minutes off of I95, approx 25 minutes east of Groton.

Have you been to Wintonbury Hills? I don't know what it was that I didn't like about Gillette Ridge, but Wintonbury would be my first choice in Bloomfield.

Two others that I've heard great things about, but have not personally played are Richter Park and Oxford Greens.
[/quote]

I've played Wintonbury a handful of times actually. The condition for the price is probably one of the best I've seen, especially using ezlinks.

I've played Oxford twice and was going to try to get to Richter Park as well at some point.

[cubiclegolfer]

If you're on the Cape play Dennis Pines and Captains (both Port and Starboard are good).

[dartboss04]

[quote name='cubiclegolfer' timestamp='1330711244' post='4419911']
If you're on the Cape play Dennis Pines and Captains (both Port and Starboard are good).
[/quote]

I have family in Brewster and have played all three. I think Starboard would be my favorite of those listed.

[markg603]

[quote name='Fore_Man' timestamp='1330610866' post='4410059']
I have not played it myself, but have heard that Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, MA is a must play. Website says #1 in Mass by GolfWeek Mag 2011.
[/quote]

I played it (Red Tail) last year for the first time. I was not having a particularly good day golf wise, and we lost the last 2 holes due to thunder and lightning... it was still one of the better courses I've played in this area in a long, long time. I plan to get there again this year, a better golf swing is now in tune, and give it another go.

[migolfke]

Give Pinehills a try. I am partial to Cranberry Valley, but Pinehills is more of a must play. Also, Pound Ridge is a good must play type course - pete dye layout.

[Sean2]

[quote name='MA golfer23' timestamp='1330705541' post='4419153']
For anyone who wants to head to Crumpin Fox this year send me a message. I'm going to be a member there and will likely be playing pretty much everyday.
[/quote]
That's very kind of you MA. :-)

[geoangus]

[quote name='MA golfer23' timestamp='1330705541' post='4419153']
For anyone who wants to head to Crumpin Fox this year send me a message. I'm going to be a member there and will likely be playing pretty much everyday.
[/quote]

Great offer!!!

I haven't played Crumpin Fox, but I heard its very nice but much tighter than Hopyard. Any truth to what I heard that when Fox Hopyard and Crumpin Fox hold their sister course tournament that the Crumpin guys usually do very well?

[sabram]

Crumpin Fox is a nice course. I used to play it on trips up to Hanover.

Shaker Hills and Red Tail are close to each other in MA. Each is worth playing and together make a great 36 hole day.

The Taconic at Williams is a further drive but is a great course if you can get on.

Closer to home, try to get on the Yale Course. It is one of the best in New England.

+1 for Wintonbury Hills it has a bunch of good holes

[sabram]

Pound Ridge is a good must play type course - pete dye layout.

 

I'm not sure I'd call Pound Ridge a "must play" course. It's more of a "once play" course. It is expensive and very tight. I did have a fun day playing there on a beautiful sunny Fall day, but not in a hurry to go back, at least not at the full green fee.

 

Here's a link to a photo tour of Pound Ridge: Pound Ridge Pix

 

Pound Ridge #18 from tee

[migolfke]

Pound Ridge is a good must play type course - pete dye layout.

 

I'm not sure I'd call Pound Ridge a "must play" course. It's more of a "once play" course. It is expensive and very tight. I did have a fun day playing there on a beautiful sunny Fall day, but not in a hurry to go back, at least not at the full green fee.

 

Here's a link to a photo tour of Pound Ridge: Pound Ridge Pix

 

Pound Ridge #18 from tee

 

That is a pretty fair - I can definetly see why you would say that. But there are some holes that are memorable and much different than most public courses. It is really important to play from thre right tees there.

[kmorr2586]

Correct me if I am wrong, but last time I checked NY wasn't in New England...

[leftygolf]

You should add Sunday River in Maine