Wintonbury Hills Golf Course

Wintonbury, CT
http://www.wintonburyhills.com

A $79 greens fee may be on the high end for a muni – but this is no ordinary muni. Less than a 2hr drive from Boston, tucked away in the rolling landscape near Hartford, Connecticut lays New England’s only course designed by one of the games most influential architects – Pete Dye.

Pete Dye is often credited with changing the direction of golf architecture; interjecting bold characteristics that require precise shot making, leaving a course visually intimidating but most importantly memorable.  His highly acclaimed layouts include major championship venues such as The Ocean Course, TPC Sawgrass, and Whistling Straits.   At Wintonbury Hills you are able to get a taste for many of the features and strategy that are uniquely Pete Dye but are able to avoid the punishment that comes along with so many of his other high profile courses.  The intriguing routing blends links like design with more traditional parkland style providing each hole with its own distinctive personality.

A joy to play and in pristine condition, it is certainly a course that is deserving of its lofty praise and rankings in the public golf arena.  I would recommend anyone that appreciates course design to venture to CT and experience one of New England’s finest.

Playing Wintonbury hills is like getting the chance to sleep with Pipa Middleton.  Maybe not as famous or as stunning as her sister, but still impressive in her own right - and a whole lot easier to get on 

Sunday River Golf Club

Newry, ME

http://www.sundayriver.com/golf/

Often rated as the #1 public course in Maine I was excited to witness what all the hype was about surrounding Sunday River Golf Club. Built on a stunning piece of property, the price tag to carve this course from the rugged terrain must have been outrageous. Dramatic 360 degree views abound and the opportunity to watch a well struck drive float among a mountainous backdrop is one of golf's great experiences  - but this course is not for me.

Although high on visual impact the overall playability and strategy of this course is weak. To keep your score and lost ball count low the prudent play is to club down and hit shots from pod to pod. This safe and boring target style leaves the longer player restricted and begging to hit something hard. The drastic elevation changes and dramatic twists and turns throughout the course make you feel uneasy like just stepping off a roller coaster. (craziest cart paths I’ve ever seen). Expansive distances between greens and tees, and the dense forest that borders each holes will gobble up any errant shot and have traffic backed up ahead... leading to subsequent 5+ hour rounds.  

Overall I was personally disappointed with the work done by the Robert Trent Jones Jr design team as I hoped the course itself would be a more enjoyable experience but I know not all golfers think alike. For some the views alone may be worth the splurge... and for others the landing areas will fit perfectly with their game... if you can afford it (or get a groupon) I recommend seeing it for yourself.... but I won’t be back anytime soon - Fancy doesn’t always equal fun.

It’s like attending an extravagant wedding with a terrible dj. Many may be impressed with dramatic floral arrangements, designer dresses, and a reception at a pricey venue... But if the music doesn’t make me want to awkwardly tear up the dance floor and high five some friends then I don’t consider it a great wedding at all.

Pocasset Golf Club

Pocasset, Ma
www.pocassetgolfclub.com


Damn it feels good to be a member. The basket of complimentary tees, the brisk pace of play, pristine fairways and silky smooth greens leave no doubt that you are no longer amongst the daily fee crowd. This blog and my life is typically restricted to the everyday man lifestyle but when opportunity knocks and you get invited to experience how the other half lives there is no reason to deny the experience.

Prestigious Pocasset Golf Club on Cape Cod opened in 1916 as a Donald Ross design but how it has matured from original to present day form is what may be the most impressive.

With the loss of several holes near the ocean and few original green complexes remaining, one may be concerned that Ross’s overall vision would have been compromised. Thankfully that is not the case as it was a pleasure to see the remarkable redesign work done by Ron Forse and the strategic decisions made by the greens committee to maintain the integrity and playability of the course.

The new holes flow seamless with old. The expansive rolling terrain, elevated greens with trademark bunkers, require all the precision you would want and provide all the beauty you would expect from a classic Donald Ross experience. It is a course you could play everyday and never bore of - as great of a compliment you can give any design. If I ever find myself in a place where money is no object, I would certainly seek membership...and maybe a cozy cape house to go with it.

Pocasset is the incredibly beautiful, smart, sexy girl that offers a smile and remembers your name. As you may be tempted to believe that someday you’ll be in a position to have a shot she’ll most likely end up with someone that can offer a whole lot more.  Be thankful for the moments you do share as not everyone gets to spend time with a nearly perfect 10.

Sagamore-Spring Golf Club

Lynnfield, Mass
http://www.sagamoregolf.com


I don’t want to like it but damn it I do. I always cringe handing over my credit card for the hefty price tag associated with a course barely 5,900 yards. ($48 weekend greens fee and $65 to ride) But this course has a story; recognized as the first 18 hole public course North of Boston, it was a pioneer and as an exclusive public golfer I respect and admire it's place in Massachusetts golf history... Once on the course you get to experience some of the charm that comes from a 1929 design, rolling fairways, back to front slopping greens and short walks to the next tee. Then you realize the fairways are in decent shape, greens roll smoother than most public tracks, and the short par 5’s surrender birdies frequently enough that it allows you to start feeling pretty good about your game...  Caution that if you get too cocky the old school greens with present day mowers can quickly put you in your place but for the most part it's feel good golf and sometimes that is just what you need.

  
 It's like taking out an old flame out for dinner that's never quite gotten over you...  nod and smile politely to everything she's says and the confidence boost she'll supply later on is well worth picking up the check.

Robert T Lynch Municipal Golf Course Putterham Meadows Brookline

      

Brookline, Ma
http://www.brooklinegolf.com/

In Boston if the golf clubs see action ‘til Thanksgiving it’s been a good year.  Sneaking in 18holes just days before Santa’s arrival is almost unprecedented.

The 2011 golf season has refused to die and it’s been a pleasure to take advantage of its extended life.  Rock bottom prices has allowed me to play some local courses that I’ve been curious to see but hesitant to fight the crowds for.   One of which is - Robert T Lynch Municipal Golf Course Putterham Meadows Brookline. (Possibly the longest course names in history)   

Sometimes better known for providing the parking for US Opens and Ryder Cups hosted by its neighbor – The Country Club. This 1931 Styles and Van Kleek design shares terrain with golf royalty.   Styles other work runs the gambit from some of New Englands best (Taconic, Thorny lea, Oak Hill) to other courses synonymous with dog track (D.W. Field, Old Salem Greens, Derryfield).  I was pleasantly surprised to find this 6,300 yard course sprinkled with charm.  Not great by any means, but I’m a sucker for history and uniqueness.  Some mounding, a few cleverly placed greens, and plenty of opportunity to hit driver, help elevate this course this to be better than average.  (The fact that you can peer through the fence and see the 5^th at TCC during the round certainly helps the experience as well).

It’s a muni – no doubt about it.  But on a late December day with only a 10 min commute, a $25 price tag, and enough character to keep me interested it was a pleasure to play.

Kind of like the chubby chick neighbor with a cute face that dresses well... Not ideal, but not bad.... always nice to have close by ; )

Cape Arundel Golf Club

Kennebunk, ME

http://www.capearundelgolfclub.com/

With the discounted fall rate in place and a sunny forecast set for the weekend it was finally time to get Cape Arundel on the golf course resume. The historical significance of the 1896 Walter Travis designed course has always intrigued me.  Knowing my chance of playing other Travis designs like ultra exclusive Westchester CC or Ekwanok in Vermont was slim to none; the semi private Cape Arundel  appeared to serve as my best opportunity to experience the work of one of the pioneers of American Golf architecture.  I was originally concerned the hype surrounding this golf course would leave me disappointed – happy to report it definitely did not.

It has been written in many places before but for what this course lacks in distance (only 5,900 yards) it more than makes up with in character.  Some may call it quirky but the fairway humps and bumps and extreme green contours give this course the extra level of originality that can be so lacking in modern design.  The links feel with minimal trees and generous fairways frees up your swing off the tee and places tremendous value on your wedge and putter.

Throughout the round I found myself eager to get to the next hole to see what kind of adventure would lie ahead.  Reflecting back, the rich history, the links style, the unique and creative hazards, and dramatic green complexes reminds me more of restored Oakmont than any other course I’ve played. 

I can’t think of a more historically significant course that provides a more enjoyable golf experience than Cape Arundel. If only for the opportunity to hit a few more clubs in the bag would easily make this the most impressive public accessible course in New England.

Cape Arundel is the girl that has it all....brains and beauty…comes from money but doesn't show it.. only downside is a significant age difference (yardage)... just don't connect on all levels so hesitant to make the one and marry (play every day)… but bottom-line the girl is always up for a good time and someone that special should certainly be kept in the rotation.

Ponkapoag Golf Course

Canton, Ma

www.ponkapoaggolf.com

This 1936 Donald Ross course was once recognized as "worst golf course in america." September 2000 Boston Globe article described in detail the blooming dandelion population found growing on several greens. Their website doesn't utilize pictures of their own course but rather some random course in Florida. (too ashamed?) There is no irrigation for the fairways. 9 holes of the 36 were so poorly cared for they became unplayable and had to be closed, now no longer maintained and completely overgrown.

For all the tall tales and bad reputation; when all things are considered Ponkapoag is my favorite golf course to play (when paying my own way) in the state of Massachusetts. The peak weekend rate is an extremely wallet friendly $30. Once you get past the burnt out fairways, shaggy greens, rude employees, and realize what Ponky is at it's core - a Donald Ross Gem - you may just fall in love as well. It is no joke that with the right caretakers this facility could rival almost any in the country, public or private. The fact the USGA once looked at "ponky" as a legitimate US Open venue to provide a sequel to the transformation that was done to Bethpage Black speaks for itself.

The course provides the opportunity to swing away without fear of losing your ProVI , yet the approaches and undulating green complexes provide a true test. I could bore you with the design features and shot making strategy that exist at this course but it's almost something that needs to be experienced first hand... Don't view the brown fairways as a negative but as an opportunity to play the course close to it's original intent - not a lot of irrigation in 1936. (Bump and run is your friend) Getting to play a course like this is what makes the game fun and why Donald Ross is a legend.

This course is not for everyone... but for those purest that don't need the glizt and glamour of a "member for a day atmosphere" and just want to play golf, and enjoy this great game Ponkapoag is a special place to be. Just make sure to get there early and save yourself from the 6 hour round.

This course is the girl that has all the potential in the world but her incompetent parents have left her in a dark place. Under those baggy tattered clothes lies a victoria secret body without the stuck up attitude. With some therapy and a fresh wardrobe this girl would quickly be out of my league.. Hope one day I'll get to see it.