If you’re driving from one to the other, it’s worth it to make a trip up to St Johnsbury CC. I know everyone loves the course they grew up but I will still tell you it’s a must see, even if I know I’m not objective on the matter.
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I goes in the notes. I’m always based in SE NH, so it will depend on how long I’m up, aunt’s comfort with us visiting, and some other things.
Owls Nest is fantastic! As is VT National. Okemo isnt as good but still has some fun holes. Ive done summer goof weekends in VT and in owls nest and both are fantastic. Loads of cheap ski houses available on airbnb or vrbo. Its a fantastic weekend.
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I have to read before i hit send…used “fantastic” in every sentence. Smh.
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Listen, Vermont golf is fantastic. Homer take incoming: I truly believe that Vermont is to parkland golf as Ireland is to links golf, truly just rugged and wild and so fucking hilly. It sucks that you can only play it 5 months a year.
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Have never played in Vermont, which is dumb. Gotta remedy that.
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What are your favorites? Not the best but where you have the most fun? Also your walkable favorite/s?
St Johnsbury
Jay Peak (decidedly unwalkable)
Stowe
Mount Washington in northern NH (v flat)
Maplewood in northern NH
A lot of these course are good or bad depending on when you play them since there isn’t a whole lot of sand in northern new england and they can get wet. On the other hand, if you play them during foliage it feels like real life drone porn no matter how shitty the course is.
As someone who didn’t play high school golf, I haven’t seen a lot of the private courses, but I’ve heard really good things about Country Club of Vermont, VT National, and Burington CC. Hopefully I can knock a few of those, plus a few of the southern vermont, courses off in the next few years.
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Yes please, I will take you up on that. I haven’t played GW since 2010-2011. I usually play out of Green Harbor in Marshfield, weekly Sunday game
I played Owl’s Nest two summers ago and really enjoyed the course.
I usually play it once or twice a year when I’m on vacation. I play it with the same foursome, so it carries a lot of sentimental value for me. That being said, the course is thoroughly enjoyable. I’m a sucker for good mountain golf.
Guise - there’s a very good chance my wife and I are moving to Arlington in the spring - I’ll be new to Massachusetts but her parents are only a few miles away. Any recommendations about clubs to join or places to check out? It seems hard to find a Goldilocks type place. Winchester isn’t going to happen and Woburn CC and Trull Brook as regular options leave a lot to be desired.
Based off google it all seems like a tough scene. Anyone have any thoughts on Oakley, Belmont, Bellevue, and anything else in the area? I think I’d prefer to go private if possible for pace of play and social reasons but honestly I’m not sure where to start.
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You’re in a relatively tough spot for privates close to Arlington that are accessible, reasonable, and relatively fast to get into. Belmont is a very good course, old Donald Ross, in very good shape. Not a big waiting list (or any waiting list), but it is VERY expensive - not sure on the initiation fees, but annual dues are probably as expensive as any club in the area. They built a new clubhouse about a decade ago that cost 2x as much as budgeted and is still being paid for.
Oakley is a more reasonable option and a very good location. They’re investing quite a bit in the infrastructure there (I think they’re building a new clubhouse, or redoing it). Challenge for some is the course is definitely funky. Short, awkwardly hilly, but Donald Ross is everywhere. Historically there isn’t a wait list (not sure what COVID has done). The few people I know there are good folks.
A couple of people I know who live in the general area of Arlington have realized that the close options aren’t ideal for them and have looked further away. Some folks have done Nashawtuc out in Concord and others Vesper and then others have gone to Charles River or Woodland in Newton. You’re talking 30-45 minute drives just given Arlington’s location, but it’s not the end of the world if the other options don’t work for you.
I can’t comment intelligently on Bellevue
Winchester would be the best option, but as you have figured out - tough place to join. It might be the most difficult course to join in Boston area. Just so much demand and not enough supply in that area. Last I heard, it is a solid 7-10 year process, but who knows how true that is
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I found the course a bit tricked out, but absolutely loved playing here last year during peak foliage season. The views were absolutely incredible.
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Missinggreens is right about limited options in the Arlington area. (I’m in Watertown.) A buddy of mine joined Oakley last year. As MG said, they are remodeling the clubhouse, and from what I can tell when driving by they are also adding a facility next to the main building.
Lexington CC is only a nine-hole club, but applications are closed right now.
As for public courses, I really enjoy Pine Meadows (nine-hole muni in Lexington). Looking west, Wayland isn’t bad and is easy to walk. I’ve not played Sandy Burr, but others enjoy it. One of my favorites is Butter Brook in Westford. Not far from there is Butternut Farm, which I consider to be the AAA version of Butter Brook.
Like MG said, close options aren’t great. You have to get out near 495 before there are more options, but then you’re looking at 30 to 45 minutes each way.
Good luck!
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Sounds good - thanks for the tips and breakdown! I was hoping for a good close option to get 9s in after work during the week but if it makes more sense to go further out for a better experience then that’s what it’s going to be.
I appreciate the input and will keep you guys posted. Seems a long way off now, but I’d love to #getinvolved with any of the local meetups or tournaments
In that case, you should try Fresh Pond, the 9 hole municipal course in Cambridge. Unless you’re moving to northernmost part of Arlington, it will be under 15 minutes from your new house.
I play there all the time after work and early in the morning. Tee times are kept at 10 minute intervals and, for the amount of play the course gets, pace of play and conditioning are solid. Two hours is standard for a weekday 9 holes with four people. If you like to dew sweep, you can get around in 90 minutes. (Weekends are a different story, though.) It’s also by far the most affordable option of those listed far.
Let me know when you settle in and we’ll get out there for a loop. Good luck with the move.
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Also, Fresh Pond is a good muni 9 holer right over the border in Cambridge as an option for close play
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Excellent! Great tip I’ll check it out - thanks!