Course 134: Unicorn GC

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Unicorn Golf Course was originally an 18-hole private course opened in 1928 by the Boston Athletic Association (hence the Unicorn, which is the BAA logo). It was designed by Waynes Stiles and John Van Kleek. When the town bought it in 1972, it became a nine-hole course.

Unicorn GC is a simple neighborhood golf course with some cool features that might surprise a first-time visitor.

Is it scruffy?

Yes.

Does the routing lend itself to slowplay?

Also yes.

Holes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 all run parallel to each other. Typically, players from other holes will end up on your hole, or you'll end up on another hole.

However, for a public course, approach shots into each green are interesting (no matter what fairway you're hitting from) and there are a couple of blind tee shots, too. Players will hit a few different clubs into the greens. It's the type of course you could play with a half-set.

The stretch from holes 4-7 is very good. A mix of one par 3, two par 4s, and a par 5.

The 410-yard fifth is the best hole on the course. A straight par 4 over rolling land along the boundary of the property. Sadly, this spot gets rather wet, but it's a great hole.

On the par-5 sixth, players hit out of a little shoot with OB left and the entire planet (and the 7th fairway) to the right.

Emerging from the woods back into the open land after playing the fourth and fifth actually provides a nice contrast. The 6th climbs slowly up to a flat green. Long hitters can reach the green in two shots.

The course has recently made an effort to improve tee boxes, and the greens were rolling nicely. Bunker care and drainage should be next on the list.

A non-resident will never pay more than $32 to walk nine holes.

A lot of people remarked to me about the pace of play. I walked in without a tee time, and the pro shop tried to cram me between two 2-somes. I offered to jump in with either group. If this is a regular practice, it can certainly jam up the course and slow things down. On a Monday afternoon, our three-ball played in two hours.

Go give Unicorn a try. It has a bit of history and some cool features befitting the original 1928 design.

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