Hey Everyone,

We’ve got a packed newsletter today with a bunch of courses that you should add to your list for the 2025 season if you enjoy good value.

My most recent video also shares some courses I am hoping to check off this year.

News and Notes:

Michael Thorbjornsen in Mexico Open: Thorbjornsen opened with a 72 (+1) at Vidanta. He’s currently in 103rd place and will need a good score on Friday to make the weekend.

Alexa Pano playing in Thailand: Pano shot 73 in the opening round of the Honda LPGA Thailand. She is T48.

In other Pano news… Rick Pano, her father and caddie also made some news this week. Along with the father of Albane Valenzuela, he wrote a letter to the Trump Organization titled Transforming LPGA into True Global Golf Tour. Needless to say, this gave me flashbacks to 11 pm emails from pissed-off parents because their kid didn’t get to play quarterback during recess.

Gasparilla: A handful of mid-amateurs from Massachusetts played in the Gasparilla Invitational in Florida last weekend. Nick Maccario came in as the low Bay Stater, which wins him absolutely nothing. 2024 Mass Mid-Amateur champ Jake Ratti and 2023 Mass Golf PoY (and 2023 Mass Mid-Am Champ) Ricky Stimets also made the cut in the event that prides it’s as one of the best cocktail parties in the game.

College results: I’ve been tracking the D1 men’s and women’s programs from Massachusetts, along with individuals who play in other parts of the country. Some results are starting to roll in. I’ll be digging in on results in early March with a larger round-up. For now, here are the results and Spring schedule with links to school recaps.

The Northeast Golf Show is a sign of Spring. It gives golfers a chance to hunt for deals, try out the newest equipment, plan a trip, and connect with other golfers.

This year, it will be held at the Gillette Stadium Field House from March 14-16.

If you’re interested in attending, you can use the following promo codes for a discount when you purchase tickets on the website.

BSG = $3 OFF General Admission (Enter in the “Additional Information” section)

BSGVIP = $10 OFF the VIP Experience

Courses that offer great value at different price points

Golfers are always looking for courses that offer great value. There’s no better feeling than finding a course that hits the mark. Value can mean different things at various price points. This week, I asked my Instagram followers what they look for when playing courses of various prices.

The ROI on a $40 round is going to be different than when you fork over $100 to play a high-level course. Naturally, the expectations change as the price increases.

Below is a summary of the expectations that my followers shared for different price points, along with some courses that meet the mark. Of course, location matters for this exercise. Western Massachusetts prices are typically lower than Cape Cod and other points in Eastern Massachusetts.

All these prices are to walk 18 holes. Any courses I write about are ones that I have played. Some of the IG follower recomendations are courses I have played and some I haven’t.

$40 or less

Summary of expectations:

• Good greens and tee boxes. Room to some scruff and shagginess.

• Playable, fun, and walkable course

• Less than a four-hour round

• Decent fairways with an interesting layout

Courses that meet the mark:

Pine Ridge - North Oxford, Mass.

For $33 bucks on the weekdays and $40 on the weekends, Pine Ridge isn’t going to blow anyone away, but it’s a solid option in the area. It’s tight, with some shaggy spots that don’t drain well. Overall, it’s a good value and very walkable. Holes 10-15, one the opposite side of the road has no bunkers at all. Which is sick.

Marion GC - Marion, Mass.

While this is a nine-hole course, they offer a $25 nine-hole rate, a $40 18-hole rate, and a $50 all-day rate. It’s extremely walkable and super interesting. Quirky as hell with stone walls and berms. Worth a visit.

Follower suggestions: Westover and Franconia

$41-60

A summary of expectations:

• Well-maintained greens, fairways, and tee boxes

• Varied par 3s with a solid course design

• Good pace of play and an enjoyable challenge

• Decent food, drink, and overall course vibes

Courses that meet the mark:

George Wright - Boston, Mass.

One of the best values in the state, no matter the price range. It’s in superb condition. At $55 bucks for residents and $62 for non-residents, it straddles this price tier. It’s a very popular course, so the pace of play can be slow. It’s a tough walk. However, those pain points are worth the overall experience. A top-notch public option not just in Massachusetts but the entire country.

Franklin Park - Boston, Mass.

Same price as George Wright. It’s a little more scruffy than GW, too. However, the course has a great layout and is very walkable. Greens are in good shape, fescue can get nasty on holes 3 and 5 during the summer. Good post-round hang on the patio.

Cyprian Keyes - Boylston, Mass.

Cyprian Keyes is hard. It’s a hard walk, with long trips between holes in some cases. It’s exacting, as hazards and trees require accuracy. It straddles the price point. At its cheapest on weekdays ($44) and its highest ($79), the value is still there. It’s also hosting the Mass Golf Public Links Championship in 2025, so it measures up as far as championship pedigree.

Wachusett CC - Boylston, Mass.

A sleeper in the state. Wachusett can cost as little as $50 to play on a weekday. Weekend mornings, it spikes to $95, but that includes a required cart fee. The course is charming with a variety of holes and distances. A nice mix between short and long par 4s, uphill and downhill shots. It’s a must-play for anyone looking for a new course.

DW Field - Brockton, Mass.

For whatever reason, people scoff at a recommendation in Brockton. Yes, it’s a city well known for boxers and fighters. But it has two very good courses. Thorny Lea is the private option, and DW Field measures up with any municipal course in the state. The $50 weekday and $60 weekend tag is great value at this Stiles and Van Kleek design. Superb greens, playable, and walkable. It checks all the boxes.

Acushnet River Valley - Acushnet, Mass.

At $50, this is incredible value—shocking, really. It's a good walk through the woods. The greens are solid, and the conditions tee to green are very good. The final seven holes run through a more open part of the property, with marshland as the main obstacle, as opposed to the tree-lined opening eleven holes.

Hillview GC - North Reading, Mass.

A great neighborhood course that is very playable and has two different nines. The front is rather open and flat, and the back nine is hilly and shorter, with three par 3s and six par fours.

Ledges - South Hadley, Mass.

Plenty of risk-reward holes make Ledges a course that can lure players back for multiple visits. It’s in a beautiful setting that climbs in and out of the trees. Offers some great mountain views and players will hit plenty of different clubs in the bag.

Gannon GC ($34-$55) - Lynn, Mass.

Blind shots abound at Gannon as players weave through the Lynn Woods. It’s almost like a mini-George Wright as far as the land movement; it’s a tough walk, too. GW is superior, but Gannon requires some patience to score well. It’s also a course with good variation across all the holes, and the 574-yard par 5 is one of the toughest closing holes in public golf.

Merrimack Valley - Dracut, Mass.

Some people don’t love that Merrimack Valley has seven par 3s. However, it’s a par 70 because it also has five par 5s. The price is right, too. It never costs more than $55 to walk. It’s a rather easy walk; there are some cool green complexes. It can get a little soggy during rainy spells. If you don’t mind a handful of par 3s, though, some of which are a little funky, it’s a very good value at the price.

Follower suggestions: CC of Halifax, Beverly Golf and Tennis, Crystal Lake, Juniper Hills, Butternut Farm

$61-80

A summary of expectations:

• Strong course conditions, especially greens

• Interesting design with at least a few unique holes

• Good pace of play and overall convenience

• Worth the price, especially for walking rates

Courses that meet the mark:

Atlantic GC - Plymouth, Mass.

Probably the forgotten sibling in the Plymouth golf family. It’s a little farther away from the hubbub of Crosswinds, Pine Hills, and Waverly. It has a driving range, rolling hills, a good variation of holes, and is a nice walk. The 8th is a hole that really stood and I think about a lot.

Olde Scotland Links - Bridgewater, Mass.

Another championship-level course. It hosted the 2023 Mass Golf Public Links. Like Acushnett River Valley, it has two distinct sections. It’s in good shape and has some tough tee shots where players have to avoid marsh and wetlands.

Kettle Brook - Paxton, Mass.

This course straddles two tiers. It costs $50 on the weekdays, but gets to $85 on weekend mornings (cart is included in that price). It’s a big and brawny course with interesting approach shots (and some trees in the way!). The closing stretch is tough and is more in the farmland portion of the property, whereas the first 11 holes are tree-lined and hilly. Excellent value.

Follower suggestions: Norton CC, Dennis Highland, Braintree Muni, New England CC, Black Swan

$81-$100

A summary of expectations:

• Impeccable course conditions, especially greens, fairways, and tee boxes

• Strong course design with interesting architecture with variety

• High-quality on-course experience with a country club feel

• Good pace of play and well-maintained practice facilities

• Worth the price, especially for premium public courses

Courses that meet the mark:

Crosswinds - Plymouth, Mass.

Crosswinds costs $67 from Monday-Thursday and $89 from Friday-Sunday. Considering its neighbors, Waverly Oaks and Pine Hills, cost more than $100, this is awesome value. Crosswinds GC is tight, tough, and well-conditioned. There is a driving range and a good clubhouse with outdoor seating. It also has 27 holes. A great day of golf.

$101-$120

A summary of expectations:

• Top-tier course conditions—pristine greens, fairways, and bunkers

• Memorable design with interesting holes and a "wow" factor

• High-end amenities—clubhouse, practice facilities, carts, and extras

• Premium experience with a "private course for a day" feel

• Worth the price—if expensive, it must be spectacular

Courses that meet the mark:

Waverly Oaks - Plymouth, Mass.

It’s hard to believe that this course was almost lost to “Hollywood East.” The land was going to be repurposed as a movie studio and soundstage. That fell through in 2008. In the Pine Hills v. Waverly Oaks duel (is there a duel?) I would pick Waverly. It has a bit more intrigue and variation. It’s in great shape. It costs $110 from Monday-Thursday and $140 ( 😲 ) on Friday-Sunday.

The Ranch - Southwick, Mass.

A superb Western Massachusetts option with severe land, great views, super conditions, and excellent golf. A challenging walk with tons of hills and some long walks between holes. A bunch of wild tee shots way downhill. Worth the drive from anywhere in the state.

$121 or more

A summary of expectations:

• World-class conditions—pristine greens, fairways, and overall maintenance

• Exclusive, private club feel with top-tier service and amenities

• Architecturally or historically significant—one of the "big boys"

• Seamless experience—great pace of play, well-spaced tee times, and caddie options

• A truly memorable and transcendent round, worth the high price

Courses that meet the mark:

Miacomet GC - Nantucket, Mass.

We’re in the “I can’t sleep I’m so excited” edition of this post. Miacomet GC has off-season rates of $70, a shoulder-season rate of $175, and a summer rate of $275. There are not many courses in Massachusetts that the USGA has picked for a championship, and Miacomet is one of them. The sandy soil makes for incredible conditions. The wind and bunkers make up for the rather flat land. Aside from a couple of awkward walks between holes, it’s a moderate walk. When it co-hosted the US Mid-Amateur with Sankaty Head, many believed Miacomet measured up to its private, Top 100 neighbor.

Taconic GC - Williamstown, Mass.

Taconic is a favorite. A Bay State Golf Mount Rushmore member. The setting and energy are fantastic. It costs $180 to play, but if you know a member of someone who works at or attended Williams, they can get you discounts. The course is one of the best in the state. The back nine is superb and a stern test. It’s a tough walk with some steep climbs and drops.

• Follower suggestions: Granite Links and Pine Hills

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When I’m not golfing…

I’m reading…

🏀 I thought this Athletic article about NBA pregame routines was very good.

I’m listening to…

🎼 Lumineers released a new album called Automatic.

I’m eating…

🐟️ Tiff was in Finland for work in August and had salmon soup. She got the recipe and we tried it. It was very good!

🥣 I love this Eleven Madison granola. It makes a big batch that can last the week, and you’ll just eat it by the handful.

🥞 If you can afford to cook three eggs, this Dutch Baby is a delicious, easy breakfast recipe.

I’m watching…

🫙 Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix is a tough watch about cancer. It’s a true story about Belle Gibson who lied about having cancer and found herself famous in the healthfood space after claiming her recipes saved her life. You’ll be angry, sad, and anxious throughout the six episodes.

Bay State Archives

• A list of golf courses open in the winter.

• Bay State Picks: Best courses you can walk for less than $60.

• Bay State Picks: Nine-hole courses to play before or after work

• Bay State Picks: 18 public golf that is worth your time

• Bay State Picks: Easy 18-hole public walks

• Bay State Deep Dive: Myopia Hunt Club

   

• "On Course" New England Journal Podcast

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• Amateur Golf Podcast

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