The Definitive 2024 Golf Season Rankings
Surviving Golf
2024 Golf Season Rankings
We are just under a month away from GHIN Handicaps closing in Massachusetts (November 14), and, more importantly, the cold weather has arrived. Indeed, the first hand-warmer packets were broken out for a round this past weekend, which is the first sign of the end of a golf season.
Although I attempt to golf throughout the cold, I am also a realist and understand that, from this point on, every outdoor round is a privilege and not a right. With that in mind, it’s important to reflect on the season as it comes to a close. Specifically, I want to speak on New England golf, which will probably be most specific to Massachusetts, and the courses within. I’m not a member of a private track, and I mostly play with “the common men” on weekends and within a budget that allows for me to help feed a wife and child.
Without further adieu…
Top 3 Overall Courses I Played
South Shore Country Club
Although it’s always busy, South Shore Country Club tops my 2024 golf list. The elevation changes are stunning on almost every single hole, with enough challenge to keep even the most skilled of players tested. With that in mind, players can still use driver on most every hole, with varying degrees of difficulty on approach to greens with shelves that require precision in order to score. Walking the course is tough, but fair. You will feel like you’ve exercised after you’ve finished. The few times I played, the course was in tremendous shape throughout, especially on the greens. They roll true and fast. My personal favorite hole is no.16, a par 4 that slopes from right to left. The hole itself is unspectacular, but the green resembles a rather large salad bowl, which fosters creative approach play depending on the pin position. For those that have not played this track, I would highly recommend getting out there, as the course’s slopes, elevation adjustments, and doglegged fairways are rare to Massachusetts golf.
Olde Scotland Golf Link
Probably my favorite course to play, Olde Scotland is a classic links-style course, which, when windy, can play quite difficult. Especially late in the season, the greens ran borderline lighting fast, and true. The course stays open throughout the entire winter, too, which gives them a special place in my heart. The course is mostly wide-open, and a bomb-and-gouge approach can certainly thrive. However, the windy conditions and overall length can make the course difficult for all. Ironically, this course features one of my least favorite holes in the region which gives me more issues than it probably deserves. The par 5 ninth hole features a narrow landing area for driver, with a water hazard left and wooded area right—the fairway sloping into both of the hazards—as well as a potential second shot to a green that must carry water to get to a small, very sloped, green. My career scoring average on the hole is probably around a 6.8, as I’m usually pretty happy to make it out with a bogey because of my inability to keep any tee shot in play despite many lay-up options. Indeed, none of this course’s par 5’s are easily gettable, with length and tricky second shots for those aggressive players restricting the easy scoring opportunities.
Brookmeadow Country Club
Not available on GolfNow or most online booking sites, Brookmeadow is a bit of a hidden gem in Canton, Mass. It’s never hungry for business, though, so getting on at a reasonable time is usually tough. The course has a driving range on site—always an attractive feature for a course—and a great bar/grill area inside. My favorite part of this course is the variety. If you want to score, you need to be able to do everything. Many holes require straight shots, some require a cut, some require a draw. Players have to thrive at basically every skill to keep the number low, and the greens are often rewarding to those with precise wedge play, as landing on the proper shelf is paramount to success. My favorite hole is probably no.2, which requires a major cut off the tee with a tree-protected tee shot. A long iron into an elevated, severely two-tiered green, makes the hole quite tough, but fair. This is also a great winter-track, which, as I alluded to above, boosts its rating.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Braintree Municipal Golf Course - my “home” course needs to be on the list. However, I cannot score well here, so I’m keeping it off the main list out of spite. If you hit the ball straight, though, easily gettable. Course is also in very good shape. The par 3 third hole is perhaps the toughest par 3 in all of Massachusetts with one of the meanest greens that I’ve ever seen.
West Bridgewater Country Club - fantastic greens, great staff, interesting layout. Can’t say anything bad about this course other than the course can be a driver-wedge fest for the most part. The par 5’s are not super long and are all easily reachable in two. Great winter golf spot as well…
The Shy Away 3
Ponkapoag Golf Course
I hate doing this, I really do. If you know me, you know I love Ponky. Or, at least, used to love. I’ve maintained for years that if maintained, the Ponkapoag facility would be a major hot-point in Massachusetts. Ponk features 36 holes, a driving range, and a chipping area all on premises. I thought that with a multi-million dollar investment from the State that Ponk might get its act together…but it’s worse than it’s ever been and it’s now totally unplayable. The fairways are the same length as my lawn at home, and if the greens were the same, it would be better. It’s actually probably a stretch to call them greens at this point, because there’s very little green on the greens… This place is now too shitty to even recommend to beginners. The skeleton is tremendous, but the organs, skin, and, most importantly, brain, are awful. It’s really too bad…
Cranston Country Club
Usually, love this place. However, this year was different. The greens were the slowest I played the entire season, which made the experience dreadful. I can’t say too many negative things about the course in general because it’s all about the greens. For the price point, I want greens cut tightly, running fast, and running true. Too long, too slow, too soft for my liking. Everything else? Fine. Just cut them shorter! It’s truly unfortunate, too, because there’s a lot to like! Cranston CC has a grass driving range, a unique island green (no.8) that’s a fantastic hole, and great amenities otherwise.
Widow’s Walk
This is probably out of my personal hate for the course, but not an objective rating about the course itself. But some courses are just not setup fairly, and this is one. First off, you cannot hit driver on any hole on the course if you possess any semblance of distance. Second, if you miss the fairway by one inch, your ball is gone. Not in the rough, just totally gone. In the heat of the summer, the fairways are totally burnt-out, and keeping the ball in the fairway even with iron was a challenge. The course is also completely un-walkable, which lowers its appeal for me as I prefer to walk. Just overall, if you want to be frustrated with your golf, head down to this track and try your luck…
2025 Wish List
Shaker Hills Country Club
I’ve played this course in a 2-man scramble competition years ago, but have not played it individually. It’s known as, by far, the best course in that area of Massachusetts at a higher price point, but it’s facilities are top shelf, and, from what I remember about the layout, it’s quite challenging. Must, must, must get back there in 2025.
Granite Links
I live close…it’s a shame I’ve only hit the driving range here. Obviously it’s quite expensive, and it’s tough to get time for 27 holes in on a weekend, but this year it’s going to happen. I know the quality of driving range and massive putting green, as well as the outdoor bar area overlooking the City, and I hope that the course will match that quality.
The Country Club
We can all wish, right…?
NFL Gambling Tracker
Eddy: 21-11-2 (3-2 Week 8) - 124 Units
Kevin: 18-14 (4-1 Week 8) - 118 Units
Guest: 11-14 (No Picks Week 8) - 82 Units
Week 9 Picks!
Eddy:
Broncos +9 at Ravens - 2 Units
Chargers -1.5 at Browns - 2 Units
Bears +1 at Cardinals - 2 Units
Seahawks +1.5 v. Rams - 3 Units
Two Team Teaser: Bengals -1, Eagles -1.5 - 5 Units
Kevin:
Two Team Teaser - Bengals -1, Texans +7.5 - 2 Units
Giants +3.5 v. Commies - 2 Units
Bears +1 at Cardinals - 2 Units
Colts +5 at Vikings - 2 Units
Broncos +9 at Ravens - 2 Units
Guest (Frank):
Bears +1 at Cardinals - 2 Units
Colts +5 at Vikings - 2 Units
Bucs +8.5 at Chiefs - 2 Units
Falcons -3 v. Cowboys - 2 Units
Eagles -7.5 v. Jaguars - 2 Units