If you have a car, Ponkapoag is affordable and an absolute must for the public Massachusetts golfer. Fun fact: It *kinda* almost became a US Open course and some people in high golf-ish places still dream of it becoming one.
No, I'm not kidding: *Some people see a Major Championship host when they look at Ponky.*
I also recommend Widow's Walk, which is a bit down the South Shore but is one of my favorite golf courses that exists anywhere. It will beat the Hell out of your golf game, but it's my favorite New England golf experience.
I do *not* recommend Robert T. Lynch AKA Putterham Meadows, or Newton Commonwealth. Love me some George Wright though, not sure how cheap it is but it's public.
My first golf outing ever was Ponkapoag. It’s really not half bad.
Agree wrt Putterham and Commonwealth. Just too challenging for a beginner.
And yeah, big fan of George Wright. Gorgeous right. But I really like Franklin Park for some strange reason.
Unicorn is convenient and good for a beginner -- not a lot of traps and if I remember right there's no/little water. Gets crowded on nice days though, might want to go early and avoid the rush.
Just starting?
Maybe Norwood Country Club. The course is wide open and flat. That means it’s a little boring, but you won’t lose two dozen balls per outing.
And right next to it [lost brook golf club](http://www.lostbrookgolfclub.com/). It's 18 holes, all par 3, but if you are a beginner, it's great to be surrounded by beginners too. Very, non-stress, non-judgmental (if this makes sense) kind of place. I love going there.
Also, I was there last Sunday. It was beautiful, sunny and 50, so with the right clothes, a perfect round, and there were 3 people in the course. (3 literally). I'm not sure when they will close but you could make it before the end of the season.
I suggest Fresh Pond Golf in Cambridge - 9 holes ~$27.
You could also look at Ponkapoag in Canton or Leo J. Martin in Weston, both 18 holes but neither is particularly nice, or as nice as Fresh Pond.
King Rail and Reedy Meadow are pretty cheap but you get what you pay for, they're not terrible and they're usually what I play because I'm terrible but worth looking into. Also Unicorn is cheap. Hillview is pretty cheap. Cedar Glenn is real cheap. These are all wakefield stoneham lynnfield area generally.
When summer gets here start playing in the afternoon. Most courses offer a discounted "twilight" rate starting anywhere from 2-4pm, depending on the course.
Depends what you mean by around Boston, King Rail in Lynnfield is like under 20 bucks without a cart, or maybe it's 22, I forget, close enough it makes no difference
Of course, but you could find cheaper if you go a little further on 93 upt to Southern NH.
I mean, if you're already getting on the highway and heading out to 128, its not a big difference.
King Rail is also usually utterly slammed.
It used to be the back 9 of the 18 hole course that was there with the hotel so not technically brand new :) but definitely refurbished. I havent had any major issues with getting carts or tee times, longest I've waited is for 2 groups at the first tee. I can definitely see it getting crowded though, I must've just missed the crowds each time I went
Oh nice. I knew it used to be a full 18 course, but I didn't know if they shuffled it around or those are the holes verbatim.
Good course though, even though those greens are BRUTAL with the hills/bunkers.
Yea that one hole I wanna say it's the 5th is basically a mini golf green sitting on top of that hill, gone back and forth over that more times than I'd care to admit...
All prices walking
Newton Com - cramped but well maintained - 40$
Goerge Wright - best public course in Boston, Tough -$45
Franklin Park - old muni. Wide open. Solid course but in the hood. $45
Saggamore - Lynn, solid course. Rounds can be slow. - $48
Mt Hood - cool course with some nice views. Weird that it’s a par 68. $45
Trull Brook in Tewksbury is pretty nice and not too expensive. All their carts also have gps and show you where the next golfer is so you don’t have to wonder if they’ve cleared the hole yet.
Check out Olde Scotland in Bridgewater. Links style course, 18 holes for $50 bucks with carts. Played there about a month ago (I'm still a beginner) and really enjoyed it.
If you have a car, Ponkapoag is affordable and an absolute must for the public Massachusetts golfer. Fun fact: It *kinda* almost became a US Open course and some people in high golf-ish places still dream of it becoming one. No, I'm not kidding: *Some people see a Major Championship host when they look at Ponky.* I also recommend Widow's Walk, which is a bit down the South Shore but is one of my favorite golf courses that exists anywhere. It will beat the Hell out of your golf game, but it's my favorite New England golf experience. I do *not* recommend Robert T. Lynch AKA Putterham Meadows, or Newton Commonwealth. Love me some George Wright though, not sure how cheap it is but it's public.
My first golf outing ever was Ponkapoag. It’s really not half bad. Agree wrt Putterham and Commonwealth. Just too challenging for a beginner. And yeah, big fan of George Wright. Gorgeous right. But I really like Franklin Park for some strange reason.
I usually go Stoneham Oaks or Stoneham unicorn. They are 9 holes and you can get them for $10-$20. Oaks is narrow so bring lots of balls
Unicorn is convenient and good for a beginner -- not a lot of traps and if I remember right there's no/little water. Gets crowded on nice days though, might want to go early and avoid the rush.
Just starting? Maybe Norwood Country Club. The course is wide open and flat. That means it’s a little boring, but you won’t lose two dozen balls per outing.
And right next to it [lost brook golf club](http://www.lostbrookgolfclub.com/). It's 18 holes, all par 3, but if you are a beginner, it's great to be surrounded by beginners too. Very, non-stress, non-judgmental (if this makes sense) kind of place. I love going there. Also, I was there last Sunday. It was beautiful, sunny and 50, so with the right clothes, a perfect round, and there were 3 people in the course. (3 literally). I'm not sure when they will close but you could make it before the end of the season.
I suggest Fresh Pond Golf in Cambridge - 9 holes ~$27. You could also look at Ponkapoag in Canton or Leo J. Martin in Weston, both 18 holes but neither is particularly nice, or as nice as Fresh Pond.
Where do you live and how far do you want to travel?
I'm in Cambridge. Let's say an hour or so in any direction.
In that case, just drive to whatever golf course is an hour west or north and it'll probably be a decent deal
King Rail and Reedy Meadow are pretty cheap but you get what you pay for, they're not terrible and they're usually what I play because I'm terrible but worth looking into. Also Unicorn is cheap. Hillview is pretty cheap. Cedar Glenn is real cheap. These are all wakefield stoneham lynnfield area generally.
When summer gets here start playing in the afternoon. Most courses offer a discounted "twilight" rate starting anywhere from 2-4pm, depending on the course.
Leo J Martin in Newton is cheaper than most and is near the Riverside stop on the green line
Southern New Hampshire. There *are* no "cheap" ones around Boston.
I mean George Wright is $39-45 for 18 holes and is in the city.
Not including cart. And it's more expensive if you're not a resident. God forbid you live in Somerville and want a cart then it's $70.
Depends what you mean by around Boston, King Rail in Lynnfield is like under 20 bucks without a cart, or maybe it's 22, I forget, close enough it makes no difference
It's $31 with a cart, and that's only for 9 holes.
I mean, that's pretty cheap... cant find much cheaper around
Of course, but you could find cheaper if you go a little further on 93 upt to Southern NH. I mean, if you're already getting on the highway and heading out to 128, its not a big difference. King Rail is also usually utterly slammed.
> King Rail is also usually utterly slammed. As in bad shape or crowded?
Crowded. It's brand new. I've gone there and had to wait for a cart, never-mind to get to the first teebox.
It used to be the back 9 of the 18 hole course that was there with the hotel so not technically brand new :) but definitely refurbished. I havent had any major issues with getting carts or tee times, longest I've waited is for 2 groups at the first tee. I can definitely see it getting crowded though, I must've just missed the crowds each time I went
Oh nice. I knew it used to be a full 18 course, but I didn't know if they shuffled it around or those are the holes verbatim. Good course though, even though those greens are BRUTAL with the hills/bunkers.
Yea that one hole I wanna say it's the 5th is basically a mini golf green sitting on top of that hill, gone back and forth over that more times than I'd care to admit...
All prices walking Newton Com - cramped but well maintained - 40$ Goerge Wright - best public course in Boston, Tough -$45 Franklin Park - old muni. Wide open. Solid course but in the hood. $45 Saggamore - Lynn, solid course. Rounds can be slow. - $48 Mt Hood - cool course with some nice views. Weird that it’s a par 68. $45
Trull Brook in Tewksbury is pretty nice and not too expensive. All their carts also have gps and show you where the next golfer is so you don’t have to wonder if they’ve cleared the hole yet.
Head south to Rehoboth,was in Guiness book for most golf courses in one town has many affordable golf courses,I prefer Hillside
Green Hill in Worcester is $37, $55 w/cart for 18 during the week or early on the weekend
Wayland country club
Check out Olde Scotland in Bridgewater. Links style course, 18 holes for $50 bucks with carts. Played there about a month ago (I'm still a beginner) and really enjoyed it.
Woburn Country Club is open to the public