There are many top quality public golf courses around the Middlesex county in Massachusetts, but which one gets the best ranking? These are the top 3 courses in the area that have the best layouts, conditions and the overall playing experience in the area.
Located in Devens, Massachusetts, Red Tail Golf Club is one of the top public courses in MA. This track is an absolute treat when it comes to the overall playing experience. It's know for its scenic beauty and challenging layout and is often praised as for it's well maintained greens and fairways.
Formally a U.S. Army base dating back to 1917, it was both a training ground and stopping-off point for troops fighting in both world wars.
Commissioned to play in 2002, the layout demonstrates just how dramatic the redevelopment of Fort Devens really was. The front 9 has a few fairways that run atop old barrack foundations. The par 3's on the front 9 and back 9 have a few deep and sandy waste bunkers you'll want to stay out of or you could end up with a 102 at the end of the day.
The back 9 can be a little bit more forgiving than the front. The last five holes have elevated tees and might be the best finishing five in the Middlesex County. Hole 17, a par 4 dog-leg right, has a solid fairway that is surrounded by broad waste areas of coarse sand. A bad slice would be on top of the old ammunition bunkers.
Red Tails 18th hole 572 par 5 is a solid hole to end a match on. If you can hammer your drive, it can catch a downslope and potentially lead to being on the green in two. You'll want to stay left of the green with the pond to the right.
Red Tail has served as the host to a few major amateur championships. With the layout and conditions, clearly Red Tail rates among the best golf courses in New England.
30 minutes northwest of Boston, located in Westford, Massachusetts, Butter Brook is another course that keeps you coming back for more. Butter Brook might be the best layout out of the three courses on this list. The only reason why its ranked #2 is because the greens can get absolutely torn from people not fixing their divots, especially on the par 3's. Improving the greens condition and speed would make this course #1. Nonetheless, it's one of the most enjoyable courses in New England, boasting a diverse and excellent layouts.
This is a course that places a premium on accuracy rather than length. The front 9 tends to be slightly more challenging than the back 9. On the front, it's important to keep the ball in the fairway, as tall pines surround the holes. The back 9 is more forgiving and open. Holes 10-16 open up and holes 17 and 18 are more target golf.
To begin describing Shaker Hills, think of a classic New England layout. Located in the woods of Harvard, MA this course is teeming with wildlife. Deer, foxes, and various other animals are frequently seen. Even squirrels are known to hop into your cart and scavenge any meat you grab from the clubhouse.
Shaker Hills is a par 72, playing close to 7,000 yards from the tips, has become a popular destination for players, tournaments, weddings and more. I wouldn't recommend walking this course unless you enjoy walking up and down hills. Over the past few years Shaker has put in some serious renovations to the golf course and club house. Recently adding a drive thru snack shack and the optional "Roof Shot" to the dramatic downhill par 3's on holes 6 and 13.
Shaker features a solid driving range and an old 18th-hole short game practice area where you could easily spend hours trying to improve your game. While the course offers a fair challenge, it remains in top-notch condition thanks to the owner's dedication to ongoing enhancements.