The Inside Swing

Best Golf Courses in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is steeped in golf history. The Country Club at Brookline — site of Francis Ouimet's legendary 1913 U.S. Open victory and the 2022 U.S. Open — anchors one of America's most storied golf regions. From the rocky coastline of the South Shore to the sandy links of Cape Cod, Greater Boston rewards the traveling golfer.

Our Methodology: Courses are ranked by an expert panel evaluating design quality, conditioning, challenge, aesthetics, and overall experience. Both private and public courses are considered on merit.
1

Brookline, Massachusetts · William Flynn (1893) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,264 yards

One of the five founding members of the USGA, The Country Club in Brookline is hallowed ground in American golf. Host of the 1913, 1963, and 1988 U.S. Opens, the 1999 Ryder Cup, and the 2022 U.S. Open, its William Flynn composite course is a masterclass in strategic architecture.

Five-time U.S. Open host including 20221999 Ryder Cup venueFounding member of the USGA since 1893
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.9/5
2

Peabody, Massachusetts · Donald Ross (1926) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,843 yards

A Donald Ross masterpiece on the North Shore, Salem Country Club hosted the 2017 U.S. Senior Open. The classic Ross design features crowned greens, strategic bunkering, and a parkland setting through mature New England hardwoods that has stood the test of time.

2017 U.S. Senior Open hostClassic Donald Ross crowned greensHistoric North Shore parkland setting
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.7/5
3

Plymouth, Massachusetts · Rees Jones (2001) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,175 yards

A Rees Jones design through the pine barrens of Plymouth, Pinehills Jones Course delivers championship-caliber public golf south of Boston. The layout carves through pitch pines and scrub oaks with well-crafted bunkering and excellent conditioning.

Championship public golf south of BostonPine barrens setting in PlymouthRees Jones design with excellent conditioning
Green Fee: $65–$130 Rating: 4.4/5
4

Boston, Massachusetts · Donald Ross (1938) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,418 yards

A hidden Donald Ross gem in Boston's Hyde Park neighborhood, George Wright is widely regarded as one of the best municipal courses in America. The restored Ross design features classic crowned greens, strategic bunkering, and excellent value in the heart of the city.

Donald Ross municipal masterpieceAmong America's best city-owned coursesRestored classic design at affordable pricing
Green Fee: $25–$55 Rating: 4.2/5
5

Hingham, Massachusetts · Gil Hanse (2005) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,931 yards

A Gil Hanse design on the South Shore, Boston Golf Club occupies a stunning coastal property with views of Boston Harbor. The modern layout integrates seamlessly with the rocky New England terrain, featuring creative green complexes and strategic bunkering.

Gil Hanse modern designBoston Harbor coastal viewsRocky New England terrain integration
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.6/5
6

Quincy, Massachusetts · John Sanford (2003) · 27 holes · Par 72 · 6,828 yards

Built atop former granite quarries south of Boston, Granite Links offers 27 holes with spectacular views of the Boston skyline, Blue Hills, and harbor islands. The elevated terrain creates a unique golfing experience with dramatic elevation changes uncommon in coastal Massachusetts.

Built on former granite quarriesBoston skyline and harbor views27 holes with dramatic elevation changes
Green Fee: $75–$140 Rating: 4.3/5
7

South Hamilton, Massachusetts · Herbert Leeds (1894) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,555 yards

A four-time U.S. Open host from 1898 to 1908, Myopia Hunt Club is one of the most historic courses in America. The Herbert Leeds design on Boston's North Shore features devilish green contours, blind shots, and the quirky charm of Golden Age architecture.

Four-time early U.S. Open host 1898–1908Herbert Leeds Golden Age designDevilish green contours and blind shots
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.5/5
8

Devens, Massachusetts · Brian Silva (2002) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,015 yards

Built on the former Fort Devens military base, Red Tail is a Brian Silva design that draws on Golden Age principles with modern playability. The layout features chocolate-drop mounds, geometric bunkering, and a natural routing through rolling terrain west of Boston.

Brian Silva Golden Age-inspired designBuilt on former Fort Devens military baseChocolate-drop mounds and geometric bunkering
Green Fee: $65–$115 Rating: 4.4/5
9

Plymouth, Massachusetts · Jack Nicklaus (2001) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,175 yards

A Jack Nicklaus design on the South Shore at Plymouth, Pinehills Nicklaus offers championship-level public golf through pine and cranberry bog terrain. The 7,175-yard layout features Nicklaus's bold green complexes, strategic bunkering, and the characteristic sandy terrain of southeastern Massachusetts.

Jack Nicklaus championship public designPine and cranberry bog terrain on South Shore7,175-yard layout at public pricing
Green Fee: $55–$100 Rating: 4.2/5
10

Marion, Massachusetts · William Flynn (attributed) / Fred Hood (1922) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 6,596 yards

A seaside links gem on Buzzards Bay south of Boston, Kittansett is one of the finest private courses in New England. The compact par-71 features spectacular waterfront holes, firm fescue conditions, and a windswept character that rewards creative shotmaking along the rocky Massachusetts coastline.

Spectacular Buzzards Bay seaside linksOne of the finest private clubs in New EnglandWindswept fescue conditions along rocky coastline
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.6/5
11

Quincy, Massachusetts · John Sanford (2003) · 27 holes · Par 72 · 6,828 yards

Built on former quarry land south of Boston with panoramic Boston skyline and harbor views, Granite Links offers 27 holes of championship-caliber public golf. The dramatic layout features exposed granite ledge, elevation changes unusual for coastal Massachusetts, and stunning city views from elevated tee boxes.

Panoramic Boston skyline and harbor viewsBuilt on former quarry with exposed granite27 holes of championship public golf
Green Fee: $50–$95 Rating: 4.2/5

Public Courses in Boston

Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Boston .

Overview

The Greater Boston area offers a remarkable concentration of historic and architecturally significant golf courses. The region's private club scene includes some of the oldest clubs in America, while public options like Granite Links and George Wright provide championship-caliber golf at accessible prices. Cape Cod, just an hour south, adds an entirely different dimension with seaside and heathland courses.

Best Time to Play

May through October is the primary golf season, with June through September offering the warmest weather. Fall foliage season (late September through October) is spectacular on New England courses. Winters are too cold and snowy for regular play.

Travel Tips & Getting There

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is just minutes from downtown. The Country Club is in Brookline, a short drive from the city center. Cape Cod courses are 60-90 minutes south. Consider a fall golf trip to combine great playing conditions with spectacular New England foliage.

Nearest Airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you play The Country Club at Brookline?
The Country Club is a private members-only facility and not open to public play. It hosted the 2022 U.S. Open won by Matt Fitzpatrick and has a storied history dating to 1882 as one of the five founding members of the USGA.
What is the best public golf course near Boston?
Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy offers stunning Boston skyline and harbor views with a well-regarded layout. George Wright Golf Course, a Donald Ross design in Hyde Park, is one of the best municipal courses in New England.
Is Cape Cod worth a golf trip from Boston?
Absolutely. Cape Cod offers unique seaside and heathland golf just 60-90 minutes from Boston. Courses like Pinehills in Plymouth and the Cape Cod National in Brewster provide memorable rounds in a classic New England beach setting.

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