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4.1
106 Reviews (106)
5 Stars
30
4 Stars
61
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.6
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.6
94.3%
Recommend this course
100 out of 106 reviews
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5 Stars
0
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
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1 Stars
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Value
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Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
0
Amenities
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About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 71
Length 6210 yards
Slope 121
Rating 69.7

Ellinwood Country Club in Athol boasts a unique 18-hole layout with nine holes designed by Donald Ross and another nine designed by Geoffrey Cornish. Having two different designers gives the golf course plenty of variety, especially since the holes are intermingles. Cornish's greens are bigger and flatter while the Ross holes feature some of his characteristic greens and bunkers. Water hazards come into play as well and you'll face a few tricky doglegs and blind shots. There are some challenging holes but overall it's not an overly difficult golf course. The average player can still approach it with confidence. With a secluded location in rural western Massachusetts, Ellinwood Country Club offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The 11th hole, with a winding brook that runs alongside the fairway before cutting in front of the green, is particularly scenic.

Course Details

Year Built 1929
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Open: 4/15 Closed: 11/01
Architect Donald Ross (1929) Geoffrey Cornish (1965) Bill Robinson (1965) Mark Mungeam

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs No
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Available Facilities

Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Reviews

4.1
106 Reviews (106)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 15
Patio Dining 6
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 29
Undulating Greens 19
Bunkers 16
This course/club is great for:
Locals 17
Advanced Golfers 16
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 12
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 22
In the 'Burbs 13

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Play Ellinwood !!!!

A Safari Club outing that was challenging and fun. Hilly landscape provided a great challenge. Peaceful, rural setting. 19th hole was accommodating in every way - excellent food.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 78
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

A Safari Club Favorite!

You can't beat the friendly staff that works here. The course is getting better all of the time. I have been coming here for many years and its one of our favorite mini road trips. We're looking forward to returning again soon.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather

Hidden Gem

The only thing that prevents this course from being tough to get on to is it's location. It's about an hours drive from any serious population centers, but if you're looking for a "destination golf course" it's well worth the drive. Fairways are a little burnt out in some spots, but hey...we're in the middle of a pretty serious drought.

Food was also very good and the people running it are among the best you'll find anywhere.

I think the Safari Club hit another home run by having this course on their schedule and hope to go back there with them again next year.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/22/2017

I would not play this course unless on a hot deal . The fairways were in terrible shape. The greens were good anice design which you would expect from a Ross course. Not worth 35 dollars 10 or 15 maybe. Its not a hidden gem

Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

A gem worth the drive!

Played this rather hidden course with the Safari Club, a group of over 100+ golfers that are rather particular about where we play. This course has many blind shots which makes the game very interesting. Very few level lies and long par 3s from the blue tees. A mix of Donald Ross (original 9) and Geofrrey Cornish, the course is quite a challenge and very fun to play. Will go back again and again. Staff was wonderful to our group. Not a stuffy country club feeling, just a welcoming and comfortable feel

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Day on an interesting Golf Course

Had a great time at Ellinwood with the Safari Club. It is a very interesting layout and quite challenging. The players moved right along with occasional delays for stray balls. The lunch prepared for our group was also wonderful.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Super day of Golf with the Safari Golf Club

I played with the Safari Golf Club last week with 140 members and we had a great times. I am 71 years old and found the par 3s a little difficult because of their length. One par 3 was 225 yards a little long for this old dog. The course was in excellent shape. Rolling fairways , elavated greens and woods and bunkers all over the place. It was a fun time and the buffet was very good after our round of golf.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Safari Club Event

Book your tee time and enjoy a wonderful round of golf. You'll rank this course as one of your favorite . . . and the staff as the best. Well worth the trip.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Used cart

Several interesting holes!!

Recently played the course with the Safari Club and had an enjoyable time. Course was in decent condition considering the drought we are experiencing. Several interesting holes with elevation changes and water hazards. Previous knowledge of the course is helpful since some holes have blind shots off the Tee box.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 53
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Safari Club Outing

The greens were very good, and the fringe was also good. Lots of blind shots from the T-Boxes. Its a very old course and changeling. The smorg was very good also. I would play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

the greens are in great shape

they need to fix some of the fairway . not much grass some brown fairways.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 95
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Fantastic Greens

Overall, this is a good course. Greens are fantastic. Very challenging, big breaking putts in places, not much water.

Some holes are a little punitive because of crowned fairways or oddly placed hazards that make 2nd shots very long (15 as an example).

You'll also find some protruding granite rocks in places and significantly on 17 and 18. You'll find this on a lot of old New England courses unless they dig them out.

Again, overall it's a great day and you'll love the greens and the challenge.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 362
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Nice course, needs upgrading

Nice course, Ross design, interesting layout. The greens are good (could be faster), T-boxes OK, fairways have lots of rocks and gulley (need to pay attention) it's like riding on a washboard. The cart paths are poor, very old and bumpy, if you did not have kidney/back problems you will after riding this course. Some blind shots, need to play again to know it. Course is out of the way, I may play again (discount) just to confirm my impression.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 54
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Very good day

Threesome, got around in 4 hours. Greens are the best i've seen this year. These route 2 foothills courses are among the best in new england. Ellinwood is usually a fast paced but bumpy ride with an excellent layout. Plenty of elevation and distance, tight but forgiving par threes. big course, so a few bare spots but very well-maintained otherwise. A good ride, rte 2 moves along quickly, will be back thanks to Golfnow!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/23/2016

7/22/16: fairways are burnt now, mostly acres of dry grass, open ground and lots of rock. Greens are still in very good shape, not too fast. Difficult finding improved lies, so its a different swing til the grass comes back.

Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Hidden gem

Old donald Ross, well at least 9 of the holes were , best deal for the money green roll true and fairly fast.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

A hidden gem

Losts of character, excellent course

Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 48
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

plays fast

If you like an uncrowded Staff is great and the course is in pretty good shape. course that can be played in 4 hrs. or less this is it. My wife and I are retired and when we go during a weekday afternoon we play in less than 4 hrs. Nice layout and somewhat forgiving if you dont hit it too straight.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Donald Ross layout

This was an enjoyable course to play. There are a few narrow holes, but all of them have a combination of uneven fairway lies and sloped greens that demand that you keep the ball below the hole. Failure to keep the ball below the hole can result in a bogey or worse. I can't wait to play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Some great Ross holes

Nice course with personality issues. Original 9 hole Donald Ross course that was made into an 18 using Cornish to complete the job. I really wish Cornish kept the Ross style when completing the course. 15-18 seem like you left and are at another course. Long holes with huge greens that didn't keep the Ross style of smaller, domed or heavily contoured greens that you'll find on the front 9. Other than that the course has a few issues with limited irrigation, so if its been dry and hot you might find the fairways a bit baked but the greens are always good here. Worth a visit.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Very Nice Course

I liked Ellinwood a lot. Only complaint would be the condition of the cart paths. Pretty rough... could use some repaving.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

reluctantly sharing

Played today for the second time....
great value w/cart ...(16.00/ea)
excellent layout.... has it all... doglegs,elevation changes, tiny greens, undulation.
tee boxes and most greens in super shape ( not bad for this late in the season ( with not alot of rain), couple greens had been repaired so the where different shades of green, but all rolled fast and true.
Fairways where a little burnt out in spots but overall very good.
the closing 3 holes are terrific New England golf at its best.... save some energy ... its 5 - 4 - 5 to close.....
This course is an hour drive for me...... and worth it and then some, so enjoy ..... just dont tell to many .... lets keep it a secret lol

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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