Searsgolfer

Stow North Course keeps getting better, maintenance shows steady work on greens and traps. Layout is ok if you like doglegs left, keep your 180 yard lob wedge handy. Staff and food are good also. Best part was no leaves or acorns in play on a calm day.

The finest public 9 hole in the area, Sterling has improved the conditions each season and “adjusted” the layout on a couple of Donald Ross’s nightmarish green pitches like the ninth hole. Greens are slow, small and either elevated or naturally sloped. Tee boxes, fairways and traps are better than most public links. Putting green and driving range, portajohn and water in the middle of the track. A good day.

Yeah, Crotched is off the beaten path, the road less taken and still one of the finest courses you can find. Cart paths are rocky in spots and there aren’t many level lies but tee to green, it is lush and the traps are fresh. Greens were fast, same as the practice green so warm up and hit ‘em straight. Only advice is play more irons, a short leave is better than long, left or right on this mountain.

A work in progress, most greens are simply horrible but if you take improved lies on the “fairways” its playable. Funny part is this course looks great from the road! It offers golf at very reasonable rates and is a challenging layout with plenty of slopes and elevation change. Cart paths are narrow in spots and confusing if unfamiliar, and its a long walking course.

Probably the best value course in central MA, the parking lot was full on a Tuesday. Tee to green, conditions are very good. Got around in less than four hours, mostly foursomes. Only complaint is the practice green and driving range are inconveniently across the road where carts are not permitted.

Campbells just opened and played well, course is dry for April. Slightly crowded on a Tuesday, round was just over four hours. Carts have electronic scorecards and gps for distance, charging jack. Driving range is closed.

Played Crystal Lake for over 30 years. Its gone from Country Club to crap and back close to Country Club conditions under Sterling mgmt. They’ve added new homes between the 8th and 9th, shortening the front nine considerably, 9 is now a 150 yd par 3 and 8 has a new green to the right. Tee to pin, conditions are mostly excellent, manicured sand traps too. Cart path only is a real challenge but the fairways were swampy in spots. Probably go back once more this summer.

Front nine greens aerated last week and rolled ok, back nine was closed for aeration. Course is dry and played well. Tree lined fairways, plenty of elevation, sand traps and water hazards to test the average player. Practice green and driving range open.

It’s like that dried out piece of leftover pizza, its still golf. I figured this late in the year there might be some grass, nope. There isn’t a golfer on the planet who can break par in these conditions, compounded by the leaves falling. So if you play Leo, make some rules like free drops and improved lies, 3 putt maximums and you can still wnjoy this tired old Lady.

Played 54 holes over four days. A little rain brought the course right back after a summer drought. Really well maintained for a local nine hole. Driver on every hole except the par 3 third. Second hole is drivable if you stay left of the fairway flag, fifth is too if get a good bounce down the right but the worst green to hold. Good value and good people.

Only one par 3 and one par 5, couple drivable par 4 teasers. Moderate elevation changes on most holes and scarce yardage markers. Course is in good shape for the most part. Played with a couple regulars for an enjoyable day.

Very playable but your shoes will get wet for the next week or two. Greens and traps are in good shape, fairways are pick, clean and place mostly. Carts are day to day so check the Facebook page or call. Can’t believe people walk the back nine, front is mostly level. A challenging layout with almost no blind shots.

The dogwalkers don’t pay, why should the golfers? Tee to green the worst course conditions ever. Terrible layout too if its your first round there. But its like pizza, even a lousy course is still golf.

No bump and runs at Loudon. Played three rounds in four days, course is in excellent condition. Couple bread loaf tee boxes but fairways, rough and greens are perfect. The greens, very small and firm, very few ball marks and your wedge is the only way on, like turtle shells. Cups seemed crowned too, lots of 3 putts. As difficult as they come, narrow fairways except the par 5’s, grip and rip. Bring the A game.

A hidden gem, greens and fairways always well kept but its been a wet spring. Check the Facebook page to see if carts are allowed, day to day. Got stuck coming off the 9th, watched a 360 on the 17th when they tried to stop, so be careful on slopes if it is wet. Driving range and practice green across street with car parking but no carts allowed.

Its a nine hole par 3 ranging from 90-175 yards with mostly forced carries over natural areas. Was expecting a wide open space, it is not. Each hole requires precision, some ball marks from well-placed tee shots but the fast greens, groomed traps and grass are well maintained, even the tee boxes and cart paths. Great family destination with miniature golf, the winery and a complete sandwich shop. Will go back again.

Crazy 9 hole layout; up, down, open parallel fairways with lots of cross play. Greens are small but well maintained, low end fairways but course rules allow improved lies, tee boxes mostly bare. Hot dogs and basics in the proshop. Busy for a weekday but foursomes moved right along. We will be back.

Improvements each year have gotten Chelmsford to a respectable standard. Don’t be fooled by the length, the greens are small and unforgiving. Practice green and range are open.

Yeah, its that nice. Great conditions after a hot, dry summer. Greens are fast with lots of rollout, fairways, tee boxes, traps and cart paths in good condition. Attentive cart girl, snack bar, restaurant and driving range, zippy electric carts with weather cover for bags. The way a golf course should be. Suggested putting a sand rake on the carts while this covid rule is in place.