At Mass Golf Guide, our goal is simple: to help you find the best public golf experiences across Massachusetts. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a casual beginner, or someone chasing the elusive even-par round, we want our course reviews to give you the real story—what to expect before you book that next tee time.
A Balanced Rating System, Built for Public Play
Our rating system is tailored specifically to public-access courses. That means we’re not comparing a municipal 9-holer to a private championship layout—we’re evaluating each course based on what it sets out to deliver and how well it delivers it.
We use a rubric that breaks down every course into four key categories:
1. Course Conditions (30 points total)
This is the core of any round. We evaluate the state of:
- Fairways – Are they lush, consistent, and playable?
- Greens – Smooth, true, and well-maintained?
- Bunkers – Properly raked and playable, or neglected?
- Tee Boxes – Flat, well-marked, and in good shape?
2. Layout & Design (25 points total)
A good course isn’t just about condition—it’s about the experience of playing it. We assess:
- Shot variety – Are you using different clubs and shaping shots?
- Scenery – Natural beauty or unique visuals?
- Pace of play – Can you get around in 4 hours or less?
- Walkability – Can you enjoy the course on foot without a struggle?
3. Amenities & Experience (25 points total)
From the moment you pull in to the time you sink your last putt, the off-course experience matters. We consider:
- Clubhouse – Functional, welcoming, or just a starter shack?
- Practice areas – Is there a range or putting green?
- Staff & service – Friendly and helpful?
- Value for money – Do the green fees match the experience?
4. Overall Impressions (20 points total)
This is where we bring it all together. We score:
- Food & beverage – Snack bar? On-course drinks?
- Course-wide consistency – Are the conditions uniform across holes?
- Overall experience – Would you come back? Would you recommend it?
Putting It All Together
Each subcategory is scored and totaled for a final score out of 100. We then convert that into a 5-star scale to make comparisons easy. Most courses land somewhere between 60 and 85, which reflects the strengths and trade-offs of public golf in Massachusetts.
Local Knowledge. Honest Opinions.
Our reviews combine hands-on experience with community input and publicly available data. That means you’re getting a mix of:
- On-site visits
- Verified golfer feedback
- Recent online reviews from platforms like GolfPass, Yelp, Google, and more
We’re not here to bash courses—but we are here to be honest. If the greens are rolling slow, we’ll say it. If a small town muni punches above its weight, we’ll shout it from the rooftops.
Because in the end, it’s not about the fanciest course. It’s about the best round for you—whether that’s a $20 twilight walk or a big group outing with views and vibes.
Got Feedback?
Play a course we’ve reviewed recently? See something different? Let us know. We update scores and details regularly and welcome feedback from the people who know these courses best: Massachusetts public golfers.
