By Steve Derderian
sderderian@massgolf.org
I have a confession to make: I have never scored an eagle in my lifetime of playing golf. But if I ever did, I found a few courses where maybe, just maybe, I’d have a chance even if I was playing from the back tees.
Last year, I started this series with the hope of satisfying the curiosity of who truly has some of the longest and shortest golf holes by raw number at courses anybody reading this could play seven days a week. With so many golf courses in the state, this took countless hours of research and verification, with lots of assistance from my fellow Marketing & Communications colleagues. Still, it also presented an opportunity to highlight many of our state’s public golf courses, along with ways you can enjoy a day spent at these courses and in the surrounding area.
Finally, we arrive at the final article of this kind: The shortest par 5s at public courses in Massachusetts. While some of these holes may give me hopes of an eagle, I found that many of them play much longer and more complex than their number would indicate.
Editor’s Note: To create a consistent standard for our list, we measured from the back tees at each daily-fee public course. Holes on executive courses and those with a total length under 5,500 for 18 holes from the back tees are not included.
Green Hill Park is a unique multi-use public park located on nearly 500 acres in the city. This, of course, includes the 18-hole municipal golf course that is tucked between Route 9 and I-290 and has been opened since it debuted as a 9-hole course in 1929. While the third hole does play uphill, it is still very much a gettable par-5. Aggressive players will be licking their chops upon arriving at the third.
Pro Tip: Playing up the left and taking on the collection of smaller trees can save players a good 25-30 yards coming into the green. But beware, those who bite off more than they can chew will quickly find themselves in jail. Whether it be in the collection of smaller trees in the landing area or by way of an obstructed approach, thanks to a much larger tree ahead, the third can hold its own.
The prudent play off the tee is to take it up the right and follow the fairway, which will leave a manageable second shot into this reachable hole. Stay away from the right tree line to avoid a big number.
Architect: Willie Ogg (1929) / William F. Mitchell (1968)
Local Attraction: Chick-fil-A. Speaking of biting off more than you can chew, located just a few short par-5s away from the third green, the Worcester location is the last chance for those craving an original chicken sandwich with that mouth-watering signature sauce. While there are a few locations to the east, the next closest for those traveling south is at Mohegan Sun, and those heading west will have to wait until Chicopee.
Tee times: greenhillgc.com/
The opening hole is a 428-yard par 5 that may not boast great length, but its 71-foot ascent from tee to green adds a layer of challenge. This hole presents a prime opportunity to start your round strong with either a birdie or a solid par.
Pro Tip: Big hitters should watch out for the left-side fairway bunker, lying 190 yards from the small but tricky green. A solid drive down the middle sets up the chance to reach the green in two shots. However, the green is well-defended by bunkers on both the left and right sides.
Architect: Walter Howe (1921) / Bill Spence (1935).
Local Attraction: Cold Harbor Brewing. Nestled in the heart of Westborough, this brewery, restaurant, and event space offers an enjoyable experience for beer enthusiasts, food lovers, and community members alike. Open every day except Mondays, Cold Harbor’s kitchen is open until 8 p.m. during weekdays and Sundays and 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tee times: westboroughgolfclub.com/tee-times/public-tee-times/
Tom DiRico, the general manager & director of golf at Agawam Municipal GC, agrees that the 10th at Agawam is more challenging than the yardage says. The dogleg left has tall pine trees guarding the left side of the fairway to prevent you from cutting the corner. There is also OB on the right, so hitting it straight is your best bet. From there, it’s all uphill and a carry to a small green that slopes severely back to front. The proper position on your approach is short of the hole.
Pro Tip: “Keep it in the fairway. The hole will play fairly short. It’s a hole if you’re in the fairway; you shouldn’t be worse than par.”—Tom DiRico, GM and Director of Golf at Agawam Municipal GC.
Architect: Richard Leao (1944).
Local Attractions: Six Flags. When I hear Agawam, the first thing that comes to mind is Six Flags. Spanning over 200 acres, Six Flags New England is a thrill-seeker’s paradise, home to 12 heart-pounding roller coasters, a massive 500,000-gallon wave pool, and tons of places for adventure lovers of all ages to enjoy.
Tee times: agawamgolfcourse.com/course/scorecard/
According to head golf professional Kevin Murphy, the 13th hole used to be considered one of the most difficult holes in the state. In the early 90s, it played as a par 4. In the mid-2000s, the hole was changed to a par 5 due to a par change on another hole, keeping the course par to 70. Visually, the drive seems open with a penalty area left and plenty of room to the right, but hitting the fairway of this slight dogleg is essential to reaching in two shots. The second shot can be played with just a mid-iron for longer hitters, but the extreme elevation makes the shot play 20-30 yards longer.
Pro Tip: “The green is the defense of the hole, and anything right of the green leaves a near impossible up and down. The miss to the left of the green is a must to make a birdie.” — Kevin Murphy, head golf professional.
Architect: Geoffrey Cornish & Brian Silva (1990).
Local Attraction: Winnekenni Castle. “Have fun storming the castle!” Inspired by stone buildings he saw while visiting England, Haverhill chemist Dr. James R. Nichols built the castle between 1873 and 1875 as a summer home, and he named it and the surrounding land “Winnekenni,” an Algonquin word meaning “very beautiful.”
Bonus Fact: In the same year he was named the 2020 Mass Golf Richard D. Haskell Player of the Year, Nick Maccario shot an earth-shattering score of 56 that included 11 birdies and two eagles. In that round, Maccario made a birdie on the 13th.
Tee times: bradfordcc.com/book-a-tee-time/
Athol is a charming town nestled in the North Quabbin region, known for its scenic forests and rivers. Nearly visible from Route 2 is Ellinwood Country Club, an 18-hole golf course with 9 holes originally laid out by Donald Ross. With numerous sodden boulders erupting from below the fairways, expect crazy bounces should you find one.
Playing from the back tees at 420 yards, the 5th presents challenges for golfers of all skill levels. For shorter hitters, a driver is essential, while long hitters may choose anything from a 3-wood to an iron. Those who drive the ball more than 210 yards will get a kick off a downhill “chute” and see it roll toward the green to about the 150-yard marker. A pond guards the right side in front of the elevated green that has a false front and is a challenging target with green that banks hard right-to-left. Put it this way, if you’re putting downhill, you better hope it goes in, or else you’ll likely be off the green;
Pro Tip: “This hole is all about precision and decision-making, with anything from an eagle to a disastrous 8 or 9 possible. The standard way to play it is a 3 or 5 wood that leaves you about around 150-160 yards in. Then try to fade a 6 or 7 iron into the green that will hold the green. Putts uphill will break left and right. — Dave King, vice president of the board of directors at Ellinwood CC.
Architect: Donald Ross (1929) / Geoffrey Cornish (1965).
Local Attraction: Red Apple Farm. North Central Massachusetts is the birthplace of John Chapman – better known as Johnny Appleseed. Therefore, there’s no better time than now to stop at this local farm and bring back a fresh batch of apples or some fresh cider donuts on your way back from a round of golf.
Tee Times: app.easyteegolf.com/course/ellinwood-country-club/
Many people visit Norwood Country Club for its affordable and popular driving range just off Route 1 heading Northeast toward Boston. However, the property also has an 18-hole course over flat terrain that is easily walkable and playable for most skill levels, especially junior golfers. In fact, per figures provided by Youth on Course, Norwood hosted an incredible 3,763 rounds of golf associated with the organization, which placed it in their top 10 most prolific facilities nationwide.
The par-5 5th provides a promising birdie opportunity, but accuracy off the tee and finding the fairway are a must. Left of the fairway is heavy rough and trees, and right of the fairway is bushes and heavy rough. The swamp is right and starts 90 yards from the green. A well-placed bunker is on the middle right front side of the green.
Pro Tip: “There is room to run your second shot up on the green or fly it on from 160-190 yards. Over the green right is death, and 30 yards left of the green pin high is no bargain.” – Jay Miller, Director Of Golf Course Operations at Sterling Golf Management, Inc.
Architect: Sam Mitchell (1975).
Local Attraction: Castle Island Brewing. The Norwood taproom is open Tuesday through Sunday and pours 18 different Castle Island beers, hard seltzers, wine, and plenty of non-alcoholic options. The place also offers award-winning bar pizza, sandwiches, apps, and sweets.
Tee Times: norwood-country-club.book.teeitup.golf
Though the course is built into the hillside of this remote town in Central Massachusetts, Pine Ridge is relatively flat, with some small hills scattered throughout. And while the 6th begins at the lowest point of the property, the hole rises up, and up, and up about 60 feet from tee to green.
Longer hitters may be tempted to go for the green in two, but just landing it within the thin landing area is an accomplishment in itself. For most golfers, laying up short of the green, which has a false front and is pitched back to front, is the smart play, leaving a comfortable wedge in for a birdie opportunity.
Pro tip: You don’t want to miss right off the tee, as the rough along the fairway drops off significantly and will leave you blocked out from a solid attack angle toward the green. Too far left, and you will likely have to take your medicine and punch out.
Architect: Philip Wogan (1969).
Local Attraction: Carl’s Dinner. If you’re looking for breakfast or lunch in the area, stop the search. Here at this old-fashioned diner, the portions are so hefty you probably won’t need to eat the rest of the day. I can personally account for the fact that breakfast meals come stacked with at least eight strips of bacon, and if you sit at the counter, they often throw a few more your way. Don’t believe me? Check out this segment from Phantom Gourmet: Watch Now.
Tee times: pineridgegolf.teesnap.net
Visit MassGolf.org and follow @PlayMassGolf on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest information on Mass Golf news, championships, and events. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #MassGolf.
