Minnechaug Golf Course

We’ve been playing here for years and really enjoy it. Small course, but fun and enjoyable. Walk or ride.

Greens are In good shape fairways alittle rough, final 2 holes are really fun and with the hot deal in themselves!

Course was in great shape, considering it’s November. Can’t beat the price. I would definitely play again

Minnechaug, a clever nine-holer by Geoffrey Cornish, is not an especially rugged course, although there are a few sizeable hills to climb or descend on the longer holes. But even these mainly flow over and through the wooded terrain here, fitting quite naturally into the landscape (there are a few humps and hillocks that were added, artificially). After a relatively easy beginning at the first—a drive-and-pitch par four—you’ll need accuracy off the tee to meet the challenge of the next four holes: two par-fours; two fives. These comprise the core of Minnechaug, as there are enough trees throughout this stretch to snag errant shots. The best hole among these is arguably the second, a short four-par with a tight landing area. Survive the drive—and its threatening landing zone—and you’ll be rewarded with a short iron or wedge into a plateau green. The two five-par 5’s also add some spice because both can be reached by longer hitters, assuming they are also straight hitters.

The course doesn’t let up much on six, an excellent mid-length par-three to a narrow green. But your tee shot must miss the right side marsh. The last three holes all present birdie opportunities, though the least likely will be at the ninth, where a forced water carry that should land on a table green is no easy task. From the tips, the ninth plays over 190. The eighth green, on the other hand, is surrounded by water—Minnechaug’s signature island hole, though a tad more forgiving than most of its type. In my experience playing the eighth, at least one ball per foursome will go swimming.

True to Cornish’s design philosophy, there is a generally Scottish feel that informs how the terrain rolls here on the par-fours and fives. Every one of these holes has some significant ground movement that makes playing at Minnechaug interesting. Examples are the big falloff on the left side of green one, the abrupt and very large embankment preceding green two (which defends this green), or the big hump at the corner of the dogleg at seven, in which is embedded a massive—and of course strategically placed—cloverleaf bunker. The latter often plays havoc with overly aggressive shots hit from tee seven.

What you get in this smaller-than-average package is a strong nine-holer, falling somewhere between an executive layout and the typical track. It’s perfect for less experienced golfers, but mid and lower handicappers will enjoy the challenges here just as much, especially if they want to play a quick nine.

Other notes, comments, and opinions:

A) Conditioning has made a pleasant recovery, overall, since the summer drought. Most notable are the truly outstanding greens here, which run velvety smooth and fast. They’re virtually perfect, as good as any I’ve played over the past three months. Chipping/pitching areas around the greens are average, and the fairways need some work, still, but only in places. They’ll likely recover fully by mid-late spring of 2021. The tees, however, are much better than when I played here two months ago.

B) A ranger (a friendly and personable gentleman) was patrolling the course today. Hosanna! Pace of play was pretty good, though it could have been a bit faster. Staffers that I met in the pro shop today were both conversational and pleasant. I’ve always liked the atmosphere here.

C) Played with a group of three young gentleman from hole three onward. All were avid golfers, which means, as you may guess, that we enjoyed each other’s company. Minnechaug was also putting on a teaching clinic for very young junior golfers today. Nice to see!

I’ve played Minnechaug for over 25 years and have seen a lot of changes over the years. The current management is doing an excellent job in maintaining the course under the conditions we have faced This season!

The conditions on the course have deteriorated over the past weeks. Too many bare spots in fairways. Senior tee boxes on holes 8 and 9 have no grass.

The greens here are in great shape and roll nicely! The fairways though show the effects of a very dry year. Hope they come back nicely for next year.

Third time here, every time we have gotten stuck behind a group that wants to act like they have the entire course to themselves. We walked 9, just two of us, early morning tee time, started on time, and easily caught a pair in front of us within 2 holes that was using a cart.... this is my third time here and pace of play has been an issue every time. I have never seen a course rep out on the course to make sure people are moving along, not looking for a ball for 10 minutes, taking one or two extra tee shots at EVERY HOLE, or just being overall rude. I watched this father son team on the 8th (water hole, short par3, after a very long walk to get to the tee box) take three tee shots while we waited, then drove to the green, again we are waiting on the tee box, and the pair behind us is now waiting on their cart, they took three attempts at the same putt. I know this type of situation isn’t exactly in the control of the course, but they need someone out there to move along people like this, I e played here three times and each time I can give you a similar story that absolutely wrecked pace of play, I don’t believe in coincidence.

Ground is very hard, broke a club head off on a regular powered hit. Grounds need some improvement.