Stoneham Oaks Golf Course

I just started playing golf again after a few years off. I started with a couple dozen buckets of golf balls at the range and a couple golf lessons.

I booked a tee time here because I wanted an approachable course to start actually playing again. I played on a week day so I wouldn’t feel pressure to keep pace with groups around me.

I found exactly what I was looking for. The course wasn’t busy and the holes were short enough that I only needed my irons to get on or near the greens from the tees. Naturally, that meant I hit one of nine greens, but for me that’s a win.

To be entirely honest the one significant negative was that the course was not in great shape, but I didn’t expect amazing conditions for this kind of course and at this price. As far as I can tell, this course is also not rated, so you can’t use rounds here for calculating your handicap. For me, neither of those negatives mattered.

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly and budget-friendly course, this will fit the bill. If you’re a beginner like me, leave your driver and 3w at home, arrive at the clubhouse 15 minutes before your tee time, leave your bag outside the building when you walk in to confirm your tee time, bring 6 balls or so (I only lost 1, but I could easily imagine losing 3 or 4), and don’t be intimidated to play here.

Not bad for the money. This course is small but tends to have tee times available most of the time. Leave most of your clubs at home as the longest hole is under 200 yards, you'll likely be using wedges most if the time.

Tee boxes are being worked on but some are currently patches of sand. Greens were in tough shape but also being worked on. A couple challenging, short holes. Decent course if everywhere else is booked.

Perfect for all beginners, including those with kids who are starting to play golf.

Helpful also to hone the short game.

Greens in very good condition for a public course.

Tee off blocks need some work, several “nothing but dirt and sand” tee off areas. Hopefully comes good for summer 2021.

Waited about 30 minutes to tee off on holes 1-4, cleared up (people still on your a s s while you’re in the guy in front of yours, but wait times were much better and in the 3-4 minute range. Don’t bring a bag, just bring a pitching wedge, your next club up and putter to save on the golf cart.

Good course to dial in the short game. Nice quick round before work.

The course conditions were not great. There were large patches of dry grass and bald earth. However for the price and because of the layout the course was great for my son who is just learning.

As a new player this course offers challenges while not being intimidating.