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Braintree Municipal Golf Course in Braintree, MA
- Eric J. Mac Donald
- Dec 8, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 31, 2020
Braintree Municipal Golf Course in Braintree, MA, was recently awarded a 2019 silver star by Wicked Local for being one of the best local golf courses. It is interesting to note that a few golf course architects had their hands in developing this golf track. One such architect was Wayne Stiles, who designed the original 9-hole golf course in 1932. Today his remaining holes from the initial design are 1, 9, 18, and a portion of 8. Geoffrey Cornish's designs from 1957 still stand out today, which are represented today by the 3rd hole, and a part of 4 and 8. Lastly, Samuel Mitchell is credited for the 1971 expansion, which includes holes 5-7 and 10-17. You can read more about these golf architects' connections to Braintree on their website here.
Even though these different architects have designed, renovated, and expanded the course, it still plays like one continuous golf course. The course has engaging par 4s and par 3s, and the back nine has more length than the front nine. There is not a par 4 over 400 yards on the front nine, and only three par 4s on the back play over 400 from the back tees. Neither is there a par 3 over 200 yards on the entire course.
The course will definitely play harder for shorter hitters that cannot carry the ball far, making a recovery more difficult from the trapping on the course. There is plenty of water here; however, most of it lies to the right or left of the golfers. There are only a couple of forced carries over water on the course. It is all about the greens here, which seems to be one of the primary focuses on the Muni Report. However, I have talked to a lot people about this course and when I mention Braintree Municipal to golfers who have played here, they immediately mention the greens. The greens are that good!
Braintree Municipal is easy to walk as the holes are flat and void of long climbs between holes or during the play of a golf hole. But you will not be bored as the course does not feel like a bland municipal with similar or repetitive golf holes. A couple of the par 5s lack imagination or the need to use strategy to score, but the par 4s combined with the conditions of the greens more than make-up for the par 5s. Aesthetically, there is not much to focus on except the golf hole in front of you. Most golfers will remember how great the greens were and how many putts it may have cost them due to their speed. This is also the reason why you will find the most resistance to scoring well here will be on the greens. They are kept fast, especially for a municipal golf course, and they putt smooth.
Conditions: The greens are typically excellent. They roll fast and smooth most of the year. However, the course itself though does not drain well after a rainy and can stay wet for days. Make sure to play here after drier weather has settled over the northeast. Difficulty: This course will play harder for shorter hitters and less challenging for longer hitters of the golf ball. Practice Green: Yes, there is a practice green conveniently located near the first hole. Value: Great value for non-residents/residents. The rates range from $40-$50. Range: There is no range presently at Braintree Municipal Golf Course. Wear a hard-hat: Rarely will see other holes on the course, there is no need for a hard-hat for this course.
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