The full ranking
From Donald Ross municipal gems to championship daily-fee tracks, Greater Boston's public golf runs deep. These are the courses anyone can play, ranked across Golf Digest, LINKS, the PGA, and live golfer ratings.
George Wright Golf Course (Hyde Park)
A WPA-era Donald Ross design routed through rock outcroppings and wild terrain in Hyde Park, George Wright is widely rated one of the best municipal courses in America. Blind shots, constant elevation, and greens that rival any private club make it the crown jewel of Boston's two city-owned courses.
South Shore Country Club (Hingham)
A town-owned Wayne Stiles layout from 1922 on the rolling South Shore, with a drivable opener, vexing sloped greens, and a clubhouse complex that adds bowling and simulators. About 25 minutes south of the city, it pairs genuine shot-making with an unstuffy public vibe.
Gannon Municipal Golf Course (Lynn)
Set inside the vast Lynn Woods Reservation with Boston skyline views from several tees, this hilly muni hides real teeth, including two par 3s over 200 yards and the strong par-5 15th known as Happy Valley. A hidden gem that locals guard closely.
Granite Links Golf Club (Quincy)
Built atop Big Dig fill and former quarries, Granite Links climbs to nearly 300 feet with unforgettable views of the Boston skyline and Harbor Islands across 27 holes. Impeccable conditioning and a Golf Digest best-19th-hole tavern make it the area's premier high-end public play.
Pinehills Golf Club (Plymouth)
New England's premier daily-fee destination, with two championship courses by Jack Nicklaus and Rees Jones spread across 300 acres of glacial terrain. Top-tier conditioning, a vast practice facility, and five-star service draw avid Boston golfers south year after year.
Braintree Municipal Golf Course (Braintree)
A fun, water-laced muni where the Farm, Monatiquot, and Cochato rivers wind through the property, blending a Wayne Stiles core with later work by Geoffrey Cornish. More than 40,000 rounds a year and one of the area's best twilight deals keep it humming.
William J. Devine Golf Course (Dorchester)
Boston's other city course, affectionately called The Park, opened in 1896 as the country's second-oldest public layout and was later redesigned by Donald Ross. Tree removal and drainage work have it playing firm and fast, with tiny, severely sloped greens demanding precise approaches.
Red Tail Golf Club (Devens)
Boston native Brian Silva's most imaginative design, carved into the woods of a former Army base about 45 minutes from downtown. Bold internal-contour greens and artful bunkering give a thoughtful variety of shot options, with a risk-reward 17th and 18th worth the drive.
Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course (Brookline)
Known to locals as Putterham, this 1933 Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek muni sits right next door to The Country Club and offers some of the best greens and one of the best ranges around Boston. A 420-yard finishing hole caps a busy, accessible 18.
Butter Brook Golf Club (Westford)
A Mark Mungeam design about 35 minutes northwest of the city, Butter Brook is an inviting, fair test highlighted by a 416-yard par-4 17th that rewards a bold tee shot to an elevated green. Strong conditioning and value make it a MetroWest favorite.
Ranked across 4 sources: Golf Digest · Best Courses You Can Play Near Boston (alphabetical roundup) 2022; LINKS Magazine · 12 Great Public Golf Courses Around Boston (unordered roundup) 2022; PGA.com · Best Public Golf Courses in Boston (unordered roundup) 2024; Google Reviews · Ranked by Rating (June 2026). Full scoring is on the Methodology tab above.
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