Massachusetts, August 22, 2025
News Summary
Three Massachusetts golf courses have been ranked among the worst in the country, with Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston at the bottom of the list. Norwood Country Club and Ponkapoag Golf Course also made the top five. Golfers have voiced their concerns about poor maintenance, featuring uneven fairways and low-quality greens. State officials have pledged improvements, including hiring a new maintenance director and implementing a new irrigation system, but local players are eager for tangible changes to ensure safe and enjoyable golfing experiences.
Boston — Three Massachusetts courses land awkwardly at the bottom of a national ranking
If you play golf around here, you probably heard the buzz: three local layouts have been called out in a recent national ranking as among the worst in the country. The highest-profile sting landed on a public track in the western suburbs, but two other Bay State courses also made the unwanted top five. The reactions have been loud, salty, and from the sound of it, pretty fed up.
What happened and which courses are involved
The report put Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston at the very bottom of the list. Joining it were Norwood Country Club at No. 3 and Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton at No. 5. Two of those — Leo J. Martin and Ponkapoag — are run by the state through the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which adds an extra layer of attention and responsibility to the situation.
Why the harsh verdict?
Players called out the greens, the fairways, and the overall maintenance. Online review scores for Leo J. Martin are particularly low, and descriptions posted by golfers painted a picture of patched turf, exposed dirt and sand, and unpredictable putting surfaces. Comments from members of the public described uneven, risky ground and an experience that felt more like a chore than a day of recreation. The complaints weren’t limited to one facility; Norwood and Ponkapoag drew their share of negative feedback about course conditions as well.
How state officials are responding
The agency that manages the public courses says improvements are already underway. Steps include the hiring of a new director of golf course maintenance who will focus on the two state-run properties singled out in the ranking. A consultant was also brought in to design a new irrigation system for Leo J. Martin; the design phase is complete and construction is slated to begin in spring 2026.
Work that started in 2024 includes a new maintenance regimen for greens featuring core aeration, top dressing, speed seeding, deep tine aeration and rolling. Those practices aim to rebuild turf health from the roots up and give putting surfaces a more consistent texture and speed.
Cost and access: the public-play angle
One reason these courses draw plenty of regular golfers is affordability. For players looking for budget-friendly rounds, weekly green fees for the state-managed courses remain modest: eighteen holes are priced at about twenty-seven dollars on weekdays and thirty dollars on weekends, while nine-hole rounds are available for roughly nineteen dollars a day. Officials say the goal is to raise quality without pricing out the people who depend on low-cost play.
What golfers on the ground want
Local players want reliable surfaces, safer footing, and fair value for their green fees. That means firm commitments to irrigation fixes, better turf management, and steady maintenance rather than stopgap repairs. The ongoing plan and hiring steps are meant to show progress, but many golfers will be watching tee sheets and walkways closely before they declare satisfaction.
The bottom line
This story isn’t just about a stinging ranking headline — it’s about what matters to regular golfers: safe walking surfaces, predictable greens and fair access. State managers are moving on several fronts and have set a timeline that stretches into 2026 for infrastructure work. Whether that’s enough to turn wary golfers back into satisfied ones will depend on steady progress and visible improvement on the turf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Massachusetts golf courses were listed among the worst?
The ranking included Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston as the lowest, Norwood Country Club at No. 3, and Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton at No. 5.
Who manages the problem courses?
Leo J. Martin and Ponkapoag are managed by the state agency responsible for parks and recreation. Norwood is privately run but received similar criticism for turf and upkeep.
Why are the courses getting harsh reviews?
Complaints center on poor greens, bare or sandy fairways, uneven turf, and overall maintenance shortfalls that affect playability and safety.
What steps are being taken to fix things?
The state agency has hired a new director of golf course maintenance, launched a greens maintenance program in 2024, and commissioned a new irrigation design for Leo J. Martin with construction planned for spring 2026.
Will green fees change as improvements are made?
Officials have emphasized a commitment to keeping these courses affordable; current weekday 18-hole fees are around $27 and weekend 18-hole fees about $30, with 9-hole rounds near $19. No public plan has been announced to raise those rates as part of the repairs.
How long until golfers see real improvement?
Some maintenance practices are already happening, but major infrastructure work like the new irrigation system is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. Turf recovery and consistent playing conditions will take time after construction and ongoing maintenance protocols are in place.
Quick Reference Table
| Course | Location | Rank (national list) | Management | Current Status / Notes | Typical Green Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leo J. Martin Golf Course | Weston | 1 (bottom) | State-managed | New irrigation design complete; construction expected spring 2026. Greens maintenance plan in place since 2024. | $27 weekday 18-hole, $30 weekend 18-hole, $19 9-hole |
| Norwood Country Club | Norwood | 3 | Private | Public criticism for course conditions; management details not part of state program. | Varies by club |
| Ponkapoag Golf Course | Canton | 5 | State-managed | Under state maintenance program; part of 2024 greens work and staffing changes. | $27 weekday 18-hole, $30 weekend 18-hole, $19 9-hole |
Final note: If you love to play and want courses that last for decades, keeping public tracks healthy matters. Watch the progress, play responsibly, and encourage local leaders to stick with the work — better turf takes time but it’s worth the effort for the everyday golfer.
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com
- CBS News
- KVIA
- MyGolfSpy
- Golf Digest
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Google Search: worst golf courses in America
- Google Scholar: Golf course management
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: Golf course rankings
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
