Donald Ross Golf Trail
Boston Metro
Urban Ross Classics in America's Historic City
4Courses
2-3Days
~40Miles
$40-70Green Fees
Donald Ross Golf Trail
Urban Ross Classics in America's Historic City
The Boston Metro Loop threads four public-access Donald Ross courses through Greater Boston — from the dramatic elevation of George Wright in Hyde Park to the historic Olmsted parkland of Franklin Park, the streetcar-era charm of Newton Commonwealth, and the championship test at Sandy Burr in Wayland. All four courses are within 40 minutes of downtown, making this the most accessible loop on the trail.
Ross left an extraordinary mark on the Boston area. George Wright, built with WPA funding during the Depression, features 200 feet of elevation change and is consistently ranked among America's top 30 municipal courses. Devine Memorial at Franklin Park is the second-oldest public course in America, set within Olmsted's masterwork landscape. Together, these four courses span four decades of Ross's career and showcase the full range of his design genius.
📍 420 West St, Hyde Park, MA 02136
📞 (617) 364-2300
Often ranked among America's finest municipal courses, George Wright showcases Ross at his boldest. Built during the Great Depression with WPA funding, this rugged layout features dramatic elevation changes, tree-lined corridors, exposed ledges, and some of New England's most challenging greens. Currently undergoing restoration by Mark Mungeam.
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Download the official George Wright course map to plan your round and review hole layouts.
Download Map📍 1 Circuit Dr, Boston, MA 02121 (Franklin Park)
📞 (617) 265-4084
Established October 26, 1896, William J. Devine Memorial is the second-oldest public golf course in America. Originally a 9-hole layout within Frederick Law Olmsted's Franklin Park, it was redesigned and expanded to 18 holes by Donald Ross in 1922. The course's origins trace to 1890, when baseball legend George Wright played the first-ever round on American public land here using tomato cans as cups. Francis Ouimet, the 1913 U.S. Open champion, honed his game on these fairways. Recent restoration by Mark Mungeam has enhanced Ross's architectural features — rolling terrain, strategic bunkering, and small crowned greens typical of his style.
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Download the official William J. Devine course map showing the layout within historic Franklin Park.
Download Map📍 212 Kenrick St, Newton, MA 02458
📞 (781) 899-3730
One of New England's oldest public courses, originally opened in 1897 and redesigned by Donald Ross in 1920. Ross was a Newton resident, making this his "home course." Despite its compact 5,354-yard layout, Newton Commonwealth challenges players with quick greens, narrow fairways, and strategic bunkering. Exceptionally well-maintained by Sterling Golf Management with recent upgrades to bunkers, irrigation, and clubhouse facilities.
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Download the official Newton Commonwealth course map showing Donald Ross's 1920 redesign.
Download Map📍 103 Cochituate Rd, Wayland, MA 01778
📞 (508) 358-7211
A classic Donald Ross design from 1922 operated as a family-owned semi-private club for over four generations. Sandy Burr offers a full-length Ross experience (6,427 yards) with traditional green complexes that have challenged amateurs and professionals alike for a century. Public access via daily fee with online tee time booking. Located 16 miles west of Boston, it provides an ideal connection toward Worcester-area Ross courses.
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The Boston area features several other Donald Ross courses. While they may not be in premium condition currently or have limited public access, they're worth noting for Ross enthusiasts.
Compact 9-hole municipal near Harvard. Great for a quick Ross experience or warm-up round. Basic conditions but accessible and affordable (~$30).
Call for Tee TimeCourse No. 1 is the Ross design (1933) set in Blue Hills Reservation. Currently experiencing condition challenges. Best as a supplementary round for dedicated Ross collectors.
Book Tee TimeRoss layout from the 1920s in affluent Weston suburb. Variable conditions. Worth exploring if you have extra time, but not a priority destination.
Call for Tee TimeMay through October for prime conditions. Fall offers spectacular foliage at all courses. Book City of Boston courses 7 days in advance online. Weekday mornings offer the best pace of play.
All courses within 40 minutes of downtown Boston. Car rental recommended — free parking at all courses. George Wright is accessible via Orange Line, Devine via shuttle from Blue Line.
Downtown Boston or Newton/Brookline area for best access to all 4 courses. Budget option: Waltham or Watertown hotels west of Boston. Newton is central to the loop.
Hyde Park has authentic local spots near George Wright. Newton Centre offers upscale dining. Boston's North End for Italian, Cambridge for diverse options, Wayland Center near Sandy Burr for farm-to-table.
We're always expanding the trail. If you know a public-access Donald Ross course in New England, let us know.