Ross Golf Trail · Trails · Boston Metro
Trail 01 · Donald Ross Golf Trail

Boston Metro

Urban Ross classics in America's historic city.

4
Courses
2–3
Days
~40
Miles
$40–70
Green Fees
The Metro Trail

Four Ross courses, forty minutes apart.

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.

The Courses

Four public Ross designs in Greater Boston.

Municipal gems and a semi-private classic — presented in recommended play order.

George Wright Golf Course with Boston skyline 1 Municipal
Course 01 · Hyde Park

George Wright Golf Course

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.

Par
70
Yards
6,440
Year
1938
Green Fee
$57
  • Ranked Top 30 Best Municipal in America (Golfweek)
  • 200+ feet of elevation change
  • WPA-era construction (1938)
  • Ongoing Mark Mungeam restoration
  • Norman-style clubhouse
George Wright hole 1 tee George Wright hole 3 George Wright hole 8 George Wright hole 17
Book Tee Time Directions Course Map
William J. Devine Memorial aerial view 2 Municipal
Course 02 · Franklin Park

William J. Devine Memorial

1 Circuit Dr, Boston, MA 02121 (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.

Par
70
Yards
6,009
Year
1896/1922
Green Fee
$57
  • Second-oldest public course in America (est. 1896)
  • Ross redesign & expansion to 18 holes (1922)
  • Historic Olmsted park setting — Franklin Park
  • Where Francis Ouimet honed his game
  • Recent Mark Mungeam restoration
  • Home to First Tee program
Devine Memorial hole 5 Devine Memorial hole 6 Devine Memorial hole 16 Devine Memorial hole 18 tee
Book Tee Time Directions Course Map
Newton Commonwealth Golf Course aerial 3 Municipal
Course 03 · Newton

Newton Commonwealth Golf Course

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.

Par
70
Yards
5,354
Year
1897/1920
Green Fee
$40
  • Donald Ross's "home course" — he lived in Newton
  • Historic course dating to 1897
  • Excellent conditions — Sterling Golf Management
  • Short but strategic — course management essential
  • Great value at ~$40 green fee
Newton Commonwealth hole 14 fairway Newton Commonwealth hole 7 Newton Commonwealth hole 13 Newton Commonwealth hole 13 green
Book Tee Time Directions Course Map
Sandy Burr Country Club aerial 4 Semi-Private
Course 04 · Wayland

Sandy Burr Country Club

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.

Par
72
Yards
6,427
Year
1922
Green Fee
$50–90
  • Full-length Ross design at 6,427 yards
  • Challenging Ross green complexes intact
  • Family-owned for 4 generations
  • Public daily fee access with online booking
  • Connects Boston Loop to Worcester area
Sandy Burr hole 5 tee Sandy Burr hole 10 Sandy Burr clubhouse Sandy Burr hole 18
Book Tee Time Directions
Trail Map

The Metro Trail, mapped.

Click any marker to view that course. Greyed markers show additional Ross courses in Greater Boston.

Plan your trip

Suggested Itineraries

Three ways to play the loop — from a focused day trip to a full weekend.

Option 01

Essential Boston (1 Day)

1 Day2 Courses
Morning

George Wright Golf Course — Hyde Park

Start with America's finest municipal Ross. Arrive early for the best conditions on this WPA-era masterpiece — 200 feet of elevation change and some of New England's most challenging greens.

Afternoon

William J. Devine Memorial — Franklin Park

Just 15 minutes south to America's second-oldest public course. Play Ross's redesign in Olmsted's historic Franklin Park, then explore Boston's North End or Seaport for dinner.

Option 02

The Complete Loop (2 Days)

2 Days4 Courses
Day 01

George Wright (AM) + Newton Commonwealth (PM)

Two Ross eras in one day — the 1938 WPA masterpiece in the morning, then his strategic "home course" in Newton. Stay in Newton or Brookline for dinner and easy access to Day 2.

Day 02

Sandy Burr CC (AM) + Devine Memorial (PM)

Drive 30 minutes west to Wayland for Sandy Burr's full 6,427-yard championship test, then return to Boston for a twilight round at Franklin Park. Four Ross courses in two days.

Option 03

Weekend Warrior (2–3 Days)

2–3 Days4+ Courses
Friday

Arrival + Twilight at Devine Memorial

Easy access from Logan Airport. Walk Franklin Park's Olmsted landscape before dark, explore Dorchester or the Seaport for dinner.

Saturday

George Wright (AM) + Newton Commonwealth (PM)

Two rounds, two different Ross eras. George Wright's rugged terrain in the morning, Newton's strategic compact layout in the afternoon. Harvard Square or Newbury Street for evening.

Sunday

Sandy Burr Country Club — Wayland

Full championship test before departure. The furthest course on the loop (30 min west), but worth the drive for 6,427 yards of classic Ross. Optional: add Fresh Pond 9-hole in Cambridge on the way back.

Local intel

Tips & Recommendations

What we've learned from playing the loop.

⏰

Best Time to Play

May 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.

🚗

Getting There

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.

🏨

Where to Stay

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.

🍽️

Beyond Golf

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.

Trail Expansion

Greater Boston — more Ross courses.

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.
9 HolesCambridge, MA

Fresh Pond Golf Course

Par 35

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 Time
MunicipalCanton, MA

Ponkapoag Golf Course

Par 72 · 6,500 yards

Course 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 Time
MunicipalWeston, MA

Leo J. Martin Memorial

Par 70 · 6,100 yards

Ross layout from the 1920s in the affluent Weston suburb. Variable conditions. Worth exploring if you have extra time, but not a priority destination.

Call for Tee Time
Plymouth Country Club is primarily private with very limited public access. We may add it to future South Shore connector routes if public access improves.
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