Explore 16 Public Golf Courses on the South Shore: Play 18 Holes Without Membership

The peak of
golf season
in Massachusetts is here.

Do you want to go for an 18-hole game?

The South Shore public golf courses differ in challenge level (as well as cost), with each one boasting distinctive features. Additionally, several of these venues provide the choice to play only nine holes.

Below are nine South Shore communities, listed from north to south, where one can play 18 holes without being a member. Notably, Plymouth boasts seven courses, bringing the total number of locations featured here to sixteen.

A public 18-hole golf course located in Quincy:
Presidents Golf Course

Presidents Golf Course

Owned and managed by Norfolk County, this location is situated approximately eight miles south of Boston. From here, you can often catch glimpses of the city’s skyline along with vistas of the Blue Hills Reservation and the Neponset River. Originally opening its doors in July 1977, the site features a layout comprising six par 3 holes, eight par 4s, and four par 5s.

18-hole rates
:$48 without a cart from Monday to Thursday; $58 without a cart from Friday to Sunday and on holidays (Carts cost $22 per person for 18 holes.)
Par
: 70
Distance: 5,720 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
presidentsgc.com
or 617-328-3444 (please do not leave voice messages for tee times)
Exercise: Lacking a driving range, though having access to putting and chipping greens
Food:
The View
restaurant
Address: 357 West Squantum Street, Quincy
The distinguishing feature is that there are 10 tennis courts, including two that can be changed into pickleball venues. In the offseason, these areas transform into spots for activities like cross-country skiing, sledding, hiking, and walking your dog.

An 18-hole public golf course located in Braintree:
Braintree Municipal Golf Course

Braintree Municipal Golf Course

Originally established as a nine-hole course in 1932, this venue was enlarged to an 18-hole layout roughly forty years thereafter. Since 1955, ownership has rested with the municipality of Braintree. The facility boasts the typical configuration for a championship golf course, featuring four par 3 holes, ten par 4s, and four par 5s.

18-hole rates
:$55 per person for nonresidents and $40 for residents up till 4 p.m., from Monday to Thursday; $50 for nonresidents and $55 for residents up till 4 p.m., on Fridays through Sundays as well as holidays. (Golf carts can be bought when you arrive.)
Par
: 72
Distance: 6,554 yards
Booking tee times: Online only at
braintreegolf.com
Food:
The Links Cafe
Address: 101 Jefferson Street, Braintree
What sets it apart: This course features
golf simulator
using Trackman Technology.

An 18-hole public golf course located in Hingham:
South Shore Country Club

The golf course at

South Shore Country Club

It was created in 1992 by Wayne Stiles. The course features four par 3 holes, ten par 4s, and four par 5s.

18-hole rates
:$55 per person for non-residents from Monday to Thursday; $75 per person for non-residers from Friday through Sunday and on holidays. Residents of Hingham get a $10 reduction off these prices. (The cost for carts is $33 per person, and manual push carts are available for $10.)
Par
: 72
Distance: 6,270 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
southshorecc.com
or 781-749-8479
Food:
Ironwood Hingham
restaurant
Address: 274 South Street, Hingham
What sets it apart: It features a golf bar equipped with three PGA Tour simulators known as
The Tour
The country club additionally features a
bowling alley
.

An 18-hole public golf course located in Scituate:
Widow’s Walk Golf Course

Widow’s Walk Golf Course

It belongs to the town of Scituate. The facility was inaugurated in 1997. The golf course features five par 3 holes, eight par 4s, and five par 5s.

18-hole rates
: $50 for weekdays and $60 for weekends and holidays during the high season from May 5 to Nov. 16. (Carts cost $22 per person, and pull carts are $5.)
Par
: 72
Distance: 6,373 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at widowswalkgolf.com or by calling 781-544-0032
Exercise: At a driving range, a small bucket of practice golf balls costs $5, while a large bucket goes for $10.
Food:
The Drift In
restaurant
Address: 250 The Driftway, Scituate
What sets it apart: This course incorporates the terrain’s natural features and adopts an eco-friendly method for managing the grass. In 2002, it earned certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

18-hole public golf course in Rockland:
Rockland Golf Course

Rockland Golf Course

This is an executive course featuring only par 3 holes. However, it offers two modes of play: you can tackle it as the “Challenge Course,” which consists entirely of par 3 holes, or opt for the “Player’s Course,” which includes 12 par 3 holes along with 6 par 4 holes.

18-hole rates
:$40 to $58 for rides, $32 to $40 for walks (pricing varies based on the day, time, and season)
Par
: 54
Distance: 3,190 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
rocklandgc.com
or 781-871-0480
Food:
Rockland Golf Course Grill
Address: 276 Plain Street, Rockland
What sets it apart: This course claims to be the longest par 3 located east of the Mississippi River.

An 18-hole public golf course located in Marshfield:
Green Harbor Golf Club

Green Harbor Golf Club

It opened in 1971. Before that, for six years, it was used as a turf farm cultivating exclusive Vesper Velvet bentgrass. The golf course features four par 3 holes, eleven par 4s, and three par 5s.

18-hole rates
:$44 from Monday to Thursday, $47 on Fridays, and $48 during weekends and holidays. (Carts cost an additional $5.)
Par
: 71
Distance: 6,215 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
greenharborgolfclub.com
or 781-834-7303
Practice: A heated driving range with Toptracer Range and PowerTee auto-teeing technologies
Food:
Winslow’s
Address: 624 Webster Street, Marshfield
The distinctive feature of this course is that it only allows walking, with no golf cart rentals available.

An 18-hole public golf course located in Pembroke:
Pembroke Country Club

Pembroke Country Club

Opened in 1973 and designed by Philip A. Wogan, this golf course begins and concludes with two par 5 holes. It comprises a total of four par 3s, ten par 4s, and another four par 5s.

18-hole rates
:$49 for walking and $59 for riding from Monday to Thursday; $69 for riding on Fridays; $89 for riding on weekends and holidays.
Par
: 71
Distance: 6,677 yards
Booking tee times: Online at
pembrokegolf.com
Practice: All-grass driving range
Food:
Grill Room
Address: 94 West Elm Street, Pembroke
The distinctive feature of this course is that it boasts one of the “top designs along the South Shore,” necessitating the use of nearly every club from your set.

An 18-hole public golf course located in Halifax:
Country Club of Halifax

The championship track at the

Country Club of Halifax

It was created by Philip A. Wogan in 1966. The layout includes four par 3 holes, ten par 4s, and four par 5s.

The cost for an 18-hole game is $45 to walk or $73 to ride from Monday through Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, the price increases to $65 to walk or $93 to ride.
Par: 72
Distance: 6,738 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
halifaxcc.com
or 781-293-9063
There is a driving range for practice.
Address: 100 Country Club Drive, Halifax
What sets it apart: According to online reviews, the course stands out for being lengthy, demanding, and meticulously maintained.

Plymouth features seven 18-hole public golf courses. Here’s information about their locations, costs, and additional details:

In the town of Plymouth, there is an abundance of golf courses, both public and private. Here are the 18-hole courses that allow anyone to play, regardless of having a membership.

Squirrel Run

and

Village Links

There are two family-operated golf courses located within a three-mile drive from each other. Squirrel Run features 15 par 3 holes along with 3 par 4s. On the other hand, Village Links consists solely of par 3 holes.

Squirrel Run

18-hole rates
: $35 for walking and $49 for riding
Par
: 57
Distance: 2,809 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
golfatsquirrelrun.com/tee-times
or 508-746-5001
Address: 32 Elderberry Drive, Plymouth

Village Links

18-hole rates
:$30 for walking and $45 for riding
Par
: 54
Distance: 2,376 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
golfatsquirrelrun.com/tee-times/village-links_30/
or 508-830-4653
Food:
Kevin’s Club House
restaurant
Address: 265 Meadow Road, Plymouth

Waverly Oaks Golf Club

The championship course at

Waverly Oaks Golf Club

Opened in 1998 and designed by Brian Silva, this course features four par 3 holes, ten par 4s, and four par 5s.

18-hole rates
: $110 from Monday to Thursday; $140 for Friday through Sunday during the high season running from May 3 to October 19. The cart fee is included in these prices. The cost decreases by $35 after 2:30 p.m.
Par
: 72
Distance: 7,114 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
waverlyoaksgc.com
or 508-224-6700
Practice: There is a
driving range
Where a bucket of balls costs $15. According to the website, range balls are included with each round of golf.
Food:
The Waverly Grille
Address: 444 Long Pond Road, Plymouth
What sets it apart: Every hole boasts a distinct title as indicated on the scorecards. Players begin at “Prelude,” conclude at “Coliseum,” and must navigate challenging spots such as “Double Trouble,” “Don’t Be Right,” and “Bernie’s Revenge.”

The Pinehills Golf Club features the Jones Course along with designs from Nicklaus.

Pinehills Golf Club

Offers two 18-hole courses for guests to select from. The Jones Course was crafted by Rees Jones and debuted in 2001. Following one year later, the Nicklaus Course came into existence through Nicklaus Design. Both tracks feature four holes with a par of 3, ten with a par of 4, and another four with a par of 5.

18-hole rates
The cost is $135 from Monday to Thursday (reduced to $95 after 2:30 p.m.), and $165 on Fridays through Sundays (discounted to $110 after 2:30 p.m.). These prices apply during the peak season between May 3 and October 19. Golf cart charges are part of these rates.
Par
: 72
Distance: 7,175 yards (Jones Course) or 7,243 yards (Nicklaus Course)
Reserving tee times: Available online at
pinehillsgolf.com
or 508-209-3000
Exercise facilities: The driving range and practice greens come with your green fee payment. If not included, they can be accessed for an additional $30.
Food:
East Bay Grille
Address: 54 Clubhouse Drive, Plymouth
What sets it apart: As per
John Tuffin
At Pinehills, the director of golf emphasizes that precision off the tee is crucial for success on the Jones Course, while the Nicklaus Course presents greater challenges with its approach shots nearer to the pin.

Southers Marsh Golf Club

Southers Marsh Golf Club

Opened in 2001 as a means to preserve the Stearns family’s property following the decline of the cranberry business during the 1990s, according to their site. Initially starting off as an informal five-hole course exclusively for the family members, it later transformed into what we see today under the design of Dahn Tibbett. This layout includes eleven par 3 holes alongside seven par 4s.

18-hole rates
: From Monday to Thursday, it costs $44 for walking and $60 for riding. On Fridays through Sundays and holidays, the prices are $53 for walking and $69 for riding.
Par
: 61
Distance: 4,111 yards
Reserve tee times online at southersmarsh.com or call 508-830-3535.
Food: During the summertime, there are provisions of both food and beverages available inside ”
The Barn
where the indoor Toptracer Range golfing stations are situated
Address: 30 Southers Marsh Lane, Plymouth
What sets it apart: The golf course was constructed amidst century-old, continuously cared-for cranberry bogs.

Crosswinds Golf Club

Crosswinds Golf Club

Opened in 1998, this course consists of three nine-hole, par-36 layouts designed to be combined into an 18-hole game. When paired as the Jones/Ouimet combo, it measures 7,077 yards; when put together as the Ouimet/Zaharias pairing, it spans 7,108 yards; and when joined as the Zaharias/Jones set, it covers 7,017 yards.

18-hole rates
:$72 from Monday to Thursday; $95 for Fridays through Sundays and holidays. The fees cover cart rentals.
Par
: 72
Distance: around 7,000 yards
Reserving tee times: Available online at
golfcrosswinds.com
or 508-830-1199
Exercise: At the driving range, a bucket of balls costs $10.
Address: 424 Long Pond Road, Plymouth
What sets it apart: Every course bears the name of a legendary golfer. Babe Zaharias secured two gold medals and one silver in athletics at the 1932 Summer Olympics prior to transitioning into golf, where she went on to win 10 major titles with the LPGA.
Francis Ouimet
, of Brookline, was the first amateur golfer to win the U.S. Open in 1913. Bobby Jones, another amateur golfer, co-founded Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.