Let's Review: Fresh Pond Golf Course

The Skinny

A course that delivers exactly what it promises. A well-kept nine hole course in West Cambridge that is perfect for an early morning, late afternoon, or a stroll with your friend who has played twice before.

The Course

This par 35 Donald Ross designed nine hole course is fun, well-maintained, and a fit for a golfer of any level. It comes in at just under 3000 yards from the tips with four par-4s, three par-3s, and two par-5s.

Just ten minutes from Central Cambridge, Fresh Pond offers the convenient golfing experience that Boston golfers yearn for. A perfect place to work on that new shot shape that you saw on Instagram Reels 20 minutes before you tee off.

While you try and cut a driver over a dog leg left on the second hole, your friend who is just starting will take a 5 iron down the middle of the fairway.

I do not want to deter experienced golfers from coming here by describing it as a perfect course for a beginner. Two things can be true - there are elevation changes and dog legs that require real golf shots while also being just short enough and easily manageable where it really is the best place for a first round for someone who has gone to the range a couple times.

The Price

For 9, the round varies from $24-$30 depending on time of week. If you want to loop it twice, there is a modest increase to $35-43. Note: You will only be allowed to play 18 on the weekends if you are a season pass holder.

Signature Hole

You aren’t coming to Fresh Pond for the views, but the fifth hole will wake up any golfer. A 500-yard par 5 from the back tees with water lining the right side of the hole from approximately 150 to 250 yards out. If you can muscle one over the water, you get rewarded with a wide open approach that lets you bail out to the next tee box.

Grabbing a Bite

N/A. Not so much as a hot dog. Maybe you can get a Gatorade when you check in. Drive 10 minutes to Harvard Square after your round to enjoy any number of fast casual restaurants you’ve come to expect after golfing.

Nice to Know

If it’s not clear at this point, show up expecting to check in, walk a fun nine holes, and leave. There is no range, no clubhouse, and they don’t even really want you to take a cart.

There is a practice putting green behind the last hole, but it’s pretty inconvenient to access from the beginning of the course and is filled with people trying to forget whatever atrocities they just committed during their round.

How many sleeves: 1.

Budget one ball into the pond on 5 and one ball into the (hidden!) pond on 9. That’s it.