Taconic Golf Club

Address:
Meacham St
Williamstown, MA 01267
Phone: 413-458-3997
Website: http://wso.williams.edu/wiki/index.php/Golf

Golf Mash Rating: 9/10
Course Quality: 9/10
Course Difficulty: 7/10
Price: Extremely High: $145

Full Review:

Taconic is one of the top rated courses in America. Playing at the course is like a trip back to a different era of golf. It is truly a fantastic golf experience and is highly recommended. It is, however, more than a normal travel distance to play. Located in Williamstown, it is about as far from Boston as you can get while staying in Massachusetts. We took Route 2 and the drive was about 2 and a half hours. The course has a high list price also, but has a variety of discounts for people associated with Williams College. Playing Taconic is more like a one day golf vacation rather than a simple round of golf.

The Good

• Traditional and almost retro feel to the course. Playing Taconic is different that any course around the Boston area.
• The older design avoids many of the gimmicks that are so prevalent on many newer courses.
• Fast but smooth greens
• Giant mature trees separate and protect each hole making each drive feel like a shot into a tree lined sanctuary
• Extremely well maintained (except the sand traps see below)
• Tee-top views of the rolling hills of western Massachusetts

The Bad

• The traps need new sand. Too much dirt has gotten into them and playing out was scary proposition.
• The rough is very hard to play out of. They keep it longer than most courses and the grass tends to grow in a way that makes the ball sit down deep in the grass. From greenside, just getting the ball on the green is an accomplishment. From the rough lining the fairway, getting back to the fairway should be your goal. This is, however, part of what makes Taconic the experience that it is. They celebrate the punitive rough with a sign that says "No Preferred Lies. We Play Golf Here." A playing partner of mine, bought a shirt in the pro shop with the same slogan.
• From the Boston area, this is really not a course that you can play often. If you don't have a connection to Williams, the price is astronomical and even if you do, 5 total hours in the car is pretty long.

Other Notes

• Let us know if you have a greenside technique for that rough. Our group daydreamed about a sand wedge with a razor sharp leading edge to slice through the rough.
• Williamstown is a very quaint college town. Give yourself some time to wander into the downtown and enjoy the atmosphere..

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