Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Patrick Koenig
Overview
Salem was a mainstay on the Golf Digest ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Courses since the list’s inception in 1966, until falling off in 2005. Hoping to jolt the venerable Donald Ross-designed course into relevance, the club hired Eric Iverson to engage in a major, $3.5 million restoration of Ross’s bunkers that also included adjusting and adding tees, redefining fairway lines, increasing hole flexibility on the putting surfaces and taking down several hundred trees that had been choking many of the holes.
About
Awards
100 Greatest: Ranked for 36 years from 1969-2004. Highest ranking: No. 52, 1995-'96. The course was also part of Golf Digest's original 200 Toughest Courses list from 1966-'68.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 5, 1977-2005. Ranked sixth, 2011-'12. Ranked seventh, 2013-'14. Ranked eighth, 2019-'20. Ranked ninth, 2015-'18, 2023-'24. Ranked 10th, 2021-'22. Ranked inside the top 10, 2007-'10.
Current ranking: Ninth.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Well-routed interesting golf course on great land for a golf course. A better test of shots that other Ross courses in my opinion as there are relatively fewer unfair drop-offs. Land forms are great. It's a rare combination of being a relatively stern test of golf, an interesting walk on varied terrain, and yet a surprisingly pleasant round of golf. Lots of subtle architectural features -- such as the location of the pond and green on 9 -- a drive in the fairway and the pond is not an issue, but a drive in the rough puts the pond in play."
Read More2024
Review
“Salem is a very nice traditional New England parkland layout that is especially beautiful in the fall. Trees separate the playing corridors but don’t encroach on greens or fairways and add pops of color throughout the round in October. Since the greens have been expanded to the edges of the original pads there are now additional options for players to consider playing away from pins if optimal positions off the tee are not found."
Read More2024
Review
“Great D Ross layout. The location of many fairway bunkers, however, did not factor in the strategy of how to play the holes. Holes 11-14 were the stars of the show. The final three holes were brutal and much more difficult that the rest."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the most consistent courses in New England -- has many very good holes with some stout par fours. Still one of the best in the area!"
Read More2024
Review
“Classic old private Ross course with an extensive championship history. If you get the opportunity to play, make sure you go."
Read More2023
Review
“Challenging Donald Ross course.....wow, the greens are tough. Nostalgic history given pedigree of hosting USGA events."
Read More2023
Review
“A Donald Ross course that featured many of his design philosophy of building golf holes and golf courses."
Read More2023
Review
“Recently renovated Donald Ross design that features his signature greens with runoffs on many sides. Course is fun to play and has a very welcoming membership. Definitely play here if offered the opportunity."
Read More2023
Review
“Nice recent renovation of a classic Donald Ross course. The 13th hole is one of the best short par 4s you will play. The green can only be described as amazing. Selective tree removal has helped this course"
Read More2023
Review
“Salem has a wonderful set of green complexes that pose the course's most substantial challenge and also require a great deal of strategy, as missing in the wrong spot can make keeping a chip on the green nearly impossible, let alone getting up and down. Solid from start to finish with strong closing holes on both nines and very few weak holes. Great course with a super friendly staff and membership that really takes pride in their course. Definitely flies a bit under the radar with some of the other big names in the Boston area."
Read More2022
Readers
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