The Country Club: The Main Course
Brookline, MA • Private
Brian Oar
Brian Oar
Brian Oar
Brian Oar
Brian Oar
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James Sylvia: West Tenth Media/MembersFirst
James Sylvia: West Tenth Media/MembersFirst
Overview
The Country Club’s 18-hole course that was the scene of the 1963 and 1988 U.S. Opens is not the 18-hole course ranked by Golf Digest. Those events were played on a composite course, utilizing a few holes from the club’s third Primrose nine. We rank the combination of the Main Course, clearly good enough to be one of the top courses in the world. Gil Hanse performed some course restoration prior to the 2013 U.S. Amateur at The Country Club. The USGA used a new configuration of 18 holes for the 2022 U.S. Open, won by Matthew Fitzpatrick, eliminating the par-4 fourth and adding the tiny par 3 11th, the first time the hole was used since the 1913 Open won by Francis Ouimet.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1969 (and inaugural 1966 ranking).
2023-'24 ranking: 19th.
Previous ranking: 17th.
Highest ranking: No. 10, 1995-'96.
Best in State: Ranked first since 1997.
Current ranking: First.
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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
“From beginning to end, The Country Club of Brookline is among the best adventures in golf - from the perspectives of architecture, history, experience and the fact that it is one-of-a-kind. Alongside it being among the oldest courses in the US, it has withstood the test of time. While the changes and evolution are acknowledged, they were done with extreme thoughtfulness. The course as it plays for members juxtaposed how it plays during a major is approachable with how they maintain the course, while playing from the appropriate tees, but also works well for the top players in the world. The Country Club is excellent as a country club course, played day-to-day by members. And, it's grueling in tough conditions for the best professionals. Hole three was an absolute favorite. It's as good as it gets. I also loved 11, 16, and 18. The massive bunker short of the green on 18 is a good test, especially with all the golfers that finished before you watching a person try get up and down. Every hole is FUN. While I acknowledge that Shot Options, Challenge, and Conditioning change a great deal for the U.S. Open, one can see how they change and where they ought to change to make the course tougher, more strategic and that the course necessitates a person hit the ball high and soft. An excellent short game for the green surrounds is imperative. And one cannot short side themselves, or it'll be a long day. It's 2023/4 ranking of #19 feels appropriate, but I might move it up 3-4 places, if I could. :-) In summary, The Country Club at Brookline is as good as it gets. In every way."
Read More2025
Review
“3rd and 10th holes are truly unforgettable. An Idyllic fall day at Brookline is golf rapture."
Read More2024
Review
“Tremendous variety design. Holes going all different directions providing player with tremendous challenge on each hole. Every hole has different directions; elevations, etc making it very difficult to hit great shots. The variety of design of each hole is really great. Course in great shape too especially with all the rain this fall. Variety of holes requiring excellent shot making. Many holes are challenging with regard to length with a few blind shots to greens. Nice elevation changes; course in excellent shape."
Read More2023
Review
“Playing Brookline is an experience like very few. The course is classic and distinct with a variety of shots that few courses have. The Country Club's standing as an iconic American golf course is well-deserved. Knowing that you are enjoying a huge piece of golf history enhances the experience as you navigate a terrific layout with postage-stamp greens that roll fast and true, punishing rough, and picturesque fescue tracing the contour of many holes."
Read More2022
Review
“Gil Hanse's changes over the years, plus a skilled superintendent, have made The Country Club shine even more. A decades-long tree removal program continues to help the turf play firm and fast and creating wonderfully open and playable yet still demanding test of a course that features some of golf’s smallest greens. For a parkland course, there are some one-of-a-kind, beautiful aesthetics featuring natural rock outcroppings."
Read More2022
Review
“The course design provided tremendous variety, challenge and natural beauty. A new green complex was being built on one hole during my visit as the club continues to improve the course even further."
Read More2022
Review
“TCC is such a special place. They have done a marvelous job "showing off" the incredible property, the exposed rock that is now visible along with the expanded sightlines following significant tree removals is terrific. I loved the utilization of the lower tee on hole 4 for historical reasons. The new back tees are a true test. The ambiance they've created around the 1st and 10th tees with expanded putting green, short game area and rerouting of 10 is very neat!"
Read More2021
Review
“Any American golfer will appreciate walking past Francis Ouimet’s house, and the depths of other history seen at The Country Club. This is an American treasure that is tough to beat for atmosphere."
Read More2021
Review
“I watched the 1988 Open and the 1999 Ryder Cup at The Country Club, and TV did not do that course justice. This place feels like the Scottish Highlands -- with the rock outcroppings, rugged and dangerous-looking bunkering, and small, pear-sized greens, it certainly doesn’t feel like you’re in the middle of Boston."
Read More2020
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
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