The Ranch Golf Club

Situated just over the Massachusetts border—between Hartford, Conn., and Springfield, Mass.—The Ranch is a solid public course that blends narrow tree-lined holes with more exposed ones. Combined with some steep elevation changes, there is nice layout variety at The Ranch, which is best enjoyed in the fall when the coloful leaves light up the foothills of the Berkshires. The reachable par-5 opener is particularly exciting, with a split fairway tempting players to take a gamble on the first shot of the day.