Blissful Meadows (Uxbridge, Ma.)

Magnificent Meadows
Blissful Meadows is fun and fabulous
By Jason Kennedy

Blissful Meadows is located in Uxbridge, a small quaint town situated just 25 minutes from Worcester, and only one hour from Boston. With its rural setting and only a single house that borders the golf course, you may get the feeling you're at the foot of the White Mountains. Owners Gordon and Jean Bliss, along with the staff at Blissful are dedicated to making your golf experience a great one. Upon arrival at the clubhouse you'll be greeted with a smile, and a great attitude about the facility.
The members I spoke to at the course were knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful with tips and insight on how to play each hole. If you happen to get paired with a member take advantage of his or her knowledge, it will make a difference in your score.
Don't let the scorecard fool you, with only three par 4's measuring over 400 yards from the tips, this course provides a true test of golf. You really have to think your way around the course. A piece of advice given to me by one of the members: Keep the hole in front of you - meaning you don't want to go long.
The greens on the front side are fairly undulating, and the majority slope from back to front so if you do go long you'll be left with a downhill putt or chip. The greens at Blissful are some of the most well-conditioned greens you'll find. Another reason you don't want to go long: Any downhill putt will be tough to stop around the hole. Although with a smooth roll you can pick your line and be confident that if you hit a good putt it's going to go in the hole.
The first hole is a 325-yard par 4 from the white tees, and is played from an elevated tee. Take an iron off this tee. With water on the left and a bunker right, position is key. With a good tee shot you'll be left with no more than a 7 or 8 iron to the slightly elevated green protected by two bunkers short right, and a severe down slope over the bunkers to the right of the green.
Moving to the par three 5th hole, measuring at 132 yards is a perfect example of not wanting to go long. Anything over the green will leave a quick downhill chip. An uphill putt will provide a good chance of scoring. Don't get too comfortable with the front side with its few elevation changes, because once you cross the street to the back side you'll be in for a shock.


The par four 11th hole starts from an elevated tee box, and looks down on the fairway below. Take an iron off this tee and put it in the fairway. You'll be left with a short iron back up the hill to the elevated green. Go long here, and your ball has a chance to come back down to the green as the hill behind acts almost like a backstop.
Oh, and keep your eyes open for wild turkeys. They can be seen frequently roaming the fairways on the back nine.
The next hole, no. 12, is a long ball hitter's dream. Playing from yet another elevated position you can really let it rip here. The hole plays to 373 yards straight away with a generous landing area. Be sure you take enough club to land safely on the green. Anything short here will end up in the deep rough fronting the green. And if you're about 20 yards short of the putting surface you may not even find your ball.
When you tee it up on the par three 13th don't be intimidated. At 143 yards it's all carry to this large green that can be a 2 to 3 club difference from front to back. This is a great looking short hole. Don't forget to check out the abandoned silver mine at the bottom of the gulley on your way to the green. It has been out of use since the 1800's.
Enjoy your round at Blissful Meadows!The clubhouse is an old renovated barn that houses the pro-shop, bar, and a banquet facility. The pro-shop is fully stocked with balls, clubs, clothes, and just about anything else you may need. The restaurant/bar has a full menu, and is a great place to sit and reminisce about your round of golf, while the outdoor patio provides scenic views of the course. The clubhouse also has banquet facilities that can accommodate functions from 20 to 200 guests. Joe Griffin and Dave Johnson, co-head golf professionals at Blissful, are dedicated to providing first class instruction.
For lesson information, junior clinics, and group lessons call 508-278-6113. Contact Nora Berard for outing information at 508-278-6110. Melissa Laskowski or Tracy Hill for wedding information at 508-278-6110.
Website: http://www.blissfulmeadows.com/ Tee times: Accepted 5-days in advance at 508-278-6110. Proper golf attire required. Soft spike only facility. Greens fees: Mon-Thurs 9 holes/$18.00; 18 holes/$29.00 - Fri. 9 holes/$20.00 18 holes/$35.00 - Wknds/holidays 9 holes/$24.00; 18 holes/$39.00 Cart fees: 9 holes/$8.00 per person 18 holes/$14.00 per person Practice facility: All grass driving range. Their is also a practice bunker to try and figure out those tricky sand shots. Don't forget to practice putting, it'll help you out on the course as the practice green is in just as good condition as the greens you'll find out on the course. Directions: From the Mass Pike. Take Worcester Exit 10A (rte 146). Follow rte. 146 South to Rte. 16 West (Uxbridge/Douglas exit). Take right at end of ramp. Take first street on left (West Street). Follow 1 and 1/2 miles, take first left (continuation of west street). Follow 1 mile, take first right (Chockalog Rd.) Follow for 1/4 mile, Blissful Meadows golf club will be on the right. Course info: The course is a par 72 with 4 sets of tees ranging from 6611 yards from the tips to 5065 from the front tees. Course rating 71.3/128 slope (Blue tees). 68.7/124 slope (White tees). And 69.1/122 slope from the Red tees.