Butternut Golf Club (Stowe, Ma.)

Triple Play at Butternut
Magnificent Conditions, Service and Challenge Await
By Jason Kennedy


Stow, Mass is home to three of the best golf courses in the area.
Butternut Farm Golf Club is one of them.
Butternut GC may not be as well known as it's next door neighbor, Stow Acres, but it should. Boasting great playing conditions, and a challenging layout with four sets of tees, Butternut can be enjoyed by the beginner, and the most experienced players alike. Cut out of the gently rolling hills of this rural town, this course has the feel of the North Carolina low country with its tall pine tree lined fairways, and hardwood trees that put a premium on good ball striking.
I have played Butternut several times in the past, and the course has improved each time. Right now the conditions are superb. The fairways are plush; the greens are in great shape; and the tee boxes are in very good condition. The course is well marked with distance tags on just about every sprinkler head, and distance markers on the par three's - which definitely makes it easier to choose a club.
Easing you into your round, the first hole is a 369-yard par four from the back tees. Take an iron or a fairway wood off this tee as position is key on the opening hole. After a good tee shot you'll be left with a mid to short iron to this fairly large flat green. A birdie here is not out of the question.
When you get to the par four eighth hole you'll probably think to yourself, hey it's only 290 yards. If you have a good round going, and a good score is important to you, reconsider going for this green off the tee. Big numbers can be posted if you don't manage your game here. The tee shot, if you're going for the green, is about a 260-yard carry over water with no room for error to the left. Water comes into play short and all up the left side of this hole. Again, take a long iron or a fairway wood and play to right and short of the green where their is a landing area that'll provide you with a good lie and a short iron to the green. Play this hole with your head, and birdie is in the cards. Get careless, and a huge number is not out of the question.

Making the turn at Butternut. Don't be scared. The tenth hole is a 625-yard par five. This hole is a monster from any tee. You'll need three of your best shots to reach this hole in regulation. After a good tee shot, you'll be left with a long iron or fairway wood just to reach the 150 marker which is a slightly uphill shot from your tee shot. Once you get to the 150 to 120 yard area you'll have a look at the green below. Your approach shot from here is downhill over a pond that fronts three quarters of the green. Going long is no picnic either, there is no water, but the wooded area makes up and downs tough. Par on this hole is a great score. Even bogey is an accomplishment on this long and tough hole.

The par four 18th is a nice finishing hole. The 367-yard hole plays slightly downhill. Hit your tee shot just short of the bunker that is about 260 yards off the tee, and you'll be left with a short iron to this medium sized green that has a bunker left and a bunker right. The green is fairly flat, and anything close to the hole will have a good shot at a birdie to end your round at Butternut Farms.
With a great view of the ninth fairway and green, the clubhouse is a comfortable place to enjoy a beer and lunch. Contact Trevor for outing information. The club can accommodate both large and small gatherings. If you've never played Butternut give it a try. You'll enjoy some of the best course conditions the area has to offer; a friendly courteous staff; and a fun, yet challenging layout.
Website: www.butternutfarm.com Tee times: Accepted 5-days in advance by calling (978)897-3400. Proper golf attire required. Soft spike only facility. Rates: Mon-Wed $24 for 9 holes/$32 for 18 holes//Thurs $32 for 18 holes//Friday $35 for 18 holes//Sat-Sun $42 for 18 holes// Cart prices. $16 for 9 holes//$26 for 18 holes. Practice facility: The course does not have a driving range, but does feature 2 practice putting greens. Course info: Back tees, 6302 yards, 71.2 rating, 130 slope/middle, 5755 yards, 69.3 rating, 126 rating/front, 4478 yards, 73.2 rating, 125 slope.
Directions: Rte 128 to I-495 N, Exit 27 on Route 117 E, go 4 miles, turn right on Wheeler Rd go 1/2 mile to course.