Course Tour
The original Cohasset course consisted of six holes laid out by noted golf professional and architect Willy Campbell. Around 1909, the club hired Donald Ross to redesign the course which included increasing the course to nine holes. In 1920, the club contracted with Donald Ross to revamp the layout and expand it to eighteen holes.
As with most clubs over the years trees had been planted and hazards removed or added. Cohasset was no different. In 1999, the club embarked on a major restoration of the course to return it to its original intent as envisioned by Ross. Ron Pritchard was hired as an expert on "Ross restoration". Under his guidance the club undertook a major removal of trees, returned the green complexes to their original shapes and altered the bunkering, including removing some non-original bunkers and re-establishing some that had been removed.
In 2014 Ron Forse, with over fifty "Ross restorations" to his credit, was hired to oversee the completion of the restoration process which included rebuilding the 12th green along the original shape and contour as well as modifying two of the more severely sloped greens to accommodate the modern game's increased green speed.
Future work to complete the restoration includes rebuilding the remaining existing bunkers, reinstalling bunkers present in the original Ross design and adding selected bunkers in the "Ross tradition". Also the rebuilding of existing tees and adding selected back and forward tees are planned as well as finishing implementation of the tree master plan.
The Cohasset layout of today retains most of what Donald Ross left in place when the 18-hole layout opened in 1922. It contains a variety of interesting short and long par-3, par-4 and par-5 holes. While not long by today's standards, it continues in the Ross philosophy of "defending par at the green" challenging golfers of all levels. It's superb conditioning adds to the enjoyment of a round by all.
Click on the hole number to view.
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Hole #1
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 7 | Ladies' Handicap: 3
Men's Championship: 372 | Men's Members: 360 | Men's Forward: 350 | Women's Members: 360 | Women's Forward: 350 | Women's Front: 314
Hole Description
The 1st Hole is a 372 yard par 4. The elevated tee gives a very scenic view of a generous landing area. The second shot is often a blind shot to an elevated green. The terrain around the green drops off sharply on three sides. This is one of the toughest putting tests of the day. Par is always a good score on this seemingly simple hole.
How To Play This Hole
Tee shots up the right side offer a view of the green on the second shot, however avoid the right fairway bunker at all costs. Watch the hazard on the left because it's closer than it appears. Never miss this green right or long! It will most certainly lead to a bogey or worse. Over the green leaves an uphill pitch to a green severely sloping away from the player. Right will find a bunker or deep rough with a green sloping away as well.
Hole #2
Par: 3 | Men's Handicap: 13 | Ladies' Handicap: 17
Men's Championship: 165 | Men's Members: 150 | Men's Forward: 135 | Women's Members: 150 | Women's Forward: 132 | Women's Front: 108
Hole Description
The 2nd Hole is a 165 yard Par 3. The tee shot is elevated and gives the player a good look at the green. There are deep bunkers located in front of and to the right of this green. Behind the green is a closely-mown area that slopes away from the green. There is a big tier that runs from front to back on this green, cutting it in half. A huge boulder sits to the left and above this green.
How To Play This Hole
Take enough club to carry the bunkers in front of the green. Make sure your tee shot finds the left or right half of the green depending on where the pin is located. There is a severe mound that runs down the middle of this green from front to back. Putting will be difficult if a ball finds the wrong half of this green.
Hole #3
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 1 | Ladies' Handicap: 7
Men's Championship: 442 | Men's Members: 415 | Men's Forward: 364 | Women's Members: 415 | Women's Forward: 364 | Women's Front: 304
Hole Description
The 3rd hole is a 442 yard par 4. It is for good reason that it is the 1st handicap hole. There is a stream and trees lining the left side while the right has willow trees and mounds. The green is elevated and has bunkers on the front left and the back right of the green. The elevated tee gives you a view of both the putting green and the clubhouse.
How To Play This Hole
A premium is placed on the tee shot. If you miss the fairway you will be left with a long shot to an elevated green, usually that includes a tree to negotiate. Do not miss this green long or left. Both will leave you a bunker shot or a tough lie in the fescue. This hole does play a half to a whole club longer on the second shot due to the elevated green.
Hole #4
Par: 5 | Men's Handicap: 3 | Ladies' Handicap: 1
Men's Championship: 587 | Men's Members: 553 | Men's Forward: 480 | Women's Members: 553 | Women's Forward: 480 | Women's Front: 453
Hole Description
The 4th hole is the longest on the course at 587 yards. This is the number 3 handicap hole. The tee shot landing area is lined by mounds. The second shot needs to be just short of a stream that cuts across the fairway. The third shot is over two large bunkers that are 30 yards short of a very elevated green. A large boulder sits left of the green and a huge oak overhangs the right side.
How To Play This Hole
A good tee shot is important here because of the length of the hole and the importance of the second shot. On the second shot you need to avoid the stream that is on the right and crosses the fairway angling away from you. The third shot requires an extra club as the green is very elevated. Avoid the bunkers short of the green, as they leave a difficult 50 yard sand shot. The green slopes from back to front.
Hole #5
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 11 | Ladies' Handicap: 9
Men's Championship: 301 | Men's Members: 301 | Men's Forward: 298 | Women's Members: 301 | Women's Forward: 298 | Women's Front: 245
Hole Description
This is a 301 yard par 4 with an elevated tee. There is out of bounds to the left and a pond on the right. There is a large bunker that is located in the left center of the fairway starting at 110 yards. A stream cuts across the fairway at 65 yards. The green has 2 bunkers; a large one short and left of the green and a small one in the front right. On the left the green slopes from back to front while on the right it slopes from front to back.
How To Play This Hole
This short par 4 provides a good opportunity for a birdie. Only the longest hitters can go for the green because it is a 250 yard carry to clear the stream. The best play is a shot that carries 200 yards with little roll. This takes both the bunker and stream out of play no matter what direction you hit the tee ball. The second shot needs to be high and soft to hold the green especially for front pin locations.
Hole #6
Par: 3 | Men's Handicap: 15 | Ladies' Handicap: 15
Men's Championship: 143 | Men's Members: 135 | Men's Forward: 127 | Women's Members: 135 | Women's Forward: 127 | Women's Front: 109
Hole Description
The 6th hole is a 143 yard par 3. The shot is slightly uphill to an elevated green. The green has 3 bunkers surrounding it on the front and left. The right side drops off severely into fescue. There is out of bounds only 10 yards behind the green. The green has a 6 foot tier running from left to right across it. The green slopes from back to front.
How To Play This Hole
Miss the green with your tee shot and you could be looking at a quick bogey on this short little hole. Hitting the green does not guarantee a par. If the tee shot does not find the front or back level where the pin is located, a two putt may be a real challenge. The front half of this green is almost perfectly flat. The tier gives the illusion that there is more break than is really there.
Hole #7
Par: 5 | Men's Handicap: 9 | Ladies' Handicap: 5
Men's Championship: 518 | Men's Members: 493 | Men's Forward: 406 | Women's Members: 493 | Women's Forward: 406 | Women's Front: 400
Hole Description
The 7th hole is a short par 5 at 518 yards. There is a stream that runs up the right side and connects to a pond that crosses the fairway at 200 yards. The pond then extends all the way up the right side of the fairway. There is out of bounds all the way up the left side. A lateral hazard is located behind the green. There are two bunkers on the hole. The first is a fairway bunker on the right side at 60 yards. The second is located on the front left of the green.
How To Play This Hole
The tee shot must avoid the out of bounds left and the stream to the right. The second shot must clear the pond that crosses the fairway and miss the fairway bunker on the right. Long hitters will be able to reach this in 2, however they will still have to contend with the water right and out of bounds left. The third shot should be a short iron into a very large and receptive green. This can be an easy par or birdie, but could also be a quick double bogey.
Hole #8
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 5 | Ladies' Handicap: 11
Men's Championship: 422 | Men's Members: 375 | Men's Forward: 302 | Women's Members: 375 | Women's Forward: 302 | Women's Front: 270
Hole Description
The 8th hole is a par 4, the 5th handicap hole. The hole has a very open look, which is deceiving. The tee shot is over a pond. There is a lateral hazard extending up the left side all the way to the green. There is also a lateral hazard on the right which comes into play on the tee shot. The green is surrounded by three bunkers located on the right, left and back. The green is a large green that slopes gently from back to front.
How To Play This Hole
A good drive is a must on this intimidating hole. Favoring the left side gives you a better angle at the most common pin placements. The wind plays a big factor on this wide open hole so a knockdown shot is a great way to approach this green. Make sure you keep the ball below the hole for an easier uphill putt.
Hole #9
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 17 | Ladies' Handicap: 13
Men's Championship: 334 | Men's Members: 331 | Men's Forward: 325 | Women's Members: 331 | Women's Forward: 325 | Women's Front: 290
Hole Description
The 9th hole is a par 4, the 17th handicap hole. The hole is a short dogleg left. There is a hazard along the left side, then there are pine trees lining the right side of the hole. There are bunkers and fescue down the left side 230 yards from the tee. There is out of bounds on the right 235 yards from the the tee. Before the green are bunkers on the left and right, the green itself is bowl shaped.
How To Play This Hole
A fairway wood or long iron tee shot played up the righthand side with a slight draw will give the best look at this bowl shaped green. The green is protected by deep bunkers on both sides. When the pin is up front, the approach shot must land a few yards short of the green in order for it not to release beyond the hole. Longer players can take a gamble and attempt to carry a driver over the bunkers and shave 65-80 yards off of the approach shot. If this tee shot is executed well it will leave a simple down hill bump and run to the hole.
Hole #10
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 2 | Ladies' Handicap:10
Men's Championship: 398| Men's Members: 379 | Men's Forward: 352 | Women's Members: 379 | Women's Forward: 352 | Women's Front: 308
Hole Description
The 10th hole is a 398 yard par four that plays slightly longer due to an uphill second shot. A tee shot up the left hand side will provide the best angle into this redan green. The second shot is over two deep fairway bunkers strategically placed 60 yards short of the green. The approach shot must land a few yards short of the green in order to get close. The green has a bunker on either side along with out of bounds on the right hand side.
How To Play This Hole
The tenth hole provides a good birdie opportunity to start the back nine. A driver should be played up the left hand side in order to put a short iron in your hands for the approach. A high wedge shot or a knock down short iron is needed in order to hold the green. The shot can be hit to the back of the green for back pin placements. However, for front pin placements the shot must land just short of the green. Be careful choosing a club for the second shot because you will face a down hill chip shot out of the rough if the shot carries over the green.
Hole #11
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 14 | Ladies' Handicap: 4
Men's Championship: 375 | Men's Members: 372 | Men's Forward: 369 | Women's Members: 372 | Women's Forward: 369 | Women's Front: 308
Hole Description
The 11th hole is a 375 yard par four dogleg to the right. A 225 shot up the middle will get to the 150 yard marker. The left hand side of the fairway is guarded by fescue mounds that run the length of the fairway. The second shot is slightly uphill to a well protected sloping green. The left hand side is protected by two bunkers surrounded by deep rough. The right hand side of the green is elevated a few feet and will reject any high approach shot that comes up just short of the green. There is a hump running up the middle of the green. The green slopes from back to front so approach shots should be left short of the hole in order to have an uphill putt.
How To Play This Hole
A cut shot should be played over the trees with a driver on this risk/reward par 4 so the player can be left with a short wedge shot into this sloping green. The approach shot should be played to the correct side of the hump and short of the hole in order to leave the best opportunity for birdie.
Hole #12
Par: 3 | Men's Handicap: 6 | Ladies' Handicap: 18
Men's Championship: 231 | Men's Members: 211 | Men's Forward: 178 | Women's Members: 211 | Women's Forward: 178
Hole Description
The 12th hole is a tough, downhill par three that measures out to 231 yards from the back tees. The green slopes dramatically from back to front and slightly from left to right, so even a green in regulation doesn't guarantee a par. There is a water hazard well short of the green and two bunkers on either side of the green that will grab any wayward shots.
How To Play This Hole
Choosing the correct club is often the hardest part of this long par three that the wind often wreaks havoc with. The tee shot must come to rest short of the hole in order to leave an uphill putt. If this green is missed it is best if it is left short of the green. This will leave a straight forward uphill chip shot.
Hole #13
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 18 | Ladies' Handicap:8
Men's Championship: 268 | Men's Members: 260 | Men's Forward: 254 | Women's Members: 260 | Women's Forward: 254 | Women's Front: 208
Hole Description
The 13th hole is a 268 yard par 4. This is a classic Donald Ross 3.5 par 4 following a 3.5 par 3. The tee shot is over a brook that is 70 yards from the green. The green is severely sloped from back to front. It is surrounded by 3 bunkers the largest of which sits directly across the front of the green.
How To Play This Hole
Players who can hit the ball 260 yards in the air can take a swing for the green. This can pay off in big dividends in the way of a lot of birdies and a few eagles. However if you miss the green it can lead to a difficult bunker shot or worse. There are trees and deep fescue to the left and over the green is a road and fescue on the far side. The more conservative play is to hit a 230 yard shot and leave an easy pitch over the front bunker to a green sloped towards the player. When the pin is on the front of this green be careful because it's extremely quick.
Hole #14
Par: 4/5 | Men's Handicap: 12 | Ladies' Handicap: 2
Men's Championship: 449| Men's Members: 495 | Men's Forward: 395| Women's Members: 495 | Women's Forward:395 | Women's Front: 395
Hole Description
The 14th hole plays as a 449 yard par 4 from the championship tees and a 495 yard par 5 from the white tees. The fairway on the tee shot is guarded by mounds on the left and a fescue hillside on the right. The second shot is to an elevated green surrounded by 4 bunkers. A large oak tree outlines the back of this green.
How To Play This Hole
The tee shot from the par 4 tee should be just left of the 2 maple trees on the right side. This will allow the ball to kick left to the middle of the fairway. Big hitters can take it over the maple trees and leave a short to middle iron into the green. This green has a lot of elevation to it so make sure to take an extra club. Do not miss this green left as it drops off severely and the tennis courts are out of bounds. Second shots will hold this green as it is sloped towards the player.
Hole #15
Par: 3 | Men's Handicap: 10 | Ladies' Handicap: 16
Men's Championship: 189 | Men's Members: 165 | Men's Forward: 138 | Women's Members: 165 | Women's Forward: 138 | Women's Front: 125
Hole Description
The 15th hole is a 189 yard par 3. This would be considered a signature hole. It is a tee shot over a hill of fescue, with a clear view of the green. The green is heavily bunkered with a false front to the green. There are 6 large bunkers surrounding the green. The green is severely sloped from back to front and the left side slopes to the middle. There is a hump in the front right of the green.
How To Play This Hole
Hit the green. The only bail out area on this green is the front left. Any ball missing this green will usually leave a difficult pitch, chip, or bunker shot. If the pin is in the left side to the middle of the green a shot hitting anywhere left of that should kick to the hole. When the pin is back try to keep the ball below the hole. This will give you a much better putt at birdie.
Hole #16
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 8 | Ladies' Handicap: 6
Men's Championship: 410| Men's Members: 367 | Men's Forward: 343 | Women's Members: 367 | Women's Forward: 343 | Women's Front: 301
Hole Description
The 16th hole is a 410 yard par 4. This would be considered a signature hole. This not so short par 4 is the 8th handicap hole. An elevated tee gives the player a great view of the landing area. There are large rock outcroppings on the left side of the fairway. The right side of the fairway is lined by large pine trees and has a fairway bunker that will catch shorter hitters. The green is elevated for the second shot and drops off steeply for 15 to 30 feet starting on the left front and continuing to the back right.
How To Play This Hole
Short hitters will have to avoid the bunker on the right side which will put their drives middle left and often bring the rocks on the left side into play. Big hitters can carry the bunkers on the right and usually hit the ball past the rocks on the left. A perfect drive would be middle left which gives the player the best view of the green. If the pin is in the front it's tough to get closer unless you bounce it on, as the green slopes away from you. DO NOT miss this green left or long because the green drops off up to 30 feet straight down. It will leave a very difficult pitch at best to save par.
Hole #17
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 16 | Ladies' Handicap: 12
Men's Championship: 361| Men's Members: 344 | Men's Forward: 335 | Women's Members: 344 | Women's Forward: 335 | Women's Front: 295
Hole Description
The 17th hole is a 361 yard par 4. This hole may be your best chance at birdie in the last five holes. The left side of the fairway is lined by a lateral water hazard that runs all the way to the green. There is a large oak tree that hangs over the left side of the fairway about 60 yards from the green. The right side of the fairway is protected by large pine trees and 3 bunkers. The green is relatively flat however the back half slopes from back to front and right to left.
How To Play This Hole
This 361 yard par 4 requires an accurate tee shot that is in the right half of the fairway. Anything left will most likely find the lateral hazard or be blocked on the second shot by the large oak trees overhanging the fairway. Long hitters should beware of the bunkers located on the right side of the fairway. A well placed tee shot will allow you to attack this relatively open green.
Hole #18
Par: 4 | Men's Handicap: 4 | Ladies' Handicap: 14
Men's Championship: 462 | Men's Members: 422| Men's Forward: 406 | Women's Members: 422 | Women's Forward: 406 | Women's Front: 389
Hole Description
The 18th hole is a 462 yard par 4 that bends around slightly to the left. The tee shot carries down a hill into a deep valley that leaves an approach shot any where from 200 yards to 165 yards. From here the approach shot carries a hill and goes down slightly to an open green. Two bunkers 60 yards short of the green grab any low running approach shots. There is a bunker that runs down the right hand side of the green and there is also a bunker that wraps around the back left hand side of the green.
How To Play This Hole
This is a great finishing hole. At 462 yards from the tips it requires a big drive. The drive should be down the right center. Drives in the right side of the fairway will kick to the middle. The second shot is a blind shot over a hill to a large green. Avoiding the large bunkers that surround this green can be a challenge. There is room in front of the green that allows shots that land short to run onto the green. Anytime the pin is tucked to the right side of the green be sure to keep your second shot on the left side.
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Scorecards
Men
Championship (Blue) | Rating: 71.1 | Slope: 133
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Out |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
In |
Total |
| Yardage |
372 |
165 |
430 |
576 |
302 |
138 |
501 |
413 |
334 |
3,231 |
384 |
377 |
225 |
267 |
443 |
178 |
376 |
357 |
430 |
3,037 |
6,268 |
| Par |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
36 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
34 |
70 |
| Stroke |
9 |
15 |
3 |
1 |
13 |
17 |
7 |
5 |
11 |
|
8 |
10 |
16 |
14 |
2 |
18 |
6 |
12 |
4 |
|
|
Members (White) | Rating: 70.2 | Slope: 131
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Out |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
In |
Total |
| Yardage |
361
|
150
|
415
|
553
|
301
|
132
|
493
|
372
|
328
|
3,105
|
377
|
374
|
210
|
260
|
491
|
165
|
363
|
345
|
414
|
2,999
|
6,104
|
| Par |
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
36
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
35
|
71
|
| Stroke |
9
|
15
|
3
|
1
|
13
|
17
|
7
|
5
|
11
|
|
8
|
10
|
16
|
14
|
2
|
18
|
6
|
12
|
4
|
|
|
Forward (Yellow) | Rating: 67.5 | Slope: 122
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Out |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
In |
Total |
| Yardage |
350
|
132
|
364
|
364
|
298
|
127
|
403
|
312
|
322
|
2,787
|
353
|
373
|
175
|
254
|
401
|
135
|
344
|
335
|
401
|
2,771
|
5,558
|
| Par |
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
36
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
35
|
71
|
| Stroke |
9
|
15
|
3
|
1
|
9
|
13
|
17
|
7
|
5
|
|
8
|
10
|
16
|
14
|
2
|
18
|
6
|
12
|
4
|
|
|
Women
Members (White) | Rating: 76.6 | Slope: 138
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Out |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
In |
Total |
| Yardage |
361
|
150
|
415
|
553
|
301
|
132
|
493
|
372
|
328
|
3,105
|
377
|
374
|
210
|
260
|
491
|
165
|
363
|
345
|
414
|
2,999
|
6,104
|
| Par |
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
36
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
35
|
71
|
| Stroke |
7
|
17
|
5
|
1
|
9
|
15
|
3
|
13
|
11
|
|
8
|
4
|
16
|
14
|
2
|
18
|
6
|
12
|
10
|
|
|
Forward (Yellow) | Rating: 73.2 | Slope: 130
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Out |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
In |
Total |
| Yardage |
350
|
132
|
364
|
479
|
298
|
127
|
403
|
312
|
322
|
2,787
|
353
|
373
|
175
|
254
|
401
|
135
|
344
|
335
|
401
|
2,771
|
5,558
|
| Par |
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
36
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
35
|
71
|
| Stroke |
7
|
17
|
5
|
1
|
9
|
15
|
3
|
13
|
11
|
|
8
|
4
|
16
|
14
|
2
|
18
|
6
|
12
|
10
|
|
|