Widow’s Walk Golf Course

A Coastal Links Experience with a Dash of Maritime History

Tucked into the rugged coastline of Scituate, Widow’s Walk is a public course with private-club character—and a whole lotta wind. Designed by Michael Hurdzan in 1997, it’s Massachusetts’ first environmental demonstration course and plays like it’s been plucked straight from the Scottish Highlands and dropped on the South Shore. What that means for you: fescue, firm turf, and enough breeze to question every club in your bag.‍

Layout: Dancing with Wind and Terrain

Widow’s Walk leans hard into its links identity. The layout encourages ground game creativity, smart ball flight control, and a little local knowledge. The rolling terrain, strategically-placed bunkers, and native grasses aren’t just for show—they’re in play, and they punish the reckless.

The wind? Oh, it’s not just a factor—it’s the 19th hole’s biggest gossip.

Front Nine: Settling In (Kinda)

The front nine welcomes you with just enough room to feel confident—until it doesn’t. Early holes offer a bit of breathing room, but subtle elevation shifts and well-placed hazards quickly demand your attention.

Take Hole 3, for instance—a straight par-4 that plays deceptively simple from the tee. It’s not long, but wind exposure and tight landing areas force you to commit to your line. The green is often wind-affected, making approach shots more art than science.

Bonus points: there’s a quiet historical vibe here that adds a little extra soul to the round.

Back Nine: Buckle Up, Buttercup

Now the real fun begins. The back nine is where Widow’s Walk bares its teeth. Holes tighten up, the wind gets feistier, and your scorecard starts looking like it’s written in hieroglyphics.

Hole 14 is the standout—a scenic par-3 perched out on a bluff, fully exposed to whatever the Atlantic wants to throw at you. Miss left? Bunker town. Long? Good luck. This is one of those “club down and pray” kind of holes that sticks with you, in a good way.

The theme here? Low ball flight, smart targets, and learning to love the ground game.

Course Conditions: Firm, Fast, and Fabulous

If you like a course that plays the way it was meant to, you’re in luck. Widow’s Walk is consistently well-maintained, with firm fairways and greens that reward a running approach. It’s not Augusta, but it’s authentic—and that’s the whole point.

Bunkers are strategic and deep enough to matter. The rough is natural and gnarly in all the right places. And the fescue? Let’s just say… don’t go looking for lost balls in there unless you packed a lunch.

Amenities: Chill and No-Frills

Widow’s Walk doesn’t try to be a resort, and that’s part of its charm. You’ve got a tidy pro shop, a snack bar with the essentials, and a staff that’s just as happy to chat about your round as they are to book your next tee time.

It’s all about the golf here—no distractions, just good vibes and even better views of the harbor.

Final Verdict: A Public Links Gem with Wind in Its Veins

Widow’s Walk is a thinking golfer’s course wrapped in a laid-back public golf package. It’s short on yardage, long on personality, and full of challenges that make every round different from the last. If you’re chasing that pure, coastal, wind-kissed golf experience without flying to Scotland, this one’s calling your name.

Final Ratings:

Course Layout: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Strategic, wind-swept design that rewards smart shot-making and ground game creativity.

Course Conditions: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Firm, fast, and true to its links roots, with well-kept fescue and thoughtfully maintained greens.

Amenities: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) – No-frills setup with all the essentials: pro shop, snack bar, and friendly service.

Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – A distinctive coastal challenge with historic charm, unpredictable winds, and plenty of personality.

Whether you’re a links lover looking to test your ball flight or a coastal explorer chasing scenery with bite, Widow’s Walk delivers a uniquely New England round that’s as humbling as it is unforgettable.

‍

Course Difficulty

Widow’s Walk Golf Course is a coastal rollercoaster that rewards creativity, adaptability, and a cool head in the wind. It’s not the longest course in Massachusetts, but don’t let the yardage fool you—this is a strategic test where Mother Nature is your toughest playing partner.

Slope & Rating:

With a slope of 144 and a course rating of 71.9 from the back tees (6,373 yards), Widow’s Walk leans toward the tougher end of moderate. The challenge here isn’t in raw distance—it’s in dealing with the wind, fescue, and firm playing surfaces. On a calm day, you can score. On a breezy one, just surviving the back nine with your golf dignity intact feels like a win.

For Beginners:

This course can be a bit of a wake-up call for new players. The generous fairways on the front nine offer some breathing room, but the ever-present wind, tall fescue, and exposed greens can make even shorter holes feel demanding. The shorter forward tees do help ease the challenge, but first-timers should bring plenty of balls—and maybe leave the ego in the parking lot.

For Experienced Golfers:

Seasoned players will find Widow’s Walk a shot-maker’s playground. It’s not about overpowering the course—it’s about shaping shots, controlling trajectory, and knowing when to play it safe. The back nine, in particular, demands thoughtful navigation and club selection. Low-ball hitters and creative scramblers will thrive here, especially when the coastal breeze is in full effect.

Conclusion:

Widow’s Walk is a mentally engaging, wind-driven test that rewards the kind of golfer who plays smart and stays patient. It’s challenging but fair—and when you do execute, it feels incredibly rewarding. Between the natural beauty, links-style layout, and environmental design, it’s one of the more unique public course tests in the state.

Difficulty Rating: 8/10

Widow’s Walk is a moderately tough course made harder by the elements. It favors experience and creativity over raw distance, making it a fun-yet-formidable challenge for most skill levels. Be prepared to think your way around—and maybe keep that knockdown shot handy.