This Small Massachusetts Community’s Golf Course Was Ranked No. 2 Among The State’s Best For 2026

One hole on this course is named Bunkers, and the name has nothing to do with sand. Old military ammunition bunkers sit nearby, still part of the scenery.

That detail alone had me hooked. Then I learned that old military housing foundations helped shape the 10th hole, while a lookout tower stands near the final tee.

GolfMassachusetts.com ranked this place No. 2 among Massachusetts golf courses for 2026, based on ratings and votes from its users. I have to admit, that sounds like the kind of place golfers whisper about between swings.

I’d be tempted to book a round just to see how a former training ground became a woodland layout with coastal flair. How does a place go from drills and barracks to birdies and bunker shots?

An Old Army Post Became One Of The Best Rounds In The State

Golf courses usually start as farmland or forest. Red Tail Golf Club began as part of Fort Devens, a former U.S. Army base in Devens, Massachusetts.

That backstory gives this public course a personality you won’t find at the club down the road. Architect Brian Silva shaped the land into 18 holes, and the course opened in 2002.

Fast forward to 2026, and the club landed at No. 2 among the best courses in the state. That’s a big leap for ground that once hosted soldiers instead of foursomes.

Silva didn’t try to erase the past. He worked around it, letting old foundations and storage sites quietly shape the routing.

The result feels secluded and roomy. Holes are separated by woods, so each one feels like its own little world.

That sense of space is rare in a state packed with towns and traffic. You get rolling hills, tall trees, and long views instead of backyards and fences.

Here’s the fun part for history fans. Every round doubles as a quiet tour of what this land used to be.

Few scorecards come with that kind of bonus material.

Your Tee Shots Might Fly Over Old Barracks Foundations

Plenty of courses claim a story. At Red Tail, you can literally play on top of one.

The 10th hole, appropriately named Foundations, features terrain shaped by the remains of old military housing. You won’t trip over concrete, but knowing it’s underfoot makes every drive feel a little more interesting.

The back nine moves through an area that once stored ammunition. That’s where the 17th hole, nicknamed Bunkers, earns its clever double meaning.

Yes, there’s sand to dodge. There are also old military ammunition bunkers nearby, which beats any decorative windmill for conversation value.

Then comes the 18th. A lookout tower stands near the tee box, overlooking the dramatic closing hole like a silent scorekeeper.

I find that especially appealing because the history never gets in the way. The design nods to the past, then hands the stage back to your swing.

Bring a curious friend who likes trivia. Between shots, you’ll have plenty to point out.

Just remember to keep your head down on the swing itself. Sightseeing is for the walk to the green, not the backswing.

Your scorecard will thank you later.

Five Sets Of Tees Mean Nobody Gets Left Out

Seven thousand and six yards. That’s how long Red Tail stretches from the Black tees, and it’s a serious test for big hitters.

Relax if that number made your back ache. The par 72 layout offers five sets of tees, so beginners and weekend players can pick a distance that fits.

That flexibility matters on a course with this much movement. Elevated tees and frequent uphill greens reward smart distance control more than raw power.

Club selection becomes a real puzzle here. Hit one club too short on an uphill approach, and your ball may roll right back toward you.

The surfaces help keep things fair. Tees, fairways, and greens are all bent grass, which gives a consistent feel from first shot to final putt.

My advice? Choose the tees you’ll actually enjoy, not the ones that impress your buddies.

A relaxed round from the right box usually beats a frustrating one from the tips. Nobody frames a scorecard full of double bogeys.

Spending a few minutes on the practice green before you start is also smart. Those sloping greens deserve a warm-up handshake.

Gravel Pit And Friends Will Keep You Honest

Some holes have names. Some holes have reputations, and Red Tail’s lineup has both.

Take the second hole, a 568-yard par 5. The tee shot looks wide open, then the fairway bends sharply right with a layered bunker complex waiting on the left.

The fourth is a 525-yard par 5 with a risk-reward twist. You tee off from an elevated spot toward a tight fairway framed by bunkers.

Go for it in two, or play it safe? That choice can make or break your front nine.

Then there’s the 11th, nicknamed Gravel Pit. This 169-yard par 3 asks for a clean mid-iron over a valley of sandy wasteland to an undulating green.

Miss short, and that sandy scene becomes your new neighborhood. It’s beautiful from the tee and humbling from below.

Each hole feels different from the one before. That variety keeps the round fresh, even for golfers who’ve played it before.

Bring a plan, but stay flexible. The best strategy here might just be choosing your battles and enjoying the views between them.

Save Some Energy For That Downhill Finale

Endings matter, and Red Tail clearly knows it. The 18th is a 572-yard par 5 that plays steeply downhill.

From the tee, the whole hole unfolds below you. It’s the kind of view that makes you pause before pulling a club.

Don’t get too dreamy, though. Water sits between you and a narrow, kidney-shaped green.

That means careful planning matters more than a hero swing. Lay up well, and your approach becomes far less stressful.

The downhill drop can play tricks with distance. Your ball may travel farther than expected, so think twice about how hard you swing.

Right before this finale, the 17th sets the mood. Waste areas there differ from regular sand bunkers, so check the local rules before grounding your club.

Finishing strong on these last two holes feels like earning a small medal. Ending with a splash feels more like a funny story for lunch.

Either way, the setting makes a memorable final act. Few courses in Massachusetts close with this much drama and scenery packed into one hole.

Range Balls, GPS, And A Cart Are Part Of The Deal

Nobody likes surprise add-ons. Red Tail keeps things simple by bundling the basics into each tee time.

Every reservation includes green fees, an 18-hole cart, GPS access, and range balls. That means you can warm up without digging for extra cash.

The GPS is especially handy on a hilly course like this. It helps with yardages when elevation changes make your eyes lie.

Booking is straightforward too. Regular reservations open up to nine days in advance.

Planning a trip from farther away? Preferred reservations can be made up to 60 days ahead online, which helps if you’re coordinating a group.

Arrive early and use the time well. Hit a bucket on the range, then roll some putts to learn the green speed.

Those few minutes can save several strokes later. Think of it as cheap insurance for your scorecard.

Pack plenty of water on warm days, too. A hilly round in summer heat can sneak up on you faster than a downhill putt.

Staying fresh on the back nine is half the battle.

Plan Your Trip Before The Secret Gets Out Further

Finding the course is easy once you know where to point the car. Red Tail Golf Club sits at 15 Bulge Rd, Devens, MA 01434.

Devens is a small community with a big past, thanks to its Army roots. The golf course is one of the best ways to see how that land has changed.

The club also earned a special environmental honor. It became the first Audubon International Signature Sanctuary course in New England.

That means the property balances great golf with care for nature. Keep an eye out for wildlife between shots.

The roughly 20,000-square-foot clubhouse gives you room to regroup. The club’s golf shop provides a convenient stop for golf essentials before your round.

Timing matters in Massachusetts. Spring weather can be unpredictable, so checking conditions before you go is a smart move.

Early tee times are a popular choice for cooler air and a smoother pace. Twilight rounds can also be a relaxed way to see the course glow.

With a No. 2 state ranking, tee sheets may fill quickly. Booking ahead is the easiest win you’ll get all day.