We all know Rte 1 (North of Boston) for its famous wacky landmarks and neon-lit signage. But did you know the highway that delivers cows, dinosaurs and Bernie & Phyl also neighbors more public golf courses than any other similar stretch of pavement in Massachusetts? There are exactly nine public golf courses only about 5 minutes from an exit off of Rte One.

Some may say big deal. But when you consider that this stretch of Rte One, from Saugus to Topsfield, is only about 15 miles long, it really is a big deal. And when you add in 5 driving ranges, a few putt-putts, and three private courses, this road really is a highway to heaven for North Shore golfers.

Getting Started

Route One is an absolute mecca for shopping, dining , partying and golfing. And it’s easy to get there. Just look for the signs off Rte 128 and 93. Once settled, it’s time to tee it up.

Playing

Route One’s golf courses are made up of mostly older, funky and affordable tracts. (No high end upscale courses need apply.) The one exception is the new Meadows at Peabody Golf Course. Advice: Stay away at all costs. Not only is this layout Brian Silva’s worst design (by far), it is overpriced and micro-managed by a city (Peabody) that has no clue on how to manage a golf course operation. But then that’s for another day.

Onto the real golf courses (some good, some not so good).

Gannon's 5th hole offers Boston's skyline in the distance. (GB/Daly Photo)

Gannon Golf Club, designed in 1929 by Wayne Stiles, is the gem of the stretch and must play – absolutely magnificent. Tight fairways, small greens and lush conditions will greet your game at this affordable, yet challenging tract. The back nine is more challenging than the front with the 12^th hole delving out one of the toughest holes on the North Shore.

The northern most point of Route One, Topsfield, issues quite possibly the most refreshing experience – affordable, friendly and quick. New Meadows is a family run facility and delivers a perfect tract for that ‘early morning round.’ Only nine holes, this Topsfield tract is enjoyable from tee to green. The par 5 7^th hole is the course’s signature hole, a fantastic and challenging design that will test everyone’s game.

Heading south from Topsfield, Middleton Golf Course is a challenging par 3. Exhaustively maintained, this junior track is the perfect locale for tuning up the long and short iron game. The pro shop is loaded, while the teaching staff is acknowledged as one of the very best in the state. A must visit.

If the driver needs some work, then head down Main St, from Middleton, and visit Sagamore Golf Club in Lynnfield. This facility may be the most unrecognized in the region. Offering 18 holes of fun and challenging swings, Sagamore truly is a hidden gem. The course is faithfully in fine condition, while the layout is unique (back to back par 5’s (11 &12), par 3’s (8&9)) and game (18^th hole’s green sits at skyscraper height from the teebox).

Lynnfield has two other courses, Colonial and Lynnfield Center, that provide retreat for the local golfer as well. Colonial is a more championship design delving out challenge after challenge, while Lynnfield Center is your basic neighborhood nine holer with little or no separation between holes.

The most southern course on the Route One strip is Mount Hood in Melrose. Once a formidable tract, ‘The Hood’ has fallen on hard times recently due to political fighting. Conditions are simply not up to par, but still worth a visit just to see the potential, as it’s a great layout hidden beneath the decay.