Taconic Golf Club
Williamstown, MA • Public
Overview
Taconic dates back to 1896 and is the home course of the Williams College men’s and women’s golf teams. Routinely ranked inside the top 15 on our Best in State rankings, Taconic, located in a quiet village in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, closer to Albany than Boston, is a challenging parkland layout with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It was designed and built in the 1920s by the architecture team of Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek with undisturbed holes that fan out across a wooded property. The western Massachusetts gem has hosted three different USGA championships: the 1956 U.S. Junior Amateur, 1963 U.S. Women’s Amateur and 1996 U.S. Senior Amateur. Gil Hanse has been making restorative modifications here since 2008.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Not previously ranked.
2023-'24 ranking: 84th.
Best in State: Ranked ninth, 2019-'20. Ranked 12th, 2015-'16. Ranked 13th, 2021-'22. Ranked 14th, 2017-'18. Ranked inside the top 15, 2001. Ranked 19th, 2013-'14.
2023-'24 ranking: 15th.
America's Greatest College Courses: 2nd (2023).
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Fun course to play. Decent variety of hole layouts and varying topography. Nice views off course. Have been told the views are spectacular in the Fall when the leaves color."
Read More2022
Review
“Taconic is an excellent course on the Northwestern corner of Massachusetts. Affiliated with Williams College, Taconic is in my opinion the best public course in Massachusetts by a large margin and potentially the best public course in New England. These greens are difficult and a real highlight and numerous hills make this mountainous course somewhat challenging. While out of the way from most places, I highly recommend Taconic."
Read More2022
Review
“This classic course is just that: classic. With long, weaving holes the course is a challenge from the back tees for even the best golfers. It is always in great condition and is available to the public, which is a great break for those traveling through the town or visiting family attending Williams. Oh—also stop by the grill before or after the round for a delicious bar menu."
Read More2021
Review
“Great conditions, fast and undulating greens. A great variety of long/short par 4s and par 3s that work up, down and across the hillside. The layout remains somewhat tree lined, but gained amazing open vistas from the Hanse renovations (vs. 2005 visit, pre-renovation). This place has such a great feel to it and integrates into the small college town it borders seamlessly."
Read More2021
Review
“In a state loaded with tremendous private golf, this is the best public option in Mass. Can’t believe it took me so long to make the trek out to see it. A visit in autumn with the changing leaves is a must for anyone remotely nearby."
Read More2021
Review
“If you're anywhere in the area, it's a must play. Great rolling topography and charming setting within a small New England town. Hanse's work ten years ago remains so strong."
Read More2018
Review
“Great land and a cool college vibe. Hard to get to, but worth the trip."
Read More2018
Readers
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