Golf by the Sea at Widow’s Walk
250 The Driftway / widowswalkgolf.com
Thanks in large part to COVID-19 the sport of golf has experienced a resurgence over the past few years and golf courses everywhere in the US are seeing new players come out in droves to hit the links. South Shore golf courses are no exception and have enjoyed an uptick in the number of tee times being scheduled. This, of course, is a double-edged sword as an increase in golfers makes it more difficult to get a tee time. But online scheduling has also helped streamline the booking process (thanks, COVID).
While there are several private courses nearby, Scituate is fortunate to have Widow’s Walk, an award-winning public golf course, right in its own backyard.
History: From Gravel to Glory
Widow’s Walk, Golf Course was built on the site of the former Boston Sand and Gravel Company which supplied fill for many projects in the Boston area in the early 1900s including Logan International Airport. In 1963, a fire destroyed Boston Sand and Gravel and the abandoned quarry became a sort of wasteland. Eventually the Town of Scituate bought the land and took on the daunting task of transforming this mined-out and biologically bankrupt area into an outstanding public golf course.
Even more impressive, Widow’s Walk was designed as America’s first “environmental demonstration course” and set the standard for new course design to integrate mixed habitats to support animal and plant life while using minimal natural resources. By using drought-resistant grass varieties and reclaimed native grasses, Widow’s Walk uses only 50 percent of the water, fertilizer, and pesticide required by a typical golf course. In total, only about 30 of its approximately 100 acres require irrigation.
The course opened in July of 1997 to the excitement of many and was listed by Golf Digest in 1998 as one of the “Best New Golf Courses in America.” Since then, it’s gone on to win numerous other awards and was designated as an Audubon International, Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2002. Now in its 25th year, and with the unexpected boom from COVID, Widow’s Walk charts its course for the future.
The Scorecard
Widow’s Walk is an 18-hole municipal golf course with a full-length driving range located near the North River and with bragging rights to stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a beautiful, yet technically challenging course with many forced carries. Those with a low handicap will find they use most of the clubs in their bag throughout the round and will find numerous opportunities to “go for the green” on their drive. Less proficient golfers will still find a ready supply of fun and unique holes like the 8th where your high vantage point tee shot must clear a lake. But even if your tee shot doesn’t quite make it across, the drop circle will be less than 110 yards to the pin, so a par is still manageable. From the silver tees on the signature 17th hole, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of both the North River and the Atlantic—it’s a highlight vista of the course. Widow’s Walk also offers private lessons, kid’s clinics, adult and youth golf leagues, and additionally serves as the home course for the Scituate High School golf teams.
The Off-Season
In the off-season, generally late December to sometime in March, the course is open for walkers to enjoy. The greens and cart paths are both stroller and dog-friendly and even in winter the views of the ocean, river, and marshes are stunning. If you’re looking to get more steps in, you can easily connect to the Driftway Conservation Park or the Driftway Multi-Purpose Path from here. To learn more about these and other trails nearby, read the article about Scituate’s Best Parks and Trails. When the snow falls, kids flock to the gentle, rolling hills with sleds for some old-fashioned fun! Widow’s Walk is a town treasure that benefits the community year-round.
Investing in the Future
After 25 years of heavy use and unforgiving New England weather, it was time for a refresh. This past year, Widow’s Walk invested in a complete overhaul of their clubhouse and parking lot and opened a new, larger restaurant boasting a full kitchen and a deck overlooking the 9th green and the North River. The Drift In Restaurant is brought to us by the same folks who manage Hibernian Tavern in Scituate Harbor and features a mix of traditional comfort food and seasonally inspired plates. With a modern, spacious bar featuring local brews from Scituate’s own Untold Brewing, it has quickly become a big hit among golfers and non-golfers alike since opening only a few short months ago. If you’d like to learn more about these nearby establishments, visit these links to read about Scituate’s Best Restaurants and Scituate’s Craft Brewery.
Nearby and Noteworthy
If you have time, there are several other public courses within a 30 – 45 minute drive of Scituate where you can get a round in. For a fun par 3 check out Rockland Golf Course in Rockland. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s a par 3. From the tips you will find that 5 of the holes are over 200 yards so this is more than just a 9-iron play!
Another nearby course worth a visit is Green Harbor in Marshfield. If you’re looking for a full 18 with wide open fairways, look no further. Green Harbor provides a good challenge with 2 long par 5s on the back 9, but a substantially more forgiving track than Widow’s Walk. New for the 2022 season is a full-length TopTracer driving range which combines the best of a simulator and a full-length outdoor range. Winslow’s restaurant & bar has service right to the range which allows golfers and non-golfers alike to enjoy an outing. (NOTE: Green Harbor is a walking course, push carts are available for rent but they do not have golf carts.)
In Hingham, South Shore Country Club provides a fantastic outing. While the practice range is irons only, the 18-hole course has beautiful South Shore views and plenty of challenge. On rainy or wet days, they may only allow walking, but most days carts are available for rent. Whether you walk or ride, SSCC will not disappoint.
Weathervane Golf Course in Weymouth claims to be the “South Shore’s best kept secret” with its impressive clubhouse and beautifully landscaped 9-hole course. There is also a driving range and their Tavern overlooking the 9th hole serves up unique cocktails and inspired creations from the chef.
Stay With Us
If you are a golfer, Widow’s Walk should be on your bucket list! And after a day on the links, let Scituate Oceanside Rentals provide a relaxing home away from home where you can rest up for tomorrow’s adventures. They offer 5 unique luxury rental properties, each large enough to accommodate a group of friends or multiple families. With every amenity you could possibly want, you’ll easily find the property that suits you to a tee.
