You’re standing on the first tee at Franklin Park. That’s what people actually call it, by the way. While the official name is the William J Devine Golf Course, if you tell a Bostonian you're headed to "The Devine," they might need a second to process it. This place is a trip. It’s the second-oldest public golf course in the entire United States, trailing only Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Think about that for a second. Since 1896, people have been hacking away at little white balls right here in the heart of Dorchester and Jamaica Plain.
It’s gritty. It’s beautiful. It’s sometimes a little chaotic.
The course sits inside the historic Franklin Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Yeah, the same guy who did Central Park in New York. You can feel that pedigree when you look at the rolling hills and those massive puddingstone outcroppings that seem to jump out of nowhere to ruin your scorecard. It’s an urban oasis, but don't let the "park" part fool you into thinking it's a walk in... well, a park.
The Donald Ross Connection and Why It Matters
Most people think of Donald Ross and imagine exclusive, $500-a-round private clubs with manicured bunkers and silent galleries. But in 1922, Ross came to Franklin Park to redesign the original layout. This is a huge deal for golf nerds. Having a Ross design accessible to the general public for a relatively cheap greens fee is a rarity.
The "Ross fingerprints" are all over the place here. You see it in the way the greens are often elevated or crowned, punishing a shot that’s just a little bit offline. Honestly, if you miss a green at the William J Devine Golf Course, you aren't just in the grass; you're likely staring at a delicate flop shot from a downhill lie that would make a pro sweat.
The layout isn't long by modern standards—it tops out around 6,000 yards—but it plays much tougher than the yardage on the card suggests. Why? Because the wind off the Atlantic doesn't care about your ego. Also, the elevation changes are constant. You’re rarely hitting from a flat lie. You’ve got to play "old school" golf here. That means bumping and running the ball, playing for the front of the green, and accepting that sometimes a "good" shot will catch a weird bounce on a rocky ridge.
The Reality of Playing Public Golf in Boston
Let's get real for a minute. This is a muni. If you’re looking for a pristine, country-club experience where someone cleans your clubs and hands you a scented towel, you’re in the wrong place. The William J Devine Golf Course is a working-class track.
On a Saturday morning in July, it’s loud. You’ll hear sirens from Blue Hill Ave. You’ll hear kids playing in the park. You might even see a few non-golfers wandering across a fairway because they don't realize they're in the line of fire. It’s part of the charm, or part of the frustration, depending on your vibe.
The pace of play can be... legendary. And not in a good way. Because it's so accessible and affordable, you get a mix of everyone from scratch golfers to people who just bought their first set of clubs yesterday. It’s not uncommon for a round to push five hours on a busy weekend. Local tip: if you want to actually "play" golf rather than "stand" golf, get the first tee time of the day or try to sneak out on a Tuesday afternoon.
The conditions fluctuate. The maintenance crew does a heroic job given the amount of foot traffic this place sees, but the greens can get beat up by late afternoon. There are also spots where the grass struggles because of the massive trees and the aforementioned puddingstone. But honestly, that’s golf. It’s meant to be played on the ground you’re given.
A Tour of the Hazards (Physical and Mental)
The front nine and back nine feel like two different animals. The front is a bit more open, letting you breathe a little. Then you hit the back nine, and things get tight.
- The Rocks: They aren't just for decoration. If your ball hits one of the exposed stone faces, it could end up 100 yards behind you or in a different zip code.
- The Hills: Hole 12 is a beast. It’s a par 4 that feels like you’re climbing a mountain. If you don't get your drive far enough out there, you're looking at a blind second shot to a green that slopes away from you. It’s a card-wrecker.
- The Greens: They are small. Very small. Compared to modern courses where greens are like landing strips, these are like postage stamps. Accuracy beats power every single time at William J Devine.
One of the coolest things about the course is its history with African American golf. This was a home for the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club members when they couldn't play elsewhere. It has a deep, multi-cultural history that reflects the neighborhoods surrounding it. You feel that history when you walk through the clubhouse, which—while modest—is filled with photos and mementos of a century of Boston sports.
How to Actually Score Well Here
If you're showing up with the "grip it and rip it" mentality, Franklin Park will eat you alive. You have to be strategic.
- Leave the driver in the bag on the short par 4s. The fairways are tighter than they look from the tee. A 200-yard shot into the middle of the fairway is worth way more than a 280-yard shot into the thick rough or behind a tree.
- Watch the grain. Even though these aren't the fastest greens in the world, they have subtle breaks influenced by the general slope of the land toward the lower parts of the park.
- Check the wind. Because the course is elevated in parts of Dorchester, the wind can be a club-and-a-half difference. Don't just trust the yardage on your GPS.
- Embrace the "Rub of the Green." You will get a bad kick. You will find a divot in the fairway. You will have a squirrel look at your ball like it’s a nut. Just laugh it off.
The course has seen some significant investments recently. The City of Boston and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department have been working on irrigation and bunker restoration. It’s getting better every year. The clubhouse offers basic amenities, a decent snack bar, and a place to grab a beer afterward. It’s not fancy, but the patio is a great spot to watch people struggle with the 18th hole.
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Getting There and Logistics
Parking can be a bit of a scramble if there’s a big event happening in the park (like a cross-country meet or a festival), so give yourself an extra 15 minutes. The entrance is off Circuit Drive.
If you're a Boston resident, get your resident card. The price difference is significant. Non-residents pay more, but even then, it’s one of the best values in the Greater Boston area. You’re playing a Donald Ross course for less than the price of a steak dinner.
The William J Devine Golf Course isn't perfect, and that’s exactly why people love it. It’s authentic. It’s a slice of 19th-century landscape architecture that somehow survived the urban sprawl. Whether you're a high handicapper just trying to keep it on the planet or a history buff who wants to walk the same paths as the legends of the game, it's a must-play.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Book early: Tee times open up online and they go fast. If you're looking for a weekend slot, be ready the moment they become available.
- Walk, don't ride: If you're physically able, walk the course. It was designed for walking, and you’ll appreciate Olmsted’s landscaping much more. Plus, the hills provide a legit workout.
- Bring extra balls: The rough can be thick, and those puddingstone rocks act like ball magnets.
- Check the event calendar: Franklin Park is a busy place. Check if there are major festivals or races happening the day you want to play, as traffic around the park can become a nightmare.
- Visit the Zoo afterward: You’re right next to the Franklin Park Zoo. If you're playing with family or friends who don't golf, they can spend the morning there and meet you at the clubhouse after your round.
Playing here is about more than just the score. It’s about being part of a 130-year-old tradition in the heart of the city. You might lose a few balls, and you might get frustrated by the pace, but when you're standing on the high point of the course looking out over the park, it's hard to complain. Just aim for the center of the green and hope for a flat lie.