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Redesigned in 1920 by the renowned architect, Donald Ross, this course is short but challenging, featuring quick greens and relatively narrow fairways. Course management is essential as many a big hitter has discovered, with water and sand bunkers appearing frequently.

 

Hole 1 - 277 yards- par 4. 
Although this is a very short par 4, the small green slopes sharply from the back to the front and is well bunkered with trees lining the fairway in the rough.  A short iron off the tee is the "smart" play and will provide the best opportunity for a birdie.  Handicap #15.

Hole 2 - 533 yards - par 5.  Easily the toughest hole at Newton Commonwealth, this hole takes 3 great shots to reach the green.  A small creek that runs across the fairway generally does not come into play, but a pond off to the right can catch an errant tee shot.  A small elevated green that slopes sharply from back to front makes par on this hole a great score.  Handicap #1.

Hole 3 - 193 yards - par 3.  This difficult hole plays to a narrow two-tier green that is shallow and treacherous.  When the hole is cut on the right hand side, both out-of-bounds and a deep bunker fronting the green come into play.  Although the stream that runs across the fairway generally does not hinder shots, the strong winds on this hole make proper club selection a must.  Handicap #5.

Hole 4 - 129 yards - par 3.  One of the most flat greens on the course, this short hole requires only a wedge off of the tee.  A large bunker and mound guards the front edge of the green, but most of the trouble on this hole is from a steep embankment on the left that can cause a pulled tee shot to roll down a slope of 30 yards, leaving a difficult pitch back up to the green.  Handicap #17.

Hole 5 - 455 yards - par 5.  At 455 yards, this is a par five where a big hitter can get home in two shots.  However, a right-to-left sloping fairway will penalize anything but a well-struck cut or straight ball.  If you hit a draw, keep it under control or you will be in jail to the left.  Long hitters will have a good chance at reaching the green in two.  However, in typical Donald Ross style, the green is protected by OB right, and trouble awaits both left and over the back.  The green is a three-tiered beauty with some very dramatic pin placement options.  Handicap #3.

Hole 6 - 276 yards - par 4.  Although this hole can be reached by the longest of hitters, the narrow fairway slopes severely from left to right, and the par 4 comes into play once you begin putting on this green.  This is the most difficult green on the course.  There is no such thing as a "straight putt" on this multi-sloped and undulating green.  Handicap #9.

Hole 7 - 177 yards - par 3.  This steep downhill hole provides a difficult tee shot, especially on a windy day.  The small green slopes from back to front and is heavily bunkered on the front edge.  The safe shot onto this green is to aim for the left side where a bail-out area is provided.  Miss this green to the right and you are left with a difficult pitch shot back up onto a sloping green.  Handicap #11.

Hole 8 - 488 yards - par 5.  Reachable in two, this hole provides a great opportunity for a birdie.  There are few flat or level spots on the fairway and it slopes sharply from right to left for almost the entire length of the hole.  There is trouble on this hole if you miss the green to the left where an embankment and a bunker provide a difficult pitch shot to the green.  Handicap #7.

Hole 9 - 212 yards - par 3.  A steep downhill tee shot to a small green is made even more difficult when the wind is swirling.  If you misjudge your tee shot and hit it long, you are through the trees behind the green and on the first tee with a difficult chip back to the green.  A bunker on the right side of the green is always in play and par is really a good score.  Handicap #13.

Hole 10 - 266 yards - par 4.  A short par 4 plays directly uphill to an enormous two-tiered green sloping from right to left.  The green is protected on the front and the right by large bunkers.  A solid wall of trees on the right of the fairway catches any errant shots in that area.  If you're too far left on your approach shot to the green, you are blocked by a huge oak tree.  Accuracy off the tee is key.  Handicap #14.

Hole 11 - 307 yards - par 4.  With out-of-bounds on the left and a sharp dogleg uphill to the right, hole #16 requires a controlled shot off of the tee.  The second shot on this hole plays straight up a hill to a narrow green that slopes from right to left.  You don't want to miss this green to the left as you will be left with a difficult recovery shot up a hill to a blind green.  Handicap #4.

Hole 12 - 168 yards, par 3.  Although this hole looks easy, looks are deceiving.  Off the tee, out-of-bounds squeezes the left side of the hole and a tee shot pushed to the right goes down a severe slope onto the 15th fairway behind some evergreens.  There are bunkers protecting the left of the green and out-of-bounds if you go too far beyond the green.  Handicap #12.

Hole 13 - 268 yards - par 4.  This easy hole goes straight downhill and allows a golfer the chance to shine.  With water hazards just in front and to the right of the oversized green, this hole is completed in full view of the players waiting to start their rounds.  Handicap #16.
                (Yes, that's a Blue Heron on the Green!)

Hole 14 - 247 yards - par 4.  With a short dogleg left, par four would not usually rate as a key hole, but out-of-bounds on your right, left, and beyond the dogleg in the fairway are only part of the trouble lurking here.  A pond runs in front of the tee and along the left side of the hole to the green, and once again, the green has three tiers.  Birdie is very possible here with a well placed tee shot and an accurate approach shot.  A very tempting option is to try to drive the green, but the shot must be absolutely perfect.  Water and trees guard the green on the left.  Handicap #10.

Hole 15 - 451 yards - par 5.  Reachable in two by the longer hitters, this hole provides a perfect opportunity for a birdie.  A sharp upward slope in the fairway about 200 yards from the green can cause some awkward lies, and out-of-bounds runs along the entire right side of the hole.  A bowl shaped bunker to the right of, and just short of, the green can gather in inaccurate shots and cause a difficult shot to the green.  Handicap #8.

Hole 16 - 142 yards - par 3.  This short hole plays to a well bunkered, two-tiered green that is narrow and fast.  Leave your ball on the wrong tier of the green and a 3-putt is likely.  Push your tee shot a bit too far to the right and you are out-of-bounds.  Handicap #18.

Hole 17 - 378 yards - par 4.  Arguably the toughest hole on the course, hole #17 requires an accurate drive and a precise approach shot to a tiny green.  Miss the green short or right and you are going to be in a water hazard.  Miss it long and you're in the swamp!  Miss it left and you are either in a bunker or left with a very difficult chip shot back to the green.  Par is a fantastic score here.  Handicap #2.

Hole 18 - 378 yards - par 4.  This is a long dogleg right with a tee shot that has to carry over water.  From the back tee, this is the toughest driving hole on the course.  Tall trees protect the out-of-bounds line on the right, and two ponds lay directly in front of the tee.  A stream connects the second pond with yet another pond about 220 yards from the tee.  A straight, long tee ball is imperative.  There is a lay-up area short of the water for those who want to play it safe off the tee.  The green is well bunkered and there is out-of-bounds behind the green.  Handicap #6.