Originally part of Olmsted’s Country Park, the Franklin Park Golf Course is now an 18-hole public golf facility used by both local residents and suburban golfers. The second oldest public course in the United States, Franklin Park is also where the first golf ball was hit when Bostonian George Wright was sent a club and ball from a friend in Scotland in the early days of the 20th century.
The Golf Clubhouse has the park’s only public bathrooms for park users. The grill and sandwich cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic beverages. A pro shop serves the diverse golfing community. The large function room holds 150 people and can be rented for an event. To reserve the room contact the Boston Parks and Recreation Department Business Operations Manager at 617-265-4084, x2.
Boston residents are charged less than non-residents to use the course; season tickets entitle golfers to prepaid greens fees and advance choice about tee-times. Click for more information or call PGA Professional the PGA golf pro at 617-265-4084.
The City of Boston uses the course to engage local children in the sport through the caddie scholar program, summer golf lessons, and a junior league tournament. Call the golf pro shop (see above) to learn more.
Sledding, hiking and cross-country skiing is allowed on the golf course in the winter when the landscape returns to Frederick Law Olmsted’s rolling meadow. We host the annual Winter Snow Festival at the Golf Course as long as there is enough snow. The hills are great for sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Check the event page for more details.