Course 131: Kernwood CC

Course 131: Kernwood CC

Salem, Mass.

Played: August 21, 2024

Yardage: 6,456/5,069

Tier: Farm to Table

Rating: 3

Pleasant surprises are hard to come by these days. Most hidden gems have been discovered and shared with the masses.

I didn’t know much about Kernwood CC other than the small glimpses I had seen of it from the Kernwood Bridge over the years. In short, it’s very good.

The opening stretch of holes delivers great views as players climb up and down from tee to green.

After 7 holes, the course moves away from the water for the rest of the round aside from a cool backdrop on the 15th green.

KCC has a quirk I haven’t seen before - two uphill par threes. The 4th and 17th both climb up steep hills, making the putting surface invisible from the tee. The payoff is that the views from both green are great.

The course does not have returning nines. The tenth is across the street away from the clubhouse. This can make for more interesting holes in the middle of the round when the routing doesn’t bring players back to a central location.

I’d imagine the 10th is a polarizing hole as the second shot is completely blind and the only hint for where the hole is comes in the form of a wooden board with a peg on the tee box.

The greens are another set of Ross gems with false fronts, turtle backs, and interior slopes that keeps everyone on their toes. I’d imagine the 12th green might have plenty of haters in the middle of the summer. Two of the players in our group watched their balls roll slowly off the front when it appeared they were safe and sound just a few feet from the hole.

With those gripes aside, KCC is a course I could play every day or at least on a regular basis. You can be a little wild off the tee and remain in play (with some tree trouble). There is a nice variation of holes and shots throughout the round, the green surrounds would make anyone’s short game better, and it’s scorable without feeling easy. A very pleasant surprise on the north shore.