Warning: I'm not going to dive deep into analytical details of the golf courses or give yardages of the course. These reviews are coming from a frequent golfer who plays a lot in the Worcester area on many different types of courses. Also, I will be brutally honest. Yeah I'm talking to you Clearview. Let's get started.

Leicester Country Club - Leicester, MA

I used to work at this golf course along with my grandfather for about a year, and I obviously played it many times. I've played it in every kind of weather in every season of the year and overall the course is a great track. It's only par 70 but you never notice the difference when playing it. The front nine is fairly open except for the 8th hole, which is very tricky I might add. However, the back nine is dense with trees lining nearly every hole. The condition of the course has just gotten better over the year, despite a fungus outbreak on the greens over a year ago. That has since been corrected and the course is in great shape. The prices are fairly reasonable ranging from a $13 all you can play twilight round to a $50 weekend morning 18-hole round with a cart. It's definitely not the best course around but you can't beat the quality you get for the price you pay at Leicester.

Pine Ridge - North Oxford, MA (might be in Rochdale, not entirely sure)

Also not a bad course for what you pay. I've only ever walked the course during the week which was roughly $25 for 18 holes so I'm assuming it is in the same price range at Leicester. Sadly, this course has more downsides . The greens are an issue here, most of them are way too small and all of them are crowned, which means around the edges of the green there is a slight downhill slope rolling away from the green. It's manageable but it does take away some great shots that should work out on any other course. The rest of the course is generally in very good condition though and the layout is fun but still challenging. Doglegs, reachable par 4's and 5's, uphill, downhill, you name it. This course has it. Just don't expect for it to be very forgiving.

Heritage Country Club - Charlton, MA

This 18-hole championship course off in the woods is a real gem. When the greens are consistent and it's seen good weather as of late, this course is actually amazing. Some holes are open while some are not. It is challenging at times but also can be forgiving to the below average golfer. It's a little more expensive ranging from $25 to $60 but it's worth it. Just go during the week and walk for $35. They also have special deals for seniors and weekends that include lunch so that is always an option too. Now here's the negative side. For whatever reason this course loves to hold tournaments the same day I always happen to want to golf here. I swear that's happened to me like 7 times. Either way, the workers there seem to never do their job correctly and I always have somebody tee off before me when they weren't supposed to or they say I can tee off on the third hole instead and then I still get stuck behind other people. That's not the worst part. They let out five-some's. Seriously?! Not good guys. If you can find a day to go play when its not crowded, go do it. Otherwise, go somewhere else.

Green Hill - Worcester, MA

Ahhhh the pride and joy of Worcester golf courses. I don't know what the big deal is about this course. The telegram seems to write more articles about this course than any other one in the area. And in my honest opinion it's overpriced, in bad condition mostly, and it's just annoying to play. It costs $37 to walk 18 during the week and $59 to ride on the weekends. I wouldn't pay more than $25 for that crap. Being a little nicer, once it gets more into the summer and they can really keep up with the course, the condition will get a bit better, but I still believe it is overpriced and not an enjoyable course. Check it out if you're just golfing for fun with your buddies and don't care about spending a little extra money.

Clearview Country Club - Millbury, MA

Rocks. Rocks everywhere. Not cool rock formations lining the fairway. Literally there are pebbles in the fairway. I don't know about you guys but I don't enjoy hitting a rock when I swing and messing up my club. It's only 9-holes too, which is probably good because another nine holes of that is a waste of space. Now if you can look past the fact that there's barely any grass there, you still have the fact that the course layout is so stupid. Normally for 9 holes a course would have 5 Par 4's, 2 Par 3's, and 2 Par 5's. That's just standard and it can be tweaked by one here or there. I know for a fact that Clearview has 4 Par 3's which is absolutely ridiculous. It has 3 Par 5's which is also a bit ridiculous. And it has only 2 Par 4's which is so stupid. I don't know what bright mind designed this course but they were probably on drugs. I would not recommend this course to anyone other than people learning to golf or people that don't really care that much and just like to play.

Pakachoag - Auburn, MA

This course is like Clearview's older and more handsome brother. It is also a nine hole course but this one actually has grass and it makes sense. With good weather this course actually is in good condition, but it can dry out easily. I would consider this a very friendly and forgiving golf course and it is fairly cheap only about $15-$25 for a round. Obviously it is not a good course for picky people like myself, but I will say I've played some great rounds there and I wouldn't mind going back.

Kettle Brook - Paxton, MA

Two words describe this course: Beautiful and tricky. Although it is deceiving and difficult, Kettle Brook is such a fun course to play on. The course is always in great shape. A round in the Worcester County Amateur is held there every summer too. The management there is very good as well and they are always keeping track of people teeing off and keeping the pace of play moving quickly. It's a bit more expensive, but if you find the right deal, like $30 walking after 2pm on a weekend, you can't go wrong. I would highly recommend checking this course out.

Wachusett Country Club - West Boylston, MA

The sister course of Kettle Brook, this one is no different. It isn't as scenic as Kettle Brook, but it's also less tricky and a little more forgiving. The other round of the Worcester County Amateur is held here. I have pretty much the same review for this one as Kettle Brook so again I would also recommend this course.

Cyprian Keyes - Boylston, MA

You know what? Although I lost a million golf balls playing here for the home course of my high school team, I actually kind of miss it. This course is very cool and oh so difficult. Beautifully set up and maintained, Cyprian Keyes offers a great golf experience to everyone. The clubhouse is great, they have a driving range, and even a fitting center. They also have a separate 9-hole par-3 course. It's a bit more expensive and probably the most expensive course I will have on the list since I'm trying to keep it to courses within my own budget, but Cyprian is worth every penny. You can walk it in the afternoon for under $40, and I'm not sure about their steeper prices like riding 18-holes on the weekend, but I would guess it would be around $65 or maybe a little higher. I recommend this course to everyone if you're willing to pay a decent amount.

Holden Hills Country Club - Jefferson, MA

Holden Hills is highly regarded in the Central Massachusetts golf course discussion, but I don't see what the big deal is. I played it a couple times and the conditions were good but not great. The prices were reasonable as well which is also good. However, I just did not get a good vibe from that course. Every time I went there, no matter how I was playing I just didn't seem to enjoy it that much. That's just a personal opinion, so the general consensus is that this course is pretty fun and good for any level golfer. Overall it's a pretty solid course though for what you pay. It wouldn't be my first choice, but if I was in the area and someone asked me to play there I would definitely go.

Hillcrest Country Club - Leicester, MA

This course is like a cross between Clearview and Pakachoag, and no that is not a compliment. It is a neat little course and my grandparents have a lot of history there, but it's kind of gone downhill. The condition isn't that good, like Clearview, but it's not that bad, like Pakachoag. I have not played there in a while so I;m not sure about the prices, but from what I remember it is not too bad.

Highfields Golf and Country Club - Grafton, MA

I wish I lived closer to this course because I would play it so often. It's in great shape and in a nice neighborhood area of Grafton. It is a very fair playing course that is kept up well and still in reasonable price ranges. I put it in the category of Wachusett and Kettle Brook, but just a step below Cyprian Keyes. Honestly, if you're ever looking for an overall good and fun round of golf, go to Highfields. You won't be disappointed.

I only gave reviews for courses I've been to that are decently close to Worcester, but here are some other courses worth checking out:

Indian Meadows - Westborough, MA (9-hole below average)

Bedrock Golf Club - Rutland, MA (9-hole average)

Juniper Hill Golf Courses - Northborough, MA (2 18-hole courses and they are very nice)

Blackstone National - Sutton, MA (18-hole championship course that is extremely nice but way too expensive)

Shining Rock - Northbridge, MA (18-holes good course)

The International - Bolton, MA (2 18 hole championship courses and they are crazy good but also very expensive)

Twin Springs - Bolton, MA (9-hole average)

Quail Hollow Country Club - Oakham, MA (18-hole good course)