Plymouth is one of the nation’s highest-producing cranberry towns, and they do it well. Plymouth is also home to the most public golf courses in the northeast, counting in at 10 public (13 total). Those, too, are top-notch.
There’s a place where both of those come together as one; where green fairways mosey up against beautiful cranberry bogs; where farmers do their thing for the good of that crop right next to golfers focusing on working toward their best round.
It’s called Southers Marsh Golf Club (https://southersmarsh.com/), a west Plymouth spot that may just be the best marriage of two distinctly unique products since the chocolate fell into the peanut butter.
First things first: Souther’s isn’t a championship course. But let’s take a closer look at their executive course moniker. Because while yes, technically it is an executive with 11 par 3s and 7 par 4s, its 4,111 yards plays big. But it also plays fast.
That means you can find plenty of challenges, victories and bragging rights, but also get in and out in a decent amount of time.
Southers Marsh began when the golf fell into the cranberries; or better explained: when cranberry farmer Will Stearns Sr. decided to carve out five holes to play around his family-run bogs. They often invited friends to play the unique experience of the holes.
When the cranberry market faltered in the late 1990s, Stearns – joined by his son Will who, since his father’s passing heads up the club – decided to go big on golf.
The result is splendid: A round at Southers is a unique, beautiful and fun experience; one you can truly only have there.
So what of the “executive” rating? Put that aside. The hole set-up at Southers demands your focus and strategy. You’ll count on your driver a few times, but for the most part, your irons are your best friends here.
You’ll also need your calm mind, since you’ll find more than a few carry holes, and plenty of marsh and wetlands to avoid. Is it target golf? Yes, but with an asterisk because the overall feel comes down to one two words: Challenging enough.
The scenery is what nails the rave reviews (Southers has been named the best executive course in the state many times). While late summer and early fall are the high scenery season, Southers has its own unique look every season.
Spring and summer, the bogs show a maroonish hue which, tucked up against the vibrant green of the very well-maintained fairways and accented by tall trees and other flora, gives off a course color combo you’ve most likely never seen. Make sure your phone is fully charged; even the most unimpressible of players will find themselves stopping to take pictures. In the late summer and early fall harvest season, the bright red berries are floated in water that reflects the azure blue Autumn sky and the changing colors of the trees. Just for fun, the club shapes the floating berries into a heart on the bog closest to the clubhouse.
That clubhouse is a great 19th hole. Bright and airy and staffed by super friendly folks who clearly love where they are, it has both indoor and outdoor seating, great cocktails and good club food. It’s a popular spot for functions. If you play on a weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll spot a wedding party.
Their leagues are popular and accessible; a list of them can be found on their website.
Speaking of accessible, check out their greens fees. Weekdays, you pay just $44 to walk (and it’s a very walkable course) or $60 to ride. Tee off after 3 and that goes down to $36/$52. Weekends are only a bit higher, at $53/$69. Tee off after 5 and get the “super twilight rate”of $22/$34 weekdays or $25/$37 weekend. While that later tee time may keep some from playing all 18, the average full round there is about two and a half hours, so a full round is not out of the question.
What if it rains? Southers introduced The Barn at Southers Marsh a few years back. This Toptracker Range is open year-round and is popular with everyone from low handicappers to never-evers. They serve food and drink, and the setting is comfortable and fun.
Long ago, you had to be an FOS (Friend of Stearns) to experience the thrill of cranberry bog-adjacent golf. Today we are all FOS’s. Southers Marsh Golf Club, where two of Plymouth’s most beloved products merge as one, is here for us all.
