You’ve probably seen the signs while driving through the Blackstone Valley. If you're a golfer in New England, someone has definitely mentioned Blissful Meadows Golf Club Uxbridge MA to you during a post-round beer. It’s got a reputation. But here’s the thing—reputations in the golf world are often just echoes of what a course used to be twenty years ago.
I went out there to see if the reality still matches the name.
Blissful Meadows isn't just a clever bit of branding. It’s an 18-hole championship course designed by Brian Silva, a man who knows exactly how to make a golfer feel both incredibly talented and deeply humbled within the span of a single hole. Opened in 1991, the course sits on a historic farm that dates back to 1741. You can actually feel that history. It’s not a "country club" in the stuffy, pleated-khaki-and-membership-fees sense. It’s a public course that treats the land like a private estate.
The Brian Silva Factor and the Layout
Brian Silva is a big deal in golf architecture. He’s the mind behind some of the best tracks in the Northeast, and his philosophy at Blissful Meadows was clearly about preservation. He didn't just bulldoze the woods. He carved through them.
The front nine and back nine feel like two different worlds. Honestly, the front nine is wide open. It’s meadow-style, giving you room to breathe and maybe—just maybe—hit a driver without ending up in a neighbor's kitchen. Then you hit the back nine. Everything changes. The trees move in closer. The elevation starts to play tricks on your club selection.
It's technical.
Take the signature 13th hole. It’s a par 4 that requires you to hit over a massive rock quarry. It’s intimidating. If you’re a high-handicapper, your brain is going to tell you to lay up. If you’ve got a bit of ego, you’re going for it. This is exactly what makes the course rank so highly in regional "must-play" lists. It forces a decision.
Real Talk About the Conditions
Let's be real for a second: New England weather is a nightmare for greenskeepers. Between the humid summers and the brutal winters, keeping a public course in "blissful" condition is an uphill battle.
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Blissful Meadows generally wins that battle.
The greens are surprisingly fast. Like, "don't-breathe-too-hard-on-your-putter" fast. They use a mix of bent grass that stays resilient even when the July heat is melting the asphalt in Uxbridge. One thing golfers often complain about at public courses is the "clover patches" or inconsistent bunkers. You don't see much of that here. The sand is actually sand, not packed dirt, which is a luxury for a daily-fee course in central Mass.
What Nobody Tells You About the Clubhouse
The clubhouse is an 1860s Victorian barn. It’s massive. Most people just walk through it to get their cart, but you’re missing out if you don't look up. The original beams are still there. It’s one of the few places where the "historic" label isn't just a marketing gimmick.
The tavern, known as the Chestnut Room, serves food that is... well, it’s better than your average hot dog at the turn. They do a lot of weddings there for a reason. The atmosphere is rustic without being "shabby chic." It’s just old. And solid.
Navigating the Difficulty Curve
Is Blissful Meadows too hard for beginners?
Maybe.
If you can’t hit it straight, the back nine is going to eat your golf balls. It just is. There are a lot of forced carries and tight windows. However, they have multiple tee boxes that actually make sense. The silver tees play at about 6,700 yards, which is plenty of course for the low-handicappers. But the forward tees move it up to about 4,800 yards, which takes some of the sting out of those long carries over the wetlands.
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The slope rating here is roughly 133 from the back tees. For context, that puts it right in the sweet spot of "challenging but not impossible." It’s not Pine Valley, but it’s definitely not a flat muni.
Pricing and Value in the 2020s
Golf has gotten expensive. Since the 2020 boom, green fees in Massachusetts have skyrocketed. Blissful Meadows has stayed relatively grounded.
Expect to pay somewhere in the $70 to $100 range depending on the day and the time. Is it the cheapest round in the Blackstone Valley? No. But the value is in the maintenance. You’re paying for the fact that you won’t be putting through a minefield of crabgrass.
They also have a pretty solid practice facility. The driving range isn't just an afterthought; it’s a full-length range with a chipping green and a bunker. If you’re serious about your game, it’s a good spot to grind.
The "Secret" Holes
Everyone talks about the quarry hole, but the real test is the 18th. It’s a par 5 that finishes right in front of the clubhouse. There’s a lot of pressure because people are usually sitting on the deck watching you.
The green is tiered. If you end up on the wrong level, a three-putt is almost a guarantee. It’s a dramatic way to end a round. It’s also where many bets are won or lost.
I’ve seen people lose their minds on the 10th hole too. It’s a par 4 that looks simple on the scorecard but has a sneaky slope that kicks everything toward the woods on the left. Trust the yardage markers, not your eyes.
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Logistics: Getting There and Staying Sane
Uxbridge is a bit of a haul if you’re coming from Boston, but it’s an easy shot from Worcester or Providence. It’s located at 801 Chocolog Road.
Pro tip: Don't trust every GPS route that takes you through the back woods of Douglas or Northbridge unless you like narrow, winding roads. Stay on the main arteries as long as possible.
Booking a tee time can be competitive. Since they host a lot of tournaments and weddings, the weekend mornings fill up fast. Use their online portal; calling the pro shop is fine, but the web interface shows you the actual "twilight" windows where you can save some cash.
Practical Insights for Your First Round
To actually enjoy Blissful Meadows Golf Club Uxbridge MA instead of just suffering through it, keep these things in mind:
- Bring extra balls. Seriously. The woods are thick, and the marshes don't give back what they take.
- Master the "bump and run." The greens are firm. If you try to fly everything to the pin, you’re going to bounce off the back.
- Check the wind. Being in the meadows means you’re exposed to the breeze on the front nine. It can easily be a two-club difference.
- Eat at the tavern. The "Blissful Burger" is actually worth the calories.
- Pay attention to the history. Take thirty seconds to read the plaques. It makes the walk (or ride) more interesting.
Blissful Meadows is a rare bird. It manages to feel like a high-end destination without the pretension that usually comes with a Brian Silva design. It’s rugged, it’s historic, and it’s arguably the best public golf experience in that corner of the state.
Next Steps for Your Visit
Start by checking their event calendar on the official website. Because they are a premier wedding venue, Saturday afternoons are often blocked off for outings or private events. Once you find a clear window, book a tee time at least 7 days in advance for a weekend slot. If you want the best experience, aim for an 8:00 AM start on a Tuesday or Wednesday; the dew will be off the grass, the pace of play will be under four hours, and you'll have the tavern mostly to yourself for a post-round lunch.