Berkshire Hills Course Tour
All Tillinghast designs are unique. At Berkshire Hills his imprint includes five par 5's (6 for women), five par 3's, and eight par 4's. In recent years, we have undertaken a beautification program consistent with Tillinghast design themes and the results have been outstanding. Berkshire Hills offers six different tee sets to challenge golfers of all skill levels!
Below is a hole by hole descriptive and some images of classic 18-hole layout!
Berkshire Hills Course Tour
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The dog leg right opening hole at BHCC provides great views of the mountains to the north. Most golfers should look to leave their drive on the top of the hill giving themselves a view of the green for their approach. Longer hitters may take their drives over the right side fairway bunker leaving themselves with a wedge or short iron into the green that is guarded on either side by two bunkers. One should try to leave their approach shot below the hole as this green slopes from back to front.

Straightaway par five with out of bounds running along the left side of the hole and continuing behind the green. Longer hitters will be able to reach the bottom of the hill with their drives leaving themselves with a chance to hit this challenging green in two. There’s a reason why this is the #1 handicap hole. The green is very undulated with two bunkers guarding the left and right sides. As with most approaches at BHCC, a low running shot may be utilized.

An uphill par 3 with out of bounds running along the entire right side of the hole. This green sloped from back to front with two bunkers guarding the left and right sides. A low running approach may be utilized on this hole, be careful not to get above the hole on this green as the it slopes from back to front.

Dogleg left par five. This is a true three shot hole. Long hitters may cut the corner on the left, but must be aware that there is risk involved with the long grass awaiting on the other side of the pine trees. Make sure to take note on pin placement as a well-placed approach shot can leave with you an opportunity for birdie or par.

This downhill par 3 typically plays a club shorter than the yardage, everything moves left on the surface making the tee shot very precise

The cape hole. This dogleg right makes you think about your tee shot over the pond. A conservative shot to the left is the safest play but will result in a longer approach to this large undulated green. Depending on the tee location long hitters may decide to shorten the hole by taking their tee shot over the middle of the pond or the willow tree.

An uphill par 3 with one greenside bunker situated on the right. One must take into consideration the added length to the hole caused by the elevation of the green. This green is sloped severely from back to front. An approach that stays short of the pin is your best opportunity to make a birdie.

The chute. This straight away par 4 is the second hardest handicap hole on the front nine. A creek runs across the fairway about 100 yards from the green. This will come into play for player’s second shots and for long hitters’ tee shots. This green has several subtle breaks and is one of the smaller complexes on the front nine.

This difficult front nine finishing hole requires a solid drive in order to leave an iron or hybrid in your hand to this elevated green. One can add 10-20 yds onto their approach shot due to elevation and the prevailing wind. Favor the right side of the fairway for a flatter lie on your approach.

Tillinghast’s signature double dogleg design. A birdie is very possible on this hole with three well-played shots. A tee shot coming to rest on the left side of the fairway will provide the best angle to make birdie. There are two well-placed fairway bunkers at the bottom of the hill so be sure that your shot finds the fairway. This green provides many subtle breaks so be sure to be confident with your putt!

This short par four provides a generous landing area off of the tee. As with most greens at BHCC the right and left sides are guarded with bunkers, allowing for a low running approach if desired. This big green is very undulated leaving for many challenging pin positions.

This short dogleg right requires some thought off of the tee. A longer drive could run through the left side of the fairway ending up in the forest eliminating any chance to hit the green. A tee shot of 200-220 yards will give players the opportunity to hit their approach onto this small green. Favor the left side of the fairway with your tee shot for the best angle of approach. This green is fairly flat and most golfers tend to read too much break into their putts.

The birches. This mid-length par three requires a solid shot to the middle of the green. Bunkers guard the left and right side of the green. Shorter is better here. This green slopes from right to left leaving a missed approach shot to the right with a very tricky up and down.

Another short par four that requires some thought off of the tee. A pulled drive will result with a tee shot ending up in the woods limiting the chance of making par. A 200-220 tee shot that favors the left side of the fairway will leave the best approach into this large undulated green. Three bunkers surround this green. Be sure to leave yourself with an uphill putt as a downhill putt to any pin location can get away from you.

Uphill dogleg par five. Three solid shots will leave golfers with the best opportunity to make par or birdie. A creek runs across the fairway 200 yards from the green. This creek will come into play on most second shots and off of the tee for long hitters. This green is very undulated sloping mostly from back to front.

A slight dogleg left. A solid drive ending in the fairway will give most golfers a chance at hitting this green in two. A low running approach is often preferred here. Bunkers guard the left and right side of this green. This green complex is one of the least undulated on the golf course.

The shortest and easiest handicap hole at Berkshire Hills. This classic Tillinghast designed hole will often play about 10 yards longer due to the elevation. Be sure to pay attention to the wind as this usually plays a factor. A solid approach landing on the green will leave a nice opportunity to make birdie. This green is relatively flat with subtle breaks. Two bunkers guard both sides of this elevated green.

The fifth and final par five of Tillinghast's BHCC layout. This hole requires a solid drive that ends in the fairway which is guarded by two bunkers on each side. Longer hitters often have the opportunity to end their round with a birdie on this hole. A low running shot to this large green will result with a birdie or eagle opportunity. Two large bunkers guard each side of the green.