There are a few courses I love in NE.

TPC of Boston

Newport CC

Kittansett CC

Sheltor Harbor

The Stow Acres CC in Stow, MA was interesting because they literally carved a golf course out of a forest.   You were either in the fairway or  the woods.  A couple of the doglegs were so sharp that one had to hit a 2 iron off the tee; otherwise straight in the trees.

Just played the Ranch in Southwick MA.  It's a very fun and interesting track.  There were many risk reward holes, and I found the course very fair.

1. The Golf Club of New England (best course i've ever played) if you can get on definitedly go.

2. Red Tail Golf Club

3. Pinehills Golf Club (Nicklaus is my favorite)

4. Granite Links Golf Club

5. Newport National Golf Club

I live in CT and the my favorite courses in the area are the two at the Lyman Orchards facility in Middlefield. They have a Robert Trent Jones design and a Gary Player design, I prefer the Jones but both are nice layous.

There is also Wintonbutry Hills in Bloomfield and Pine Valley in Southington but challenging tracks.

Thanks guys.  I'll have to check out Lyman Orchards and CT National.  Keep the suggestions coming!

Try Lake Winnepeakaukee in wolfeboro NH it's great

For public courses, I think you cannot go wrong with Newport National, Montaup, Triggs, or Fenner Hill in Rhode Island.

I haven't been to too many places, but my home course is Blackstone National. The rough is pretty rough, so you have to hit fairways here. Great staff. I also play Blissful Meadows a lot. They also have great staff, a practice bunker, and you can't get into too much trouble on the front nine. Both are fun courses.

Alot of great courses. Some of my favorites are,

Charles River CC

Shining Rock

The International

My favorite course to play in NE is Wannamoisett CC. a true Donald Ross that holds host to the Northeast Am. and many prestigious tournys.  3757.Wannamoisett.htm

Butter Brook, Red Tail, Pine Hills (first choice is the Nicklaus), The Ranch, Waverly Oaks....Newport National in RI..

I'm in Connecticut too and I really enjoy playing at Fox Hopyard, Lake of Isles, Rockledge and over in Rhode Island, Meadowbrook and Newport National.  But then again, I enjoy the opportunity to play anywhere