NH Golf

[Niall Hay]

What are the best courses in New Hampshire? Been over 15 years since I last played there. In those days Wentworth by the Sea (is it really a Donald Ross? One of his oldest?), Portsmouth CC (RTJ) and Abenaqui come to mind. 

There are now a bunch of new ones like The Golf Club of New England, Baker Hill, Shattuck, Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Sunapee, etc. How are these and howndonthese compare to the aforementioned?

If visiting NH what are the top 3-5 should one prioritize?

[Niall Hay]

Etched out of the New England landscape, this genuine Scottish links style course presents challenges for all levels of play, while providing some of the most magnificent ocean views on the NH seacoast. Originally designed by the "father of New England golf", George Wright in 1897, the course was later improved by notable golf course architect Donald Ross in 1921, and expanded to 18 holes under Geoffrey Cornish's direction in 1964.

[Niall Hay]

Wentworth by the Sea Country Club. Founded in 1897, the current layout is a Yankee patchwork quilt of a course, its original nine by Donald Ross (1910) later expanded to 18 holes by Geoffrey Cornish. His protégé, Brian Silva, returned in the late 1990s to create a handful of new holes, phase out old ones and add a little length and coherence to a compact layout that plays nip and tuck with the sea.

[Joel Zuckerman]

I have played about 15 GC's in NH over the years, and in my experience (mostly close to the Lakes Region of central NH) not a ton to recommend.  Lake Winnipesaukee GC is good, Baker Hill is OK, though it's been quite awhile, and on the coastline, Portsmouth CC is worth a look also.

[Niall Hay]

Thanks Joel. It does seem somewhat limited....anything good in Maine? In Vermont at least there is Ekwanok C.C....any others?

[Tim Martin]

Thanks Joel. It does seem somewhat limited....anything good in Maine? In Vermont at least there is Ekwanok C.C....any others?

Niall-I would play Wentworth in New Hampshire and then head north about 15 miles into Maine and play York Golf and Tennis-Donald Ross. I don`t think access would be that tough at York.

[Niall Hay]

Thanks Tim.

[Joel Zuckerman]

Never put a peg in the ground in Maine, sorry to say..on the short list of states in which I haven't played.

As for VT---played about 20 GC's there.  The top dogs I've visited include Ekwanok (tough access!) Dorset Field Club, Rutland CC, Green Mountain National, Okemo, Stratton and CC of VT.

Many of the ski resorts have GC's attached to the property, but they are usually pretty shaggy and in rough shape due to the topography

[Billsteele]

Several years ago, I spent a wonderful morning with Mike Sweeney, Michael Moore and Mike's buddy Jack at Bald Peak Colony. A very sporty Ross course with a wonderful volcano-green par three. Neat place. Don't know how easy it is to access.

[Jud_T]

Niall,

Kingswood in Moultonboro is a Ross worth seeing if you're in the area.  Very old school with some surprising elevation changes used to good effect.

[Tim Martin]

Never put a peg in the ground in Maine, sorry to say..on the short list of states in which I haven't played.

As for VT---played about 20 GC's there.  The top dogs I've visited include Ekwanok (tough access!) Dorset Field Club, Rutland CC, Green Mountain National, Okemo, Stratton and CC of VT.

Many of the ski resorts have GC's attached to the property, but they are usually pretty shaggy and in rough shape due to the topography

I would also throw Haystack Golf Club in there. A Desmond Muirhead design on quite a piece of property with some great views.

[Ronald Montesano]

In Maine, this place: http://www.kebovalleyclub.com/

This is golf from a different era. Herbert Leeds layout...enchanting.

[Niall Hay]

Several years ago, I spent a wonderful morning with Mike Sweeney, Michael Moore and Mike's buddy Jack at Bald Peak Colony. A very sporty Ross course with a wonderful volcano-green par three. Neat place. Don't know how easy it is to access.

Where is Bald Peak?

[Niall Hay]

Niall,

Ridgewood in Moultonboro is a Ross worth seeing if you're in the area.  Very old school with some surprising elevation changes used to good effect.

Thanks Jud. Is that in NH?

[Dan_Callahan]

I've played lots of golf in NH and Maine. A few good ones:

NH
Baker Hill ... just played here last week and loved it. Part had to do with the atmosphere and being the only group on the course. But it really was very fun and in perfect shape.

Mt Washington ... played here last summer. The renovations of a few years ago are spectacular. Might be my favorite course in NH.

Hanover CC ... Dartmouth's course. Another personal favorite. Very quirky. Some really goodchanged made a few years ago that included a handful of new holes.

Maine
Belgrade Lakes ... hands down the most enjoyable course in Maine in my opinion. Not overly difficult. Always in great shape. Good variety. Never crowded. Great location.

Sunday River ... hated it.

Old Marsh ... didn't care for it when I first played. Have now been back about five times and like it more each time.

[Jud_T]

Niall,

My bad.  It's Kingswood in Wolfboro I was thinking of. 

[Will Lozier]

Maine

DITTO...Kebo Valley is a real treat.  Worked a summer after college in Bar Harbor and spent probably 20 of my perfect Maine Coast summer evenings playing there.  Very old school with some history (at some point said to be the 8th oldest course in the US).  I think the first four holes in the valley in front of the clubhouse are very underrated and another nice stretch from 8-10.  Doak gave it a 4 (although in one of his lists it is a 5 which is more accurate for me if not a 6 on his scale).  Great little greensites with some driveable par 4's and #17, a very unique hole (a New England version of #2 at Pine Valley).  Play 36 in one day and walk.  Kebo plays beautifully when a little dry and gets some wind.

Northeast Harbor, also on Mt. Desert Island, is a neat little track at just over 5,500 yards with some really fun holes.  

Wawenock is a lovely little 9-hole round that I've never heard anyone else talk about and is very much off the beaten path.  Very interesting fun holes - favorites are 1 & 2, 5, and 6 which very much reminds me of Merion's famous 11th, while 7 and 8 are wonderful uphil holes to neat greens.  Well worth a trip around for $20.

If you can get on Portland CC or Cape Arundel in Kennebunk; PCC is an interesting Ross track with some great holes on the back nine and CA is an old Travis par-69 short on yardage but looks to have some character (have not played but walked some of the property).

New Hampshire

Mt. Washington Course at the Omni Resort is an old Ross layout restored by Silva that has a great deal of charm and in the fall would be a truly great day of golf.

Vermont

Yes...Ekwanok is outstanding!

But, don't pass up Rutland where Bobby Locke played a good deal of summer golf and Bob Rotella grew up caddying.  RCC is a Stiles/van Kleek gem that is just over 6100 yards with a stern par of 70 (would be a better 69 like Rye) and is full of variety and fun - highly recommended.  

Burlington CC is a Ross that has been redone and is worth a bit of effort to get on.  

Vermont National is the first Nicklaus design in New England and one of his more playable designs...but, not nearly as fun as Ekwanok or Rutland.

[Tim Martin]

Maine

DITTO...Kebo Valley is a real treat.  Worked a summer after college in Bar Harbor and spent probably 20 of my perfect Maine Coast summer evenings playing there.  Very old school with some history (at some point said to be the 8th oldest course in the US).  I think the first four holes in the valley in front of the clubhouse are very underrated and another nice stretch from 8-10.  Doak gave it a 4 (although in one of his lists it is a 5 which is more accurate for me if not a 6 on his scale).  Great little greensites with some driveable par 4's and #17, a very unique hole (a New England version of #2 at Pine Valley).  Play 36 in one day and walk.  Kebo plays beautifully when a little dry and gets some wind.

Northeast Harbor, also on Mt. Desert Island, is a neat little track at just over 5,500 yards with some really fun holes.  

Wawenock is a lovely little 9-hole round that I've never heard anyone else talk about and is very much off the beaten path.  Very interesting fun holes - favorites are 1 & 2, 5, and 6 which very much reminds me of Merion's famous 11th, while 7 and 8 are wonderful uphil holes to neat greens.  Well worth a trip around for $20.

If you can get on Portland CC or Cape Arundel in Kennebunk; PCC is an interesting Ross track with some great holes on the back nine and CA is an old Travis par-69 short on yardage but looks to have some character (have not played but walked some of the property).

New Hampshire

Mt. Washington Course at the Omni Resort is an old Ross layout restored by Silva that has a great deal of charm and in the fall would be a truly great day of golf.

Vermont

Yes...Ekwanok is outstanding!

But, don't pass up Rutland where Bobby Locke played a good deal of summer golf and Bob Rotella grew up caddying.  RCC is a Stiles/van Kleek gem that is just over 6100 yards with a stern par of 70 (would be a better 69 like Rye) and is full of variety and fun - highly recommended.  

Burlington CC is a Ross that has been redone and is worth a bit of effort to get on.  

Vermont National is the first Nicklaus design in New England and one of his more playable designs...but, not nearly as fun as Ekwanok or Rutland.

I would second Burlington CC, worth the effort to see.

[Jay Flemma]

What about Manchester CC?  I liked that a great deal!

[Ronald Montesano]

Cape Arundel is public-access, if memory serves, and also where the Presidents Bush rapidly play their summer golf...definitely a rocker if you find yourself there. Kebo is a bit farther north.

[Dave Herrick]

Perhaps my favorite NH course is The Panorama at The Balsams, a 1910 Ross design, but it is extremely out-of-the-way up in Dixville Notch.

[Carl Nichols]

I'm playing a member-guest later this summer at Bald Peak. Any insights? I know very little about it.

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Niall,

Bald Peak Colony is on the East side of Lake Winnepesaukee, North of Wolfeboro, NH on SR 109. I'm guessing about 10-15 miles.

It is very, very private.

You should specify how far you are willing to travel and what part of NH you are interested in ie: Seacoast, Monadnok area, Lakes Diistict, White Mountains or North of White Mountains aka. no-wheres-ville.

Some of these suggestions in Maine ie: Belgrade Lakes and Acadia/Bar Harbor are almost a full days drive depending on where you are starting from.

Please be more specific and I hope you will get some better answers.