12 Best Golf Courses in New Hampshire
New Hampshire presents a golfing landscape defined by century-old classics and dramatic modern layouts. The state's premier courses showcase elevation shifts and high-altitude views typical of northern New England play. North Conway Country Club captures Presidential Range views while Wentworth by the Sea brings Scottish links terrain to the coast. Donald Ross heritage runs through Omni Mount Washington Resort and Manchester Country Club. Owl's Nest Resort houses the only Jack Nicklaus-designed course in the state. The selections below highlight top-tier amenities, memorable scenery, and the strategic designs that make these courses worth the trip.
Omni Mount Washington Resort (Bretton Woods)
Donald Ross completed the Mount Washington Course in 1915, and it remains a flagship for mountain golf. Located in Bretton Woods, the resort is about 150 miles north of Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and 95 miles from Manchester Airport (MHT). Brian Silva restored the par-72 track in 2008 based on Ross's original plans to preserve its historic character. Public tee times are available seasonally, with green fees varying by date and demand. Peak-season green fees can exceed $100. The optimal time to visit runs through the mid-June and September window. Guests can enjoy fine dining at the resort's 1902 Main Dining Room and browse the well-stocked pro shop. Accommodations are available at the 4-star Omni Mount Washington Resort, which features a full-service spa and multiple pools, while alternative lodging can be found at the nearby Bretton Arms Inn.
Wentworth by the Sea Country Club (Rye)
Wentworth by the Sea Country Club is one of the oldest private clubs in the state, originally founded in the late 19th century. Located in Rye, it is roughly 50 miles from Boston (BOS) and 40 miles from Manchester (MHT). The 18-hole, par-71 course features a "Scottish links" style with well-bunkered greens and undulating fairways. Golfers enjoy dramatic views of Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. The private club offers an indoor tennis center, a pool, and high-end dining at the Wentworth By The Sea Country Club clubhouse. For luxury accommodations, the historic Wentworth by the Sea Hotel is just minutes away in New Castle.
North Conway Country Club (North Conway)
Established in 1895, North Conway Country Club offers a premier mountain golf experience in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley. Located approximately 100 miles north of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), this par-71 championship course is celebrated for its views of the Presidential Range. While the front nine features relatively flat terrain along the Saco River, the back nine introduces undulating greens and strategic bunkering. The facility is semi-private and open to the public, with green fees typically ranging from $80 to $120. Guests can enjoy the Ledgeview Grille, which features an outdoor deck overlooking the course, and for lodging, the nearby Eastern Slope Inn Resort provides a historic and convenient alternative for visiting golfers.
Owl's Nest Resort (Thornton)
Owl's Nest Resort showcases the only Jack Nicklaus-designed course in New Hampshire and one of only a few in New England. Situated in Thornton, the facility is roughly 75 miles north of Manchester (MHT) via Interstate 93. This modern championship layout is known for massive bunkers and tiered greens, with green fees typically between $89 and $150. The course is open to the public, and the peak playing window extends into the fall foliage season. Amenities include Panorama Six82 for contemporary dining and the SportsNest pro shop. The resort supplies various lodging options, including lakeside villas and guest rooms at the Lafayette Lodge. For those seeking non-resort stays, the nearby town of Plymouth provides traditional inns.
Atkinson Resort & Country Club (Atkinson)
Phil Wogan designed the championship course at Atkinson Resort & Country Club, which earns high ratings for its conditioning. This public-access facility is just 25 miles from Manchester (MHT) and 40 miles from Boston (BOS). Green fees vary seasonally, and public tee times can be booked online through the resort website. Summer is the peak time to visit. The clubhouse contains Merrill's Tavern and the Stagecoach Grille, along with a large pro shop. On-site lodging consists of upscale guest rooms. If on-site rooms are full, numerous alternative accommodations are available in nearby Salem.
Baker Hill Golf Club (Newbury)
Rees Jones designed Baker Hill Golf Club on a high ridge overlooking Lake Sunapee. This private facility is about 100 miles from BOS and roughly half that distance from the airport in Manchester (MHT). The par-72 course transitions through open meadows and dense woods. Access is restricted to members and their guests, making it one of the more exclusive venues in the region. The clubhouse serves high-end dining and a professional shop. Since Baker Hill is a private club without resort lodging, visitors might opt to stay at the historic Dexter's Inn or local bed and breakfasts in Newbury.
Laconia Country Club (Laconia)
Laconia Country Club extends a parkland experience between Lake Winnisquam and Lake Winnipesaukee, about an hour north of Manchester (MHT). This private club is known for its top conditioning and top-tier playability, where precision off the tee is essential to navigate the mature oaks lining the fairways, while the clubhouse offers refined dining and a full-service pro shop for members. Given that Laconia does not include accommodations, the Margate Resort on Winnipesaukee functions as an excellent home base just minutes away, with beautiful waterfront views and easy access to the Laconia Country Club grounds.
Hooper Golf Course (Walpole)
Internationally ranked Hooper Golf Course is a nine-hole masterpiece designed by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek in 1927. Established in Walpole, it is about 90 miles from Manchester (MHT). The architecture is renowned for dramatic drops and strategic bunkering, and it is open to the public with very affordable rates. The best time to go is mid-summer for the best turf quality. The pro shop handles basic golfing essentials, while the on-site Watkins Inn & Tavern offers convenient accommodations, casual dining, and a relaxed gathering space for golfers looking to enjoy multiple rounds at Hooper.
Shattuck Golf Club (Jaffrey)
Brian Silva designed the Shattuck Golf Club at the base of Mount Monadnock. This public course is less than 50 miles from Manchester (MHT) and is famous for its extreme difficulty thanks to an abundance of wetlands, demanding precision from every golfer. Green fees for 18 holes are typically between $45 and $75. The clubhouse at Shattuck Golf Club presents the Dublin Road Taproom & Eatery for casual dining in a mountain lodge setting. There are no on-site resort facilities, so golfers often stay at the historic Woodbound Inn in nearby Rindge, which offers a warm atmosphere and easy access to the challenging mountain-side course.
Cochecho Country Club (Dover)
Cochecho Country Club pairs a mix of parkland and wooded holes in Dover, positioned 45 miles from Manchester (MHT). The private course was designed by Stiles and Wogan, and is known for small, fast greens that challenge even experienced players. If playing as a guest, the best time to visit is early autumn when the hardwoods exude rich colors along the fairways. Fees for 18 holes range from $80 to $100, and the clubhouse delivers traditional dining and a pro shop, as well as a pool. Nearby Dover and Durham have several comfortable lodging options for visiting golfers, such as the Silver Fountain Inn, ensuring a high-quality stay.
Portsmouth Country Club (Greenland)
Though the private, member-owned club was established in 1901 at a different location, Robert Trent Jones Sr. built this course in 1956, and it opened in 1957. Set in Greenland, it is only a few miles from Portsmouth and 55 miles from Boston (BOS). The layout is known for frequent coastal breezes that add a layer of strategy, particularly along the back nine, which reaches out into the harbor. The clubhouse includes a restaurant with water views and a pro shop. For lodging, the nearby downtown Portsmouth area carries a variety of boutique hotels like The Hotel Portsmouth and national chains for guests visiting Portsmouth Country Club.
Manchester Country Club (Bedford)
Manchester Country Club dates back to 1923 and remains a key cornerstone of southern New Hampshire golf. This rare, par-71 Donald Ross hotspot sits only five miles from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT). The private club highlights tight fairways and deep bunkers, and members can enjoy a high-level competitive environment and meticulously maintained turf throughout the season. There's a reason the club has hosted close to 50 national, regional, and state championships to date. The facility points to a grand clubhouse with multiple dining venues and a well-appointed pro shop, and it is a popular choice for weddings and special events. While there is no lodging on-site, the club's proximity to Manchester ensures easy access to major hotels and local gems like the Bedford Village Inn.
Golfing in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's golf courses distribute a blend of history and modern challenge across a rugged landscape. Whether you prefer the high-altitude peaks of Bretton Woods or the salt-aired fairways on the coast, these venues represent the highest standard of play in the state. Whether you are navigating a century-old Donald Ross design or a modern Jack Nicklaus layout, New Hampshire provides a premier destination for travelers and golf enthusiasts alike. Each course offers a distinct perspective on northern New England's natural beauty, ensuring that every round played here is as visually captivating as it is strategically demanding for players of all levels.
