Golfing in the Green Mountains of Vermont
Offering the perfect, picturesque course backdrop, Vermont’s mountains are home to some of the nation’s best golf courses. Whether looking for a nine-hole scramble or a par-72 course, Vermont’s resort ensure that visitors of all abilities can soak up the fun of getting out on the green for the day. And if traditional golf isn’t enough, many of the resorts have introduced disc golf at the mountains for visitors to explore as well.
Stratton Mountain Resort
Noted golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish took full advantage of natural contours, water and trees to create Stratton’s scenic and challenging course, which Golf Digest describes as one of the top resort courses in New England. Three distinct nine-hole layouts — Forest, Lake and Mountain — giving golfers 27 reasons to play Stratton, a six-year LPGA Tour stop. Founded by Arnold Palmer in 1969, Stratton Golf School offers customized programs for the beginner as well as low-handicapper with options for on-course instruction. Stratton offers twilight rates, foursome specials, memberships, discount cards and stay and play packages including Break 100 with two rounds of golf and a night of lodging for two.
Sugarbush Resort
Sugarbush Resort’s par-72, Robert Trent Jones Senior designed golf course offers breathtaking views of Lincoln Peak and the Mad River Valley. This season the golf club is working on several improvements including renovating bunkers and installing new Tee Sentry Wireless Systems. PGA Professional Roger King will be returning for his 3rd season offering lessons and clinics. After a round of golf, enjoy a beer or light fare at Hogan’s Pub.
Mount Snow Resort
Mount Snow Golf Club, located in the heart of the Green Mountains, offers some of the best in mountain golf across 18 rolling holes. Vacation starts the moment visitors pull into bag drop, and lasts to the last sip of their favorite post-round beverage, with beautiful tees, greens and fairways in between. Located in southern Vermont, and easily accessible from anywhere in New England – the feeling is far away from the everyday. Designed by renowned golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish, the length and mountainous undulations of the course provide a unique challenge, though there is forgiveness to be found in the wide fairways and expansive greens.
The Woodstock Country Club
Surrounded by the lush Kedron Valley and stunning views of Mount Peg, the golf course at the Woodstock Country Club is a picturesque venue set amidst an unspoiled Vermont landscape. The premier 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., boasts a par-70 layout that offers an unforgettable experience for golfers of all abilities. For 2017, Golf Advisor has ranked the Woodstock Country Club as the #3 Top Golf Course in New England, #7 for Golf Conditions in the U.S., and #3 Friendliest Staff in the U.S.
Killington Resort
Killington’s par 72 Championship Golf Course is scheduled to open for the season on May 26, 2018, featuring golf carts and GolfBoards. The Killington Golf Course includes a practice facility with a 12,000 square-foot putting green and practice bunker, full-sized pro shop, private lessons, multi-day golf schools and junior specialty experiences. The course features league nights, tournaments all season long and gorgeous views of Killington Resort and the Green Mountains of central Vermont. Golf Season Passes are on sale now and include discounts on “Bring a Friend” greens fees, Golf School programs, food at the Clubhouse Bar & Grill and gear at the Pro Shop.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe boasts two of New England’s finest courses, both on and off the mountain. In the heart of it all you’ll find the Stowe Country Club; with its beautiful undulating fairways and manicured greens with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. Stowe Mountain Golf Club is the course that has caught the attention of the golfing world. Stowe Mountain Club meanders along the slopes of Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, reaching an elevation of more than 1,800 feet. The resort course is available to Stowe Mountain Club members, as well as guests of the Stowe Mountain Lodge.
Okemo Mountain Resort
Designed to honor the traditions of the game and the rolling Vermont terrain, Okemo Valley Golf Club features wide, emerald fairways framed with rolling fields of golden fescue. Moderate elevation changes, strategically placed hazards and undulating greens, are the hallmarks of this scenic course. Although truly punishing features are few, risk-reward is a course feature that grows with course knowledge. Nearby, in Windham, Tater Hill Golf Club offers plenty of challenge for golfers of all ability levels with a layout that features rolling fairways, spectacular views, cottage-style perennial gardens and the casual ambiance of an old Vermont hill farm.
Jay Peak Resort
Since it’s virtually impossible to make golf sound exciting (or fun) on paper, Jay aims to clutter golfers’ brains instead. To celebrate the Jay Peak Golf course, here are some inane facts and figures from Vermont’s Best Public Course, as rated by Golf Digest and Golf Weekly magazines. So, the next time folks hit the greens, they can spice up the game with a round of “Did you know?”
- Average golfers per year- 15,000
- Average balls lost per year- 52,129
- Course Record- 66 set by Bryan Smith, the resort’s former snow reporter.
- Number of holes with water hazards (and snakes)- 13
- Course Architect- Graham Cooke
Magic Mountain
Now golfing in the Green Mountains means disc golf as well. Come see the challenging and scenic new Magic Mountain National Disc Golf course. It’s $5 to play and another $5 to rent discs at the pro shop in the Black Line Tavern. The course opens July 4th week and runs through the fall. Sign up for the 2nd Annual Golf Biathlon tournament with a fun scramble format comprised of nine-holes of traditional golf at Tater Hill followed by nine-holes of disc golf at Magic. Winners will receive great prizes and a portion of the proceeds from this tournament will go to the Vermont Children’s Hospital.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
While there are numerous courses to play in the region, the main attraction at Smugglers’ is a different type of golf? Disc Golf. With two 18-hole championship courses and a nine-hole par three course on site, Smugglers’ leads one of the fastest growing sports in the world with these top-ranked courses. Players young and old praise disc golf for being a fun and relaxing way to interact with nature. Two 18-hole courses offer options to either head into the challenge of the woods, or meander through old mountain meadows with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. Smugglers’ Notch is proud to host the 2018 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in September! This event is free to spectate and sees top players from around the globe competing for the ultimate title.
