Thinking about golf in New Hampshire? The answer is a resounding yes, and you’re in for a treat. This state offers a surprisingly rich and scenic golf experience, far removed from the desert courses of the southwest or the flat links of Florida. This guide will walk you through the distinct New Hampshire golf seasons, the unique character of its courses, and practical advice to help you play your best in the Granite State.
Unlike year-round golf destinations, New Hampshire's golf scene is defined by its four distinct seasons. Understanding the rhythm of the year is the first step to planning the perfect round. The season is generally from mid-April to late October, but each slice of that window offers a different experience.
As the snow melts and the landscape awakens, golf courses slowly open their doors, usually from mid-April to early May. Early spring can be a bit of a gamble. You might encounter "mud season," where some courses are still soft and cart-path-only rules are in effect. But the rewards are great: fewer crowds, lower greens fees, and the sheer beauty of watching nature come back to life.
Coaching Tip for Spring Golf: Your ball won't roll out much on soft turf. This means you'll need to rely almost entirely on your carry distance. Consider taking one extra club on most approach shots to ensure you fly the ball to your target. Also, be prepared for plugged lies in fairways and rough, know the local rule for relief before you tee off.
This is prime time for New Hampshire golf. The days are long, the sun is warm, and the courses are intheir most lush and manicured condition. From the rolling hills of the Monadnock region to the mountainsides of the north, everything is a vibrant green. This is also the busiest season, so booking tee times well in advance, especially for weekends, is a necessity. Be mindful of summer thunderstorms, which can roll in quickly in the afternoons.
Coaching Tip for Summer Golf: The thick, healthy rough of summer can be brutal on your scorecard. When your ball finds the deep grass, the priority is to get it back in play. Don't be a hero. Take a higher lofted club like a wedge or 9-iron, open the face slightly, and make a steeper swing to pop the ball out. Trying to muscle a long iron from deep rough is a recipe for a double bogey.
Many argue this is the most spectacular time to play golf in New Hampshire. The humidity of summer gives way to crisp, cool air, and the landscape explodes into a world-famous display of orange, red, and yellow foliage. Playing a round surrounded by this natural artwork is an unforgettable experience. The ball won't fly quite as far in the cooler, denser air, so adjust your club selection accordingly. This is also a peak tourist season, so don’t expect the courses to be empty.
Coaching Tip for Fall Golf: It’s not just beautiful, those leaves can hide your golf ball. Most courses implement a "leaf rule." Before you play, ask in the pro shop for their specific rule. Usually, it allows you to treat a ball lost in a reasonably heavy collection of leaves as ground under repair, letting you take a free drop. Knowing this can save you strokes and a lot of frustration.
Unless you're a fan of "snow golf," the clubs are staying in the garage. New Hampshire golf courses are closed and blanketed in snow throughout the winter. It’s a time for the courses to rest and recover. For dedicated golfers, this is the perfect season to work on your swing at one of the many state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators that have popped up across the state.
What sets New Hampshire golf apart is its character. Courses here feel like they were discovered, not built. They follow the natural contours of the land, making each round feel like a genuine adventure.
The state’s geography is its greatest golfing asset. You can playing a mountain course where dramatic elevation changes are the main challenge on one day, and a serene lakeside course with water hazards framing the fairways the next. Courses are not cookie-cutter developments, they are unique layouts dictated by the granite bedrock, towering pines, and rolling hills of the region.
Playing in the mountains tests your ability to adapt. An uphill 150-yard shot is not the same as a flat 150-yard shot. Your ball will fly lower and shorter into an upslope. A simple rule is to add one club for every 15 feet of elevation gain. Conversely, on a downhill shot, take at least one club less and expect the ball to run out more upon landing. Trust the adjustment, not just the yardage marker.
New Hampshire is home to a wonderful collection of courses from the "Golden Age of Golf Architecture," including several designed by a master like Donald Ross. These courses were not built for modern, high-launching equipment. They demand thought, strategy, and precision. You’ll often find small, crowned greens that repel mediocre shots and reward creative approaches. It’s a style of golf that forces you to think about where you want to land the ball and how it will react on the ground.
You can find great golf all over the state, but each region has its own distinct flavor.
Prepare for epic backdrops and invigorating golf. This is where you'll find the most dramatic elevation changes. Fairways wind up and down hillsides, and greens are perched with vistas that stretch for miles. Accuracy off the tee is a must to avoid ending up with tricky stances on sloping lies. It’s an athletic and visually stunning golf experience.
When you have a side-hill lie, adjust your setup. If the ball is above your feet, choke down on the club and aim slightly to the right of your target (for a right-handed player), as the ball will tend to draw. If the ball is below your feet, stand a little taller and aim slightly left, as the ball will tend to fade.
Home to the massive Lake Winnipesaukee, this region offers a mix of beautiful resort courses and historic local gems. You’ll find beautiful parkland layouts with rolling hills and spectacular water views. It's a popular destination for buddy trips, combining great golf with off-course activities on and around the lakes.
While only boasting 18 miles of coastline, New Hampshire's Seacoast region offers a different style of golf. The terrain is generally flatter, but the ever-present wind becomes the primary obstacle. Some courses have links-style characteristics, demanding you keep your ball flight low and controlled to navigate the sea breeze.
When it's breezy, swing easy. A "knockdown" or three-quarter shot is your best friend. Take an extra club, grip down an inch on the shaft, and make a shorter, more controlled backswing. The goal is to produce a lower, more piercing ball flight that is less affected by the wind.
These areas feel like a step back in time. Here you'll discover hidden gems - classic, tree-lined courses that are routed cleverly through the rolling New England countryside. It’s often quieter than the major tourist hubs, offering a pure, peaceful, and challenging golf experience for those who seek it out.
New Hampshire offers a diverse and beautiful golf scene deeply connected to its seasons and landscape. From the soft awakening of spring to the breathtaking spectacle of fall, the courses here, shaped by mountains, lakes, and classic architecture, provide a refreshing challenge and a true escape for golfers of all levels.
As you navigate these unique courses, with their varied elevations and demanding greens, having a smart strategy in your pocket is a game-changer. I help you with just that. If you're stuck debating the right club for an uphill approach in the White Mountains or wondering how to play a tricky shot out of the pine straw, I can give you instant, personalized advice right when you need it. By analyzing your situation and providing a clear plan, I help you play with more confidence and make smarter decisions on every hole. With Caddie AI, you’ll never feel stuck or uncertain on the course again.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
