Known as the granite state, New Hampshire offers some hidden gems at a reasonable cost.
The variety within the 115 courses on offer, will satisfy all who play in this state.
Selecting the 10 best courses in New Hampshire is a difficult assignment, but an enjoyable one.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 10
- Owl’s Nest Golf Club
- Bretwood Golf Course | South
- Atkinson Country Club
- The Oaks Golf Links
- North Conway Country Club | North Conway
- Breakfast Hill Golf Club
- Hidden Creek Country Club
- Canterbury Woods Country Club
- Bretwood Golf Course | North
- Passaconaway Country Club
1. Owl’s Nest Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Campton, New Hampshire.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,232 meters off the Tips and 5,197 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tees options available.
Signature Hole – The 547-meter par 5 13th is my choice of signature hole and it is not named “the bear” for nothing!
An uphill tee shot requires accuracy as does the 2nd when laying up. Keep right on both to avoid the hazards.
The 2-tiered, sloping green will test the putting skills.
A Jack Nicklaus designed course that sits among magnificent white mountains throughout the season.
The challenging elevation changes, doglegs, and well-placed bunkers require precision shots to stay in the game.
Water is used more on the front 9 than the back, but both need good concentration levels.
The driver is not the option on every tee.
2. Bretwood Golf Course | South
- Site Link
- Location: Keene, New Hampshire.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,355 meters off the Tips and 5,160 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 185-meter par 3 16th is my choice of signature hole and it plays over water to the front edge of a massive green.
Bunkers protect the front, short left, and middle of the complex.
Pull the correct club and take the wind factor into account.
The Bretwood South golf course plays alongside the Ashuelot River that meanders through the course and is used extensively on the layout.
Doglegs left and right, gently rolling fairways, and good bunkering will ensure accuracy is rewarded.
Large contoured greens need to be mastered to score well here.
3. Atkinson Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Atkinson, New Hampshire.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,015 meters off the Tips and 4,507 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 471-meter par 5 2nd is my choice of signature hole that requires pinpoint accuracy throughout the hole.
Laying up to the small landing area for the 2nd is a tester, then followed by the approach to a semi-island green.
Par is good.
An award-winning public course that is challenging, but also fun for all skill levels, although the many forced carries can be daunting.
The tree-lined fairways are generous, but the thick rough bordering them will take its toll on mishits.
The par 5s are the strength of the track.
The green complexes are extremely quick and tricky, so the “flat stick” will have to behave!
4. The Oaks Golf Links
- Site Link
- Location: Somersworth, New Hampshire.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,293 meters off the Tips and 4,898 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 275-meter par 4 10th is my choice of signature hole.
The hole plays downhill off the tee and doglegs left around a lake to the well-protected green complex.
A challenging putting surface awaits.
The Oaks Golf Links is an award-winning links-style golf course.
The layout roams through fairly tight tree-lined fairways and off-line shots usually require a punch shot from the trees.
Strategically placed bunkers, mounding, swales, doglegs, and water hazards will keep the concentration levels up.
The raised bunker-protected greens present their own challenge.
Play from the correct tee for your game to maximize enjoyment.
5. North Conway Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: North Conway, New Hampshire.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,239 meters off the Tips and 5,728 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
2 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 324-meter par 4 5th is the signature hole.
It plays to a gentle dogleg left around the Saco River, to a small landing area.
The large and narrow green will test the putting skills.
This fun layout meanders through tree-lined fairways with spectacular mountain backdrops and the elevated greens and undulating fairways require some skill.
Accuracy is well rewarded on all shots.
The Saco River weaves its way on the course and is well utilized.
All skill levels will enjoy the variety of holes and the superb green complexes.
6. Breakfast Hill Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Greenland, New Hampshire.
- Par: 71
- Length: 5,935 meters off the Tips and 4,994 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 325-meter short par 4 is the signature hole and plays uphill.
Once on the crest, an accurate approach shot to the tricky green will offer the chance for birdie.
Make sure the fairway is the initial target.
The course is set out in an undulating wooded landscape offering beautiful views throughout.
Deep bunkers, undulating fairways that play to difficult tiered greens, call for some precision shots throughout the course.
The par 5s are tempting for any long-hitter, but trouble lurks and big numbers await mis-hits.
Risk and reward holes require some bold decisions for the attacking player.
7. Hidden Creek Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Litchfield, New Hampshire.
- Par: 72
- Length: 5,945 meters off the Tips and 5,225 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 526-meter double-dogleg par5 4th is the signature hole and requires a good strategy to make par or better.
A genuine 3-shotter the fairway must be found on both the tee shot and the 2nd.
The approach has to fly the creek in front of the tough green.
A 9-hole layout that will challenge both the novice and the experienced player.
Expect to use every shot and club in the bag!
Accuracy, patience, and consistency will be rewarded with a good scorecard.
Play from the fairway or take some extra ammo! (balls)
8. Canterbury Woods Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Canterbury, New Hampshire.
- Par: 73
- Length: 5,991 meters off the Tips and 4,671 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 178-meter par 3 11th is my choice of signature hole and it drops down fairly steeply from the tee to the green.
Well placed and beautifully shaped bunkers protect the left and right side, with trees forming the backdrop.
A public course that was built to blend into the natural terrain surroundings, and an exciting course for both novice and accomplished players.
Wide fairways, with generous landing areas, wind through the tall trees and each hole offers strategy options.
The green complexes are challenging with subtle breaks to test the putter.
9. Bretwood Golf Course | North
- Site Link
- Location: Keene, New Hampshire.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,375 meters off the Tips and 5,322 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The short 133-meter par 3 13th is my choice of signature hole and plays across the water to a semi-island green.
Playing slightly long is the bailout area, but maybe one club only!
The wind is a factor.
Bretwood North course plays around the Ashuelot River and offers a variety of exciting holes throughout the layout.
Accuracy off the tee is essential.
The ability to move the ball both ways off the tee will be an advantage.
The ever-present river and wind add to the challenge.
10. Passaconaway Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Litchfield, New Hampshire.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,266 meters off the Tips and 5,500 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 376-meter par 4 3rd is my choice of signature hole and trouble stares the golfer in the face from start to finish.
Hazards on the right and OB on the left require accuracy off the tee.
A precision approach shot to the slippery, sloped hazard protected green, will keep the adrenaline pumping.
Good luck with the putter!
A hidden gem alongside the Merrimack River awaits the golfer when stepping onto the 1st tee.
The front 9 rewards accuracy and control, whilst the back 9 is “big dog” territory and length will be an advantage.
The prevailing wind, OB, Creeks, and doglegs will test the very best to get the better of this track.
The slippery, double-tiered greens will keep the nerves on edge and 3-putts are very common.
Other Courses Outside the Top 10
1. Stonebridge Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Goffstown, New Hampshire.
PLAYER RATING
A scenic layout that circumvents the majestic clubhouse.
Fairways are wide and inviting to attack every hole with the driver, but the sand traps and occasional tree-lined fairway may call for discretion.
2. Omni Mount Washington Hotel & Resort
- Site Link
- Location: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.
PLAYER RATING
With the Presidential Mountain Range as the backdrop, the links-like course winds its way through tall trees and rugged bunkers.
The wiry-natural grass around the bunkers is extremely tough, but the layout can be enjoyed by all skill levels.
3. Campbell’s Scottish Highlands Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Salem, New Hampshire.
PLAYER RATING
A challenging public course sculpted from picturesque farmland, the links-style layout winds its way through meadows and gently undulating hills.
A beautiful setting to play golf.
Final Thoughts
Any golfer or group with the opportunity to play golf in this state should take it with both hands!
If a variety of courses and holes is a criterion, the tracks available will not disappoint.
Just commit and go!
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
