What draws you to want to play a course? We all know the basics: well-maintained fairways, greens that roll true, a decent play pace and, of course, a masterful on-course hot dog.
But for me, there’s another reason to take a little road trip to check out a course. There’s something extra cool about playing a course with a unique setting, a fascinating history and/or a little bit of razzamatazz.
Take, for instance, Horseshoe Bay in Texas, where you can earn bragging rights by landing a successful tee shot over a multi-tiered waterfall on their famed 14th hole. Sounds hokey; plays super cool.
In New England, there are plenty of tracks worth experiencing for surprising and unique reasons. Call them personality plays. You need not go far to find a fun day of play that will stay with you in the best of ways. They may not all be championship tracks, but consider these for a round that piques your interest in the world as much as your craving for pars.
Marion Golf Club: Lovingly referred to as Little Marion by the locals, this nine-hole course (https://www.mariongolfclub.com/) is like playing a round in a living ski museum. Designed and built in 1905, it still maintains much of that old school playing vibe – like the stone walls original to the farm that existed before 1905 that still remain in play. There are even greens surrounded by old stone walls – now that’s an approach shot. It’s super affordable and chill – some days they just leave a box out for you to pay your $32 fee.
Southers Marsh Golf Club: Cranberry farming is as much a part of the fabric of New England as lobster rolls. At Southers Marsh (https://southersmarsh.com/) in Plymouth, you play next to, past and often right over actual working cranberry bogs. It’s super cool as well as quite pretty. While it all comes to a peak at harvest time (when they often shape their floating berries in a heart shape in the bog closest to the club house), it’s lovely year round. Double cool: the same family that operates the club and are active and visible on site also farm the berries. For added fun, check out their delightful bog-based commercials.
Believe it or not, llamas serve as caddies at the Mountain View Grand Golf Course in Whitefield, N.H. (Moira McCarthy photo)
The Course at Treehouse, Tewksbury: It’s no secret that beer and golf go together like peas and carrots – and it’s no secret that brewery and golf fandom have been booming. At the Course at Treehouse (https://treehousebrew.com/), you get both in a big way. Treehouse is a wildly popular brewery company, so popular that to get more customer space, they bought an entire golf club. Today, that club is a fun nine-hole beer-themed course centered with a clubhouse that is a full and active brewery. Tap in your last putt on a fun and playable nine and then savor your favorite brew fresh from the tap.
Mountain View Grand Golf Course: Up in Whitefield, N.H., at the Mountain View Grand Hotel, it’s not so much the course (though it does have sweeping views of the Presidential Range and a lovely clubhouse as well as farm views), as it is the hired help. Specifically, the course offers – get this – llamas as caddies. You sign up for your round and request a llama and your very own llama for the day (with a handler, of course) meets you at the tee. Your llama carries your bag and the handler gives you tips and helps track your ball. It’s unique, yes, and it’s also quite fun. The club stocks you up with snacks for your llama caddie to keep them happy as you play. Now that’s a round few other golfers have experienced.
Reaching greens at Marion Golf Club sometimes requires carrying the ball over old stone walls. (Moira McCarthy photo)
Hale’s Location Golf Course: This nine-hole beauty (https://www.haleslocationgolf.com/) is worth the drive to North Conway, N.H., and Mount Washington Valley for the setting alone. The lush, green fairways are tucked into the side of soaring stone cliffs and green mountain peaks. But what makes it extra cool is the hand gliders that soar above you. Most days they are out there gliding from the massive stone cliffs above. It’s exciting to spot an eagle or osprey when you’re out golfing. Heck, I once got a video of a sea otter running across a fairway in front of me. But a flying human? That’s other level.