Golf on the New Hampshire Seacoast

The New Hampshire Seacoast is best known for its beaches, harbor towns and seafood, but it is also a good place to play golf. Within a short drive of Portsmouth you will find a large public course, a family-run practice center with mini golf, and two private clubs with real history behind them. This guide to Seacoast NH golf courses explains what each place offers and who it is for, so you can plan a round, a practice session or a family outing without guessing.

Policies, seasons and rates change, so check each business's own site before you go.

Where visitors can play: Pease Golf Course

Pease Golf Course at 200 Grafton Drive in Portsmouth is the Seacoast's most accessible full course for visitors. It has 27 holes and describes itself as a course for golfers of every skill level, which makes it a sensible choice whether you are a regular player or just picking up the clubs on vacation.

Pease also has a few extras that set it apart. Grill 28, its on-site restaurant, is open to the public year-round, so you do not need a tee time to stop in for a meal. The course also has a PGA Tour golf simulator, which it describes as the only one of its kind in northern New England, a useful option on a rainy day or in the off-season. Tee times can be booked online up to seven days in advance.

Because Pease sits close to downtown Portsmouth, it pairs easily with an afternoon in the city. Play in the morning, then head into town for lunch and a walk along the waterfront.

Practice and family fun: Sagamore Golf Center

Sagamore Golf Center at 22 North Road in North Hampton is the place to go if you want to work on your swing or bring the whole family. It has a driving range with covered and heated stations, which helps stretch the practice season and keeps you comfortable on a cool or damp day, plus an 18-hole mini golf course that works well for kids and adults who are not serious golfers.

The center is run by Sagamore Golf Inc., which has been family owned since 1929. The same company operates the Sagamore-Hampton Golf Club in North Hampton, which has been voted Best of New Hampshire by NH Magazine. If you want a full round after warming up at the range, it is worth looking into.

For families, a visit to Sagamore is an easy add-on to a beach day. North Hampton is a short drive from Hampton Beach and Rye, and a round of mini golf is a good way to end an afternoon.

Notable private clubs

The Seacoast also has two private clubs worth knowing about, even though they are for members and their guests rather than the general public. We include them because they are part of the region's golf story and because visitors are often curious about them. Do not plan to show up and play; if you have a connection to a member, ask them about the guest policy.

Golf Club of New England

Golf Club of New England is a private 18-hole club at 167 Winnicutt Road in Stratham, on land in both Stratham and Greenland. The course was designed by Arnold Palmer's design company, with Ed Seay as head designer, and the idea for the club dates to the fall of 1999.

Its biggest claim to fame came in 2012, when it hosted the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. According to the club, that was the first USGA championship ever held in New Hampshire, a milestone for golf in the state.

Cochecho Country Club

Cochecho Country Club at 145 Gulf Road in Dover is one of the older clubs in the region. It was founded in 1923 and is a private club with a traditional 18-hole layout designed by Wayne Stiles and Phil Wogan. With more than a century of history, it is one of the oldest names in Seacoast golf.

Choosing the right spot

For a full round as a visitor, Pease Golf Course is the clear choice, with 27 holes and online tee times.

For practice, the covered, heated range at Sagamore Golf Center lets you hit balls in more comfort, and the simulator at Pease is another indoor option.

For families with young kids, mini golf at Sagamore is the easiest win. No experience or equipment is needed, and it fits into a beach day.

For golf history, read up on Golf Club of New England and Cochecho Country Club, even if you cannot play them.

A note on pace and etiquette

Public courses are busiest in summer, so keep up with the group ahead, repair your divots and ball marks, and be ready to play when it is your turn. Beginners are welcome at public courses, but if you are new to the game, an early weekday time or a session at the range is a relaxed way to start.

Planning a golf trip to the Seacoast

Book ahead in summer. Summer weekends are the busiest time on the Seacoast, both on the courses and on the roads. Pease lets you book up to a week in advance, and it is worth doing so.

Play early, beach later. Morning rounds tend to be cooler and leave the afternoon free for the beach or a harbor town. On hot days this also makes for a more comfortable round.

Check the weather and the wind. Coastal weather can change quickly, and wind off the water can affect play. Pack a light layer even in summer.

Use the off-season options. Heated driving range stations at Sagamore and the simulator at Pease mean you can work on your game even when the weather does not cooperate.

Respect private club rules. Golf Club of New England and Cochecho Country Club are private. Visitors should not expect access without a member.

Pairing golf with the rest of your trip

The Seacoast is compact, which makes it easy to combine golf with other plans. Portsmouth offers restaurants, shops and history close to Pease. North Hampton sits between Hampton Beach and Rye, so Sagamore fits neatly into a beach day. Stratham and Dover are a short drive inland, near the region's farms and small downtowns. A long weekend can easily include a round of golf, a beach afternoon and a good dinner in town.

What to bring

A light layer, sunscreen, a hat and water are basics for any round on the coast. If you are renting clubs or using the range, ask ahead about what is available. For mini golf, nothing special is needed, which is part of the appeal for families.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a public golf course near Portsmouth, NH?

Yes. Pease Golf Course in Portsmouth is open to the public and has 27 holes for all skill levels.

Where can I take kids to play mini golf on the Seacoast?

Sagamore Golf Center in North Hampton has an 18-hole mini golf course along with its driving range.

Can visitors play at Golf Club of New England?

It is a private club. Visitors generally need a member connection to play.

What major event has been held at a Seacoast golf course?

Golf Club of New England in Stratham hosted the 2012 U.S. Junior Amateur, which the club says was the first USGA championship held in New Hampshire.

Sources

• Pease Golf Course official site: https://www.peasegolf.com
• Sagamore Golf Center official site: https://www.sagamoregolf.com/golf-center
• Golf Club of New England, History: https://www.golfclubne.com/History
• Cochecho Country Club official site: https://www.cochechocc.com