Golf in the White Mountains: Mountain Courses and Resorts

Golf in the White Mountains is not like golf anywhere else in New England. The fairways run along river valleys, the greens sit under mountain ridges, and on a clear summer morning the view from the tee can be the best part of the round. Golf has been part of the mountain resort tradition for well over a century; old postcards and photographs of golf links in the White Mountains, like the one at the top of this page, show how long visitors have been coming here to play. This White Mountains golf guide covers resort courses, a full 18-hole public course, a club in the north, and some mini golf for the family, plus tips for planning a golf trip.

Why play golf in the mountains

• Scenery. Most courses here have mountain views, and many follow rivers or valleys.
• Pairing with a resort stay. Several courses are attached to resorts, so you can stay, eat and play in one place.
• Shorter rounds. The region has several 9-hole courses, which suit a relaxed morning before a hike or a family afternoon.
• A real season. The golf season in northern New Hampshire is shorter than farther south, typically running from spring into fall. Courses post their own opening dates each year, so check before you plan.

Resort courses

Owl's Nest Resort, Thornton

Owl's Nest Resort is a year-round destination in Thornton, in the Pemigewasset River valley, that offers lodging, dining, golf, racquet sports and seasonal events. Its website lists a main golf course plus a second course called The Vineyard Course, golf simulators, lessons and stay-and-play golf packages. There is also a spa, a fitness center, a pool, tennis and pickleball, and several on-site restaurants. Owl's Nest is also a popular wedding venue, which is why it appears in that section of our directory.

For golfers who also want to see Franconia Notch or drive the Kancamagus Highway, Owl's Nest makes a convenient base in the western White Mountains.

Hale's Location at the White Mountain Hotel & Resort, North Conway

The White Mountain Hotel & Resort in North Conway has its own course, Hale's Location Golf Course, on the property. The resort describes it as a scenic 9-hole, par 36 course, and its pro shop offers lessons with a PGA teaching professional. Because the course is on the hotel grounds, a round fits easily into a North Conway stay. The resort also has a spa and dining, and it is close to the town's outlet shopping, Cathedral Ledge and Echo Lake State Park.

Eagle Mountain House, Jackson

Eagle Mountain House in Jackson is a historic resort hotel, built in 1916 and enlarged in 1929, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has a 9-hole golf course with a driving range, and it offers memberships and daily greens fees. Playing a round and then sitting on the porch of a historic mountain hotel is about as classic as a White Mountains afternoon gets. Note that the course occasionally closes for private events, so check its website before you go.

Public and club courses

Indian Mound Golf Course, Ossipee

Indian Mound Golf Course in Ossipee is a player-friendly 18-hole course. Its website describes a relatively level front nine and gentle rolling terrain on the back nine, which makes it a comfortable walk or ride for a wide range of players. It has a restaurant and tavern on site, River's Edge, that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the club hosts charity tournaments, events and weddings. It also offers memberships for frequent players.

Ossipee is south of the Mount Washington Valley, so the course can be a stop on the drive north to North Conway.

Androscoggin Valley Country Club, Gorham

Androscoggin Valley Country Club is in Gorham, a small town of about 2,700 people on the Androscoggin River in the northern White Mountains. Gorham sits where US 2 meets NH 16, and the town lies within the Androscoggin River watershed. The club appears in the Mount Washington Valley Chamber's member directory. Contact the club directly for current tee times and visitor policies, since it does not list a website with us.

For the family: mini golf

Not everyone in the family wants to play 18. For younger kids, a round of mini golf is the White Mountains classic.

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf is part of a chain of adventure golf courses with locations around the country. Its website lists four in New Hampshire: Lincoln, North Conway, Weirs Beach and Winnisquam. The North Conway course is the one in our directory. Themed courses with waterfalls and caves are an easy way to fill a summer evening.

How to plan a White Mountains golf trip

1. Choose a base. North Conway and Jackson put you near Hale's Location and Eagle Mountain House. Thornton and Lincoln put you near Owl's Nest. Ossipee is a stop on the way north.

2. Book tee times early. Resort courses are busiest on summer weekends and during foliage.

3. Look at packages. Several resorts offer stay-and-play packages that bundle lodging and golf.

4. Mix it up. Play in the morning and hike, swim or drive a scenic road in the afternoon.

5. Check the weather. Mountain weather changes fast. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so earlier tee times are often the smarter choice.

Pace and etiquette

Mountain courses, especially 9-hole resort courses, often mix serious golfers with families and beginners. A few habits keep everyone happy:

• Know the dress code. Resort courses may have their own rules. Check the course website or ask the pro shop.
• Keep pace. Let faster groups play through, especially on busy summer weekends.
• Respect the course. Repair ball marks, rake bunkers and follow cart path rules, which can change after heavy rain.
• Call ahead. Small clubs may have member-only times, so confirm visitor access before you drive up.

What to bring

• Layers. Mornings can be cool in the mountains even in July.
• Bug spray. Especially early in the season and near water.
• Sun protection. Higher elevation and long summer days add up.
• A camera. The views are a big part of why you are here.

Golf and the rest of the trip

A golf trip to the White Mountains is better with something else in it. A round in the morning leaves the afternoon for Franconia Notch, the Kancamagus Highway, a swim in a river, or shopping in North Conway. Many of the resorts in this guide also have spas, pools and restaurants, so non-golfers in your group have plenty to do.

FAQ

What are the best golf courses in the White Mountains?

For a resort experience, Owl's Nest in Thornton, Hale's Location at the White Mountain Hotel & Resort in North Conway, and Eagle Mountain House in Jackson. For a full 18 holes, Indian Mound in Ossipee.

Are there 9-hole courses in the White Mountains?

Yes. Hale's Location in North Conway and the Eagle Mountain House course in Jackson are both 9-hole courses.

When is golf season in the White Mountains?

Generally from spring into fall. Each course announces its own opening date, so check before you go.

Is there mini golf in the White Mountains?

Yes. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf has locations in North Conway and Lincoln.

Can I stay and play at the same resort?

Yes. Owl's Nest, the White Mountain Hotel & Resort and Eagle Mountain House all combine lodging and golf.

Sources

• Owl's Nest Resort, official site (Thornton; golf, Vineyard Course, simulators, lodging, spa): https://www.owlsnestresort.com
• White Mountain Hotel & Resort, golf page (Hale's Location, 9 holes, par 36): https://www.whitemountainhotel.com/golf
• Eagle Mountain House, golf page (9-hole course, driving range, memberships): https://www.eaglemt.com/golf
• Eagle Mountain House, Wikipedia (1916, 1929, National Register): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Mountain_House
• Indian Mound Golf Club, official site: https://www.indianmoundgc.com
• Gorham, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, Androscoggin River, US 2 and NH 16): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorham,_New_Hampshire
• Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, official site (locations): https://www.piratescove.net/
• Thornton, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Pemigewasset River): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornton,_New_Hampshire
• North Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Conway,_New_Hampshire