Lakes Region Golf Courses

Briangie · 05-02-2013, 02:55 PM

My family will be spending this summer in Alton, and not being a boater, I plan on spending a lot of time at the golf course.

An added bonus is my 16 year old son has asked to go along. Any time I can get my 16 year old to spend time with me, I do it. Never can have too much influence on your kids.

My dilemma is I have never played any of the courses in the Lakes Region. My son is a beginner/C player (he takes lessons, so he can play, but is still inconsistent) and I have been playing for over 30 years, 18 or so handicap.

Are there any favorites out there? Any place to stay away from? Anywhere worth a drive to?

Any recommendations are appreciated.

upthesaukee · 05-02-2013, 03:38 PM

I live in Alton Bay and am a golfer.

We are members at Lochmere Golf Club in Tilton, right on rte 3 about a mile and a half to two miles east of I93 exit 20. Wonderful 18 hole course, but perhaps not the course to bring out an inexperienced golfer on.

Pheasant Ridge in Gilford is a nice 18 course, and is quite friendly to the inexperienced golfers. It is about 20 minutes or so from Alton Bay.

Farmington Country club in Farmington is a nice 9 hole course, and of the three mentioned this far, is a very walkable course. We have been members there in the past and I can recommend it. It is about 20 minutes from Alton Bay.

In Wolfeboro is Kingswood Country club. This also an 18 hole course, and is rather friendly overall to an inexperienced golfer.

The middle two courses are probably the best two courses for the inexperienced golfer. Enjoy your stay up here, and enjoy the golf. If you see a red and white Mariah bowrider with Upthesaukee Too on the side, in and around Alton Bay, give a wave...we'll wave back at you.

Bernie Girl · 05-02-2013, 03:49 PM

When our boys were in their early teens we use to bring them to Oak Hill in Meredith - it's a 9 hole course and reasonably priced. We haven't been there in about 15 years so Im not sure what its like now. We also like to go to Ridgewood Country Club in Moultonboro, perhaps not the best place for a beginner but it's a great course. We seem to mostly go to Kingswood now and I think your 16 year old would do fine there.

If you're up for mini-golf we love taking the boat to Alton Bay and playing at the course right there - lots of fun, lots of laughs plus it seems a win a free game every time I go.... They pack alot of mini golf in a small space. Enjoy your golf & your time on the lake!!! We are psyched to open up this weekend!

secondcurve · 05-02-2013, 05:45 PM

I'd have to agree with the previous posters that Kingswood is one of the better choices for you. It is close to Alton, forgiving and reasonably priced. Have fun.

Briangie · 05-02-2013, 06:14 PM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone

We are looking forward to the summer!

surfnsnow · 05-02-2013, 06:17 PM

pheasant ridge is a good choice. forgiving layout and reasonably priced. second choice would be kingswood but they can be difficult to get a weekend tee time. love lochmere but a novice will need a lot of golf balls.

dragonfly03246 · 05-03-2013, 07:23 AM

We golf regularly at Oak Hill in Meredith. It's located off Pease Road and it's just a small 9-hole golf course. Perfect for beginners or a quick game.

The greens are all quite nice and the owners, Barbara and Gus are great people!

Right now they are running a special of $14 unlimited golf but usually the price is $14 for 9 holes and another $14 if you want a cart.

http://oakhillgc.com/index.html

Another place you could go is Bolduc Park on Gilford Ave on the Gilford/Laconia line. It's a cute par 3 course that only costs a recommended donation of $8.

http://www.bolducpark.com/course/fees.html

Shore Driver · 05-03-2013, 07:45 AM

Pheasant Ridge is great. Not a difficult layout, great views, always good conditions.

Lochmere is tough. Have never played Loudon but that may be an option from Alton.

ishoot308 · 05-03-2013, 07:57 AM

28 minutes North of Meredith just off interstate 93 in Campton is the "Owls Nest" Golf course. It's a beautiful picturesque course that's always in great shape.

Dan

Briangie · 05-03-2013, 11:42 AM

Again, thanks for the great response. Just what I was hoping to hear.

ushaggerb · 05-05-2013, 12:52 AM

Ridgewood in Moultonborough is a fun course. If your son goes off the white tees, it plays to a 66.5 and 118 slope. Even better, if he'll play off the golds at Ridgewood, plays to a 108.

If you don't already know, checking the scorecard online at any course is a good idea. To start him off gently, try to get on a +/- 115 slope. If you start getting into the 120's, it could turn him off.

Pheasant Ridge is really pretty, also gentle. A bit more woods to deal with. Not sure if someone mentioned Waukewan in Meredith. Fun elevations.

NH courses are arguably some of the best kept secrets.

05-02-2013, 02:55 PM	#1
Briangie Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 12 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Lakes Region Golf Courses My family will be spending this summer in Alton, and not being a boater, I plan on spending a lot of time at the golf course. An added bonus is my 16 year old son has asked to go along. Any time I can get my 16 year old to spend time with me, I do it. Never can have too much influence on your kids. My dilemma is I have never played any of the courses in the Lakes Region. My son is a beginner/C player (he takes lessons, so he can play, but is still inconsistent) and I have been playing for over 30 years, 18 or so handicap. Are there any favorites out there? Any place to stay away from? Anywhere worth a drive to? Any recommendations are appreciated.

05-02-2013, 03:38 PM	#2
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,596 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,453 Thanked 1,979 Times in 1,080 Posts	Hello and Welcome... I live in Alton Bay and am a golfer. We are members at Lochmere Golf Club in Tilton, right on rte 3 about a mile and a half to two miles east of I93 exit 20. Wonderful 18 hole course, but perhaps not the course to bring out an inexperienced golfer on. Pheasant Ridge in Gilford is a nice 18 course, and is quite friendly to the inexperienced golfers. It is about 20 minutes or so from Alton Bay. Farmington Country club in Farmington is a nice 9 hole course, and of the three mentioned this far, is a very walkable course. We have been members there in the past and I can recommend it. It is about 20 minutes from Alton Bay. In Wolfeboro is Kingswood Country club. This also an 18 hole course, and is rather friendly overall to an inexperienced golfer. The middle two courses are probably the best two courses for the inexperienced golfer. Enjoy your stay up here, and enjoy the golf. If you see a red and white Mariah bowrider with Upthesaukee Too on the side, in and around Alton Bay, give a wave...we'll wave back at you. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

05-02-2013, 05:45 PM	#4
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,117 Thanks: 1,325 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	Kingswood I'd have to agree with the previous posters that Kingswood is one of the better choices for you. It is close to Alton, forgiving and reasonably priced. Have fun.

05-03-2013, 07:23 AM	#7
dragonfly03246 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 83 Thanks: 7 Thanked 29 Times in 15 Posts	Oak Hill We golf regularly at Oak Hill in Meredith. It's located off Pease Road and it's just a small 9-hole golf course. Perfect for beginners or a quick game. The greens are all quite nice and the owners, Barbara and Gus are great people! Right now they are running a special of $14 unlimited golf but usually the price is $14 for 9 holes and another $14 if you want a cart. http://oakhillgc.com/index.html Another place you could go is Bolduc Park on Gilford Ave on the Gilford/Laconia line. It's a cute par 3 course that only costs a recommended donation of $8. http://www.bolducpark.com/course/fees.html Last edited by dragonfly03246; 05-03-2013 at 07:24 AM. Reason: spelling

05-03-2013, 07:57 AM	#9
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,231 Thanks: 2,382 Thanked 5,276 Times in 2,050 Posts	Owl's Nest 28 minutes North of Meredith just off interstate 93 in Campton is the "Owls Nest" Golf course. It's a beautiful picturesque course that's always in great shape. Dan

The Following User Says Thank You to upthesaukee For This Useful Post:
Briangie (05-02-2013)

05-02-2013, 03:49 PM	#3
Bernie Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 60 Thanks: 145 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	When our boys were in their early teens we use to bring them to Oak Hill in Meredith - it's a 9 hole course and reasonably priced. We haven't been there in about 15 years so Im not sure what its like now. We also like to go to Ridgewood Country Club in Moultonboro, perhaps not the best place for a beginner but it's a great course. We seem to mostly go to Kingswood now and I think your 16 year old would do fine there. If you're up for mini-golf we love taking the boat to Alton Bay and playing at the course right there - lots of fun, lots of laughs plus it seems a win a free game every time I go.... They pack alot of mini golf in a small space. Enjoy your golf & your time on the lake!!! We are psyched to open up this weekend!

The Following User Says Thank You to Bernie Girl For This Useful Post:
Briangie (05-02-2013)

05-02-2013, 06:14 PM	#5
Briangie Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 12 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks for the suggestions everyone We are looking forward to the summer!

05-02-2013, 06:17 PM	#6
surfnsnow Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 173 Thanks: 133 Thanked 52 Times in 29 Posts	pheasant ridge is a good choice. forgiving layout and reasonably priced. second choice would be kingswood but they can be difficult to get a weekend tee time. love lochmere but a novice will need a lot of golf balls.

The Following User Says Thank You to surfnsnow For This Useful Post:
upthesaukee (05-02-2013)

05-03-2013, 07:45 AM	#8
Shore Driver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tolland CT Posts: 194 Thanks: 20 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts	Pheasant Ridge is great. Not a difficult layout, great views, always good conditions. Lochmere is tough. Have never played Loudon but that may be an option from Alton.

05-03-2013, 11:42 AM	#10
Briangie Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 12 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Again, thanks for the great response. Just what I was hoping to hear.

05-05-2013, 12:52 AM	#11
ushaggerb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 108 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 69 Thanked 30 Times in 22 Posts	Golf Ridgewood in Moultonborough is a fun course. If your son goes off the white tees, it plays to a 66.5 and 118 slope. Even better, if he'll play off the golds at Ridgewood, plays to a 108. If you don't already know, checking the scorecard online at any course is a good idea. To start him off gently, try to get on a +/- 115 slope. If you start getting into the 120's, it could turn him off. Pheasant Ridge is really pretty, also gentle. A bit more woods to deal with. Not sure if someone mentioned Waukewan in Meredith. Fun elevations. NH courses are arguably some of the best kept secrets.