This Small New Hampshire Community Has A Golf Course Ranked No. 2 Among The State’s Best Public Courses

Golfweek named this public course the No. 2 classic public layout in its state in 2022. Then it went and did it again in 2025. And in 2026, it held onto the No. 2 spot among New Hampshire’s best public-access courses.

Golf Digest has also placed it on its list of the Top 75 Public Courses in the U.S. twice. That’s a lot of national attention for a course without a velvet rope or a members-only sign.

The setting matters just as much as the trophies. Fairways climb and dip through the foothills of a well-known New Hampshire mountain, and the design dates back to 1957. I appreciate that anyone with a tee time can play it.

So what keeps a classic mountain course near the top of the rankings year after year? I’d want to see those elevation changes for myself.

The Rankings Keep Rolling In, And They Are Hard To Ignore

Two separate Golfweek honors put the Country Club of New Hampshire at No. 2 among the state’s classic public courses. Those nods came in 2022 and again in 2025.

A single ranking can feel like a lucky break. Repeat rankings tell a different story, and this course has piled up several.

Golf Digest has listed it among the Top 75 Public Courses in the U.S. on two occasions. That’s national company, not just a pat on the back from the neighbors.

I love that all this attention lands on a public course. You don’t need a membership card or a friend with connections to play here.

Bragging rights come free with your tee time. Just don’t expect the course to go easy on you because of its fame.

Rankings also make a handy excuse for a road trip. Telling friends you’re playing a top national public course sounds a lot better than saying you’re just going golfing.

Either way, you’ll have a story ready when the round ends.

A 1957 Design That Still Knows How To Test You

William F. Mitchell drew up this layout, and it opened for play in 1957. Classic architecture tends to age well, and this one keeps proving that point.

The course plays as an 18-hole regulation track with a par of 72. From the longest tees, it stretches to around 6,700 yards.

Numbers nerds will like the rest. The course rating sits at 72, with a slope of 130, which means it asks real questions of your game.

Mitchell built in subtle green complexes and strategic layouts. Translation: smart shots get rewarded, and careless swings get noticed fast.

The large greens come well-bunkered, so accuracy matters on approach shots. Bentgrass putting surfaces add that smooth roll classic courses are known for.

KemperSports even calls it a classic historic golf design. That’s a nice label for a layout that’s been challenging players for nearly seven decades.

I appreciate courses that reward thinking over pure muscle. You can’t simply bomb drives and hope for the best here.

Bring a game plan, a few extra balls, and some patience. The design will happily test all three before you reach the final green.

Mount Kearsarge Makes Every Bad Shot A Little Easier To Forgive

Mountain views are part of the deal here. The course sits in the foothills of Mount Kearsarge, which serves as a backdrop for your round.

Panoramic scenery shows up across the property. Hit a slice into the trees, and at least you’ll have something nice to look at.

Tree-lined fairways frame many of the holes. They look lovely, and they also punish wild tee shots, so enjoy them from a respectful distance.

Dramatic elevation changes run through the layout. Those climbs and drops add visual drama and make club selection a real puzzle.

A downhill shot can play shorter than the yardage suggests. An uphill approach can do the opposite, so trust the terrain as much as the numbers.

The setting feels peaceful and unspoiled, which is classic New England golf at its best. Fall color in the foothills is another strong reason to book later in the season.

I’d keep my phone handy for a photo or two between shots. Just don’t let your playing partners catch you snapping pictures while they’re putting.

Scenery this good deserves a few pauses. Keep pace in mind, then soak it in.

Warm Up First Because Those Hills Will Not Wait For You

Cold swings and mountain golf rarely get along. Luckily, the club has a driving range for loosening up before your round.

Spend a few minutes there working through your bag. Short irons first, then longer clubs, is a smart way to wake up your muscles.

Range time also helps you settle nerves. A ranked course can feel intimidating, and a few solid practice shots can boost your confidence quickly.

Focus on accuracy instead of raw distance. Those tree-lined fairways care more about direction than about how far you can launch the ball.

Bunkers guard many of the large greens, so a little sand practice at home pays off. Lag putting matters too on putting surfaces this size.

I’d arrive early enough that warming up doesn’t feel rushed. Sprinting from the parking lot to the first tee is nobody’s ideal start.

Bring water and sunscreen for the practice session as well as the round. Summer days in the foothills can heat up fast.

A good warm-up won’t fix every swing flaw. Still, it beats discovering your slice on the first hole with everyone watching.

Gear Trouble Has A Fix Right On Site

The Country Club of New Hampshire has a fully stocked pro shop offering golf apparel, equipment, and accessories.

Club fitting sounds fancy, but the idea is simple. Clubs matched to your swing can make the game feel a lot less like a battle.

Contact the pro shop to ask about current club-fitting and equipment-demo options. That means you can test clubs instead of guessing from a catalog photo.

The shop also carries golf apparel, equipment, and accessories. Forgot a glove or ran out of tees? Problem solved.

I like the idea of trying a new driver before buying it. Swinging it on an actual range beats reading endless product descriptions online.

Bring your current clubs if you’re curious about upgrades. Comparing old and new side by side makes the difference much easier to judge.

Ask questions during a fitting, even basic ones. Good fitters want to understand your game, not just hand you the shiniest club.

Shopping might even save your scorecard. At minimum, a fresh sleeve of balls never hurts on a course with this many trees.

Walk It, Ride It, Or Push It Along

Choice is the theme when it comes to getting around. Walking is allowed, power carts are available, and push carts are offered too.

Walking lets you absorb the scenery at an easy pace. You’ll also feel every one of those elevation changes in your legs.

Push carts make walking more practical. Rolling your bag up a hill sure beats hauling it across your shoulders.

Power carts suit players who’d rather save energy for their swings. They also help on hot days when hills feel twice as steep.

Keep in mind that a hilly course rewards honest self-assessment. If stamina is a question, the cart is no shame.

Walkers should pack water, snacks, and good shoes. Comfortable footwear can matter as much as your putter over 18 holes.

I appreciate courses that let golfers decide for themselves. Some days call for a long walk, and others call for a seat with wheels.

Families with teens might enjoy walking together for a slower round. Either way, you’ll see the same mountain views, just at different speeds.

Plan Your Tee Time Around A Generous Season

The golf season depends on weather and course conditions, so check with the club for opening and closing dates. That’s a long window for New Hampshire, where winter tends to overstay its welcome.

The club opens Monday through Sunday, from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Early birds and after-work golfers both get a shot.

Spring rounds can feel fresh after months indoors. Summer brings long evenings, and late fall can bring crisp air with foothill color.

Flexible seasonal rates cover both nine-hole and 18-hole rounds. A quick nine works nicely when time is tight.

I’d check the club’s tee sheet ahead of any trip. Rates and availability shift with the season, so booking early is wise.

Weekend mornings are naturally popular at most courses. A weekday round might give you a bit more breathing room.

Dress in layers during spring and fall. Mornings in the mountains can start chilly before warming up by the back nine.

Bug spray deserves a spot in your bag during warmer months too. New England woods are lovely, but the insects agree.

Stay Overnight And Make It A Real Golf Getaway

One round may not feel like enough after a long drive. The Country Club of New Hampshire offers Stay and Play options for longer visits.

Packages like these turn a day trip into a proper golf weekend. Waking up close to the course means less driving and more swinging.

Groups of friends often love this kind of setup. Two rounds, shared meals, and plenty of trash talk sound like a solid weekend.

I’d reach out early if you’re planning around a busy summer date. Popular weekends can fill up quickly.

Ask exactly what each package includes before you commit. Details can vary, so clear answers prevent surprises later.

The location makes a getaway easy to pair with the rest of the Kearsarge area. Scenic drives and small-town stops fit nicely between rounds.

Playing a course twice also helps your score. The second loop gives you a chance to fix mistakes from the first.

That’s the beauty of staying overnight. You get a rematch with every hole that bullied you the day before.

New Management Brings Fresh Energy To A Classic

KemperSports took over management on June 10, 2025. The company runs some of the best public courses in the country.

That’s encouraging news for a layout with this much history. KemperSports has said it plans to build on the course’s legacy.

You’ll find the Country Club of New Hampshire at 182 Kearsarge Valley Rd in North Sutton, New Hampshire. It’s an easy name to plug into your map app.

After your round, the 19th Hole offers a spot to relax. Rehashing birdies and bogeys is half the fun of golf anyway.

I like seeing a classic course paired with experienced management. It feels like the right mix of old character and new attention.

The small community setting adds to the charm. North Sutton sits in the Kearsarge region, a lovely corner of the state for a day out.

Rankings, mountain views, and a 1957 design make a strong case on their own. Toss in practice options and getaway packages, and the trip practically plans itself.

So grab your clubs and book that tee time. Mount Kearsarge will be waiting.