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The best golf courses in New Hampshire

By Derek Duncan and Stephen Hennessey
May 29, 2025
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New Hampshire might be one of the weaker golf states in the country—the scores of its top-five courses put it within the bottom five states—but ask any golfer from New England, and they'll disagree with that statement.

Fall golf in New Hampshire is tough to top with some of the stunning vistas used for ski mountains doubling as golf destinations. Baker Hill Golf Club, which nabbed the No. 1 spot in our rankings by five hundredths of a decimal point, certainly fits that description, with Rees Jones utilizing some stunning land near Lake Sunapee with sweeping elevation changes. The Golf Club of New England is more of a coastal design right on the Atlantic, showcasing the variety that New Hampshire golf can offer. Much of the golf in New Hampshire is public-access and affordable, too, making it a resident’s dream.

Below you'll find our 2025-'26 ranking of the Best Golf Courses in New Hampshire.

Scroll on for the complete list of the best courses in New Hampshire. Be sure to click through to each individual course page for bonus photography and reviews from our course panelists. We also encourage you to leave your own ratings … so you can make your case for (or against) any course that you've played.

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5. Lake Sunapee Country Club
New London, NH
3.1
5 Panelists
Previous rank: NR
Just north of Concord, New Hampshire, is the 1920s era gem, Lake Sunapee Country Club. The prestigious course was designed by Donald Ross and is routed through old forests and rolling hills, with open driving areas and undulating green complexes protected by sinister false fronts and challenging greenside bunkering. In recent years, Ron Forse completed an extensive renovation project focused on returning elements from the original design, which came in the form of bunkers being added back into original locations, expanded green complexes and extensive tree removal, bringing back stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Firm-and-fast conditions along with an enjoyable routing for walking make Lake Sunapee a top-class playing experience.
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4. Manchester Country Club
Bedford, NH
3.9
5 Panelists
Previous rank: 5
Manchester Country Club’s strength comes in its classic, great routing by Donald Ross. Like so many of his designs, Manchester’s green complexes provide much of the character—with many distinct sections and pronounced, bold contours. The back nine is one of the finest in the region with strong variety and dramatic landforms, including the 17th, which has a creek running through the fairway in the run up to the green. The course is tremendously fun and is yet another great showcase of what made Ross so special.
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3. Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club
New Durham, NH
3.9
4 Panelists
Previous rank: 3
Situated in the dense forests near the Maine and New Hampshire border is the Clive Clark-designed Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Set among a unique environment where forested mountains meet dense wetlands, the golf course is home to dramatic rock outcroppings and extensive natural areas that protect fairway landing zones and greens. The club is also renowned for its dramatic elevation changes, with eight tee boxes positioned almost 100 feet above the landing area below, making for numerous picturesque vistas.
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2. The Golf Club of New England
Stratham, NH
4.1
7 Panelists
Previous rank: 2
Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer in 2002, the Golf Club of New England sits on 450 acres of reclaimed farmland and is said to be one of the staunchest tests of golf in the area. The course is devoid of residential developments and is routed through natural landscape, showcasing stone walls, oak tree-lined fairways and running brooks, creating an aura of tranquility. While the environment provides ample relaxation, the brutish 7,600-yard golf course re-focuses the golfer’s attention with fescue and wetland areas protecting fairways and putting surfaces throughout. The challenge at the Golf Club of New England culminates with the signature par-3 17th, played over a hazard to a Y-shaped green protected by deep bunkers behind it.
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1. Baker Hill Golf Club
Newbury, NH
4.2
9 Panelists
Previous rank: 1
Baker Hill sits among the New Hampshire mountains and provides a classic New England golf experience for every golfer. The course offers a great blend of uphill and downhill shots—delivering plenty of variety throughout the course. Golfers must be prepared to work the ball both ways off the tee, as Rees Jones provides an excellent mix of right-to-left and left-to-right holes. The greens feel tucked into the trees, forcing accuracy on the approach. The bunkers are some of the most difficult in the region; some are nearly six feet deep, and all are lined with fescue. One of the most unique quirks is a call back to North Berwick, as a stone wall runs along 1, 4, 8-13, 16 & 18.
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