Champlain Country Club

Champlain Country Club in far northern Vermont shares something in common with many New England golf courses: nine holes were built a long time, and nine more were added decades later. And as at those other layouts, the older holes are vastly superior to the newer ones. At Champlain, the first three, the 9th and 10th and the last four greens are the 1915 originals. They've shrunk over the years, but the bunkering and earthworks are still evident and fun to study. The rest of the course is pretty average, but overall, if you are a fan of classic golf, you will enjoy Champlain.

In addition to a solid course, Champlain has a great vibe and mix of locals and members who absolutely love the place and play as much golf as possible during the precious season. You'll feel instantly welcome here, and you'll pay no more than $40 or $50 for the privilege. Then have a local beer and some chicken wings in the clubhouse restaurant.