Maplewood Golf Club

Sitting on the outskirts of the town of Bethlehem (pop. 2,512), Maplewood Golf Course still feels isolated and quite rural, other than the road that runs through it. The Maplewood Inn really impresses, however, a stately Victorian-styled building from a long-ago era, and I also can’t help but appreciate the mature trees and the look—unfussy but graceful--of this 1924 classic layout from Architect Donald Ross.

Course Design and Hazards:

Maplewood rolls handsomely across what is often undulating and hilly terrain, providing lots of variety, with fairways that tilt in contrasting directions, with curving holes and tricky doglegs, and with others skirting water hazards–most on the back nine. The front nine’s hallmarks are its holes of dramatic shape and its distinctive forestland aura. The back nine retains a tree-lined look but is, by contrast, more open, and the final stretch of holes--from thirteen to conclusion--is relatively flat. Despite that, the holes retain good character.

Most of the fairways here provide enough airspace to hit either a pronounced draw or fade, but some will encourage one over the other. Maplewood has about thirty bunkers, which is moderate by today’s standards, but Donald Ross–the course architect (1914) --has supplied many other problems with which to contend. The woods and trees are actually the pervasive hazards simply because most of the fairways are lined with them. Still, the lines of conifers (in places they are mixed with broadleaf trees) are usually not too dense.

The one weakness, although surely it was an intentional part of Ross’ overall plan, turns out to be the use of very small greens at three, four, five, and nine. When such greens this small have significant pitch as well, and when cut to fast modern-day standards, it is very difficult to not only land but to stop approaches upon them–whether a seven iron or even a wedge.

Four Great Holes:

Six, par-4, 411 yards: Starts with an offset fairway to the right, then moves uphill: the approach should thread two large trees into a punchbowl green set upon a large knoll. The key is the drive, which—if hit in the proper position---will open up the green.

Eleven, par-3, 168: Requiring a midiron into the narrowest of greens, this ticklish hole runs downhill away from the striker. Miss right or left and you’ll likely find a bunker. And a small, somewhat hourglass-shaped green is nicely juxtaposed to a huge screen of pines behind it; beyond is Route 302 traffic.

Twelve, par-3, 201: This difficult downhill three-par demands both power and precision if you hope to nail down a GIR. The green runs down and away to add to the difficulty, with trouble on both sides.

Fifteen, par-5, 551: With its fairway offset to the left, the tee shot is awkward, especially because a marsh guards the right side of the landing zone. Only very long hitters can reach this in two. For the rest of us, it’s a third shot approach to a deep but rolling green that’s not a simple two-putt.

Other holes stamp themselves in the memory as well. Both the first and ninth notably provide beautiful views into the Presidential Range; on the opening hole the prominent Victorian inn sits in the foreground with mountains behind. The challenging fifth and sixth, each somewhat of a mirror image of the other, exemplify the often boldly rolling terrain of the fairways here along with a tendency to favor well-protected/elevated greens. Sixteen, an exciting par-6(!) at 656 yards, can be reached in three—which, by the way, is the point of long holes—just as many par-5s are designed to be reached by the ambitious in two shots.

Scoring Well on this Course:

Smart play off the tee is essential, and golfers who can mix power with accuracy from hole to hole should be able to make their scores. And while the greens demand excellence from your putter, even more important is a solid tee-to-green game, as approach shots, above all, require finesse and often the ability to judge the bounce.

Course Conditions:

Excellent overall. The smooth and fast greens and greenside areas were outstanding. Tees were mostly excellent, and fairway/greenside roughs proved very good. The fairways were good, but it does seem that they have suffered a bit because of heavier course play than average.

Question About the Designer (?):

It is clear enough that only Donald Ross designed Maplewood GC, and the question raised about Alex Findlay’s contribution (as an earlier nine) simply lacks any genuinely factual basis. The Donald Ross Society, along with the Maplewood Golf Course organization itself, specify only Ross as having been the sole designer in 1914 of what is today the full eighteen holes here. Other highly credible sources, such as Geoffrey Cornish, cite Ross as the designer of all eighteen. In 2003 Ross Forbes, a modern architect, produced some modifications to the course.

Findlay, another Golden Age architect, was partly responsible for the initial rendition of a nearby course (which Ross finished) that also happens to be in Bethlehem, NH, but that is Bethlehem Country Club—down Route 302 a mile or so west.

Some Conclusions:

Especially during league play late on a Wednesday afternoon, Maplewood is a popular course. It should be, though, as it has so much to offer by its challenges, from its atmosphere, and through the great design balance of this rock-solid Ross layout. This is one of the top ten tracks I have played across New Hampshire, and it certainly ticks all of the essential boxes–and then some. All told, Maplewood rates an excellent test of shot-making and finesse on which careful play is rewarded.

A northern Nee Hampshire gem of a golf course that the original 9 holes were designed by Alex Findlay. The Donald Ross documentation is unclear, but he did work in several other courses in the area.

I enjoyed the par 6 hole which is different, but very short for a par 6. Several of the greens are very wild / unique and were a blast to play

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This Donald Ross design seemed typical of others I’ve played in the past, fairly easy to get to the greens but that’s where the work begins. Several greens were drastically sloped, although you wouldn’t think it just by looking. Several of the holes on the top half of the property had greens that fell hard off to the left or the right. This is on account of these holes being built in the side of a hill. I found the greens to roll fast, firm, and true. It was often times difficult to hold the greens on high wedge shots so a bump and run is more favorable here. The layout was nice. Good variety of holes including a rare par 6. The course conditions were very good and staff was friendly. I look forward to playing here again soon.

Course was full but we still played in 4 hours, greens were fast and challenging due to slopes. Had a great time. I beat the 614 yard hole getting my first par 6 there. Will be back again..

Gorgeous setting. Interesting, undulating fairways. Not too many hazards. Not a ton of fairway variety. Was a bit of a drive, but the great round of golf made the trip worthwhile.

What the website and Golfnow didn’t tell us was that the greens were being aerated so some greens were unplayable and others were not really puttable. Probably wouldn’t have gone if that was known. Otherwise, the course was average.

Think of the worst public course you have played and just carry it over to this course. Pine straw fairways, small uneven tee boxes, the entire course is designed on the side of a mountain so all fairways are sloped so as to run off into what I assume is their rough. Very small greens, which are also sloped to coincide with the mountain. Poorly maintained, and the only interesting thing about this course is their par 6, which is not very challenging, straight away 3 shot to the green, which I eagled btw. Not sure how anyone could give this course a higher rating. Must be friends of the owners is all I can think of.

Lemme tell ya the greens here are lightening.

They all break toward the valley. Some fairways are pretty narrow calling for a long iron off the tee.

I’ve played here 10 or more times in the last 15 years and love the 16th, 614 yard par 6 hole. Yes that’s a par 6 hole.

Good take for good old New England golf.

Fairways were a little hard and bumpy but it’s still a fun place to play.

I really enjoyed this course the greens are in great shape

What a fun track track. Golf as it should be. The greens were magnificent, a real tribute to Donald Ross golf genius. I’m so happy the owners have kept the greens in such wonderful shape. I would have opted to walk in hindsight. Put this on your bucket list of Ross courses. A gem in Bethlehem nh

This is of course you have to play twice or you pay the price! So much fun, so Donald Ross, and just gorgeous beautiful scenery.

Awesome facility and location.

Pace of play very bad. Call to pro shop on 9 tee helped.

Weather was ideal; course conditions were pretty awesome; the gal who greeted uls at check-in was really wonderful and kind; Jerry, afterwards, was there for us for a great cocktail - everything was clean, friendly, just right for our day of 18 holes.....had a great time....Will be travelling back one day from CT! thanks so much...a beautiful spot for us.....!