Some believe that the best time to play golf is in the spring or summer when trees and flowers are blossoming and the sun is shining brightly. On the flip-side, golfing in the fall might as well be a whole new sport. Hues of deep reds and bright yellows line each fairway as the crisp fall winds sweep over the course. Since it has been officially fall for a week now, even though it hasn’t felt like it in much of the country, here is a list of the 10 of the best courses to play in the fall in no particular order.
Sunday River Golf Club – Newry, Maine
This course, located in Newry, Maine, takes advantage of all that the Maine foliage has to offer. It also will take you through 400 yards of elevation change during your round. This course spans over 7,130-yards and has an absolutely breathtaking view on the 443-yard 18th. See the course.
Woodstock Inn and Resort – Woodstock, Vermont
This Robert Trent Jones Jr. design located in Vermont will stun you on every turn. It is on the shorter side, sitting at just over 6,000 yards. But it makes up for the lack of length with a par of only 70-strokes. This course is also Keegan Bradley’s course of choice for fall foliage. See the course.
Lake of Isles – North Stonington, Connecticut
Located in rural Connecticut and a part of the Foxwoods Casino enterprise, Lake of Isles is a hot spot for golf in the fall. It is technically owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Additionally, it was designed by the respected Rees Jones. The 90-acre Lake of Isles is the center-point of this course. See the course.
Taconic Golf Club – Williamstown, Massachusetts
This course is owned and operated by Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. It is stuck in the Berkshires, offering picturesque fall views that will have you whipping your camera out more than you think. It is a more historic course, opening in 1927 after being designed by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek. See the course.
The Highland Course at Primland Resort – Meadows of Dan, Virginia
The fall colors are abundant in this course that is laid out over mountain peaks and descending deep into valleys. This course will take you on a journey of over 3,000 feet of elevation. It was designed by Donald Steel and is located 20 miles north of the North Carolina border in the Meadows of Dan, Virginia. See the course.
Golf Club at Equinox – Manchester Village, Vermont
Another older course, this one opened up in 1926 and was updated 20 years ago by Rees Jones. The signature feature of this course is a slim but tall white steeple that rises through the trees during the finishing holes. The Green Mountain state puts on an absolutely beautiful display of fall colors that can be taken in anywhere on this 6,431-yard, 71-par beauty. See the course.
Leatherstocking Golf Course – Cooperstown, New York
This Cooperstown course allows for a weekend getaway of golf and baseball lore due to it’s close proximity to the Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Devereux Emmet built this gem in 1909, which runs along the shores of Lake Otsego. It is on the short side, maxing out at 6,401-yards, but well-placed bunkers will test your accuracy. See the course.
Virtues Golf Club – Nashport, Ohio
This parkland-style course was designed by Arthur Hills that followed the tracks of grazing livestock. The back nine features many creeks and small ponds that act as brilliant reflecting pools for the sharp hues of gold and crimson that appear every October & November. The front nine features several 150-foot elevation changes, conducive to beautiful views. See the course.
Owl’s Nest Resort & Golf Club – Thornton, New Hampshire
This course elegantly sits at the southernmost point of the White Mountains in the foliage-friendly state of New Hampshire. Built only 15 years ago by Cornish-Silva-Mungeam, this fun course offers three different experiences throughout your round. There are six open, links-style holes that lead into six holes that roll along a spring-fed pond. The finishing six holes are etched into the flanks of Sunset Hill. See the course.
Sugarloaf Golf Club – Carrabassett Valley, Maine
Robert Trent Jones Jr. used Maine’s natural and stunning wilderness to construct this course with a rustic feel. It doubles as a moose habitat and sends itself through foothills located at the base of the resort’s equally well-known ski area. It offers wide views of the Bigelow Range from the highest points on the course. The six-hole stretch from 10 to 15 is also known as the “String of Pearls” and will prove it’s namesake during the fall. See the course.
