Concord Country Club – Played July 2018
- Rankings: None of the four lists
- Location: Country Club Lane, Concord, New Hampshire
- Year: 1930
- Original Architect: Ralph Barton
- Additional Work By: Geoffrey Cornish & Ross Forbes
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Blue: 6,543 yards, Par 70, 71.9 Rating/129 Slope
- Blue/White: 6,373 yards, Par 70, 70.9 Rating/128 Slope
- White: 6,238 yards, Par 70, 70.0 Rating/126 Slope (Men’s), 75.5 Rating/136 Slope (Women’s)
- White/Gold: 5,733 yards, Par 72, 67.9 Rating/121 Slope
- Gold: 5,397 yards, Par 72, 66.1 Rating/120 Slope
- Red/White: 5,678 yards, Par 72, 72.5 Rating/129 Slope
- Red: 5,299 yards, Par 70, 71.1 Rating/126 Slope
I rounded out the July trip to New Hampshire by playing Concord Country Club. I have a nice connection to this course through my grandfather. As you may have read from my other post, he passed away in August, but I got to go by Concord Country Club one more time while he was around.
I’ve known CCC’s head pro, Rich, since I started playing golf back in my days at Candia Woods. Grampa worked for him as a starter/ranger and they always had a great relationship. He gave me some of my first lessons. He was also kind enough, along with some other golf luminaries, to come to Grampa’s funeral.
Due to that connection, I would always try to go by Concord Country Club to see how Rich was doing and give him an update on Grampa. This time was no different. I only get to see Rich once every few years, but it’s always great.
I headed out to the first tee after visiting for a bit to take on this place solo. It was a calming round played at a nice pace. Let’s get into the tour. All yardages are from the blue tees.
The first tee abuts the clubhouse. The photo below gives you a feel for the intimate setting.
Below is a shot of the tee boxes.
Hole 1 – 374 yards – Par 4
The course starts with a medium length par four. The entry road runs up the right side, but other than that there isn’t much trouble.
The approach shot is straightforward to an open green. You don’t want to miss long.
The green is a big target with a pretty large dip in the back section.
Hole 2 – 468 yards – Par 4
This tee shot plays to a blind landing area. It is best to keep your ball up the left side. You’ll see what I mean in the following photos.
The landing area is sloped downward to give your drive a boost. Even so, you will likely be left with a longer second shot. With the open green, you can bounce a shot onto the putting surface.
The photo below gives a good illustration of the hole’s slope.
Hole 3 – 300 yards – Par 4
I’ll be honest and say that I don’t love the trees framing the hole here #treeremoval, but they do block the next green from incoming missiles. This hole plays uphill all the way.
The second shot will require some extra club.
Hole 4 – 210 yards – Par 3
You’ve likely noticed some serious elevation change over this three hole stretch. It makes club selection tricky. This long par three has a large commensurate with the hole’s length.
Hole 5 – 366 yards – Par 4
This tee shot requires a little more thought that it would appear. A fade is best, but the main goal is to find the fairway. After you get over the hill you won’t want to be too far left since the hole moves to the right.
Notice the elevated green for the approach with the deep bunker on the right being particularly tough.
Below you can see the ridge that bisects the green.
Hole 6 – 386 yards – Par 4
Here we have the hardest tee shot on the front nine. Trees run the entire right side and if you miss left you will also be blocked out. Precision is a must.
I didn’t take my own advice and had a little tree trouble. You can also see how uphill the shot plays.
Hole 7 – 404 yards – Par 4
You should be able to get a long drive from this elevated tee. Be aware that the fairway is not overly wide.
You can see the entirety of the hole in the photo below.
Hole 8 – 427 yards – Par 4
This hole may prove difficult for the short hitters. The fairway cants to the right and plays slightly uphill to the green. There is a sharp dropoff to the right of the putting surface and a bunker left.
Hole 9 – 172 yards – Par 3
The front nine finishes with an uphill par three guarded by plenty of bunkers. The hill in front of the green is pretty severe but has rough to stop too much roll. A miss short is better than long.
Hole 10 – 406 yards – Par 4
The back nine starts with this dogleg left.
The approach plays uphill to a flattish green. Long is not good.
Hole 11 – 194 yards – Par 3
This par three plays slightly downhill with a miss to the right not very desirable.
Hole 12 – 605 yards – Par 5
This very long hole starts off tight on the tee. With overhanging trees on the right, a draw is preferable here.
Second and third shots play down the more open fairway to the green.
Hole 13 – 432 yards – Par 4
This brutish hole plays uphill all the way to the green. Solid shots are needed here.
Hole 14 – 398 yards – Par 4
What goes up must come down. That is the case with hills. We are going back down the hill on this dogleg right. Approach shots need to avoid the small hazard short of the green.
Hole 15 – 367 yards – Par 4
I caught up to the maintenance crew on this one. This hole bends to the left. With trees right you don’t want to miss on that side.
The creek shouldn’t come into play on the uphill approach.
Hole 16 – 160 yards – Par 3
This downhill shot must avoid the water hazard short and left of the green. Pins on the left will make for hair-raising shots.
Hole 17 – 542 yards – Par 5
This is a bit of a rollercoaster hole. The tee shot plays to a blind landing area and the hole continues up hill to the green. You will need three solid shots.
Hole 18 – 332 yards – Par 4
The final hole provides a good opportunity for birdie. There is not much slope so most drives should be played from inside 125 yards or so.
The green is multi-tiered. Distance control is important to have a good putt for birdie.
While Concord Country Club will never be on any Top 100 lists, that should not stop anyone from playing it. I have an affinity for courses in New England, especially the older ones. They remind me of my childhood summers. Concord is a perfect example of that. Getting to see an old friend on top of seeing the course again made for a great day.