Baker Hill Golf Club – Played July 2019
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 101 Baker Hill Road, Newbury, New Hampshire
- Year: 2001
- Architect: Rees Jones
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 7,171 yards, Par 72, 75.5 Rating/147 Slope
- Black: 6,760 yards, Par 72, 73.0 Rating/140 Slope
- Black/White: 6,464 yards, Par 72, 71.8 Rating/134 Slope
- White: 6,198 yards, Par 72, 70.7 Rating/129 Slope (Men’s), 76.1 Rating/135 Slope (Women’s)
- White/Green: 5,792 yards, Par 72, 68.5 Rating/128 Slope (Men’s), 73.9 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- Green: 5,431 yards, Par 72, 67.4 Rating/122 Slope (Men’s), 72.5 Rating/124 Slope (Women’s)
- Green/Blue: 4,854 yards, Par 72, 64.3 Rating/113 Slope (Men’s), 70.0 Rating/120 Slope (Women’s)
- Blue: 4,357 yards, Par 72, 62.9 Rating/110 Slope (Men’s), 67.6 Rating/115 Slope (Women’s)
As I’ve mentioned before on this site, I get up to New Hampshire in the summer to see the family. The summer of 2019 continued that trend. Of course, golf was on tap along with some general relaxation. I ended up getting three rounds in, kicked off by Baker Hill Golf Club.
This course is located in the Upper Valley near Lake Sunapee. In fact, you can get some nice views of the lake from the golf course property. Baker Hill Golf Club is true to its name, in that golf in the sole activity here. As such, there is a clubhouse and restaurant but no pool or tennis courts.
With it’s setting amid nature, Baker Hill Golf Club must protect that balance between golf and the surrounding environment. As such, they have been designated a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. Some activities they have undertaken for this have been restocking the ponds with fish and installing various animal habitats around the property.
Alright, now you’ve got the background and are warmed up for the tour. I played the black tees and all distances will reflect that. Below is a shot of the rock tee markers with the club logo.
Hole 1 – 405 yards – Par 4
The first hole provides a wide target from the tee that can accommodate any shape shot. The approach is tougher, playing uphill to a small target. You don’t want to miss long but short shots could roll back a bit with the slope.
Hole 2 – 527 yards – Par 5
With this dogleg left, it behooves you to play a draw. If your tee shot is long enough it may catch the downslope you see in the following photos. This is a hole that was hard to play without having seen it. The second shot can be blind and with the slope of the hole you will want to carefully pick a line.
I enjoyed the view from the top of the hill. As you can see below, you don’t want to miss left.
Hole 3 – 198 yards – Par 3
This shot is straight uphill and no joke. Avoid the bunker and hit the green or pars are tough to come by.
Hole 4 – 524 yards – Par 5
With its length and elevated green, this will be a three-shot hole for most players. The right bend of the hole straightens out as you go.
We hit some good shots into this pin!
Hole 5 – 174 yards – Par 3
This tee shot plays the opposite of the prior par three. The perched green is a difficult target and you do not want to miss long. Distance control is key!
Hole 6 – 409 yards – Par 4
This dogleg left was a tough hole for me. You’ll want to be past the corner to have a clear shot. I had a difficult time picking a line.
Once you execute your drive, the hole opens up to a green situated below the fairway level. Don’t fool with those back bunkers.
Hole 7 – 332 yards – Par 4
In case you forgot this was a mountain course, the seventh hole reminds you quickly. Your choice off the tee is threading the bunkers or carrying them. Either shot has its merits and challenges.
The view into the green is mostly obscured by the slope.
Hole 8 – 347 yards – Par 4
This hole presents a visual challenge. The hole doglegs right but everything else is pushing you towards a draw. The fairway cants to the left and bunkers guard the right corner. Focus is crucial on this one.
Hole 9 – 387 yards – Par 4
The building in the distance provides a nice target for your drive. If you stay out of the bunker par should be well within your grasp.
This green had some nice internal contouring. Depending on the pin location, you can take advantage of these.
Hole 10 – 448 yards – Par 4
The tenth is a brute. It plays pretty flat and as a result, true to its distance. It takes two solid shots to get home here.
Hole 11 – 560 yards – Par 5
I’ll be impressed if you can reach this in two. This hole plays like the switchback template in that it asks for a fade off the tee and then a draw later on. Don’t stray too far right on the tee shot.
After the blind second shot, the third shot is pretty straightforward.
Hole 12 – 388 yards – Par 4
Just aim for the center of the fairway here. The second shot plays uphill but this is one of the more gettable holes out here.
Hole 13 – 462 yards – Par 4
Thankfully this monster plays downhill. A power fade is optimal from the tee and the fairway.
Notice below how the green runs away on the front and right.
Hole 14 – 180 yards – Par 3
The forced carry here isn’t too bad but that doesn’t mean the hole is easy. The bunkers are a good challenge but the real kicker is the heavy slope in the green.
Hole 15 – 483 yards – Par 5
Here is a legitimate chance at a late-round birdie. All the trouble is left on this hole, so if you can control a draw you may just be putting for eagle. Shorter hitters also have an opportunity here with solid wedge play.
You are presented with a partial infinity green. Trust me, long is dead.
Hole 16 – 358 yards – Par 4
They had the tees moved way up on this hole to where it was almost driveable for my longer playing partner. I took a long iron out to the right to provide the best angle to the green.
This bunker is not a bad place to be after your tee shot. It beats being left of the green.
Hole 17 – 178 yards – Par 3
This is one of the most intimidating shots on the course. It’s almost all carry with a small bailout area on the right. Just don’t hit it fat!
Hole 18 – 400 yards – Par 4
After the last hole, this one doesn’t seem so bad. A fairly generous fairway allows you to swing away. You’ll want to be as close to the green as possible since it is quite elevated, making it tough to stop shots on it.
The green runs away from you on the backside, as seen below.
As you can see, Baker Hill Golf Club has a very serene setting amongst the mountains. The holes have some slopy topography but I thought it was quite tame for a mountain course. That adds to the playability for a wider range of golfers.
With a beautiful setting and relaxed atmosphere, Baker Hill Golf Club is a soothing place to be. You never feel rushed and can be one with the course. New Hampshire golf is so much fun!
