Montcalm Golf Club – Played July 2019
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 2 Smith Pond Road, Enfield, New Hampshire
- Year: 2003
- Architect: George Sargent
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 6,829 yards, Par 72, 73.3 Rating/135 Slope (Men’s), 78.7 Rating/142 Slope (Women’s)
- Blue: 6,346 yards, Par 72, 70.8 Rating/131 Slope
- White: 5,983 yards, Par 72, 69.2 Rating/128 Slope (Men’s), 74.3 Rating/133 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,029 yards, Par 72, 64.3 Rating/113 Slope (Men’s), 68.5 Rating/121 Slope (Women’s)
The second course I visited on my New Hamshire summer trip was Montcalm Golf Club. This was a special one for me because my grandfather had always talked about it. He took a tour of the course some years back and was constantly imploring me to play it.
As a private course, I had to work on access, so it took a few years. I was able to work it out and had a tee time set up with the director of membership, David. It’s a small world because he knew my uncle from his time at his club. David is originally from Florida and went to FSU, so we had some fun college football discussions.
Rounding out our foursome were Roger and Norm. These two brothers were ten years apart and weren’t afraid to rib each other. They were scouting the course for a New Hampshire seniors group and were a joy to play with.
Now onto the course. It was built originally because the founder’s club, Hanover Country Club, was undergoing a renovation. The remote location was a conscious choice and the founder spent a lot of time onsite being involved in the design. New ownership has made the course more open by making it a bit more accessible.
Hole 1 – 376 yards – Par 4
You start out with an uphill, dogleg right. It plays severely uphill on the approach shot.
The green features plenty of slope. I can tell you from personal experience you don’t want to be above the hole.
Here is a shot of the flags at Montcalm.
Hole 2 – 151 yards – Par 3
With a short shot into this green, birdie is a definite possibility. This is a great chance to get under par early.
Hole 3 – 409 yards – Par 4
You can launch a drive here but be careful not to go too far left. A solid shot up the right side of the fairway will allow you to attack the green.
The view below really illustrates the downhill slope from the tee.
Hole 4 – 486 yards – Par 5
With the shorter length on this hole, it might seem like an easy birdie. The green provides the primary challenge by way of some serious undulation.
Hole 5 – 144 yards – Par 3
This green has that reverse redan shape to it. It is super shallow and a difficult target to hit.
Hole 6 – 562 yards – Par 5
At this point, Montcalm starts to punch back. This hole plays slightly uphill and almost 90 degrees to the right. A drive out of position here will severely handicap your chances of a good score.
Below is a look back at the green.
Hole 7 – 323 yards – Par 4
The yardage is deceiving here due to the uphill slope. If you can fit a draw into the fairway, an enticing approach awaits.
This green is massive. You can have a 100-foot putt from the front to back.
Hole 8 – 315 yards – Par 4
I liked the options on this hole. You can be aggressive with driver over the trees towards the green or play smart out to the fairway. With the elevated and small green, I think the best play is from the fairway.
Hole 9 – 359 yards – Par 4
I forgot to get a shot from the tee on this hole but did get the approach. It’s better to miss short than long.
Hole 10 – 425 yards – Par 4
This was the only hole at Montcalm that I didn’t like. The drive is awkward to a blind landing area. The distance and line are very important. Repeat players have a real advantage here.
With the severely downhill approach, club selection is key.
Hole 11 – 458 yards – Par 5
A good drive to the blind landing area puts you in the go zone. Don’t err too far either way though with trees and rough present.
Hole 12 – 328 yards – Par 4
Precision likely beats power here. With the mounding around the green, it will be tough to drive it and hold it. A well-executed shot from the tee provides a good opportunity to stuff one.
Hole 13 – 391 yards – Par 4
There isn’t much intrigue on the full shots here. Hit two good ones and you’ll be met with the challenge on the green.
Hole 14 – 495 yards – Par 5
With the generous fairway, it will be bombs away on this tee. The thinking on this hole comes around the green. Some wild slopes make for difficult chipping and putting.
See what I mean?
Hole 15 – 181 yards – Par 3
This begins the formidable finishing stretch. There’s no faking it on this hole. You need a solid shot to have a chance on this difficult par three.
Hole 16 – 385 yards – Par 4
Sitting on this tee you can be lulled into a false sense of security. You still need good shots and if you dump one in the front bunker, good luck making par.
I’ll direct your attention to the front section of the green to note the wild contouring.
Hole 17 – 195 yards – Par 3
I don’t recommend missing left on this tee shot. The ball will run for a bit if the bunkers don’t catch it.
Hole 18 – 363 yards – Par 4
After the last three holes, the final hole eases up a bit with a slight left bending par four.
The approach shot is appetizing from the left side of the fairway but you have to take a dangerous line to get there.
This view from behind the green shows the substantial fairway movement.
I had a lovely group to play the scenic Montcalm Golf Club. That really elevated my experience. I can see why the course has such a good reputation. I believe the photos speak for themselves. It’s a credit to the new owners that they are opening the course a bit so more people can see this New Hampshire gem.
