Hooper Golf Course – Played July 2020
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: Prospect Hill Road, Walpole, New Hampshire
- Year: 1927
- Architects: Wayne Stiles & John Van Kleek
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- White/Blue: 6,028 yards, Par 71, 68.8 Rating/119 Slope (Men), 74.6 Rating/128 Slope
- Red/Yellow: 5,418 yards, Par 72, 71.2 Rating/121 Slope
My last round on this trip to New Hampshire took me to the western part of the state. I visited Hooper Golf Course in Walpole to see a course Tom Doak praised in his Confidential Guide to Golf (Volume 3), calling it the second-best nine-hole course in America.
I was lucky enough to be shepherded around by a friend from the No Laying Up message board. He gave me some history lessons on the course and explained changes that have been made over time. It was great to hear about the life cycle of the course so far.
The history of the golf course started when George Levi Hooper willed his property to the town of Walpole. His trust designated the land to be used for an institute to provide programs in agriculture, forestry, botany, soils, and environmental science for the kids of Walpole.
The golf course came about when membership proposed to the trustees that they lease a portion of Hooper’s property to build a course. About a year later, in 1927, the course opened.
Over time, ownership has changed hands due to many circumstances. A while back, a single owner emerged. Eventually, he sold the golf course to a group of 26 members (including my host). They now rent the pro shop building and run the golf course on a strict budget.
It’s truly a family affair. My host mentioned his cousin is the superintendent and many other family members help out. On the day I played, my host had helped out by mowing the putting green.
After some scenic New Hampshire driving, I was greeted by the sign and quaint pro shop.
Hole 1/10 – 456/435 yards – Par 5/4
You’ll notice a difference in the hole information for Hooper Golf Course. Most nine-hole courses will have you play different tees on your second nine. I’ve noted that in each hole’s information line, but I didn’t take pictures of the holes on the second loop.
From an elevated tee this hole opens up beautifully. Avoid the left side as the slope is severe. It is much easier as a short par five!
The big, angled green is perfectly set up to receive long second shots from the fairway.
Hole 2/11 – 427 yards – Par 4
This is a brute and a beauty of a hole. There is more room on the left than it appears but a fade is the preferred shot here.
The dirt road you can see plays as internal out of bounds on many holes. I usually wouldn’t like that but with the routing of the course, it keeps the integrity of the holes intact.
If you allow me a quick story about the road. It is still in use today but is not maintained in the winter. Apparently, it was the main thoroughfare to Boston in the 18th century. Pretty cool!
Hole 3/12 – 285/275 yards – Par 4
This hole plays differently on the second loop when you move to the right and have a shorter, more direct line to the green. The prudent play is a shorter shot to leave yourself a wedge into the severely sloped green.
Hole 4/13 – 155 yards – Par 3
This hole plays ever so slightly uphill. The green has a massive slope in the middle that will repel anything short. It’s either be on the top tier or putt from the very front.
Hole 5/14 – 474/481 yards – Par 5
The framing here suggests you want to go up the left side but the ground is angled that way. The best line is up the right side of the fairway to get the maximum roll out.
The fairway dives down before rising back up to the green. The putting surface is a large target but flatter compared to the others we’ve seen so far.
qwddqwqwqwd
Hole 6/15 – 194 yards – Par 3
This green slopes hard from back to front. You definitely want to be below the hole. The bunkers on the right are instant bogey.
Hole 7/16 – 311 yards – Par 4
While this hole may look benign there is a small bunker on the left that gobbled up my drive on the second nine. If you can find the fairway this is a definite birdie opportunity.
Hole 8/17 – 381 yards – Par 4
The old road runs the length of this hole on the left, which puts some fear into this tee shot. The landing area is blind but is pretty wide.
I caught my host mid-swing here. Anywhere on the green is acceptable with the road being OB left.
Hole 9/18 – 350/336 yards – Par 4
You’ve got tons of grass to hit here, so don’t get lazy and pull one left onto the road. Beware of drives from the first hole, which sits on the hill to the right.
The view from behind the green illustrates the land movement and mountainous terrain at Hooper.
Hooper Golf Course makes for a fun day of golf. I was very lucky to have my knowledgeable host guiding me around and providing valuable nuggets about the course. You may not think of Walpole, New Hampshire when planning a round of golf, but if you find yourself in New England, this course is well worth getting to.