Disclaimer: We are only here today because of a chance meeting with a local couple at Lost Acres Vineyard in North Granby, CT. Another chapter in Golf and Wine bringing people together (and you thought it was Golf and Beer)!
Tucked away on Main Street in Leeds, MA lies a 128-year-old course that proves size isn’t everything. Northampton Country Club doesn’t need 18 distinct holes to test your sanity – it gives you nine expertly sculpted, tree-lined fairways to elevate your shot-making skills.
Let’s see how a course designed by Smith College students, faculty, and local leaders has stood the test of time for the last 128 years.
On a slow day, I was able to lace up my shoes and get to the first hole in record time only to find a maintenance cart stalled in the middle of my initial landing area. I went down to help push him off the fairway, and decided to take a drop from that area in the center of the fairway. Free drop with no penalty for being a good samaritan! It’s an opening par 5 of 482 yards from the white tees. My second (or was it my first?) was a bullet down the left side of the hole that disappeared, never to be found again. Interesting start!
Ten minutes into my round, I have lost a ball and my way. I’m not sure where Hole #2‘s teeing area is located. After first finding the 9th hole, I scanned the scorecard and found the correct tee box, back and to the left of the first green. As I crossed the bridge to the tee box, the sprinkler system erupted on the fairway. This may not be my day! Of course my tee shot landed precisely in the path of the sprinkler spray, and this required another free drop to find dry land.
Let’s see if this old man can determine how to play (and find) the par 4 third hole. Even though the scorecard shows a slight dogleg to the left (which I followed and ended up in the 4th fairway), it plays relatively straight. The first three holes play to wide-open fairways, but it all changes at Hole #4. The number one handicap hole is not for the faint of heart. Even though it measures 333 yards, an iron off the tee should put you in a great spot for the 90 degree dogleg uphill to the right. However…the house to the right and a tightening fairway make for a scary second shot. I played it safe with a low “stinger” that I knew would be short of the green, but not in someone’s living room. A quirky, dangerous hole, but I liked it.
At Hole #5, you continue to work your way through the woods and the country club houses, and play another 90 degree dogleg right with woods to contend with on both sides of the fairway. You can’t be too long on your approach shot because a house will come into play. Another fun hole!
Hole #6 is a risk/reward 242 yard par 4. A short hitter (like me) can lay up, but a long hitter will have to avoid the four bunkers that surround the putting surface. The sprinkler was on as I tee’d it up and once again took a dry free drop from the oscillating spray pattern. Any shot hooked will find the dense woods to the left.
Hole #7 stands a distant 223 yards from the green. I had to pull a driver to find the putting surface at this par 3. Any shot sliced to the right might hit the flag pole or land in the 9th fairway. Any shot hooked to the left could find the woods. I decided to “lay up” with my driver!
Hole #8 is a more reasonable par 3 length – 155 yards. Bunkers surround this green, and anything pulled left will disappear in the dense woods. Hole #9 is a wide-open (again) par 4 going back to the clubhouse.
Rating – Ace (52 out of 60): There are 5 sets of tees – Black, Blue, White, Red, and Light Blue. If you are playing 18-holes, you will be able to play a combination of those colors. This course has character – the combination of holes is outstanding. It’s a little quirky – but you know, I like quirky! The staff was friendly, the clubhouse/restaurant were excellent, and I had a great time thanks to my new winery friends!
Whether you’re chasing an elusive sub-40 card or just out for nine casual hole with friends, Northampton Country Club delivers classic New England golf at its finest. Just remember to keep your insurance card handy when you play #4!
As part of the New England: Birdies (Bogeys), Bakeries, Brews, and Beauties Golf Adventure, we started the day at Tart Baking Company and ended at Northampton Brewing Company.
As part of another ongoing Always Time for 9 Golf Adventure – Presidents, Putts, and Pubs, we were able to visit the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum at the Forbes Library.
135 Main St., Leeds, MA 01053; 413-586-1898; www.hampgolf.com
