HALE’S LOCATION, N.H. – Pick what you need in a golf course: Beauty, braun or brains.
Or, head to Mount Washington Valley and play Hale’s Location Golf Course (https://www.haleslocationgolf.com), the place the hovering mountains, lush fairways and difficult holes say, put merely: You needn’t choose from these. You can have all of them.
Hale’s Location is comparatively new in golf requirements, having debuted circa 1990. It’s 9 holes, however not simply 9 holes. And whereas I prefer to loop it twice for 18 (it’s enjoyable to get second appears to be like), even enjoying 9 is exhilarating and satisfying.
Hale’s Location itself is sort of a city inside a city. The 2.4-square mile “township” is its personal entity, but additionally a part of North Conway. Tucked over off West Side Road – away from the bustle of North Conway correct, it’s owned and operated by the residents of that hamlet, in cooperation with the abutting White Mountain Hotel (https://www.whitemountainhotel.com).
It’s 9 holes of pure “think this through carefully” golf, with slender fairways (for essentially the most half) lined by thick bushes and that includes some breathtaking (and generally gasp-worthy) elevated tee containers and greens, demanding brains.
Designed by Albert Zikorus, famed for his many Connecticut programs, Hale’s meanders you alongside some fairly unimaginable Green Mountain surroundings, providing you with the sweetness.
There are mountain vary views, pretty properties tucked again from the green, the lodge itself and the luxurious inexperienced of the Valley. But better of all is the centerpiece, White Horse Ledge. This hovering sheath of rock isn’t simply lovely, it’s energetic. It’s commonplace as you absorb in from the 4 holes it’s brazenly seen from to see rock climbers and cling gliders. My final spherical there, a cling glider soared simply above us as we performed our gap. That’s one particular “birdie.”
Hale’s is hilly, and that performs into each the way you play it and the way you navigate it. I like to stroll, and I’ve walked this course earlier than. But if you happen to’re not in form and comfy with a hearty stroll, a cart is your good friend. It’s extra of a hike than a stroll.
Hills play into play, like on the fourth gap, an underneath 300 yard par 4 from which you play slightly goal golf, hitting sharply downhill to the inexperienced. Looks straightforward, performs robust – and it’s tremendous enjoyable. Then there’s the ninth gap the place they carry you in with a flourish hitting manner uphill to a plateau that looks as if it’s up there with the cling gliders. Here’s the place you present your braun.
As for a signature gap, it’s protected to say all of them are at this exceptional course. There’s the lengthy Par 5 first gap the place fairway bunkers take a look at your expertise whereas providing a view, and the eighth the place you get a dramatic view of famed Cathedral Ledge.
And whereas it feels rugged, it’s playable for all. There are two “catch your breath” par 3s on your birdie hopes, and whereas the thick woods and oft slender fairways do imply it’s best to pack an additional sleeve of balls simply in case, the course circumstances are pristine and even their tough feels approachable. You’ll discover problem, however you’ll have enjoyable.
They know have a tendency a inexperienced, too, which implies Hale’s is an efficient likelihood to carve a couple of off that rating.
Whether you cease at 9 or loop round once more for 18, you finish on the lodge, the place you’ll discover a pretty bar, indoor and out of doors eating and high rated meals. You can settle in, savor a submit spherical meal and watch the pickle ball happening on the base of the ledge.
Hale’s Location. Golf Course is open to the general public. Should you keep on the White Mountain Hotel, you possibly can benefit from packages as nicely, and soak of their pool. Just across the nook from all that lush inexperienced magnificence is busy, enjoyable North Conway.
It’s good to e-book tee occasions upfront – they’re wildly common all summer season and nicely into foliage season, if you’ll discover them awash in colour. Bonus? A spherical begins at – this isn’t a typo – simply $34 for 9.
Source: www.bostonherald.com