Q: What are some of the better Vermont golf courses to play in the Burlington area? David W., Cleveland, OH
One of the top Vermont golf courses near Burlington is Vermont National.
A: If you’re looking for big-name Vermont golf courses near Burlington, the first place to consider is Vermont National Country Club (vnccgolf.com), just five miles south of the center of town. This Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II design combines a Scottish links-style front nine with a mountainous back nine that winds through rock outcroppings.
It’s a private course, yes, but you can gain access to it by staying at any one of a number of local area hotels such as the Inn at Essex, the Sheraton Burlington, the Hawthorne Suites, Courtyard Marriott Burlington, or the Smugglers Notch Resort. Hotel guests pay $120 for green fee and cart. If you’re a member of a club back home, Vermont National allows reciprocal play for $105.
There are less expensive Vermont golf courses in the area, but they tend to be on the shorter side. A few of the better ones are:
- Essex Country Club (essexccvt.com), a design by noted Montreal architect Graham Cooke, that tops out at 6,545 yards. It costs $60 for 18 holes with a cart.
- Williston Golf Club (willistongolfclub.com), a charming, family-owned course since 1927, which is known for its superb conditions and brisk pace of play. It’s only 5,725 yards but it costs just $54 with a cart for all-day play.
- The Links at Lang Farm (linksatlangfarm.com), located adjacent to the Inn at Essex, is slightly less than 4,000 yards, but it bills itself as, “the only championship executive golf course in new England.” You can play its 18 holes for $45 with a cart.
If you’re willing to drive an hour from Burlington to Warren, we recommend the venerable Sugarbush Resort golf course (sugarbush.com), which was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1961. This beautiful mountain course, known for its sporty holes and challenging, uneven lies, is set in the hills above the Mad River Valley and provides some of the best views among all Vermont golf courses. Weekend green fees in high season are $100 including a cart.
Click here for a free trial of Golf Odyssey AND instant, back-issue access.
If you’re interested in reading expert, unbiased reviews about other Vermont golf courses — or courses and resorts anywhere else in the world — you can find them in our online, Golf Odyssey archive. Normally available only to subscribers, you can get free, instant access to it just by trying Golf Odyssey for free. In addition to free access to the online archive, we’ll send you the current issue of Golf Odyssey, also at no cost or obligation.
Did you know? Golf Vacation Insider and Golf Odyssey are the world’s only golf publications that do not accept any advertising from golf courses, resorts, or restaurants and regularly travel anonymously in order to provide you with expert, unbiased, and trusted advice.
Not already a subscriber to Golf Vacation Insider? Use this link to stay in the loop with our free tips and expert advice on which golf courses, golf resorts, discount golf vacations, and golf vacation packages are truly worth your time and money. As a bonus, we will send you a free copy of Planning the Ultimate Golf Vacation, a 40-page book filled with some of the best golf travel secrets from the editors of Golf Odyssey.
