While the Lake Placid region is most known for the Winter Olympics and ample opportunities to explore nature, it is also an amazing golf destination. Lake Placid golf courses include 5 different nearby clubs within a half hour drive of each other. Each club offers its own challenges, and all provide excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks while playing.
Whiteface Club & Resort
373 Whiteface Inn Lane Lake Placid, NY | Rates
The Whiteface Club & Resort is the premier golf course in the Northeast. Not only a standout among Lake Placid golf courses, the course was ranked #4 in the Classic Course category and #11 in New York State in 2014 by Golfweek. This 18-hole Championship course is 6,451 yards with a par of 71. It features three par 5’s, eleven par 4’s and four par 3’s with spectacular mountain views throughout the course.
Lake Placid Club
88 Morningside Drive Lake Placid, NY | Rates
The Lake Placid Club features 3 scenic courses that offer 45 holes of golf in total giving even the best golfers new challenges. The club also has three Lake Placid Golf Courses to choose from: The Links Course, The Mountain Course, and The Pristine Nine.
The Links Course
The Links Course is an 18-hole course designed in 1909 by Seymour Dunn, who laid out the course in a true links style. This course has 7,052 yards of wide-open fairways where it features five par 3’s, nine par 4’s, and four par 5’s. Notable holes include the 5th with its Scottish inspired two mounds to be carried on the fairway, the 9th & 11th which are the shortest yet have some of the best views thoughout the course, and the 18th which seems deceptively long but has the smallest green of the course.
The Mountain Course
The Mountain Course is also an 18-hole course laid out in 1910 by Alexander H. Findlay and later redesigned by Alister MacKenzie in 1931. MacKenzie notably also planned Cypress Point and Augusta National. This course is shorter than the Links Course at 6,294 yards with smaller greens and tree line fairways begging for straight shots and featuring five par 3’s, ten par 4’s, and three par 5’s.
Some notable holes include the 7th with mounds similar to the Links Course and a spectacular view of the Sentinel Range, the 10th a 631 yard hole bordered by trees on the right and was Jack Nicklaus’s favorite, and the 14th hole which is one of the easiest on the course to build confidence before having to face the 15th -18th holes what are among the most challenging.
The Pristine Nine
The Pristine Nine is a little slice of golf heaven, a 9-hole 1,519 yard course featuring seven par 3’s and two par 4’s. This course was also designed by Alexander H. Findley in 1910. It is the perfect course for beginner to pros to work on their iron game.
Craigwood Golf & Country Club
141 Country Club Lane Lake Placid, NY | Rates
Designed in 1925 by renowned golf course architect and Lake Placid’s Seymour Dunn, this beautiful, par 72 course spans 6,554 yards in the Adirondack countryside. It is owned and operated by the Town of North Elba. This course features a number of challenging holes.
Among them, the 18th hole forces golfers to strike a precise drive over a ravine, then hit a perfect second shot uphill to a sloped green protected by trees and a fairway trap. The course has dramatic vistas showing the true beauty of the Adirondack High Peaks. In the golf house, there is a pro shop as well as a restaurant and bar perfect for finishing up a round or hosting an event.
Saranac Lake Golf Club
Ray Brook, NY | Rates
The perfect halfway point between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, the Saranac Lake Golf Club provides a challenging and fun test for any level of golfer looking to experience Lake Placid golf courses. This 9-hole golf course spans 2,995 yards with a course rating of 67 with two par 5’s, five par 4’s and two par 3’s.
The course features rolling fairways, hills, elevated greens and a signature creek. Complete your round with a visit to the Clubhouse bar and banquet hall that features panoramic views of the mountains and course.
Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club
125 County Route 46 Saranac Lake, NY | Rates
If you are looking to expand past the Lake Placid golf courses, the Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club should be your go to. This 18-hole course is one of the most challenging in the region with four par 5’s, ten par 4’s and four par 3’s. The original golf course was designed in 1901 and only featured a few holes. It was later expanded to 9 holes in 1904. Six years later Seymour Dunn and his uncle Willie Dunn redesigned the course into a Scottish style course and expanded it further into an 18-hole course.
Seymour described not wanting to make his masterpiece unduly difficult by adding as few hazards as possible. While there are only a few hazards they are masterfully placed to challenge even the strongest players. The total length of the course is 6,470 yards par 72. Dunn also stated that if anyone breaks par more than once, we will want to frame his picture and hang it in the clubhouse. The course record is still held by Walter Hagen who made 18 holes in 70 circa 1923.
If you are looking to visit the Adirondacks, we highly recommend taking the time to check out these world-class Lake Placid Golf Courses. Contact Adirondack Premier Properties to talk with our friendly staff about finding the perfect rental. Whether you decide to play golf, explore nature, or visit the Olympic venues, we can help you find memorable lodging to pair with your Adirondack experiences!