You’ve probably driven past it a dozen times if you’re heading toward the coast or hitting the shops in tax-free New Hampshire. It’s tucked away. It doesn’t scream for attention with massive neon signs or a gated fortress entrance. Honestly, Amesbury Golf and Country Club MA is one of those spots that locals sort of keep to themselves, not because they’re snobby—far from it—but because it’s a relic of a time when golf was just, well, golf. No six-hour rounds. No $150 greens fees. Just a hilly, quirky nine-hole course that’ll make you swear at your sand wedge more than once.
It’s old. Like, 1924 old.
When you pull into the lot off Montgomery Street, you aren't greeted by a valet or a fleet of GPS-enabled carts that beep when you get too close to a bunker. It feels like a throwback. The clubhouse has that lived-in, wood-paneled warmth where the beer is cold and the stories about "the putt that almost dropped on the 7th" are endless. If you’re looking for a TPC-style stadium course where every blade of grass is manicured with a pair of scissors, you might be in the wrong place. But if you want a round that challenges your uneven lie game and lets you get home in time for lunch, this is it.
What Makes the Amesbury Golf and Country Club MA Layout So Frustratingly Fun?
Most people see "nine holes" and think it’s a pitch-and-putt. That is a massive mistake here. The course was designed by Wayne Stiles, a name that might not ring a bell for casual fans but is legendary among architecture nerds. Stiles worked on some of the most respected tracks in the Northeast, including Marshfield and several gems in Vermont. His signature is all over Amesbury: small, undulating greens and a total refusal to give you a flat lie.
The elevation changes are the real story. You’re basically playing on the side of a massive hill for half the round.
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Take the first hole. It’s a par 4 that looks simple enough from the tee, but it plays straight uphill. If you don't take enough club—and you almost never do the first time—you’re going to watch your ball trickled back down toward your feet. It’s a humbling start. Then there’s the 6th, a par 3 that feels like you’re hitting into a different zip code. It’s long, usually windy, and the green is protected in a way that makes "up and down" feel like a Herculean task.
You've gotta be smart. This isn't a "grip it and rip it" kind of place. Because it’s a par 35 (or 70 if you loop it twice), the yardage looks manageable on paper. It's roughly 2,800 yards. But those yards are vertical as much as they are horizontal. The rough can get hairy. The trees are mature—which is code for "they will absolutely swat your ball into the abyss."
Membership vs. Public Play: The Reality of the "Country Club" Tag
The name says "Country Club," which usually triggers thoughts of high initiation fees and "members only" signs. Amesbury is a bit of a hybrid. It operates as a semi-private facility. What that basically means is they have a very loyal membership base—people who have played there for forty years—but they also welcome the public with open arms.
It’s surprisingly affordable.
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In a region where golf prices have absolutely skyrocketed since 2020, Amesbury stays grounded. You can usually grab a tee time for a price that won't make your bank account weep. The membership perks are mostly about access and community. They have a healthy tournament schedule, inner-club leagues, and that general "Cheers" vibe where everyone knows your name (and your slice).
If you’re a local, the membership makes a ton of sense because you can walk nine holes in under two hours on a weekday evening. Try doing that at a 18-hole championship course on a Saturday. You can’t. You’ll be stuck behind a bachelor party from Boston for five hours. Here, the pace of play is a point of pride.
The Vibe at the 19th Hole
Let’s talk about the clubhouse for a second. It’s not a five-star ballroom. It’s better. The bar and grille area is the soul of the place. It’s where the Amesbury High School golf team hangs out, where retirees argue over the Sox game, and where you can get a burger that actually tastes like it came off a grill, not a microwave.
- The Deck: Sitting outside after a round looking over the course is peak New England summer.
- The Staff: Usually local folks who actually care if you had a good time.
- The Food: Reliable. No-nonsense. Exactly what you want after walking those hills.
Why 9-Hole Courses Like This Are Making a Comeback
There was a time, maybe fifteen years ago, when nine-hole courses were considered "lesser than." Everyone wanted the 7,200-yard monster. But things have shifted. People are busy. We don't all have six hours on a Sunday to dedicate to a game that mostly makes us angry.
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Amesbury Golf and Country Club MA fits perfectly into the "sustainable golf" movement. It uses less water than a massive 18-hole spread. It’s walkable—if you have the calves for it. It’s accessible. You see juniors out there learning the game alongside guys in their 80s who still pure their 5-irons. It’s a microcosm of what the game should be: a community asset, not an elitist playground.
One thing that surprises newcomers is the conditioning. For a smaller operation, the greens are often in better shape than the big-budget courses nearby. They’re fast. They’re true. And because they’re small, you really have to sharpen your short game. If you can score well at Amesbury, you can score well anywhere.
Planning Your Visit: What You Actually Need to Know
If you're going to head out there, don't just show up and expect a cart to be waiting for you at the curb. It’s a good idea to call ahead or book online. Weekends get surprisingly busy because the secret is out—people know it’s the best value in the Merrimack Valley.
- Check the Dress Code: It's relaxed, but it's still a golf club. Collared shirts are the move. Leave the gym shorts at home.
- Bring a Rangefinder: The elevation makes "eyeballing" the distance nearly impossible. A 130-yard shot can play like 155 uphill.
- Walk if You Can: It’s a great workout, but be warned—the hill from the 9th green back to the clubhouse is a doozy.
- The "Twice Around" Strategy: If you want the full 18, just book two nines. The different tee markers on the second loop change the angles just enough to keep it interesting.
Practical Steps for Your First Round
Stop overthinking your golf game. Seriously. If you’ve been intimidated by the big-box country clubs, start here.
- Book a weekday morning: You’ll have the place to yourself and can practice that pesky flop shot without someone breathing down your neck.
- Invest in a push cart: Your shoulders will thank you. The hills are no joke.
- Talk to the Pro: The pro shop staff knows every break on those greens. Ask them where not to miss on the 4th hole. They’ll tell you (it’s left, by the way—never go right).
- Stay for the food: Even if you play a terrible round, the atmosphere in the lounge is a great way to decompress before hitting the road.
Amesbury Golf and Country Club MA isn't trying to be Augusta National. It’s trying to be a place where you can enjoy the outdoors, hit a few good shots, and be part of a community that’s been thriving for a century. In a world that’s getting increasingly digital and complicated, there’s something deeply satisfying about a simple nine-hole walk in the woods. Go play it. Wear comfortable shoes. Don't expect a flat lie.
The best way to experience the course is to lean into its quirks. Don't get frustrated when a perfect drive catchs a weird slope and ends up in the light rough. That's just the character of an old-school New England track. Embrace the hill, enjoy the view from the top, and remember that golf is supposed to be fun. Whether you're a scratch player or someone who loses a sleeve of balls every three holes, you'll find a reason to come back. It's just that kind of place.