Vermont golf is weird. You’ve got these hyper-manicured, $200-per-round resort courses in Stowe or Manchester that feel like they belong in a brochure, and then you have the local spots where the greens are basically mowed pastures. St Johnsbury Country Club sits in this sweet spot that honestly shouldn't exist. It’s a Willie Park Jr. masterpiece from 1923 that somehow keeps its "hidden gem" status despite being one of the best-designed tracks in the Northeast.
Most people driving up I-91 see the signs for St. J and keep going toward Canada or the White Mountains. Big mistake.
The Tale of Two Nines
The first thing you have to understand about the St Johnsbury Country Club is that it’s essentially two different golf courses forced to share a clubhouse. It’s like a marriage between a traditionalist and a modern architect that actually worked out. The front nine is the vintage stuff. Willie Park Jr., the guy who designed Sunningdale and wrote The Art of Putting, laid these holes out back in the early twenties.
They’re short. They’re tight. They’re absolutely maddening if you think you can just overpower them.
Then you hit the back nine. Built in 1992 by Geoffrey Cornish, these holes open up. Suddenly, you’re playing through high-elevation corridors with massive elevation changes that make you feel like you’re finally in the "Green Mountains." If you can’t handle a side-hill lie, you're going to have a long afternoon. The transition between these two eras is jarring but in a way that keeps you from getting bored. Most courses find a rhythm and stick to it; St J just keeps changing the song on you.
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Why Willie Park Jr. Still Matters
If you're a golf nerd, the name Willie Park Jr. carries weight. He wasn't just some guy with a shovel; he was a two-time British Open champion who understood that a golf course should challenge your brain, not just your biceps. At St Johnsbury Country Club, you see his fingerprints on the greens. They aren't huge, but they have these subtle, diabolical slopes. You’ll think you have a straight-in four-footer, and then you watch your ball die six inches to the left because you missed a tiny undulation.
It’s honest golf.
Playing the "Avenue of the Giants"
There’s this stretch on the back nine that locals talk about with a mix of reverence and frustration. You’re playing through dense woods where the fairways feel like they’re about ten yards wide (they aren’t, but the trees make it feel that way). The par-4 12th hole is a beast. You’re hitting uphill, likely into a breeze, and the green is tucked away like it’s hiding from you.
I’ve seen low handicappers come here and get absolutely humbled because they tried to play "hero golf" in the trees. You have to be smart. You have to accept that a bogey isn't the end of the world.
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The conditioning is also surprisingly good for a place that spends half the year under three feet of snow. The Superintendant and the crew manage to keep the bentgrass fairways crisp even during those humid Vermont Augusts. It’s not Pebble Beach, but for the price point? It’s probably the best value in the state.
The Vibe in the Northeast Kingdom
St. Johnsbury itself is a gritty, beautiful town. It’s not "touristy" like Woodstock or Burlington. It’s the Northeast Kingdom—NEK to the locals—and there’s an edge to it. The country club reflects that. It’s unpretentious. You’ll see guys in hoodies playing alongside retirees in pressed polos. Nobody cares what you do for a living as long as you keep up the pace of play.
The clubhouse is a converted 1792 farmhouse. Let that sink in. The building itself is older than most Western states. Sitting on the deck after a round with a Long Trail or a Heady Topper, looking out over the 1st and 10th tees, is basically the peak Vermont experience.
What to Know Before You Go
- The Greens: They are faster than they look. Seriously. Don't get cute.
- The Hills: If you aren't in decent shape, rent a cart. The back nine will destroy your calves.
- The Season: Usually opens in May and tries to hang on until late October. Foliage golf here in early October is literally world-class.
- The Pro Shop: It’s small but well-stocked. They actually know what they’re talking about.
Why It Frequently Ranks So High
Every year, Golf Digest or Golfweek puts out their "Best in State" lists. St Johnsbury Country Club is almost always hovering near the top for Vermont public courses. Why? Because it’s a design that respects the land. They didn't move millions of tons of dirt to make it. They followed the natural contours of the hillside.
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The par-3s are particularly strong. They require different clubs and different ball flights. You aren't just hitting a 7-iron four times. One might be a soft wedge, the next a hammered hybrid into a slope. It asks questions.
Actionable Tips for Your First Round
If you're planning a trip up to the NEK to play, here is how to actually survive the course:
- Leave the driver in the bag on the front nine. You don't need it. A 200-yard shot into the fairway is infinitely better than a 280-yard shot into the thick hardwoods.
- Aim for the center of the greens. The pins are often tucked behind bunkers or on slopes. Take your two-putt and move on.
- Check the wind at the clubhouse, not the tee. The trees on the back nine can trick you into thinking it’s a calm day while the ball is getting pushed 20 yards offline above the treeline.
- Eat at the restaurant. The food is legitimately good—not just "good for a golf course." The burgers are usually the way to go.
- Book in advance. Since it's one of the few high-quality courses in the area, weekend morning tee times disappear fast.
St Johnsbury Country Club isn't just a place to hit a ball. It’s a piece of Vermont history that you can actually interact with. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful, and it’s remarkably fair if you play with your head. Just don't expect it to be easy.