You’re driving down Wentworth Road in Rye, New Hampshire, and the salt air hits you before you even see the gate. It’s that specific scent of the Seacoast—a mix of marsh grass and Atlantic brine. Most people see the massive, iconic white hotel on the hill and think that’s the whole story. It isn't. Tucked away on a literal island, the Wentworth by the Sea Country Club is its own distinct beast. It's gorgeous. It’s also expensive. And honestly, it’s one of the few places in New England where you can actually hit a golf ball and feel like it might land in the ocean.
People get confused. They think the hotel and the club are the same thing. They aren't. While the Marriott-managed hotel is a historic landmark, the country club is a private, member-owned entity. If you want to play that course, you usually need to know someone or be willing to write a very healthy check for an initiation fee.
The Golf Course: Is it Links or Just... Windy?
The course is the crown jewel. Let’s be real here. Donald Ross started it back in the early 1900s, but Geoffrey Cornish and later Brian Silva put their hands all over it. It’s a par-70 layout that looks deceptively short on the scorecard at just over 6,000 yards. Don't let that fool you. The wind coming off Little Harbor will absolutely wreck your handicap if you aren't careful.
One minute you’re playing a peaceful inland hole surrounded by hardwoods, and the next, you’re standing on a tee box with nothing but water and expensive yachts between you and the green. It’s a hybrid. It’s got those Scottish links vibes on the holes near the water—specifically the 14th through the 16th—where the fescue grows tall and the bunkers are punishing. But then it ducks back into the trees.
The greens are famously fast. If you’ve played at other NH courses like Breakfast Hill or Portsmouth Country Club, you’ll notice the difference in speed immediately. At Wentworth, the maintenance staff keeps those surfaces tight. Putts that look flat will break toward the water every single time. It’s a local rule of thumb: "Everything breaks toward the ocean." Even when it doesn't look like it. It does.
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Beyond the Fairways: Tennis, Pools, and the Social Pecking Order
If you aren't a golfer, you’re probably looking at the racquet sports or the pool. The club underwent a massive renovation recently. We're talking a complete overhaul of the "Sports Center."
- Tennis and Pickleball: They have indoor and outdoor courts. The indoor ones are a lifesaver because New Hampshire winters are brutal and long. Pickleball has basically taken over, just like it has everywhere else, but the tennis program still has a serious following.
- The Pool Scene: It’s a saltwater pool. It’s heated. In July, it’s the place to be if you have kids. You’ll see families who have been members for three generations sitting next to tech founders who just moved up from Boston. It’s a weird, cool mix of old-school Portsmouth money and new-money energy.
- Fitness: The gym isn't just a treadmill in a basement. It’s a full-scale fitness center with actual classes. Yoga, strength training, the whole bit.
The clubhouse itself is where the real "lifestyle" happens. The dining room has views that are, frankly, hard to beat. You’re looking out over the marina. Watching the boats come in while eating a lobster roll is peak New Hampshire living. They do these massive social events—Fourth of July fireworks, black-tie galas, and casual patio nights. It’s a community. You don't just go there to play; you go there to exist in a specific type of Seacoast culture.
The Membership Question: What Does it Actually Cost?
This is where things get murky because, like most high-end private clubs, they don't just blast their pricing on a billboard. You have to ask. And if you have to ask, well... you know the saying.
Historically, there are different tiers. You’ve got the full "Golf Membership," which gives you the run of the place. Then there’s the "Social Membership" for the folks who just want the pool, the gym, and the dining perks. The initiation fees have climbed significantly in the last five years. Post-2020, everyone wanted to be outside, and the waitlist for Wentworth exploded.
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Expect to pay an initiation fee that ranges anywhere from $25,000 to over $50,000 depending on the current market and membership tier. Then you have the monthly dues. Then the food and beverage minimums. It’s an investment. Is it worth it? If you play 40 rounds of golf a year and use the pool every weekend, yes. If you just want a fancy place to eat dinner twice a month, it’s a very expensive dinner.
Why the Location Matters (Little Harbor is Special)
The club sits on Newcastle Island, but most of the course is technically in Rye. This little pocket of the world is unique. You’re minutes from downtown Portsmouth, but you feel like you’re miles out at sea. The Wentworth Marina is right there, too.
A lot of members are boaters. They’ll spend the morning on the water, dock at the marina, and walk up to the club for lunch. It’s a seamless transition between "sea" and "land" that you don't get at inland clubs like Manchester or Nashua. The microclimate here is real. It can be 90 degrees in Concord and a breezy 75 at Wentworth. That coastal breeze is a literal lifesaver in August.
Common Misconceptions About the Club
One big mistake people make is thinking the club is stuffy. Okay, it’s a country club, so there’s a dress code. You can't show up in cargo shorts and a t-shirt. But it’s not the 1950s anymore. You see kids running around. You see people in athletic gear. It’s become much more family-oriented over the last decade.
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Another misconception? That you can just "pay a greens fee" to play. Nope. Not unless you’re staying at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and they have a specific stay-and-play arrangement active (which changes seasonally and isn't always a guarantee). For the most part, this is a "members and their guests" situation. If you want to see the course without a membership, start making friends with people who have the bag tag.
The Real Value of Wentworth by the Sea Country Club
Look, if you just want to play golf, there are plenty of great public courses in NH. Pease Golf Course is right down the road and it’s solid. The Ledges in Maine is a beast. But you don't join Wentworth just for the 18 holes.
You join for the lack of a five-hour round. You join because the locker room attendants know your name. You join because when you walk onto the patio, you’re probably going to see three people you know. It’s about exclusivity and the "easy button" for a coastal lifestyle. Everything is managed. Everything is clean. Everything is... well, nice.
The salt marsh views on the back nine are genuinely world-class. Standing on the 15th tee, looking out toward the Atlantic, you realize why this place has survived for over a century. It’s a slice of New Hampshire history that hasn't been paved over or turned into condos.
Actionable Next Steps for Interested Visitors or Potential Members
If you are considering engaging with the club or just exploring the area, here is how you should actually handle it:
- For the Curious: Take a drive down Route 1A through Rye and turn onto Wentworth Road. You can't go into the club without a pass, but you can visit the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel (the big white one) for a drink at their bar. It gives you a sense of the architecture and the vibe of the island without needing a membership.
- For the Golfer: Check your LinkedIn or local network. The club is member-owned. The best way to experience the course is as a guest. Most members are allowed to bring guests for a fee, and it’s the only way to really see if the course layout suits your game.
- For the Potential Member: Don't just look at the website. Call the Membership Director and request a tour of the Sports Center specifically. The golf course is obvious, but the "lifestyle" side—the gym, the locker rooms, and the pool—is where you’ll spend 80% of your time if you aren't a scratch golfer.
- Check the Calendar: If you’re looking to join, ask about the "waitlist status." In 2024 and 2025, waitlists for New England coastal clubs reached record lengths. Some tiers might have a two-year wait, while others might be open. Get your name in early if you’re serious.
- The "Pro" Tip: If you do get a chance to play, bring extra balls for the back nine. The wind isn't a joke, and the marsh eats Pro-V1s for breakfast. Aim for the center of the greens and don't try to hero-shot the water carries. You'll thank me later.