Lake George, NY
Golf
Lake George is a premier golf vacation destination. The backdrop of the Adirondack mountains, the panoramic views, the crisp mountain air and the variety of terrain create what golfers consider to be one of the most picturesque and naturally challenging courses in the country. Many of the courses in the Lake George region have been around for a long time...more than one hundred years. They have grown to natural maturity and permanence, integrating the features of the golf course seamlessly with the natural terrain so that the golfer feels as though he's golfing in total, albeit, controlled, wilderness. This is golfing they way it was done originally, no obvious man-made challenges built in, no eyesore fake ponds set starkly in unnatural spots. The landscaping here is flawless because although it was created by men, it has been tempered by the forces of nature and time. There is a lot of character in the golf courses around Lake George, and the challenges are built by nature, not man.
There are lots of bumps and very few level areas on golf courses in the Lake George region. There are no astro-turf-looking courses here. It's old-school and natural, beautiful and challenging. Conditions are variable and terrain is rough. This is not golfing in Arizona or Florida. The is probably more like golfing in Scotland, where the game was invented. There is an abundance of natural water, sometimes it is windy, the air is fresh and crisp, and the woods are thick. Get the picture?
Hiland Golf Club
Hiland is newer than lots of the golf clubs in the Lake George region. It was built in the late 1980s for a housing development that never came to be. The golf course is a good one, though, and when it was first built it was named one of the best new courses in the nation. The clubhouse is lush and extravagant and you will feel pampered here, as you would at a top-notch luxury golf resort. There are ponds and streams around the course, and some breezy areas that will keep you on your toes from hole to hole. The fees are a little high, but of course not as expensive as golfing in other states like Florida. The pub has great views of the 18th hole and the mountains beyond. Hiland Golf Club is located at 195 Haviland Ave in Queensbury, which is a short drive from Lake George.
The Sagamore
The Sagamore, one of the top 40 Golf Resorts, was built in 1929 by a famous designer of golf courses from Scotland. He was known for using the natural terrain in his designs, so you can guess that the Sagamore has plenty of challenge and character. To begin with, the course is set on the hills that rise above Lake George, hence the challence and the character! This is a first-class golf course, with a first class price. It's certainly beautiful and it's a classic, but you'll have to shell out the big bucks to play here. For some, it's definitely worth it. The Sagamore is located on Lake George in Bolton Landing on Federal Hill Road.
Kingswood Golf Club
This is a public course and relatively new. There is a wonderful variety of holes here and of course picture-perfect views of the Adirondacks as well as the Green Mountains across the border in Vermont. The course is long so swing away, and watch out for ponds and thick stands of trees placed there to challenge you. Kingswood is popular, so make reservations for a tee time. Kingswood is loacted on Notre Dame Street Ext., in Hudson Falls, which is a 20-minute drive from Lake George.
Cronin's Golf Resort
Cronin's Golf Resort is a casual course, and very friendly as well. It's family run by the Cronin family, designed by former superintendent of the Glens Falls Country Club in 1930. Part of the course is along the Hudson River so the views are incredible. Cronin's isn't expensive and there is a restaurant and bar, too. Cronin's Golf Resort is located on Golf Course Road in Warrensburg, which is right up the road from Lake George on the Northway.
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