Let's Review: Haystack Golf Club

The Skinny

Haystack Golf Course delivers on what golfers expect when visiting a public Vermont course: relaxed atmosphere, exhilarating elevation change, and stellar views.

The Course

The front nine of Haystack features a couple of fun up and downhill holes, but the course makes its money on the back. Where the front can feel a bit condensed at times, the back is sprawled out across acres of land where you feel like you’re seeing the very best of public Vermont golf.

You really won’t stop saying ‘wow’ to yourself if you find Haystack on a good day. The views are exceptional, the course layout isn’t so much difficult as it is interesting, and the greens are shockingly slippery. Seriously, they rolled hysterically fast our last visit.

The Price

Considering the limited options around you (Mt. Snow is about the only other course around), Haystack is definitely affordable given supply/demand. It’ll run you $90ish at most to get out there, which might seem steep after you play the first few holes, but once you finish the round you won't remember the price.

Signature Hole

I haven’t stopped thinking about the par-5 11th tee box since I went to Haystack. It plays at 530 yards, and the tee box is probably 100 feet, maybe 200 feet above the fairway. The landscape beyond the hole will take your breath away - everyone I played with had their phones pulled out to take a picture. And, for what it’s worth, a decent tee shot will leave you with less than 200 in for an eagle chance (lol, good luck).

Grabbing a Bite 

Dot’s is less than 5 minutes away from the course and offers exactly what you’re hoping for from an old-school Vermont diner. Make some time before your round to grab a bite here.

Nice to Know

As previously mentioned, this is not an amenities-forward course. Gas carts, net range with mats, simple clubhouse - consider this round a hike around nature more than anything else.

How many sleeves: 2

Haystack can play pretty thin, especially on the front nine, and look alive for some sneaky water hazards scattered around the place.