Bald Peak versus Lake Winni Golf Club

[secondcurve]

Hi:

I have a buddy who is a successful real estate developer in Rhode Island. He is in the process of buying a vacation home in Wolfeboro. He is a big golfer and wants to join a club in the area. He asked me about the differences between Bald Peak and Lake Winni Golf Club. I like golf but I don’t know much about either course but my impression is they are both excellent courses. I played in a tournament once at Bald Peak some years ago and it was fantastic but there definitely was a certain stuffiness. I felt like I was walking back in time. I’ve never been to Lake Winni Golf so it is hard to comment but my sense is it is a little less pretentious and maybe not quite the course? Can anyone help?

[loonguy]

I prefer Lake Winni over Bald Peak as a golf course, but chose to join Laconia CC because I prefer the course and it is easy to get a game. LCC currently has a waiting list for membership, but in my view is worth the wait and the drive from Moultonborough.

[upthesaukee]

Lake Winnipesaukee has a number of holes where the only other golfers you see are those in front of you or behind you.

There are a number of different tee boxes that can accommodate anyone's playing ability. The course is a risk/ reward course. Several holes you can play it safe or "go for it". There are holes with terrain changes, elevated tees and or elevated greens. There is even one hole with two complete sets of tees: one set makes the hole play as a dogleg right par 4, the other as a straight away par 4, with a tee shot from elevated tees over water to the fairway (hopefully ).

The course is walkable, with what could be a difficult walk from 9 green to 10 tee (longish uphill walk). However, in the past, the club leaves golf carts near the green so golfers can ride up to the club house and 10th tee.

The club house is beautiful with great food and great views.

Here is a link to their website, although I couldn't connect to it just now: http://lwgcnh.com/ .

Dave

[secondcurve]

Hi Dave

Have you ever played Bald Peak? If so, how would you compare the two courses? Is pricing comparable?

[upthesaukee]

I haven't played Bald Peak, so I can't compare the two courses. Sorry.

Likewise, belonging to LWGC was definitely waaay above my pay grade, and I suspect that it would be the same at BP.

Dave

[loonguy]

The only way for your friend to make a sound decision with respect to which club is the best fit for him is to play all the available options. This would also provide you, secondcurve, an opportunity to join him! I suggest also playing Ridgewood Country Club, a public course in Moultonborough. Each of the courses is well worth playing.

[secondcurve]

Hi Loonguy:

My understanding is Ridgewood doesn’t belong in the same sentence as Bald Peak and Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club, does it? Am I wrong on this
Point? I’ve never played that one but a friend told me there was a kid in a tank top on the driving range the last time he was there!

[loonguy]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Hi Loonguy:

My understanding is Ridgewood doesn’t belong in the same sentence as Bald Peak and Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club, does it? Am I wrong on this
Point? I’ve never played that one but a friend told me there was a kid in a tank top on the driving range the last time he was there!

I do not disagree with the perspective that the clubs provide a wide range of characteristics. My point was that playing all the options will give your friend a better understanding of the options to enable him to evaluate which club is the best fit for him, provided the club is amenable to him joining as a member. There is no guarantee that the club he prefers would welcome him as a member. In addition, even if Ridgewood is not a club he would want to join, he on occasion is likely to have guests that would be welcome at Ridgewood, but that would not be appropriate guests at one or more of the other options.

[JEEPONLY]

If this was the same place as is being discussed here, as LWGC, it was affordable to the average Joe- $30/18 holes/no cart. Yes, the first 9 holes were very difficult to walk- got a bit easier thereafter. The course was fun and tested the skills of all who played there.

I haven't played golf for over eight years, but back in 1999, or so, I did.

Anyway- I believe it was 1999, I took a friend to birthday dinner at the beautiful clubhouse on the hill- great views.
Back in those days, the establishment would host parties for a paying public- Xmas, Halloween, Valentines' Day/music-dancing-cash bar, all affordable.

Then (1999?), the place got sold. It was resurrected as a high profile, private club-big fees for everything and no longer affordable to Mr. Average Joe.

Finale- I don't remember if the birthday dinner was a Friday or Saturday night.
What I DO remember is that the food was excellent and the ambiance tranquil- plenty of candles, along with very personal service from the staff.

Most apparent was the fact that we two were the only diners in the establishment.
Upon questioning this unusual circumstance for such a well regarded business, the reply was- It had been well-advertised that the place was closing this day, and we were the final (and only) guests on this evening.
I guess it could be considered an oddity that they took my reservation (over the phone) and delivered a memorable experience!

[goosejr]

Have you or your buddy considered Kingswood Golf Club in Wolfeboro? I have a family member who belongs to Kingswood and enjoys it a lot.

Being a semi-private club it has a lot of feature of a private club and enough groups that there is always a game to be had. For the money it is an excellent value and has a good mix of members. They have many leagues and tournaments and many informal groups that go out weekly.

Being semi-private the public can plan there.

If he has any interest have him call Nora at 569-3524.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

there was a kid in a tank top on the driving range the last time he was there!

The HORROR!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Descant]

The HORROR!

Right. So the tanker belongs at the RNYC. But don't get caught there with Madras trousers and your club blazer.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

If this was the same place as is being discussed here, as LWGC, it was affordable to the average Joe- $30/18 holes/no cart. Yes, the first 9 holes were very difficult to walk- got a bit easier thereafter. The course was fun and tested the skills of all who played there.

I haven't played golf for over eight years, but back in 1999, or so, I did.

Anyway- I believe it was 1999, I took a friend to birthday dinner at the beautiful clubhouse on the hill- great views.
Back in those days, the establishment would host parties for a paying public- Xmas, Halloween, Valentines' Day/music-dancing-cash bar, all affordable.

Then (1999?), the place got sold. It was resurrected as a high profile, private club-big fees for everything and no longer affordable to Mr. Average Joe.

Finale- I don't remember if the birthday dinner was a Friday or Saturday night.
What I DO remember is that the food was excellent and the ambiance tranquil- plenty of candles, along with very personal service from the staff.

Most apparent was the fact that we two were the only diners in the establishment.
Upon questioning this unusual circumstance for such a well regarded business, the reply was- It had been well-advertised that the place was closing this day, and we were the final (and only) guests on this evening.
I guess it could be considered an oddity that they took my reservation (over the phone) and delivered a memorable experience!

Wow. That is a great story! Thanks for sharing.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by goosejr

Have you or your buddy considered Kingswood Golf Club in Wolfeboro? I have a family member who belongs to Kingswood and enjoys it a lot.

Being a semi-private club it has a lot of feature of a private club and enough groups that there is always a game to be had. For the money it is an excellent value and has a good mix of members. They have many leagues and tournaments and many informal groups that go out weekly.

Being semi-private the public can plan there.

If he has any interest have him call Nora at 569-3524.

I haven’t mentioned that to him but I’m sure he has noticed it driving into town. I played there years ago and it was very nice as I recall. The golf pro (lady, short black hair) was awesome. Very accommodating. How busy was it this past summer? Thanks

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

The HORROR!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Maybe not horrible but certainly a bit unusual at most golf courses 😁

[goosejr]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

I haven’t mentioned that to him but I’m sure he has noticed it driving into town. I played there years ago and it was very nice as I recall. The golf pro (lady, short black hair) was awesome. Very accommodating. How busy was it this past summer? Thanks

It was very busy because of COVID. However, members can book early. Members who did book early had no problem getting a tee time or into leagues.