(Maplewood’s clubhouse is the old casino from the 1900s. It’s a grand castle like building complete with turrets at the corners. Once upon a time, this was the ultimate vacation from the bustling cities of the northeast.)
Maplewood is routed across side slopes and the ability to hit shots from uneven stances is the key to a good round. The small greens are nudged into tiddy spots. I was more curious by Ross’ drop down green complexes. I’ve never seen him deploy this feature before and it was used a few times here.
(The 372 yard par four fifth has a drop down green. Notice how it falls down into the putting surface and doesn’t roll into it.)
(The 411 yard par four sixth plays parallel to five and has the same severe slope in the fairway. Note the half punchbowl front where a running ball can scoot onto the green. I came up short on my low shot and was left with a tricky recovery that I couldn’t get close. Local knowledge is a definite advantage.)
Maplewood has an unusual routing that is punctuated by the 656 yard par 6 sixteenth. Yes a par 6!! It literally goes from one end of the property to the other. A pond eats into the middle and it takes two pokes of 430 yards to cover the water. If one can’t do this then laying up to the side will account for the extra stroke. If one can clear it, then the green is actually reachable in three. How often does one get an eagle opportunity?! That said, it’s probably going take four shots nearly every time. It’s the longest hole I’ve ever played.
(The 324 yard par four seventh is a good birdie opportunity. Besides the slope in fairway, there’s very little to prevent the player from shooting at the flagstick.)
(The 361 yard par four ninth is backdropped by a glorious view. One can just make out the top half of the flagstick as it is another drop down green…
…this one drops close to three feet. The front pin positions can be quite intriguing especially if you’re trying to bounce it in.)
Another unusual feature is the course ending with a par three. I’ve seen several courses recently that ended like that but Maplewood has a short one. (It actually makes me think this is not the original routing.) Together with the par six, the two potentially driveable par fours, and the par five fourteenth, the entire back nine is a Donnybrook with wild swing changes. I can see five under par being a real thing.
(The 150 yard par three eighth is hit over a water hazard with a dead tree framing the right.)
(The 168 yard eleventh is my favorite hole at Maplewood. It’s slightly downhill to an incredible green…
…the front tongue terraces up the hill. I don’t believe they could ever put a pin there! It’s only five yards wide! Or could they?!! It’s a crazy hole.)
(The 150 yard eighteenth has a cross bunker that hides the putting surface and the side bunkers. Commit to your club selection and swing away.)
New Hampshire is not a golf mecca by any imagination. As beautiful as the state is, courses such as Maplewood are more the norm. Back in the 1900s, many were coming up to explore the mountains and golf was just another activity. I paid $25 with a cart for all the golf I could play. Maplewood is a real bargain especially since you get to play an original Donald Ross. I give it a 4 (above average)(worth driving 30-45 minutes to play).
(The 391 yard par four fourth has a small green atop the rise on the hill. I love the contrast between its size and the towering trees.)
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