If golf is your passion and you’ve never played in Vermont, you are really missing out.  With warm days and cool nights, the Vermont summer weather is perfect for golf any time during the day (unlike destinations where, if you don’t get an early start, you will regret it by the time you finish the first 9.) The courses themselves offer breath-taking scenery, an incredible variety of terrain, and exceptional value.  It’s true Vermont is primarily known as a skiing destination, but many of those ski resorts include championship-quality golf courses to lure summer visitors.  Check out the “Stay and Play” packages they offer for the best deals. In addition, if you are traveling with the family and not all are passionate golfers, Vermont resorts provide a large of selection of family-friendly activities on the property and nearby.

Stratton Mountain Resort
Head to southern Vermont and the resort village of Stratton.  With shops, bars and restaurants plus activities for the whole family, Stratton is a premier summer destination.  Lodging choices are extensive and can be selected to meet your individual needs.  For the golfer, Stratton is exceptional.  Here’s what Golf Magazine said just this year, “The golf is superb at this all-inclusive resort, which boasts a scenic and challenging championship 27-hole course that played host to six LPGA tournaments. The Forest, Lake and Mountain all have their own charm and danger, and are designed to be playable for any level golfer.”

“Stay and Play” packages at Stratton Mountain Resort include rates as low as $88 per person a day. Stay at a select Stratton Mountain property and enjoy a round of golf at the Stratton Mountain Golf Course.

Okemo Mountain Resort
Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont is another ski resort which transforms into an exceptional golf destination in the summer.  Okemo offers eight different lodging options and two 18-hole championship golf courses, Okemo Valley and Tater Hill. Okemo Valley Golf Club was noted as one of the “best public courses in Vermont” by Golf Digest in 2016. The newly refurbished Tater Hill is a short drive away and offers magnificent mountain views in a traditional Vermont setting of birch-lined fairways, stone walls and beautiful gardens.  Okemo has everything you could want for the perfect summer get-away – choice of lodging, plenty of family-friendly activities, and exceptional golf. Take advantage of Okemo’s “Stay and Play” package for special savings.  Stay two nights and enjoy two days of golf (cart included) at the Okemo Valley Golf Club.

Essex Resort & Spa
For a summer vacation that is truly different, check out the Essex Resort & Spa near Burlington, VT.  The Essex offers 120 guest rooms and suites which are stylishly comfortable.  Additionally, the resort includes a full-service spa with an extensive menu of services and two restaurants to fulfill your culinary wishes.  If this doesn’t sound like a golf resort, you’re right .. and wrong.  The Essex Resort is unlike any other golf resort in Vermont.  In addition to fabulous dining and unmatched spa experience, the Essex also includes a championship golf course, The Links at Lang Farm. The course weaves between wetlands, pumpkin patches and old-growth pines for one of the most challenging courses in Vermont. Host to over 600 tournaments, The Links was rated the “Best Practice Facility in Vermont” in 2013 by New England Golf Monthly.  The Essex offers a special golf package that provides accommodations, a round of golf with cart plus a breakfast and lunch allowance at the resort.  Or choose the “Putt and Pamper” special which gets you accommodations, one round of golf with cart, a breakfast allowance and a 50-minute massage.

Basin Harbor Club
The Basin Harbor Club grew from the oldest operating inn on Lake Champlain in Vergennes to the present contemporary lodge and the charming individual guest cottages.   Located right on the lake, Basin Harbor Club is the perfect summer resort with plenty of swimming, boating, fishing, tennis, and golf.  The resort’s 18-hole, Geoffrey Cornish-designed course includes rolling terrain, well-placed bunkers and beautiful contoured fairways.  Sanctioned as the first Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Golf Course in Vermont, the course is dedicated to preserving natural resources and enhancing wildlife habitats.  Book a special golf vacation at the Basin Harbor Club and receive accommodations, breakfast for two, and unlimited golf (with daily cart). Rates start at $300 double occupancy, Sunday through Thursday.

Lake Morey Resort
Set on the shores of 600-acre Lake Morey, the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vermont, provides a setting perfect for summer vacationing.  In addition to the expected swimming, boating, and fishing, Lake Morey Resort offers incomparable golf on the course which has been home to the Vermont Open for over 50 years. The par 70, 6024-yard course is impeccably maintained with sweeping fairways and plush greens.  For the best price on summer packages, try the “Stay 3 & the 4^th is Free.”  Stay any three midweek nights (Sunday through Thursday) and the 4^th night is free.  The package includes overnight lodging, 4-course dinner, full Vermont country breakfast, use of the resorts standard seasonal amenities, AND complimentary greens fees.

Stay in Manchester, Vermont
For a summer vacation that includes pursuits such as fine dining, arts and theater, shopping and antiquing, look no further than Manchester, Vermont.  Located in southern Vermont at the foot of Mount Equinox, Manchester is the quintessential Vermont town with a modern infusion.  Enjoy fly fishing in the Battenkill or shopping at the Manchester Designer Outlets.  Hike or bike the nearby trails.  Sample local craft brews at the many bars and restaurants.  Manchester has it all – including golf.  Stay at the historic Wilburton Inn and receive reduced rates for the nearby Golf Club at Equinox.  This par 71 course has been named to the “Best in Vermont” list by both Golf Digest and Golfweek.

Or select the new Taconic, a Kimpton hotel, in Manchester Village.  The Taconic offers boutique hotel amenities including complimentary morning coffee and tea service, nightly social hour, a yoga mat in every room, in-room spa services, 24-hour fitness center, and pet-friendly accommodations.  In addition, guests are eligible to play golf at the nearby Manchester Country Club. The Club was actually founded by local innkeepers in 1967 with the purpose of providing their guests a premium golfing experience in Manchester.

So, if you have never considered Vermont for a golf get-away or a summer family vacation, what are you waiting for?  The courses are open and waiting!

For more information:

Stratton Mountain Resort
Okemo Mountain Resort
Essex Resort & Spa - Links Executive Golf
Essex Resort & Spa - Putt & Pamper
Basin Harbor Club
Lake Morey Resort
Wilburton Inn
Taconic