Haystack Wilmington, VT

At the southern end of Vermont lies a wonderful Desmond Muirhead design: Haystack Golf Course in Wilmington. Though the course has undergone many changes since Muirhead’s original work in 1972, most are in the area of conditioning, new grasses, and refinement.

Today a first-time player is struck by the beauty of the course, as it wraps around the hillsides and ridges of this ski-region landscape. Such placement means elevated tees and greens, and occasional side hill lies if one isn’t driving right down the middle. Several greens have sizeable breaks, influenced by the surrounding hillsides, one of the quirks of mountain golf, and one of the delights of a little local knowledge. Though hilly, many find it eminently walkable.
 

For those who love drivers, come on down. Several generous fairways await the “big dog,” including the spectacular par 5 eleventh hole, which features a 250- foot drop-off from the tee. Whale away and you might have just a short iron to the green. From there, you face long and short, up and down holes that will delight just about any player. Haystack stretches to 6549 yards from the blues and plays at 6164 yards from the whites presenting an opportunity to score well or card a few double bogeys - that part is up to you.
 

Haystack has a fine dining restaurant that is open during the winter months.
This unique property also has snowshoeing and cross country ski trail providing
spectacular views of the Vermont mountains. Guests will find themselves
completely surrounded by the utmost in Vermont beauty and serenity. Haystack
Golf Course is a must play for 2022.