Stowe Country Club, Stowe, VT

Expect to pay a little more than the typical round when you play at Stowe Country Club, but for seasoned golfers, the experience is well worth the price.

Stowe Country Club is located in Northern Vermont, nestled deep inside famous ski country. Given the location, the scenery is spectacular with views of Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak in every direction. The cost to play the semi-private course is over $100 with cart, but many would argue that the views alone make this a great deal.

The club offers memberships to its permanent residents and that status comes with access to tournaments and outings all summer long. Vacationers usually make up the public crowd who have heard about the great golf and even better views at Stowe Country Club. They are rarely disappointed.

The course is perfectly maintained with lush, soft fairways and large undulating greens. The greens are fast and offer a real challenge because of the many breaks and levels.

Since the course is located in the mountains, you can expect uphill, downhill and mostly side lies on every shot. New golfers and high handicappers might find this layout to be out of their wheelhouse but experienced golfers typically enjoy the challenge. Ironically, local golfers will tell you that this course isn't as hilly as most in the area. The land where Stowe Country Club is located was once a dairy farm so expect more rolling hills than drastic elevation changes.

The fairways are wide which gives a little wiggle room off the tee. There is a great variety of holes; most golf courses are made up mostly of par-4s, but this par-72 course features eight par-4s, five par-5s and five par-5s. None of the par-5s are longer than 500 yards and none of the par-3s are under 150 yards. The round ends with a 300-yard par-4 hole that gives a good opportunity for birdie.

The customer service at Stowe Country Club is excellent and it is obvious that the staff is accustomed to working with out-of-towners. They are happy to give tips on course layout and things to do in the area.

In addition to the course, the amenities are top notch. You'll find a 40-tee natural grass driving range, a chipping/bunker practice area and a putting green.

For an unforgettable golf experience with spectacular views, consider Stowe Country Club.