Vermont Golf - Green Mountain Natl or Okemo Valley

[DannyG]

I'm trying to plan a June weekday trip to Vermont and right now considering either Green Mountain National or Okemo Valley. Does anyone have any thoughts on which is the best course for a husband and wife couple who both shoot in the low 80's? Also, any recommendations on where to stay?

 

Thanks in advance.

Dan

[Fore_Man]

Dan there's a 50% off groupon for green mountain national right now.... hurry

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[osin34]

being a member at green mountain for the past 3 years and having played okemo a good amount.. you cannot go wrong with either of them. being in killington, green mountain has a variety of really nice places to stay that are near by and summer rates should be reasonable. the grand hotel, the north star, and plenty of others. ludlow doesnt have as many places to stay (the town that okemo is situated in) but im not as fimilar with whats on the mountain to stay at. as far as the courses go, Green mountain has spectacular views and is beautiful in the mountains. its much hillier and if you ask me a tougher course than okemo, but they are both wonderful. cant go wrong with either

[rbz addict]

I play Green Mountain about 5-6 times every summer, and Okemo about 1-2 times. Personally, I enjoy Green Mountain more. It is definitely more mountainy and more in the woods than Okemo. I really enjoy driving the ball there off some of the really elevated tee boxes. Its a really pretty course, extremely well maintained, and they have a very nice staff there as well. I should warn you that it is a tough course to walk, and if you are playing slow and it is busy, the ranger will probably tell you to speed up, but that has never happened to me. It is really a beautiful course and it is challenging, but if you hit the ball straight you will be fine(its not super long). It is also cheaper than Okemo. I usually pay around $80 for Green Mountain and I think Okemo is over $100, but I dont remember exactly.


I should mention that Okemo is also very nice. Its not as mountainy as Green Mountain and not as pretty, but it does have a few very nice views, specifically towards Okemo Mountain. I'm not sure if its tougher than Green Mountain, but in my opinion the fairways are more narrow and harder to hit. I should mention that Okemo has an awesome range and practice area, definately better than what you would find at Green Mountain.

Either way, both course are very enjoyable to play and it should come down to where you are staying and if money is a factor. I usually stay at Hawk Resort, in Ludlow which is a 10-12 minute drive from Okemo and about 25 minutes from Green Mountain. If you want to stay in the Killington area, Green mountain is very close(10 minutes), and Killington's course is also very nice, although a little below Green Mountain and Okemo. If you want to stay in Killington, the Woods is a nice resort. If you are looking for a hotel, you can stay in Rutland, which is about 15-20 minutes away from Killington. Theres a lot hotels there(nothing too fancy), a decent amount of shopping, and a movie theater also. If you want to stay in a hotel closer to Okemo, there is the The Castle Hill Resort and Spa, and the Point Hotel at Cavendish, which is right next to the castle and about 10 minutes away from Okemo. I stayed at the Point last year and the rooms were surprisingly very nice and they gave me a good rate with a AAA discount.

Either way you will have a great time and if you have any other questions let me know.

[vermontgolfer]

Green Mountain is an excellent course. If you don't have your B+ game, bring a bunch of golf balls. The fairways can be tight and if you miss the fairway, you are likely to lose a few balls. There are a few blind tee shots as well.

Okemo Valley is also excellent and a bit more foregiving. Several of the holes have contours that bring the balls into the fairways from the rough. I think Okemo is more links style with Green Mountain being a mountain course.

Take your pick, you won't go wrong with either course.

Vermont Golfer

[DannyG]

Thanks all for the information. Green Mountain was booked with tournaments for the week we wanted so I have made reservations with Okemo for both lodging and golf. Seemed like a reasonable package. They are putting us in a 1-bedroom condo at the Mountain Lodge. Hopefully it's an okay place but if anyone knows otherwise I would appreciate a heads up.
Thanks.

[festivus_01]

[quote name='DannyG' timestamp='1336661987' post='4888344']
Thanks all for the information. Green Mountain was booked with tournaments for the week we wanted so I have made reservations with Okemo for both lodging and golf. Seemed like a reasonable package. They are putting us in a 1-bedroom condo at the Mountain Lodge. Hopefully it's an okay place but if anyone knows otherwise I would appreciate a heads up.
Thanks.
[/quote]


I prefer Okemo. GM can really be a pain to play in the sense of being too penal. Okemo is less hilly (though lots of punchbowl/mogul fairways) and more fair. The point of the game is to enjoy it and I think Okemo does a better job. I'd consider a side trip to Equinox or Quechee if you can swing it.