Stratton Mountain in Vermont isn’t just about playing golf – it’s about creating a complete outdoor experience. Wake up down the road from the first tee, play through three distinct nine-hole tracks with ski slopes in the backdrop, then stroll through the village for dinner and drinks. It’s the kind of place where golf, food, and relaxation all blend for the ultimate New England mountain getaway.
Stratton has 27 holes divided between the Mountain, Lake, and Forest courses. Each has its own character and challenges, and are located just five minutes from the resort. They share a clubhouse and restaurant, putting green, and driving range. Stratton’s practice facilities set the tone for the day – grab a bucket of range balls, roll a few putts, and you’re ready to head to the first tee.
The amenities are designed to make your stay as comfortable and stress-free as possible. If you opt for a stay-and-play package, as my wife and I did, then you have everything you need. The range balls were included, and you can leave your bags on the cart overnight. They bring out all of the carts in the morning, so when you arrive for your second day, everything is there waiting for you. This was a truly unique feature that I had never experienced before, and it made it easy for us to pack up after the first day and get in our car.
The courses are similar but different at the same time. I heard from some locals that they think the Forest is more difficult than the other two, but it comes down to how you are playing at the time. We played the Mountain and Lake on our first day, experiencing equal parts success and failure. Then we played the Forest the next day and had the same results. It’s typical for any golfer to have good and bad shots, holes, and rounds. However, the central theme at Stratton is that you are going to have a good time playing because the layout and scenery are so unique.
The Mountain course, situated adjacent to the ski resort, features an open layout that offers all golfers a chance to have fun while also scoring low. It’s the most forgiving of the three nines, but don’t mistake ‘open’ for easy. The layout is welcoming to those who spray the ball off the tee, as you have some extra space on the sides to locate your ball. You also have some cool greens that have wicked breaks to entice a three-putt here and there. 
The Lake course feels tighter off the tee, with fairways that tilt and feed toward the rough. This course has some sloped fairways that will factor into your tee shots. It also features some wicked doglegs, and holes 7 and 8 wrap around the lake, creating a very cool setting. Knowing your distances is key because only a couple of tee shots require a driver, and this can help you score low. A crucial part of all courses is that they provide ice-cold water throughout. When you play in July or August, staying cool and hydrated is key.
The Forest course is Stratton’s toughest test. Elevation changes demand careful club selection. Drives play shorter downhill, approaches come up shy when hit into the breeze, and nearly every green sits on a tilted shelf. The opener sets the tone with a blind tee shot into a narrow, twisting fairway guarded by bunkers. The benefit of the GPS in the cart is that it gives you the slopes and directions of the bends in every green. The par-5 5th is a classic risk/reward hole, with a creek splitting the fairway and a steep false front leading up to a multi-tiered green. It also has a massive bunker 20 yards short of the green with a steep false front and two distinct tiers on the green…so have fun with that one! I was able to pull off a par, but it took a lucky approach shot to land within 20 feet to get a 2-putt. These nine greens are the toughest on the property, rewarding precise play. It’s no wonder locals call it the most challenging course at Stratton.
Stratton is a community with numerous outdoor activities, including golf, and a fun resort to stay at during the warmer months. If you choose to stay and play, you are within walking distance of the mountain, shops, and restaurants. You can play golf during the day, chill by a pool, ride ATVs, or walk around the village afterward. It has everything you need for a golf trip or weekend family getaway. We’d never experienced a mountain resort designed this way, where everything is within walking distance and you don’t need to leave for anything.
We stayed at Founders Lodge, a property that feels like a mountain retreat straight out of a postcard. The exterior resembles a grand log cabin, featuring dark-stained wood and a wide, wraparound porch that’s perfect for savoring morning coffee before golf. Inside, the condos blend rustic charm with modern convenience – full kitchens, spacious bathrooms, and in-room laundry that we took advantage of after two rounds of humid golf. The lodge is walking distance from the village and only a short ride to the golf course, so we never felt rushed or disconnected. Two nights flew by quickly; it’s the kind of place where you could easily settle in for a week and still want more.
No matter where you’re traveling from, a trip to Stratton Mountain is worth it. With 27 mountain-style holes, comfortable lodging, and a walkable village filled with shops and restaurants, it’s the kind of destination where you can park the car and enjoy. Play golf by day, relax by the pool or take a gondola ride in the afternoon, then unwind with good food and fresh mountain air at night. For us, it was the perfect summer getaway, and one we can’t wait to experience again in every season.
