Candia Woods
Touted as the “friendliest” course in New Hampshire, Candia Woods Golf Links creates unique challenges while remaining a user-friendly layout. If you’re looking for tight landing areas and severe hazards you won’t find many, but don’t be fooled by all the green Candia Woods won’t go quietly, especially in the gale force winds blowing during my round.
The friendliest label comes with a lot of pressure but at every opportunity the course, staff, professionals, and members were nothing if not unfailingly polite and fair. Despite the conditions many members came out early to time their round with the demo day starting in the early afternoon, so the crowd created some wait time on the tees. On the first par three I was tending the pin on the downhill, 180 yard 5th for my playing partner when I heard a loud thump. Sitting a few feet behind me was a spotless Bridgestone inside of 12 feet. Before I could understand what happened a member was apologizing profusely for his premature shot and his failing eyesight. I found myself in the same situation on the par five ninth hole when a powerful gust helped my tee shot into the 300 yard range, and into range of the group in front of us. When I approached the pair at the green to apologize for intruding they simply laughed and told me never to apologize for a 300 yard drive.
Candia Woods has three distinct sections, the first hole falls into the second section of windswept wide open holes. The first section begins with the second hole when the course lays seven holes back and forth, with generous fairways, but little between the fairway and rows of pine trees. This stretch favors long hitters who can run through the medium length par fours without much trouble. The greens slope from back to front with bunkers guarding in front. The architect ----- was an associate of Donald Ross and you can clearly see Mr. Ross’ influence on the first section. Because ---- understood the chief obstacle would be the wind these holes are slightly shorter than a typical Ross par four, and the greens are significantly larger than what you find in a Ross design. In typical Ross fashion every bunker on the course requires players to get the ball up quickly.
On the Ross courses I’ve played you can expect forgiving landing areas off the tee, tight greens, subtle breaks, and tough bunkers. Candia has wide berths, larger than average Ross greens, subtle breaks and sneaky speed on the greens.
While the course earns its “friendly” moniker it isn’t a pushover, and when the wind kicks up prepare for a battle. Candia Woods allows you to play above your comfort zone and try to get creative off the tee, but when it comes down to it 100 yards and in will keep you honest.
The practice range features touch screen bucket service, where you’re given a pin number in the pro shop. If you forget to buy a bucket no worries, the ball machine takes plastic. The range features three separate tee areas, each with a different elevation and with its own line of yardage markers. The all grass tees were in great shape, and were ready for the major manufacturer demo day coming that afternoon.
The practice green was large enough to accommodate four groups waiting to get off the first tee with minimal interference. Any practice green large enough to eliminate the awkward staring contest between players jockeying for specific holes is ok in my book.
After posting an ugly score and hitting a few drives with the latest and greatest equipment at the demo day, I found my way up to the clubhouse where Candia Woods continues to deliver. The 19th hole has a great view of players coming into the par five ninth, and features standard American Pub faire with reasonably priced drinks. The bartender was friendly and had plenty of inside knowledge about the course for the next round.
I was a little skeptical of a course referring to itself as the “friendliest” course in the state, but I can say it lives up to its title. When you head up to the Manchester/Nashua area this summer be sure to start your trip at Candia Woods. It’s a great track to start your next golf trip, it will keep everyone in your group happy and interested in the game. Frustration is at a minimum and the staff will keep you on track.
