What's a better way to exercise, be with friends, reduce stress, and enjoy the great outdoors than to play a round of golf? Both a club and ball sport, but unlike most ball games, golf doesn't use a standardized playing area, so navigating the varied terrains encountered on different courses is a key part of the game. In and around the Upper Valley, there are several excellent courses which offer players of all abilities a challenging but fun time.

The Woodstock Country Club - Woodstock, VT

Known as one of the top 100 golf resorts in the world and ranks #1 in New England. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, the challenging 18-hole par 70 course is just over 6,000 yards from the back tees. The full-service facility is open to the public and also features a golf shop, putting green, private lessons, The Fairway Grill restaurant, and bar (open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Rentals/services include carts and clubs. No caddies are available. Practice/instruction includes driving range, putting green, and teaching pro. Walking allowed; credit cards accepted, and proper attire is required. Green fees for 18 holes are $109 (M-Th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $99 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and $69 after 4 p.m.) and $149 (Fri-Sun from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $129 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and $89 after 4 p.m.). Book tee times online (www.woodstockinn.com or 802-457-6674).

The Quechee Club - Quechee, VT

Offers two golf courses designed by architect Geoffrey Cornish: The Lakeland course and the more challenging Highland course. Membership is required to play, but some guests are allowed to try out the course. The Highland course has been ranked in the top ten in Vermont. Playing just over 6,765 yards from the back tees, the course features a combination of gently rolling and elevated, tree-lined fairways along with rock walls and bunkers. The Lakeland course measures 6,570 yards from the back tees and presents more of a link-style design that incorporates trees, bunkers, and water features. There are three options for single and couple memberships: Option A includes singles with 20 pre-paid cart fees ($400 value) and for couples, 30 pre-paid cart fees ($600 value); Option B in both categories (singles and couples) is for members with their own carts; and Option C in both categories (singles and couples) is for unlimited cart usage for the entire golf season. Golf member family guests can enjoy discounted rates @ $59, including a golf cart. Greens fees/carts for non-golf members are et @ $89 for 18 holes and $59 for nine holes. No other club services are currently available, including the pro shop, clubhouse, instruction, food, beverage (dinner-to-go orders only), bag room, and practice facilities. For further information, contact www.quecheeclub.com or 802-295-9356.

Killington Resort - Killington, VT

Designed by Geoffrey Cornish, the 6,186-yard, par 72 championship course features mountain terrain and snowmelt streams. It is open to the public through October 14. Golf, Beast 365, and Pico KA pass holders now need to set up an account with the online tee-time system to make passholder tee times. Call 802-422-6700 for assistance. Grab three friends and join the Club every Wednesday for Fore For All Wednesdays, including 18-hole green fees and a cart for four people for $129. See complete chart online for greens fees June-October, for 18 and 9 holes. The course includes a practice facility with a 12,000 square-foot putting green and practice bunker, a full-size retail pro shop with all the essentials, and on-course beverage cart, a caddy shack with food and beverage offerings, and a Clubhouse Bar and Grill with indoor and outdoor seating. The Killington Golf Course offers a full season schedule of league nights and tournaments. Contact www.killington.com or 802-422-6700.

Fox Run Golf Club - Ludlow, VT

Members and the public can enjoy an 18-hole championship course whose mission is to “provide members with a fun, authentic golf experience that exceeds expectations.” The opening of the course in May included new amenities, course improvements,75 new club car carts with GPS, renovations to the pro shop, and a sport-themed Calcutta’s Restaurant. With an excellent management team and top-notch golf professionals, Fox Run is committed to helping any player improve their game. Contact www.foxrungolf.org or call 802-228-1396 for tee times/pro shop.

Montague Golf Club - Randolph, VT

Is Vermont’s best-kept golf secret as the second oldest operating golf course in Vermont. A beautiful, 6,300-yard links golf course with many holes fronting on the third branch of the White River, Montague’s front nine is lined by maple and pine trees. The back nine are more open links-style with rolling fairways and sloping land lined with tall heather grasses. Open to the public, tee times can be made for the hours between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clubhouse is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and F-Sun from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring friends and save 20% on greens fees Monday-Thursday. Green fees for 18 holes Friday-Sunday are $45 (18 holes) and $28 (9 holes), with Monday-Thursday $38 (18 holes) and $28 (9 holes). Cart rentals for 18 holes are $20 and $15 for nine holes. Twilight rate (after 4:30 p.m.) $25 for greens fees (early bird special before 9 a.m.) and $36 including cart for 18 holes Monday-Sunday. General hours of operation are 7 a.m. to dark (course) and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (clubhouse). For golf clinics and lessons, contact Joe Dingledine @ 802-249-7408 or www.montaguegolf.com

Green Mountain National- Killington, VT

has been voted the #1 public golf course in Vermont. It features 18 holes of pristine championship golf immersed in the green mountains and natural beauty. A hole-by-hole layout can be found at www.gmngc.com. The golf pro shop is continuously stocked, and there are Tour Edge rental clubs ($30 for 18 holes; $20 for nine holes), cart rentals, and a driving range ($4 for small; $9 for large; hours to match tee times). For general calendar and tee times and rates, go to www.gmngc.com/tee-times/ or call 802-422-4653.

Lake Morey Resort- Fairlee, VT

Offers an impeccably maintained golf course with 18 holes of championship golf, including a flat front 9 giving way to a rolling back 9. Complete with a fully stocked clubhouse and private instruction from PGA golf pros, Lake Morey Resort has been home to the Vermont Open for more than 60 years. Green fees for 18 holes (weekdays) are $40 per person; $50 (weekdays and weekends); and for nine holes (weekends and holidays), $27. Evenings, after 3 p.m. (play till dark) without golf cart is $27 and with cart, $45. Evenings, after 4:30 p.m. (play till dusk), $19 without a golf cart and $32 with a cart. In general, golf cart rental is $20 for 18 holes and $13 for nine holes. Pull carts can be rented for $6, and golf clubs for $25 (18 holes) and $15 (9 holes). Monday and Tuesday specials for seniors 55 and over (includes greens fees and ½ cart) are $34, and VT and NH Days (includes greens fees only) are $29 per person. For further information, visit www.lakemoreyresort.com or call 802-423-1211.

So, go out and enjoy while you reduce stress, create friendships, enjoy nature, get good exercise, increase your mental capacity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities!