Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club
Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club blends Adirondack mountain terrain with a well-maintained, strategic 18-hole layout. Known for smooth bent grass greens and a walkable design, it challenges golfers of all levels amid scenic natural surroundings.
Course Overview
Situated within the rugged landscape of the Adirondack Mountains, Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club offers an 18-hole golf experience that balances challenge with natural beauty. This semi-private course commands attention with bent grass greens that are noted for their true roll and subtle breaks, rewarding careful reads and precise putting. Fairways are generous yet demanding, framed by mature trees and native vegetation that test shot shaping and course management.
Though the course lacks the expansive water hazards of some mountain clubs, its elevation changes and hidden lies provide a dynamic terrain variety rarely found in upstate New York. Players will find a mix of long par 4s and strategic par 3s, each designed with playability in mind but offering incentive for thoughtful shot decisions. The bunkers, while sometimes firm underfoot, remain generally forgiving, encouraging risk-taking without harsh penalties.
Saranac Inn’s setting delivers more than mere backdrop; wildlife sightings like deer and a quiet bear cub occasionally share the fairways, adding moments of unexpected wonder throughout the round. This gives the course a sense of untamed tranquility interlaced with a competitive edge. Visitors have praised how the maintenance staff keeps the course in excellent condition despite the challenging northern climate, with short season peaks celebrated for fast, smooth greens and lush fairways.
The club’s amenities complement its golf offerings. Accommodation is modest but comfortable and invites players to extend their stay to enjoy the surrounding Adirondacks. Casual dining and relaxed social spaces encourage camaraderie after play. Golfers attracted to a walkable, demanding layout that rewards strategy over sheer power will find themselves at home here.
Whether you’re traveling from nearby urban centers or exploring northern New York, Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club presents an inviting test of skill set against a backdrop of genuine wilderness. Plan for sturdy footwear and layering, as weather can shift swiftly at this latitude. This course stands out as a quietly refined retreat for golfers seeking to measure their game alongside the Adirondack’s resilient spirit.
Course Highlights
The course is distinguished by its bent grass greens that hold subtle breaks, diverse hole lengths that test both creativity and accuracy, and natural Adirondack forest boundaries that frame the layout. Wildlife sightings, including occasional deer and bears, enhance the experience, while the attentive maintenance ensures consistent playability despite the remote northern setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
David Hands
I am somewhat biased as we have spent many a happy time at Saranac Inn GC over the last 15 years or so. This year we had 12 guys from NJ come up for a few days of golf and hanging out. NY had just started to reopen from Covid19 but we stayed on site for 3 nights. Usually we would go into Saranac Lake for dinner but we had no real need to leave the site as we could BBQ. We bring up a fire pit for an evening of relaxing around a fire. The course is always in tremendous shape with some interesting holes, nice fairways and great greens. Jim and the team always make us feel welcome which makes the trip up from NJ all the more worthwhile. As others have noted the motels rooms are comfortable but dated which for us is not problem as only really need a good bed with most of our time spent outside in the beautiful Adirondaks. If you are in the area be sure to check it out.
Tim O'Sullivan
Jeremy Kraus
Stayed at the Inn and Jim has been a fantastic host. It is beautiful up there this time of year. The Inn is simple and comfortable with independent heat/ac in each room. The course is in incredible shape right now! Greens are fast and many have tough breaks but still read pretty true. The fairways are some of the nicest I've played this year and the tee boxes are in incredible shape. The bunkers were firm but forgiving - lots of give under foot - not hard pack. Played in sub 40 degree weather on the 8th and even with the chill the course was 100% worth playing. Talked with some of the grounds crew, and I complimented them on the course condition. Mike and Jason were super nice. Everyone was on the course this morning getting it ready for the end of season tournament and the work they all put in really shows. The wildlife on the course is diverse - deer, geese, porcupines and I'm sure other birds and animals I overlooked. Thanks for such a great stay!
JoAnn Bomeisl
The staff are so helpful and friendly.... our group stays 3 nights each year and we have a fantastic time. The course is always in great shape and the staff make sure we have everything we need as we bring food for our evening meals. Rooms are sufficient, but we are there to golf, not hang out indoors. You are also a short walk for a dip in the lake!!
Mike O'Grady
SEPT 2022 : FORGET 5 STARS ... A SOLID T E N SCORE !!!! WOW , Lake Saranac was just brought back TO MY MEMORY by summer family lake home . WESTCHESTER CO. : John Tamerin and his Family have long visited the northern zone for its serenity AND beauty . In 2006 , i decided for the long trip to do a GOLF DIGEST GC REVIEW + SARATOGA TRACK IN 3 DAYS . Where i meet and played w hospitality classy gent / owner , Jim O'Connor . YES , not a long GC ...but ..truly a scenic gem {w/o any waters seen , like most others world gems ). However , the 1980 world Olympics was on my mind ( and USA hockey top win ) . In my eyesight was the magnificent mountains range ( LAKE PLACID and WHITEFACE MT ) . My highlight was The Bear Cub watching my green putt on our green . AS i was focused on make my birdie putt, Jim + John Tam quietly announce to all about the bear . What was our 1st thoughts awareness , SO WHERE IS MOMMY BEAR ? ( no where to be seen ) ! =========================== LS team have kept this northern NYS gem up w top maintenance . CHEERS TO JIM AND TEAM , EVEN through harsh deep snow winters . I MUST MAKE PLANS AGAIN FOR MY RETURN , THEN I will also revisit to Join Up w owner JOC . *** NOTE : BE PROUD !!! >> ALL YOU LOCALS + MEMBER GOLFERS *** LS IS MY # 1 IN YOUR ZONE . YES , OVER WHITEFACE ...AND.. 2ND ONLY TO MY # 1 UPPER NYS ( THE SAGAMORE RESORT ). LS , YOU MAY BE OUT OF MY SIGHT ... BUT NOT ... 100 % OUT OF MY MIND IN GOLFING EXCELLENCE . FORE TO YOU/JOC , AND MY BEAR CUB , WHO HAS HIS OWN FAMILY NOW ! MIKE O'GRADY GOLF DIGEST TOP 100 REVIEW COMMITTEE. NYS , BETHPAGE BLACK SEASONED LOW GOLFER
Michel Rainville
Truly a pleasure and can't recall ever having had a better golfing experience. So well manicured and demanding at any level. Definitely will be in the list of annual must plays. Hospitality that's hard to beat as well. Still smiling!
Mike O'Grady
SEPT 2022 : FORGET 5 STARS ... A SOLID T E N SCORE !!!! WOW , Lake Saranac was just brought back TO MY MEMORY by summer family lake home . WESTCHESTER CO. : John Tamerin and his Family have long visited the northern zone for its serenity AND beauty . In 2006 , i decided for the long trip to do a GOLF DIGEST GC REVIEW + SARATOGA TRACK IN 3 DAYS . Where i meet and played w hospitality classy gent / owner , Jim O'Connor . YES , not a long GC ...but ..truly a scenic gem {w/o any waters seen , like most others world gems ). However , the 1980 world Olympics was on my mind ( and USA hockey top win ) . In my eyesight was the magnificent mountains range ( LAKE PLACID and WHITEFACE MT ) . My highlight was The Bear Cub watching my green putt on our green . AS i was focused on make my birdie putt, Jim + John Tam quietly announce to all about the bear . What was our 1st thoughts awareness , SO WHERE IS MOMMY BEAR ? ( no where to be seen ) ! =========================== LS team have kept this northern NYS gem up w top maintenance . CHEERS TO JIM AND TEAM , EVEN through harsh deep snow winters . I MUST MAKE PLANS AGAIN FOR MY RETURN , THEN I will also revisit to Join Up w owner JOC . *** NOTE : BE PROUD !!! >> ALL YOU LOCALS + MEMBER GOLFERS *** LS IS MY # 1 IN YOUR ZONE . YES , OVER WHITEFACE ...AND.. 2ND ONLY TO MY # 1 UPPER NYS ( THE SAGAMORE RESORT ). LS , YOU MAY BE OUT OF MY SIGHT ... BUT NOT ... 100 % OUT OF MY MIND IN GOLFING EXCELLENCE . FORE TO YOU/JOC , AND MY BEAR CUB , WHO HAS HIS OWN FAMILY NOW ! MIKE O'GRADY GOLF DIGEST TOP 100 REVIEW COMMITTEE. NYS , BETHPAGE BLACK SEASONED LOW GOLFER
Mark Leyendecker
Start with the good stuff: excellent bent grass greens, 5 stars for those. Unfortunately, It’s all downhill from there. Rental clubs were an embarrassment. Bunkers were poorly trimmed and maintained. Kudos to the man behind the counter who was doing triple duty for his hard work. Could be an excellent course with some TLC. Three stars is generous.
Zach Davis
This place is terrible, awful conditions, 80$ for one of the worst rounds you will ever experience. Please don’t come here
Jeremy Kraus
Stayed at the Inn and Jim has been a fantastic host. It is beautiful up there this time of year. The Inn is simple and comfortable with independent heat/ac in each room. The course is in incredible shape right now! Greens are fast and many have tough breaks but still read pretty true. The fairways are some of the nicest I've played this year and the tee boxes are in incredible shape. The bunkers were firm but forgiving - lots of give under foot - not hard pack. Played in sub 40 degree weather on the 8th and even with the chill the course was 100% worth playing. Talked with some of the grounds crew, and I complimented them on the course condition. Mike and Jason were super nice. Everyone was on the course this morning getting it ready for the end of season tournament and the work they all put in really shows. The wildlife on the course is diverse - deer, geese, porcupines and I'm sure other birds and animals I overlooked. Thanks for such a great stay!
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Course Details
Access & Location
125 County Rte 46, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA
Saranac Inn Clubhouse
Walking encouraged; course terrain is rolling with some elevation changes, sturdy shoes advised
Reservations recommended, guest play subject to member approval
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