The Rites of Spring: Rediscovering Golf at Pembroke Pines

The Golfer’s Awakening: That Spring Feeling

There’s something magical about those first few warmer days in New Hampshire, isn’t there? As winter finally releases its grip, we all feel that familiar flutter of excitement. For us golfers, it’s more than just cabin fever—it’s the call of the course, the promise of that first swing, and yes, maybe even the therapeutic curse after that first slice of the season!

We see it every year at Pembroke Pines—eager faces appearing at the pro shop door, phone calls asking “Are you open yet?”, and members polishing clubs that have been hibernating since October. Many of us find ourselves watching The Masters, admiring Augusta National’s perfection while gazing longingly at our own courses just starting to emerge from winter’s blanket.

But here’s where we need a bit of that famous New England patience—your swing might be ready (or at least you think it is!), but our courses need a little time to catch up.

Course Realities: Our Spring Journey

Let’s talk about what’s really happening underfoot during those early spring rounds:

The Ground Truth: While that sunshine feels glorious on your face, the soil beneath our fairways and greens warms much more slowly. Grass needs certain soil temperatures to actively grow, which means our turf is still waking up even as you’re ready to play. This isn’t just about aesthetics—it affects how the ball rolls, how divots recover, and the overall playability of our course.

Spring Softness: After months of snow and spring rains, our grounds naturally hold more moisture. You’ll notice less bounce and roll on your drives (sorry, distance hunters!), and we often need to implement cart path restrictions to protect the turf. This is why our maintenance team prioritizes drainage improvements during the off-season—we want to get you off the paths as soon as possible!

Maintenance Matters: Spring is critical for setting up healthy turf for the entire season. Our superintendent occasionally needs to aerate greens and fairways, and while those little holes might disrupt your putting line temporarily, they’re essential for allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the root systems. We promise those perfect summer conditions are worth the short-term inconvenience!

The Frost Factor: If you’re an early bird booker in April and May, frost delays are simply part of the game in New Hampshire. When ice crystals form on grass blades, they become brittle—walking or driving on frosted turf causes cell damage that appears as brown footprints or tire tracks, potentially taking weeks to heal. This is especially problematic on greens. So when we implement a frost delay, it’s not to inconvenience you—it’s to preserve the course you love for the entire season.

Getting Ready: Your Spring Training

Just as our course needs time to transition, your game probably could use some warming up too:

Reality Check: The first rule of spring golf? Manage those expectations! If you’re expecting mid-summer perfection in April, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Instead, focus on the joy of being outside again, the camaraderie, and the simple pleasure of reconnecting with the game. Your scores will catch up eventually!

Shake Off the Rust: Months away from golf means your muscles have forgotten those delicate motor patterns that produce a smooth swing. Start slowly—maybe with some practice swings at home or focused sessions on our range. Consider your first few rounds as extended practice, focusing on tempo and feel rather than score. And maybe play from a forward tee to account for those soft conditions adding effective length to the course.

Equipment Check: Before heading out, give your gear a thorough inspection. Check grips for wear, clean those club faces, organize your bag, and make sure you have plenty of balls (you might need them for those early rounds!). With ourpotentially soft spring conditions, a push cart or remote caddy might save your energy for your swing.

Why Pembroke Pines Is Your Perfect Spring Golf Hub

At Pembroke Pines Country Club, we’ve positioned ourselves as the ideal place for your return to golf this spring. Here’s why:

Course Character: Our 18-hole layout offers something for everyone, with five sets of tees allowing the course to play from approximately 5,000 yards to nearly 6,700 yards. The front nine eases you in with more forgiving fairways, while the back nine provides a more challenging test, including our signature holes along the scenic Soucook River.

Condition Commitment: We’ve made a serious commitment to maintaining conditions that rival private clubs. Our dedicated maintenance team works tirelessly through the spring transition to prepare the course for the season ahead.

2025 Season Opening: While Mother Nature always has the final say, we anticipate opening around April 15th, weather permitting. In past years, we’ve often been able to open the back nine and driving range first, followed by the front nine as conditions allow. Our first major event—the Opening Day Scramble—is scheduled for May 10th, which gives you a sense of when we expect to be in full swing!

Practice Paradise: We know how important it is to have quality practice facilities, especially in spring when you’re reconnecting with your swing:

• Our driving range stretches over 400 yards with a spacious 24,000 square foot natural grass hitting area, complemented by mats for all-weather use. Eight target greens give you specific aiming points at various distances.
• Our substantial 6,000 square foot putting green mimics the speed and roll of our actual greens.
• For those not-quite-perfect weather days, our indoor PGA simulator bays let you keep your swing tuned while enjoying food and beverage service from the 1759 Grille.

Flexible Access Options: We’ve designed our access structure to accommodate every type of golfer:

• Public play is always welcome, with tee times bookable through our website or Pro Shop.
• Our Full Membership offers unlimited golf with no green fees, 14-day advance booking, GHIN handicap service, Pro Shop discounts, and eligibility for all member tournaments and leagues. We have options for Individuals, Families, Seniors, Young Adults, College students, and Juniors.
• Our Fairway Prime Membership is perfect for regular but not frequent players, functioning as a pay-as-you-play program with an upfront buy-in that gives you access to discounted rates and many member benefits.

Perfect Location: Situated conveniently between Concord and Manchester, we’re easily accessible for central New Hampshire golfers. When you’re eager to squeeze in nine holes after work or want to avoid a long drive for your weekend round, our location can’t be beat.

Join Us This Spring!

As the New Hampshire landscape reawakens, Pembroke Pines Country Club is ready to welcome you back to the game you love. Whether you’re working out the winter kinks on our practice facilities, enjoying a casual round with friends, competing in our member events, or relaxing at the 1759 Grille, we’ve created an environment where the transition back to golf season is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

The rites of spring golf in New Hampshire come with both challenges and joys. At Pembroke Pines, we embrace them all, focusing on providing you with the best possible experience as we all shake off winter and rediscover our love for the game.

We’ll see you on the first tee soon!