Another way to burn some calories is to walk the Woodstock Country Club. Originally laid out in 1895 by frequent Woodstock visitor and golf nut Dr. H.B. Harrington, the course pleasantly bedevils even skilled players. You’ll find it shoehorned between the slope of a mountain and the southbound road out of Woodstock, running links-style through this narrow gap with a non-returning loop.

Trent Jones Sr. redesigned the course in 1961, leaving enough of his fingerprints that the course is now properly attributed to him. It may be small, but it packs in a lot of great golf. As with many classic courses, the distances from green to tee are tiny, and there is not much elevation change, making it easy to walk, but not easy to score.

The main topographical feature is a creek that winds through the property, coming into play on 12 holes, fronting several greens and bisecting prime landing areas. Just peer over the bank at the creek’s edge to behold the carnage: It looks like a river of golf balls.

Jones knew exactly where slightly errant shots would land, and he positioned his tees so the creek would be waiting for these wayward balls. Almost all the greens are narrow and flanked by bunkers, placing a premium on the proper approach angle. In addition, many severe doglegs require hitting irons off the tee on holes whose yardages simply beg for a driver-wedge attack.

This is a thinking man’s course, one that resists a grip-it-and-rip-it attitude. It is best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon, on foot with your Sunday bag over your shoulder. The course is a perfect complement to the understated elegance of the Inn itself, and just one of many reasons you’ll want to make a return visit to this particular Woodstock.