Best Hidden Gems in CT

[dartboss04]

I was not feeling well and out of commission for 2016-2017, so I’ve been out of the loop in the near term for courses around CT. I have a two part ask of my fellow New Englanders.

 

First, I am wondering if anyone has seen a course that has had a comeback or rejuvenation of any kind in the last few seasons? It seems like the top 5 or so public courses have remained the same, although I did see Gillette Ridge pop up on a New England Top 25 list, which was really surprising based on the time I played it. I just don’t want to write off a course based on my prior bias.

 

Second, anyone have any hidden gems in CT or close by surrounding areas that are off the radar of the normal “top you can play” lists?

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[vaca22]

Ok, so from virtually EVERYONE that has played it, the real deal reno course that was once almost complete junk and is now incredible is Keney Park. Golfweek actually ranked it #2 on it's 2018 list of courses you can play. I definitely want to give that a shot this year.

 

Another neat track that is out in the boonies in Putnam is Connecticut National which I have yet to play as well.

 

Absent from that Golfweek list for CT was Great River in Milford. It's pricey, however the greens fees include the cart, use of the practice facility/range and a private locker.

 

 

[Sawgrass]

I was not feeling well and out of commission for 2016-2017, so I’ve been out of the loop in the near term for courses around CT. I have a two part ask of my fellow New Englanders.

 

First, I am wondering if anyone has seen a course that has had a comeback or rejuvenation of any kind in the last few seasons? It seems like the top 5 or so public courses have remained the same, although I did see Gillette Ridge pop up on a New England Top 25 list, which was really surprising based on the time I played it. I just don’t want to write off a course based on my prior bias.

 

Second, anyone have any hidden gems in CT or close by surrounding areas that are off the radar of the normal “top you can play” lists?

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

Pound Ridge, in New York but abutting Stamford, CT, is a breathtaking course that's breathtakingly expensive. But it's in great condition and the greens fees are no longer as high (or complicated) as they had been.

[dartboss04]

Ok, so from virtually EVERYONE that has played it, the real deal reno course that was once almost complete junk and is now incredible is Keney Park. Golfweek actually ranked it #2 on it's 2018 list of courses you can play. I definitely want to give that a shot this year.

 

Another neat track that is out in the boonies in Putnam is Connecticut National which I have yet to play as well.

 

Absent from that Golfweek list for CT was Great River in Milford. It's pricey, however the greens fees include the cart, use of the practice facility/range and a private locker.

 

Thank you for the recommendations. Something like Keney is exactly what I was looking for. I have played CT National and GR as well, hoping to get back to CT National this season.

 

I was thinking Gillette Ridge this weekend, but there are so many times available. That worries me.

[dartboss04]

Pound Ridge, in New York but abutting Stamford, CT, is a breathtaking course that's breathtakingly expensive. But it's in great condition and the greens fees are no longer as high (or complicated) as they had been.

 

Thank you, I’ve heard that course mentioned a couple times. I will need to add that to my list.

[vinprun71]

I personally love rounds at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull, CT. Not a bad public course and the prices are fair.

[vaca22]

Ok, so from virtually EVERYONE that has played it, the real deal reno course that was once almost complete junk and is now incredible is Keney Park. Golfweek actually ranked it #2 on it's 2018 list of courses you can play. I definitely want to give that a shot this year. Another neat track that is out in the boonies in Putnam is Connecticut National which I have yet to play as well. Absent from that Golfweek list for CT was Great River in Milford. It's pricey, however the greens fees include the cart, use of the practice facility/range and a private locker.

Thank you for the recommendations. Something like Keney is exactly what I was looking for. I have played CT National and GR as well, hoping to get back to CT National this season. I was thinking Gillette Ridge this weekend, but there are so many times available. That worries me.

 

I've played Gillette Ridge a couple of times when it was relatively new. I believe they had some serious maintenance issues and turned over a superintendent or two shortly after. I believe it's in better shape than it has been in recent years, however it's still not the greatest, which might explain why there are so many tee times.

[Nard_S]

Oak Hills in Norwalk has fantastic greens, roll true and fast but very receptive. Course is light years better than just 5 years ago.

[dartboss04]

Oak Hills in Norwalk has fantastic greens, roll true and fast but very receptive. Course is light years better than just 5 years ago.

 

It’s amazing how good greens can make up for a lot of other issues. I’ll have to check that place out.

[Shemp]

Ct National. Fun track.

[Sean2]

Ct National. Fun track.

 

I agree. Great course, great greens, and you will use every club in your bag.

[dartboss04]

Ct National. Fun track.

 

I agree. Great course, great greens, and you will use every club in your bag.

 

Booked at time for this weekend for CT National. The first and only time I played it, we were rained out after 12 holes. Looking forward to it.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about Connecticut National. That course along with Oak Hills in Norwalk are two that I've been meaning to get on for a long time

[Sawgrass]

Ct National. Fun track.

 

I agree. Great course, great greens, and you will use every club in your bag.

 

Booked at time for this weekend for CT National. The first and only time I played it, we were rained out after 12 holes. Looking forward to it.

Looks very nice online, though you absolutely cannot get farther away from my home in Stamford and still be in Connecticut. When you're there, consider telling them it's about time to stop welcoming people to the "2017 golf season" on their website. :rolleyes:

[mmckee02]

Keney Park and Shennecossett, hands down.

[Nard_S]

Have not played them but have heard good things about Oxford Greens and Richter Park. Any thoughts on those?

 

Also close over in Pound Ridge, NY is a Pete Dye design, pricey but it is Dye and I am a fan of his, so I may give that a go this summer.

[dave willie]

Keney Park and Shennecossett, hands down.

Have they renovated Shennocossett? My in-laws live nearby so I've played it a few times in the past, but not in several years. Last time I played it they gave me the most laughable set of rental clubs that I've ever seen - they looked like the were out of the club bins that you see at driving ranges for those who want to borrow a club. I know that Shennecossett is a Donald Ross course, but it was diminished when Pfizer bought some of the original property > 20 years ago which caused the course to be shortened & rerouted. The conditioning was poor when I last played it.

[tsecor]

Richter Park

[Sean2]

Ct National. Fun track.

 

I agree. Great course, great greens, and you will use every club in your bag.

 

Booked at time for this weekend for CT National. The first and only time I played it, we were rained out after 12 holes. Looking forward to it.

 

I hope you get the chance to go there again.

[dartboss04]

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about Connecticut National. That course along with Oak Hills in Norwalk are two that I've been meaning to get on for a long time

 

Friend with a lake house up there cancelled on us so we are postponing CT National until he can play.

 

Heading for Fox Hopyard instead.

 

Ct National. Fun track.

 

I agree. Great course, great greens, and you will use every club in your bag.

 

Booked at time for this weekend for CT National. The first and only time I played it, we were rained out after 12 holes. Looking forward to it.

Looks very nice online, though you absolutely cannot get farther away from my home in Stamford and still be in Connecticut. When you're there, consider telling them it's about time to stop welcoming people to the "2017 golf season" on their website. :rolleyes:

 

That’s a trek. It’s about 1:20 from my house in the middle of the state.

[dartboss04]

Have not played them but have heard good things about Oxford Greens and Richter Park. Any thoughts on those?

 

Also close over in Pound Ridge, NY is a Pete Dye design, pricey but it is Dye and I am a fan of his, so I may give that a go this summer.

 

Oxford Greens is nice, good condition, like the green speed there.

 

Richter Park was a nice pleasant surprise, a bit of a haul for me too but not bad. Really good condition and some fun holes. It is very scenic.

 

 

[dartboss04]

Keney Park and Shennecossett, hands down.

Have they renovated Shennocossett? My in-laws live nearby so I've played it a few times in the past, but not in several years. Last time I played it they gave me the most laughable set of rental clubs that I've ever seen - they looked like the were out of the club bins that you see at driving ranges for those who want to borrow a club. I know that Shennecossett is a Donald Ross course, but it was diminished when Pfizer bought some of the original property > 20 years ago which caused the course to be shortened & rerouted. The conditioning was poor when I last played it.

 

I’ve played it a few times but can’t really speak to the condition as I usually play off peak. Shenny is typically the first course in the state that opens so I’ve played it in some less than ideal conditions. It’s an funny course in that there are plain holes in a normal residential area, and then a few coming back in on the water with beautiful views. I think some of the classic design elements remain as well. The cost wasn’t prohibitive so I never felt ripped off.

[dartboss04]

Ct National. Fun track.

 

I agree. Great course, great greens, and you will use every club in your bag.

 

Booked at time for this weekend for CT National. The first and only time I played it, we were rained out after 12 holes. Looking forward to it.

 

I hope you get the chance to go there again.

 

It’s on my list this year for sure along with Keney. I think next year I may sign up for that CT AM Tour again to take advantage of the private club access.

[Sean2]

Ct National. Fun track.

 

I agree. Great course, great greens, and you will use every club in your bag.

 

Booked at time for this weekend for CT National. The first and only time I played it, we were rained out after 12 holes. Looking forward to it.

Looks very nice online, though you absolutely cannot get farther away from my home in Stamford and still be in Connecticut. When you're there, consider telling them it's about time to stop welcoming people to the "2017 golf season" on their website. :rolleyes:

 

Yeah, it's really tucked up in the corner. When someone asks me where I am playing golf and I say Connecticut National they look at me like I am out of my mind. But from just south of Boston it takes less than 90 minutes.

[golow]

Play all over and played all of the following every year and recently -Keney, Shenny, CT Nat'l, Oxford, Fox Hopyard, Gillette and Wintonbury all in great shape and great layouts

 

Richter and Great River are always in very nice shape.

 

Comeback course of year 2017 was Gillette and this year Keney

[vaca22]

I played Shennecossett last year and didn't think it was in good condition at all. Right around this time, probably the very end of June.

 

I've been dying to play Fox Hopyard, I've only heard good things.

[TBD203]

Hopyard was in very good condition when I played it 2-3 weeks ago. Greens were very pure.

[dartboss04]

Hopyard was in great condition. The more I play it, the closer it gets to my favorite public course in the state. You really do get to hit all your clubs and I appreciate that they give you a safety net on the most difficult holes.

[jdl]

Playing CTN Saturday, hopefully it can work it's usual magic and cure my broken swing.

[Moonyock]

Don’t mean to hijack the thread or anything, I’m driving up from NJ for a family reunion Thursday night. Staying in Old Saybrook and will have some time for a round Friday morning. What’s everyone’s suggestion? Hopyard? Take it easy and knock it around on Fenwick?