Best Hidden Gems in CT

[EaglesGolf99]

Played Gillette Ridge three weeks ago. Great shape. Played some tough pins too! So far my round of the year! Was in great shape! But a long round, 6 hours. I gathered that they recently flipped the 9's. What was 1 is now 10 and what was 10 is now 1. Big mistake in my humble opinion but to each their own. Definitely worth the play regardless!

 

Keney Park I was supposed to play at the beginning of the summer. Didn't work out. Was hesitant to go back but after reading reviews here it sounds like I have to.

 

I like Wintonbury Golf Club a lot too!

 

Read recently about Shennecossett being a hidden gem albeit rough around the edges but it's a bit out of my travels. May make the drive one day though.

 

Played Hartford Golf Club two weekends ago, immaculate! Greens a little slow but still rolled pure. Awesome place! Henry was my caddy and he was aces as well! Great day!

 

... Played a bit in CT this Season!

[kpm0915]

Moonyock, easily fox hopyard

[coldshank]

I've always enjoyed playing Fairview Farms...just a fun course...lots of variety...

 

Great River has a great restaurant too....and...best practice range...I like that SHU has reverted back to the original layout/routing...

[vaca22]

 

Played Hartford Golf Club two weekends ago, immaculate! Greens a little slow but still rolled pure. Awesome place! Henry was my caddy and he was aces as well! Great day!

 

 

Now that's a place that I know nothing about, interesting to hear about your experience there. I believe HGC is a Donald Ross course too, and private, so you're lucky to have played there!

 

I visited them when my wife and I were looking for wedding venues. It was early winter and so the course wasn't in playing condition, but you could still tell it was nice. The one thing they never discussed with us were the prices, which meant it was going to be wayyyyyyy out of our league LOL!

[EaglesGolf99]

 

Played Hartford Golf Club two weekends ago, immaculate! Greens a little slow but still rolled pure. Awesome place! Henry was my caddy and he was aces as well! Great day!

 

 

Now that's a place that I know nothing about, interesting to hear about your experience there. I believe HGC is a Donald Ross course too, and private, so you're lucky to have played there!

 

I visited them when my wife and I were looking for wedding venues. It was early winter and so the course wasn't in playing condition, but you could still tell it was nice. The one thing they never discussed with us were the prices, which meant it was going to be wayyyyyyy out of our league LOL!

 

Yes. Special occasion!

[Moonyock]

Moonyock, easily fox hopyard

 

Thanks, I took your word and made the earliest possible tee time for Friday. Any particulars I should know about before I go?

[dartboss04]

Moonyock, easily fox hopyard

 

Thanks, I took your word and made the earliest possible tee time for Friday. Any particulars I should know about before I go?

 

They take good care of you there. Range balls included and when we played $20 for the pro shop or restaurant in the price.

 

Avoid the rough is possible. I know that’s pretty standard advice but it was particularly penal in spots when I played last week.

[The Mad Hacker]

You're in for a treat, Moonyock. Fox Hopyard is one of the best public courses in Connecticut, right up there with Lake of Isles (North) and Great River. Fox Hopyard has some dramatic elevation changes, especially #4, a par 3 with a 90 foot drop to the green. Beautiful layout, with each hole distinctly different. Combines parkland, mountain and links style holes into a fine test, and always in great condition every time I've played. This is the sister course to Crumpin Fox, another classic in Benardston, Mass.

 

As others have mentioned, other really nice public tracks include Oxford Greens, CT National, Keney Park and Wintonbury Hills. Shennecossett gets a nod as a Donald Ross design. A bit quirky and not perfectly manicured, but an old school gem.

 

I have the privilege of playing Hartford Golf Club each year, and I agree, it is another beauty. Private, though. But definitely play it if you get a chance.

 

I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention Richter Park, Timberlin, Rockledge and Manchester CC, other publics that I always enjoy playing. (Manchester used to be private, but is now open for daily fee play). While not in quite the same tier as a Lake of Isles or Fox Hopyard, they all offer a quality golfing experience.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

You're in for a treat, Moonyock. Fox Hopyard is one of the best public courses in Connecticut, right up there with Lake of Isles (North) and Great River. Fox Hopyard has some dramatic elevation changes, especially #4, a par 3 with a 90 foot drop to the green. Beautiful layout, with each hole distinctly different. Combines parkland, mountain and links style holes into a fine test, and always in great condition every time I've played. This is the sister course to Crumpin Fox, another classic in Benardston, Mass.

 

As others have mentioned, other really nice public tracks include Oxford Greens, CT National, Keney Park and Wintonbury Hills. Shennecossett gets a nod as a Donald Ross design. A bit quirky and not perfectly manicured, but an old school gem.

 

I have the privilege of playing Hartford Golf Club each year, and I agree, it is another beauty. Private, though. But definitely play it if you get a chance.

 

I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention Richter Park, Timberlin, Rockledge and Manchester CC, other publics that I always enjoy playing. (Manchester used to be private, but is now open for daily fee play). While not in quite the same tier as a Lake of Isles or Fox Hopyard, they all offer a quality golfing experience.

 

No sarcasm in my reply but Manchester CC has been open for public play as far back as the early 90's. I grew up across the street and spent 95% of my youth playing there in the 90's, along with working on the maintenance crew there for a little while.

 

And as you mentioned, you will be treated to a lovely track.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

Forgive me if they were mentioned already but the following courses are classics in Eastern CT...

Blackledge Country Club (27 holes) in Hebron

Tallwood Country Club (Hebron)

Twin Hills Golf Club (Coventry)

 

These courses were staples in my golf rota while growing up in Manchester.

[jbl]

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?

Hard to say without knowing your preferences but I think Fenwick is an absolute gem, true throwback course. Plus if it's not too busy you can play 18 in two hours.

[TBD203]

Fenwick is a lot of fun for a smaller course. If it's really windy out there it can cause some pretty good havoc.

[Moonyock]

I wound up playing Fox Hopyard. Got a 7:20 tee time and walked it. Should have taken a golf board for a ride. Really great staff and facilities. Everyone was really helpful and accommodating. I’ll preface things by saying Mountain golf is just not my thing; probably just not enough exposure to it, and not having a cart or yardage book really hurt me with some of the blind shots on that first half of the course. Had a blast on the back nine and really liked the layout and the style. Definitely would play it again and recommend it to anyone in the area

[Arb8889]

Forgive me if they were mentioned already but the following courses are classics in Eastern CT...

Blackledge Country Club (27 holes) in Hebron

Tallwood Country Club (Hebron)

Twin Hills Golf Club (Coventry)

 

These courses were staples in my golf rota while growing up in Manchester.

 

Played all of these when I attended UConn, solid tracks and not too pricey

[Fairwindsgolfer]

Forgive me if they were mentioned already but the following courses are classics in Eastern CT...

Blackledge Country Club (27 holes) in Hebron

Tallwood Country Club (Hebron)

Twin Hills Golf Club (Coventry)

 

These courses were staples in my golf rota while growing up in Manchester.

 

Played all of these when I attended UConn, solid tracks and not too pricey

 

I agree..one could do a lot worse than that rota of courses

[dartboss04]

Booked a time for Keney Park next week...really looking forward to it

[Fairwindsgolfer]

Booked a time for Keney Park next week...really looking forward to it

It would be awesome if you did a review of keney.

I have never played there which is astounding given that I grew up in Hartford and play just about every course and that area of the state. Ironically, I'm playing Wintonbury Hills tomorrow and then Keney will be next on my list

[EaglesGolf99]

Played Keney Park last weekend!

 

Great track. Different. Was a little wet from the weather they had the previous week but definitely worth the play!

[dartboss04]

Booked a time for Keney Park next week...really looking forward to it

It would be awesome if you did a review of keney.

I have never played there which is astounding given that I grew up in Hartford and play just about every course and that area of the state. Ironically, I'm playing Wintonbury Hills tomorrow and then Keney will be next on my list

 

For sure, I will post something early next week. My understanding is there is some neat classical architecture as the front 9 was designed by Devereux Emmet, who has quite the list of courses attributed to him.

[EaglesGolf99]

Booked a time for Keney Park next week...really looking forward to it

It would be awesome if you did a review of keney.

I have never played there which is astounding given that I grew up in Hartford and play just about every course and that area of the state. Ironically, I'm playing Wintonbury Hills tomorrow and then Keney will be next on my list

 

For sure, I will post something early next week. My understanding is there is some neat classical architecture as the front 9 was designed by Devereux Emmet, who has quite the list of courses attributed to him.

 

In my opinion, and just my opinion, from my round there last Saturday, looking back on it I would say, Hole 1 and 2 are nothing special, and then 3-18 are (can be) special.

[Fairwindsgolfer]

I played Wintonbury Hills today.

It was in fantastic condition and we played in under 4 hours as a foursome.

The customer service was fantastic with every person we came across.

It is owned by the same company as Oxford Greens and I would play Wintonbury over OG all day long

[EaglesGolf99]

I played Wintonbury Hills today.

It was in fantastic condition and we played in under 4 hours as a foursome.

The customer service was fantastic with every person we came across.

It is owned by the same company as Oxford Greens and I would play Wintonbury over OG all day long

 

Trying to play there soon. Fingers crossed.

[dartboss04]

Didn’t play at Keney as I was not feeling the weather this Monday. Going to save my time off for a little better weather.

 

What the hell happened at Richter...bunch of a**holes tore up some greens.

[arbitrage]

What the hell happened at Richter...bunch of a**holes tore up some greens.

 

Last time I played Richter, one of the locals said that the greenskeeper, that made it one of the Top 25 public's in the country, passed away 13 years ago and the course has been going south ever since. The greens were in tough condition last time I played. IMHO,they need to trim back some of the trees to give the greens more sun.

 

Here's a link to an article about Richter. You're right. Some vandals tore up the course.

 

https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Reward-offered-for-tip-on-Danbury-golf-course-13138671.php

[dartboss04]

I was finally able to get out at Keney. I think we lucked out in terms of green condition as there is a PGA sectional the next two days. The fairways had quite a bit of GUR, but I think all CT courses are having a very rough season with the rain and humidity.

 

I thought the course was so much fun to play and I loved the green complexes in particular. Very challenging. I think we may have had some tough placements today as there are a bunch of pros practicing.

 

The only drawback was a WASPy d**khead we were paired up with for a few holes.

[3puttforebogey]

Fairview Farms in Harwinton. Great track, fun layout.

[jerebear21]

i have a full day friday between new haven/hartford next week. Yale club closed next friday for an event so now I need a 36 hole day since the wife will be with her best friend all day.

 

any recommendation? i won't have a car. Wife plan to drop me off and let me wander around. =/

 

nevermind, decided to take train to bethpage from new haven; might as well

 

yale thursday morning, bethpage friday all day and keney park or wintonbury saturday morning.

[arbitrage]

i have a full day friday between new haven/hartford next week. Yale club closed next friday for an event so now I need a 36 hole day since the wife will be with her best friend all day.

 

any recommendation? i won't have a car. Wife plan to drop me off and let me wander around. =/

 

Great River in Milford. Just a 15-20 minutes south of New Haven.

[jerebear21]

i have a full day friday between new haven/hartford next week. Yale club closed next friday for an event so now I need a 36 hole day since the wife will be with her best friend all day.

 

any recommendation? i won't have a car. Wife plan to drop me off and let me wander around. =/

 

Great River in Milford. Just a 15-20 minutes south of New Haven.

 

 

ooo thanks. just checked bethpage black aerated oc1 so don't know if i want to play bumpy greens next week. This looks like a great back up plan and no 6 hour train rides round trip.

 

tpc highlands willing to give me a reciprocal from my home club down here in florida. how's that course?

[arbitrage]

i have a full day friday between new haven/hartford next week. Yale club closed next friday for an event so now I need a 36 hole day since the wife will be with her best friend all day.

 

any recommendation? i won't have a car. Wife plan to drop me off and let me wander around. =/

 

Great River in Milford. Just a 15-20 minutes south of New Haven.

 

 

ooo thanks. just checked bethpage black aerated oc1 so don't know if i want to play bumpy greens next week. This looks like a great back up plan and no 6 hour train rides round trip.

 

tpc highlands willing to give me a reciprocal from my home club down here in florida. how's that course?

 

If you can get on Highlands, do it! Treelined and challenging but definitely playable.