Connecticut National

[ShortStick]

First, I want to thank the WRXers that recommended this track. I never would have tried it out were it not for you (and I would have added this as a reply if I could have found the right spot). For those that do not know, Putnam is about 30 min from Sturbridge and, for me, about 40 min from Warwick, RI. Good location.

 

Two thumbs up for CT National. While my course has already gone to temp tees and temp greens, CTN was in terrific shape. Greens were much livelier than I expected for this time of year, and no need for a leaf rule (almost unheard of this time of year).

 

three quick observations …

1. Lots of elevation changes. It is built on top of a hill and you can expect great views. 
2. Lots of motion in the greens. Nothing obscene but you will have to earn everything on the greens. Nice variety. In fact, the fairways all have some movement with different lies too.

3. Very cool bunkering. Old style with grass faces (instead of pushing sand up the sides). Took me a few holes before realizing that fairway pot bunkers were about 130 yds from the green - I took them on but the holes also play well for those taking the bunkers out of play.

 

Holes 6, 7 and 8 won me over. Six is a long par 5 which is all about the second shot. Play the left side and deal with a down hill wedge, play the right side and you’re hitting up to the green, and in the middle is one of those bunkers that should be avoided. Seven is a medium iron par 3 with a decision of taking on the front left bunker or play wide and go for the tough two putt. Finally Eight plays down a steep hill with a tricky wedge into a small green. 
 

Fun day. Strategic decisions to be made on every hole. And I wish I had that grounds crew at my course.

[jdl]

I'll accept your thanks since I know I've posted about CTN many times here. 😀 That second shot on 6 is one that I always struggle with. too worried about the little pond on the right (which really isn't in play) and end up too far left. Or in those bunkers you mention. And that green should really be re-built. There's way too much "tier" in it so limits the reasonable pin placements. I did make one of my more incredible putts there to a front left flag from the right fringe. Pretty much just one of those "hit it hard" putts that somehow went in.

 

Agree on the conditioning, can only recall one time when it was less than great over the 5-6 years that we've been going there.

[ShortStick]

Awesome putt, JDL!! My ball released down to the lower right, and my lag just barely made it to the upper tier. Missed the 6 footer, and then tapped in to save the 3-jack.

 

thanks for the recommendation!

[Imp]

#14 is my nemesis. *steely eyed glare* The pond on 14 *is* in play many times for me and being a LOOOONG par 4. UGH. 

[livendie4golf]

Fantastic course!  The greens fees are un-beatable.  Just over an hour from Boston.  

 

Fun layout that allows you to challenge yourself with varying tees.

 

Staff is always friendly and food is solid.

 

Can't beat it.

[jdl]

Have to say as much as I've talked up this course on these boards, have been disappointed in it recently. They finally re-opened the restaurant (after being closed for several seasons) but both times my group has been this year they've closed before we finished our round! And we're teeing off at 9 am so not like we're playing late in the day. Saturday we were told they were closing at 3 pm but when we got off #18 we found out they had already closed for the day. 

 

Also quite a few of their greens have some significant damage that appears will take a long time to completely heal. Seems like that has caused them to put some of the pins in some really difficult spots, this past Saturday we saw 3 or 4 placements in the first 8 or so holes that we'd never seen before. The rangers were riding our first group pretty hard right from the first tee but those pins didn't help keep things moving.