Great River GC Vs. Fox Hopyard

[mrpibb7781]

Opinions wanted on all Levels

Being a hard working Joe like the majority of golfers, it sometimes is not prudent to spend $100+ on a round of golf.

That being ssaid, this year is my big 3-0 and I want to treat myself. I have heard obviously very good things about both of these courses and would like a broader pool of opinions. I am not taking driving time into the equation. Aesthetics, playability and pace of play are important as well as the overall vibe of the place.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

[UnderPar18]

Fox I like better but treat yourself to lake of isles honestly

[mrpibb7781]

[quote name='ecsugolf1' timestamp='1304011156' post='3193554']
Fox I like better but treat yourself to lake of isles honestly
[/quote]


Heard alot about that as well.. I always had the feeling I'd be playing in the shadow of some exclusive hotel all day because it's connected to Foxwoods

[JJK947]

[quote name='mrpibb7781' timestamp='1304011922' post='3193580']
[quote name='ecsugolf1' timestamp='1304011156' post='3193554']
Fox I like better but treat yourself to lake of isles honestly
[/quote]


Heard alot about that as well.. I always had the feeling I'd be playing in the shadow of some exclusive hotel all day because it's connected to Foxwoods
[/quote]

I have played there many times (as a junior) and the hotel isn't even visible from the public course from what I remember (at least I never noticed it). Amazing course, if you are going to spend the money, go there.

[mrpibb7781]

[quote name='JJK947' timestamp='1304012738' post='3193608']
[quote name='mrpibb7781' timestamp='1304011922' post='3193580']
[quote name='ecsugolf1' timestamp='1304011156' post='3193554']
Fox I like better but treat yourself to lake of isles honestly
[/quote]


Heard alot about that as well.. I always had the feeling I'd be playing in the shadow of some exclusive hotel all day because it's connected to Foxwoods
[/quote]

I have played there many times (as a junior) and the hotel isn't even visible from the public course from what I remember (at least I never noticed it). Amazing course, if you are going to spend the money, go there.
[/quote]


'ppreciate the insight. Thanks.

[festivus_01]

[quote name='mrpibb7781' timestamp='1304013431' post='3193654']
[quote name='JJK947' timestamp='1304012738' post='3193608']
[quote name='mrpibb7781' timestamp='1304011922' post='3193580']
[quote name='ecsugolf1' timestamp='1304011156' post='3193554']
Fox I like better but treat yourself to lake of isles honestly
[/quote]


Heard alot about that as well.. I always had the feeling I'd be playing in the shadow of some exclusive hotel all day because it's connected to Foxwoods
[/quote]

I have played there many times (as a junior) and the hotel isn't even visible from the public course from what I remember (at least I never noticed it). Amazing course, if you are going to spend the money, go there.
[/quote]


'ppreciate the insight. Thanks.
[/quote]

I've played all of the above (Hopyard 3-4 times, the others twice). IMHO if you want to treat yourself then Yale is the beginning and end of the story. The restoration was a big success. Very few private CT courses come close and no public ones that I've seen.

Now if it's between Hopyard and GR, I think they are equal in visual beauty (both high). The Hopyard has a couple doglegs that are tough the first time you see them. I tend to not be a big Fazio fan but would say Great River is probably more fair the very first time you play it. That said, both are tight and have lots of ridges and chipping areas in the short game. I think the conditions at Great River might be a notch better, as well.

If you're okay with a drive and similar price range, think about Bethpage and Taconic. Along with Yale, those are some real treats.

[UnderPar18]

Not arguing but will have to disagree with Yale. It is nice, but not in my top 3 or 4 courses in CT.

[mrpibb7781]

[quote name='festivus_01' timestamp='1304017678' post='3193859']
[quote name='mrpibb7781' timestamp='1304013431' post='3193654']
[quote name='JJK947' timestamp='1304012738' post='3193608']
[quote name='mrpibb7781' timestamp='1304011922' post='3193580']
[quote name='ecsugolf1' timestamp='1304011156' post='3193554']
Fox I like better but treat yourself to lake of isles honestly
[/quote]


Heard alot about that as well.. I always had the feeling I'd be playing in the shadow of some exclusive hotel all day because it's connected to Foxwoods
[/quote]

I have played there many times (as a junior) and the hotel isn't even visible from the public course from what I remember (at least I never noticed it). Amazing course, if you are going to spend the money, go there.
[/quote]


'ppreciate the insight. Thanks.
[/quote]

I've played all of the above (Hopyard 3-4 times, the others twice). IMHO if you want to treat yourself then Yale is the beginning and end of the story. The restoration was a big success. Very few private CT courses come close and no public ones that I've seen.

Now if it's between Hopyard and GR, I think they are equal in visual beauty (both high). The Hopyard has a couple doglegs that are tough the first time you see them. I tend to not be a big Fazio fan but would say Great River is probably more fair the very first time you play it. That said, both are tight and have lots of ridges and chipping areas in the short game. I think the conditions at Great River might be a notch better, as well.

If you're okay with a drive and similar price range, think about Bethpage and Taconic. Along with Yale, those are some real treats.
[/quote]


I was under the impression that you had to play with a member to play the Yale course...

I know one of their Par3s is consistently ranked in "Best Holes" categories for popular magazines and I do enjoy a "classic" layout with some history behind it. (Kebo Valley in Bar Harbor is one of my favorites, although a little boring after a couple rounds there)

[festivus_01]

[quote name='ecsugolf1' timestamp='1304037917' post='3194643']
Not arguing but will have to disagree with Yale. It is nice, but not in my top 3 or 4 courses in CT.
[/quote]


No problem - have you played there since the renovation? Some people don't care for Raynor's "manufactured" style. The property is big, bold and old school.

Short of Stanwich and Fairfield, I really couldn't name a better course in CT. Again, just my opinion; I happen to like older courses.

OP - you're thinking of the Biarritz hole, modeled after the original in France. It's about 230 and has a 3 foot deep trough in the middle of the green. Raynor/Macdonald built a Biarritz at almost all of their courses.

Here's a profile of Yale:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/yale-university-golf-course-ct-usa/

[Oriole05]

I've played all the courses that have been discussed. Here's my suggestion:


#1 - Pound Ridge Golf Club, Pound Ridge, NY (north Stamford- convenient to Merritt Parkway) - a Pete Dye design- excellent lay out and conditioning, challenging from any tees but especially from the tips. EXPENSIVE, but this year's rate is $125 after 3pm on a weekday. At that price it is better than both Great River and Fox Hopyard.

#2 - Yale - $110 this season unaccompanied (you only hear that term at Yale) - a classic - you won't play another course like Yale. The conditioning can be suspect at times, but you can't play a better classic public access course in CT - many memorable holes.

#3 - Lake of Isles (Foxwoods) - a good course with a lot of good holes, but I don;t think you'll say "wow' the entire round- typical Fazio to me- good, real good, but not memorable.

#4 - Fox Hopyard - good course, good conditioning, far from great and for the price you can do better- including Crumpin Fox in western MA- that's a lot better...

#5 - Oxford Greens, Oxford, CT - good course, OK conditioning, afternoons are a terrible pace of play. Challenging from the tips, some very good holes, can be gimmicky at times, but very good.

#6 - Great River - good course, good conditioning, very often the pace of play is good. Good- not as good as the others...

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON SPENDING $100 - GO TO $125 ADN PLAY POUND RIDGE OR $110 AND PLAY YALE. It all depends if you want a modern design or a classic. Hell if you work that hard fro your money play both- you'll never regret it...If you want to save a few bucks go with Oxford Greens in the afternoon- it;s comparable to Lake of Isles, Fox Hopyard, and Great River but much less expensive. PM me and I'll give you a suggestion to save a few bucks too.

Private:
Stanwich and Fairfield are great, but don't sleep on Fairview (Greenwich) and Wee Burn (Darien) - both are completely underrated and I prefer them both to Stanwich and CC of Fairfield

[festivus_01]

Great points Oriole. I happen to not like Wee Burn but that's not a big deal.

I think for value you can also look into Wintonbury Hills and Shennecossett.

I haven't played Pound Ridge but almost universally prefer old-school places.

[UnderPar18]

Shennecossett is a course I have always liked. Many good rounds there and think for the value it is awesome. Yes I have played Yale since the renovations and it is a nice course, but some courses just don't do it for some while for others it does. I might have played it when it wasn't in great condition? Lake of Isles I like because it blends nature with a beautiful golf course. Everytime I have played there the course has been nothing but in perfect condition. The driving range and putting green is excellent for practicing and warming up. I really want to take a trip up to Pound Ridge now that you guys are talking about it. I am a college student so alot of these courses in CT i played for free in high school or know someone, otherwise I pay golf courses that are in my budget ($70 or less). If you ever get a chance to play country clubs in CT I suggest the following: (New Haven C.C, Avon C.C, and Brooklawn C.C) these are my favorites

[mrpibb7781]

Thanks Oriole,

I actually call Oxford my "home course" despite the fact that, since moving to Norwalk, it is about an hour drive from me. I've never played later than 7:00am there and get through it at a good clip. I actually prefer it to Wintonbury, especially the par 3s. There are alot more... distinct holes at OG than at WH. All in all, I think this season is lining up to be a damn good one.

[daverain1]

I'd vote for Fox Hopyard over GR any day. Fox adds strategy to the mix that I don't find at GR. You have to think on most holes - what do I hit off the tee, should I lay up or go for it, how much will this 200' drop effect the distance on my tee shot. You can't just bang driver on every hole, and you've got to have a yardage book or skycaddie if you're not familiar with the course.


Fox is also more remote/isolated so you feel more away from it all but the golf.