Relocating from Boston to Connecticut

[spellman21]

Public / Private courses in the area

I will be relocating from Boston to the Hartford area for work. I found a few threads discussion some local tracks in the Hartford area, however it was 3+ years old. I am looking for suggestions on nice public courses within an hour or so from the Hartford/Manchester area. I found Wintonbury which appears to fit this description, however most other courses I noticed are ~$50 for a round on the weekend, which seems very cheap.

I have also been considering joining a private club, anyone have suggestions in the area? Any insight on Great River Golf CLub?

Thanks

[geoangus]

I'm more familiar with public shoreline courses, but I'll throw in my $.02

Probably pushing an hour travel for Great River. Very nice, challenging course, always rated among the top public courses in CT.

If you want to head approx an hour north, there's The Ranch in Southwick, Ma. And around an hour south, there's Fox Hopyard (semi-private). Not sure how long it would take to get from Manchester to Ledyard, but if you've got the wallet, be sure to check out Lake of Isles.

I've played many of the Hartford area courses, Rockledge, Stanley, Topstone, Blue Fox Run, Wintonbury, Gillette Ridge, Tunxis. Wintonbury and Gillette would rate highest on that list, but Rockledge and Topstone are decent courses with the exception of pace of play. Lyman Orchards offers 36 holes; a solid course, but I've seen conditions be hit or miss.

Go to www.CTGolfer.com for a complete listing of CT courses.

Can't help you much on the private scene. If you've got time to be on a waiting list, Black Hall in Old Lyme is outstanding!!

[spellman21]

geoangus, thanks for all of the suggestions! I will definitely check out the courses you mentioned, and CTgolfer.com.

[geoangus]

I should have added that dartboss recently made a great post about the top 5 courses in ct:

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/604061-my-thoughts-on-golf-weeks-top-5-public-courses-in-ct/

[connecticutgolfer]

Spellman,
I have worked at many golf courses in the state along with having played almost all of them, private and public. Great River is a wonderful course and is currently approximately 8000 to join as a single member. Some other less expensive private courses inlude Indian Hill in Newington, Oronoque CC in Stratford and Glastonbury Hills CC. Take a look at these along with the dozens of semi private clubs you will find on ctgolfer.com.
If you are looking for a steady game I am available and would love to get a steady group going. I play to a 4 or 5 on most courses and could care less about the ability of the other golfers, as long as we are having a good time out there!
Anyone else reading this and you are in Connecticut and looking to form a group please feel free to pm anytime.

[Driver Eight]

+1 on that dartboss link above to top 5 ct courses, great starting point for you.

Not too familiar with Hartford golf but if you really don't mind being within an hour and want private, would recommend Yale Golf Club. Great old school course that frequently lands on best of/most challenging lists. 15 round limited membership for $1k is a great deal (see link). Though it's considered private, doesn't have that feel (or pretense) at all, just a nice place to come and play golf.


[url="http://thecourseatyale.org/membership.htm"]yale golf club[/url]

[MikeMcM]

Depends on which side of Hartford you'd be on. On the westside there's Tunxis Plantation, Stanley, Rockledge, Gillette Ridge and Wintonbury. On the east side, there's Manchester and a little further out Blackledge and Quarry Ridge. Hope this helps!

[dartboss04]

[quote name='spellman21' timestamp='1336578186' post='4880066']
I will be relocating from Boston to the Hartford area for work. I found a few threads discussion some local tracks in the Hartford area, however it was 3+ years old. I am looking for suggestions on nice public courses within an hour or so from the Hartford/Manchester area. I found Wintonbury which appears to fit this description, however most other courses I noticed are ~$50 for a round on the weekend, which seems very cheap.

I have also been considering joining a private club, anyone have suggestions in the area? Any insight on Great River Golf CLub?

Thanks
[/quote]

As the other guys posted, I put together my thoughts on the top 5 public courses in the state. It's a pretty long post, but it should give you a good idea of what those courses have to offer (Lake of Isles, Fox Hopyard, Great River, Wintonbury, Oxford Greens).

I'm assuming the low cost worries you as you feel like that may indicate the condition, which in many cases is accurate. However, I'd think you'd miss out using that as your barometer. I have played a few of the private clubs in the area (Farmington CC, Wampanoag, Chippanee), but normally play public courses.

Besides condition, what do you look for in a course in terms of layout, setting, amenities? That would probably help us point you in the right direction.

In the meantime, if you are going the public route to start, here's a list of courses I would recommend to start.

[list][*]Lake of Isles - best condition and setting in the state, must play[*]Great River - trump club feel, 50/50 setting, beautiful river views, but helicopters overhead and metro line[*]Fox Hopyard - terrific layout, setting, tour quality finishing hole[*]Wintonbury Hills - top notch muni with private club conditioning, layout is a little redundant[*]Oxford Greens - challenging layout cut out of woods, no holes really interfere with each other, speedy greens[*]Timberlin - hidden gem muni with really nice greens, IMO best bang for your buck[*]Quarry Ridge - shorter course and billy goat style, but great setting[*]Gillette Ridge - nice conditioning and interesting holes, but set amongst a corporate campus which is a slight turn off for me[*]Topstone - solid public course[*]Portland Golf Course - short in length and requiring position golf, but some of my favorite greens, always in good condition[/list]