The Connecticut Golf Club

Had the privilege of playing Connecticut Golf Club on 6/1/20 and I have to say, I was impressed. This place really is special. I've played some great courses in Connecticut, including Bull's Bridge, Lake of Isles, TPC at River Highlands, etc., and Connecticut Golf Club has got to be right there at the top of the list. Not only were the grounds and course conditions perfect, with amazing greens complexes, but the routing of the holes / course layout is fantastic. As another reviewer stated, no two holes are alike, and each requires careful analysis to consider your options. With many tight fairways and strategic bunkers and water, it's not a "grip it and rip it" course (although it certainly does help to be a long driver of the ball here). Rather, you'll be rewarded if you can land the ball in the correct spot off the tee and execute a well-thought game plan from there. But your work really starts once on the green. Very quick, but rolling beautifully, the greens are amazing. Multiple undulations, deceiving breaks and in some cases several tiers make these a real test.

The course features dramatic elevation changes set among ledge outcroppings and some heavily wooded surroundings. The views from some tee boxes are just spectacular, overlooking several holes at once and giving you the feeling of a golf nirvana.

If you get a chance to play Connecticut Golf Club, do it. It's one of those courses that, as soon as the round is over and you've licked your wounds, you can't wait to get back on and give it another go. I know I can't.

First off, Connecticut Golf Club is par 72. This is the best golf course on the planet (MAYBE second to Augusta). The workers are fantastic, I have not had one issue with the workers and I've played here for years. The bar and food is like no other golf course bar. The place is new and modern, but has an authentic feel. Just go inside and see.
Hole one is the longest hole on the course, a flat dogleg to the right par 5. What an opening hole. It's daunting, but if you advance the ball forward and don't go for too much you will be rewarded. The first green is representative of the rest of the greens on the course... challenging and undulating, but fast and true. It's best to be on the front of the green, below the hole.

Hole 2 is a short par 4, my personal favorite hole. Miss right you're dead in the trees, punch out into the fairway. If you are short of the green, you must pitch up a steep incline onto the green, some choose to putt.

The par 4 third hole is the 1 handicap hole on the course. Long and uphill, then down the hill. The green is slightly to the right, to the right of a big tree blocking the green. Most players hit a long iron or wood into this green. The green seems flat, but actually slopes from left to right. Bunkers guard the left, back, and short right of the green. Best miss is to the base of the approach, short right.

Hole 4 par 4 is beautiful. A drive up the left side of the fairway is favored, a tree guards the right corner of the approach. This green is in my opinion the most deceptive green on the golf course. From the left hand side to the right side, it is actually downhill, even though it appears to slope uphill. Many fall for this, hit the ball too far, then have to fight for the 2 putt. What a tough but fun green to putt on.

Hole 5 is an amazing downhill par 3. Actual yardage is above 200 yards, but it plays more like 180. bunkers guard left and right of the green, best miss is short. Don't use too much club, as the drop off on the back of the green is death.

Hole 6 is a long, straight par 4. Fairway bunkers on the left are a must miss. The green is on a steep hill, there aren't many favorable misses here. The green is two tiered, hitting your approach on the correct tier is a must for making par. Awesome hole.

Hole 7 is a dogleg left par 5. Drive in the opening to the right, then layup in your approach to the base of the bunkered hill, pictured on the great CGC website. Water is to the right of the fairway, don't slice it in there. The green has a bunker in the back, risky to be in there.

8 is a par 3 over water. This hole plays over 200 yards. Missing short left is safest, if anything, but being on the green is a must for making par as getting up and down here is always a challenge. The green slopes from left to right very steeply. The ball rolling off the green is possible if the pin is far to the right.

Hole 9 is a straight par 4. The fairway is sloped from right to left steeply, a fade is favored off the tee. The 9th green is just incredible, three tiers. Once again, similarly to hole 6, you must be on the correct tier on your approach shot to make par. This is a shortish hole, so most golfers have a short iron into the green.

Hole 10 is a downhill par 3, plays about 160. There is a bowl on the front of the green. Bunkers guard the right side and long left of the green. There are rocks on the back of the green, don't go long! What an amazing view from this hole.

Hole 11 is a straight par 4. Uphill, downhill, back uphill to the green, a real roller coaster of a hole. Pretty long, a tough par for sure.

Hole 12 is a dogleg left par 4. Don't go for the green in two. Something interesting about this hole is the approach shot is much like hole 12 at Augusta. The green slopes from left to right, it is a horizontal green, and there is a bunker middle long. Funny!

13 is a par three, missing short left is optimal. The hole plays about 175.

14 is a short par 5. Going for it in two is an option for exceptional golfers, like Dan Henry (one of the great staff members at CGC, also a great golfer.)

15 is a short par 4, playing just over 300 yards. Many fairway bunkers, hitting tee shot to the right into 14 fairway is actually an option, it gives a safe approach to the green (over a tree, but safe). The green stopes steep from back to front.

16 is absolutely INCREDIBLE. Par 4. The view from the tee is on a hill, you can see all of the surrounding land and holes, especially 12, 10, 17, 11, and 9. It goes down hill from the tee, then a steep uphill approach shot. The green is FOUR tiered! If the maintenance staff (who does a class job maintaining the course) puts the pin on the top, 4th tier, you're screwed. Try to make double.

Hole 17 is a straight par 4, pretty short. There is a bunker on the right side of the fairway, avoid this bunker at all costs. It makes par a challenge. Bunkers guard short left, and short right of the green. The head pro lives in the house right behind the green, a nice setting to live. I'm jealous.

The 18th Hole is a great finishing hole. Daunting, long, just like the 1st. The green is back to front sloping.

This course is just unreal. The greens are Augusta level. Pure, true, and undulating. Staff is great, also really great, clean carts and the cart barn staff members are class. Always cleaning your clubs, carts, and throwing out your trash for you. There is a no tipping rule at this club, but members of the cart barn appreciate a little tip here and there ;). When you leave, you're going to want to come right back. The driving range is a place to get better, or a place to do closest to the pin challenge. There is a short game practice area, as well as a putting green right outside the bar. Grab a drink, have some putting challenges. Jerry, Larry, Rod, and Pat know how to run the place, as well as Debby. Rigo's cooking is the best in the area. Best place on the planet.