New England is one of the smaller geographical areas of the USA, with a low overall percentage of the total population, BUT it has plenty to offer the golfer looking to play any type of course that he deems his favorite.
Choosing the top 10 best golf courses to play in Connecticut, is a challenge and the many scenic and testing layouts make the choice rather difficult.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 10
- Lake of Isles Golf Club | South
- TPC River Highlands
- Great River Golf Club
- Lake of Isles Golf Club | North
- Connecticut National Golf Club | Putnam
- Fairview Farm Golf Course
- The Course at Yale | Yale University
- Wintonbury Hills Golf Course
- Mohegan Sun Golf Club
- Cedar Knob Golf Course
1. Lake of Isles Golf Club | South
- Site Link
- Location: North Stonington, Connecticut.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,727 meters off the Tips and 5,313 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The par 3 186-meter 16th is the signature hole and besides its beauty, requires accuracy. Played downhill over water to a peninsula green, cut into the side of a slope.
Distance control is required and if unsure the bail-out shot is long and left.
This facility has a unique 36 – hole South and North course that blends into the natural landscape and carved out of the topography.
The main feature is the 90-acre Lake of Isles that is utilized throughout the course and the South course is regarded as very “penal”.
Forced carries over water and brush from the tees to the tree-lined rolling fairways, can prove intimidating.
Most approach shots are to elevated greens, and bunkers and doglegs test the golfer’s skill level.
The par 5s are long and challenging.
2. TPC River Highlands
- Site Link
- Location: Cromwell, Connecticut.
- Par: 70
- Length: 6,253 meters off the Tips and 2,949 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 156-meter par 3 16th is the signature hole, and requires carry over water.
The narrow back-to-front sloped green is protected by a bunker on either side and the collection area around the green is very close-cut, testing even the pros chipping skills.
After numerous design upgrades, this PGA tour event course is a great challenge. Home to the Travelers pro tournament, good scoring is optimized by precise approach and short game shots.
The small greens are protected mainly by very close-shaved collection areas, which will test the golfers chipping skills.
Skinny fairways, doglegs, bunkers, and thick bluegrass rough increase the challenge with a few water hazards adding to the value of good scoring.
The back 9 is particularly impressive and the last 4 finishing holes complete a round to remember.
3. Great River Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Milford, Connecticut.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,481 meters off the Tips and 5,050 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The club identifies all its holes as signature holes, but from reviews, the back 9 along the river will test even the above-average golfer’s skills.
Built along the Housatonic River, the course changes from a wooded parkland-style opening to a modern, links-style design with water coming into play on every hole.
It is a great test, but making the correct choice of tee box, will enhance the playability and enjoyment for all skill levels.
4. Lake of Isles Golf Club | North
- Site Link
- Location: North Stonington, Connecticut.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,629 meters off the Tips and 5,090 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 197-meter par 3 11th is the signature hole and is often referred to as “the beast”.
The tee shot over water to a sloping green protected by bunkers and brush will keep the attention of all who play it.
Distance control is the key.
A challenging, scenic, and rewarding round of golf awaits all who play here.
The all-in green fee includes a cart and will take some of the “sting” out of this track.
Plenty of carries off the tee to tree-lined, undulating fairways require concentration to score well. The rough is playable and a feature of the short holes is the lack of bail-out areas.
Bring your A-game and select the correct tee to suit your playing skills, to enhance your experience.
5. Connecticut National Golf Club | Putnam
- Site Link
- Location: Putnam, Connecticut.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,339 meters off the Tips and 4,572 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The most scenic 18th hole is also the signature hole that offers beautiful views of the valley.
A dogleg par 5 of 476-meters, it plays to a narrowing entrance to the green, which is protected by bunkers.
If you are long enough, have a go at the green for 2!
The original golf course was carved out of a wooded area and in 2007 a total revamp was undertaken that modified every hole to improve the playability and challenge.
A public course that can be walked allowing time to take in the views.
Keeping the ball on the fairway is the key to scoring well, as the fescue grass and the deep bunkers are penal.
The greens have multiple tiers and slopes that will test the players putting skills.
A shot-makers delight that requires supreme distance control.
6. Fairview Farm Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Harwinton, Connecticut.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,088 meters off the Tips and 5,240 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – Establishing the signature hole on Fairview was difficult to ascertain, but the par 3s and a few par 4s could easily carry the mantle.
Fairview Farm is a championship 18-hole layout, that will test and challenge all skill levels.
It is a walkable course and the undulating tree-lined fairways are fairly wide with water featured prominently.
Good fast greens will keep golfers alert.
7. The Course at Yale | Yale University
- Site Link
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut.
- Par: 70
- Length: 6,239 meters off the Tips and 5,470 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The famous 195-meter par 3 9th hole is the signature hole and the 59-meter deep green with a 1,5-meter dip in the center requires distance perfection off the tee. The lake is the fairway and the back of the green slopes heavily from right to left.
Walking off with par is an achievement.
The course was built on a wooden swamp and is a golden age design. It is a classic, strategic, and penal layout with large deep bunkers and wide rolling, undulating fairways. Expect to play from awkward lies, and approaches to the massive greens require precision.
Play this course at any given opportunity and test your all-around golf skills.
It is rated as one of the world’s most challenging layouts.
8. Wintonbury Hills Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Bloomfield, Connecticut.
- Par: 70
- Length: 6,134 meters off the Tips and 5,190 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The par 4 379-meter 14th hole is the signature hole and a challenging tee shot tightens the nerves.
The right side is protected by the Tunxis Reservoir and finding the fairway off the tee is a must and allows for an attacking approach shot into the tree-lined green.
A walking course with the tees and greens positioned close to one another.
The course meanders through wetlands and forests and has a links-type feel to it.
Ponds, small pot bunkers, and streams add to the challenge and the elevation changes and uphill holes test the ability of all.
A very user-friendly, but challenging layout.
9. Mohegan Sun Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Baltic, Connecticut.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,207 meters off the Tips and 5,586 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 452-meter par 5 6th hole is the signature hole and is worthy of its status. From the tee, the fairway bends 90 degrees to the right and the 2nd is a blind carry over a hazard.
A steep bank in the front protects this long and narrow green.
Make a par and run!
The Mohegan Sun Course has undergone a radical revamp to the course and established itself as a golf test for all skills.
Elevation changes, fescue-lined fairways, deep Scottish-style bunkers, and doglegs require precision iron play and a good putting touch to score well.
Play from the tee box that suits your skill level and enjoy this challenge.
10. Cedar Knob Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Somers, Connecticut.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,155 meters off the Tips and 5,757 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
2 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 370-meter par 4 18th is the signature hole.
It plays uphill from the tee to a dogleg left fairway that has a pond and a fountain in the center.
Get the distance right on your 2nd to make par.
The beautiful layout with tall cedars ever-present as backdrops to the fairways is a challenging but sheer pleasure to play. It has a relaxing vibe and will encourage the golfer to take on some of the risk and reward holes.
The back 9 is slightly tighter than the front, and strategically placed bunkers and water will keep all golfers honest.
Other Notable Courses outside the Top 10
1. Shennecossett Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Groton, Connecticut.
PLAYER RATING
Shennecossett is a historic municipal course that offers a scenic and challenging layout for all skill levels.
Experience golf history.
2. Fox Hopyard Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: East Haddam, Connecticut.
PLAYER RATING
A collection of holes carved through rock outcrops, running brookes, rolling hills, and dense forests awaits the golfer on his round.
A worthwhile visit.
3. Manchester Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Manchester, Connecticut.
PLAYER RATING
Fairly generous wide fairways make this course a pleasure to play for a casual outing.
It has its challenging holes and is also favored by many women golfers.
Final Thoughts
Connecticut, whilst not being the largest state for sheer numbers of golf courses available to play, has its fair share of testing and challenging layouts.
Choose the type of layout you fancy and play the tee box that suits your game, and you will not be disappointed.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
