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CONNECTI CUT COURSES
Blackledge Country Club
Crestbook Park Golf Course
Elmridge Country Club
Farmington Woods Country Club
Gillette Ridge Golf Course
Hawk’s Landing Country Club
Hunter Golf Course
Keney Park Golf Course
Laurel View Golf Course
Manchester Country Club
Norwich Golf Club
Portland Golf Course
Quarry Ridge Golf Club
Simsbury Farms Golf Course
Stanley Golf Course
Tallwood Country Club
The Golf Club at River Oaks
The Golf Club at Windham
Tumble Brook Country Club
Twin Hills Country Club
Western Hills Golf Course
Whitney Farms Golf Course
Windham Golf Course .... plus more
Brattleboro Country Club
Green Mountain National
Mount Snow Golf Course
Stratton Resort Golf Course
Mount Washington Resort GC
Newport Golf Club The Shattuck
MASSA CHUSETTS COURSES
Blackstone National Golf Club
Captains Golf Course
Cold Spring Country Club
Chicopee Country Club
Crestview Country Club
Crumpin Fox Club
Crystal Lake Golf Course
Dennis Pines & Dennis Highlands
Falmouth Country Club
Heather Hill Country Club
Kings Way Golf Club
Ledges Golf Club
Newton Commonwealth GC
Norwood Country Club
Tekoa Country Club
Wentworth Hills Country Club
Waubeeka Golf Links
Wycko Country Club .... plus more
RHODE ISLAND COURSES
Bethel Inn Resort
Dunegrass Golf Club
Poland Spring Resort Spring Meadow Golf Club
Sunday River Golf Club
Sugarloaf Golf Club .... plus more
New England Early Summer 2026
Golfing Magazine is making summer much more enjoyable for our subscribers with our celebrated “Free Golf” offer that entitles an individual signing up for an annual subscription to our magazine to free or reduced-rate golf at over 100 of the top daily-fee courses (and even several top private
Summer is Golf Time!
tracks) the region has to offer. It’s the largest course list ever.
To take advantage of this tremendous offer, call 860-563-1633 or visit www.FreeGolf.net. Remember, you get five issues of our magazine yearly in addition to Free Golf when you subscribe.
Our Early Summer Issue is filled with information about where to play and how to play the game properly, with tips from top pros.
It’s Travelers Tournament time, and we have compiled several stories to give you the lowdown on New England’s professional stop on the PGA Tour, which has attracted the top players on the PGA TOUR after being elevated to a “Signature” event.
We also take you on a road trip through Connecticut golf courses. We have some of the best layouts in the state in our lineup, including private courses you can play for a
cart or a small service fee by partnering with us at www.FreeGolf.net.
We also offer several courses in Vermont, a summer playground, full of things to do and see; world-class fly fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, shopping, museums, and parks, and keep us around for a week or more. The Green Mountain State is also home to some superb golf courses, a number of them at resorts, making stay-and-play always an option.
Subscribers can visit New Hampshire this summer and enjoy a number of the best layouts the Granite State has to offer, including the delightful Newport Golf Club, which has upped the ante on conditions.
For the more adventurous, a visit to Woodloch Legacy Resort Collection in Hawley, PA, is worth the trip. This three-resort destination has everything you would want in a getaway, and is nestled in the scenic Pocono Mountains, an easy 2 ½-hour drive from central CT. The course offers impeccable greens and fairways, exquisite mountain target golf, holes cut through the lush mountaintop, and splendid views of the area.
So, enjoy our Early Summer issue, sign up for a subscription, and play lots of golf. Summer flies by, so keep the sticks in the trunk of your car or SUV and enjoy the greatest game man has ever created. Hit ‘em straight!
All That Is Good,
Tom Landers, Publisher
The Travelers Championship Continues To Embrace PGA TOUR Signature Event Status
By Mark William Paul
For the fourth straight year, the Travelers Championship will hold a prestigious, elevated spot on the PGA TOUR schedule, bringing together hundreds of thousands of golf fans and 72 of the world’s best players for the final Signature Event of the season from June 22-28at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.
“Coming off another recordsetting year of generating millions of dollars for hundreds of charities throughout the region, we’re excited by the plans and the progress already being made for this year’s tournament,” said Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube. “We can’t wait to welcome back the best players on the PGA TOUR and the incredible fans who make this tournament one of the best weeks in golf. We also have the best title sponsor in golf, and we’re grateful for the partnership we have with Travelers, which has played a major role in growing this event to what it is today. Together, we are determined to deliver another unforgettable experience to everyone in Connecticut.”
The Travelers Championship is the only annual PGA TOUR stop in the Northeast. Last year’s
tournament was won in dramatic fashion by Keegan Bradley, who made a birdie on the final hole to win by one stroke and become just the eighth player to capture this event more than once. Bradley, a New England native who served as the
U.S. Ryder Cup captain last year, also won the Travelers Championship in 2023. Bradley may have electrified the crowds for the second time in three years, but the impact made by the Travelers Championship away from the course in 2025 was just as memorable. More than $4 million was generated for 245 charities, with both figures establishing tournament records. Since Travelers became title sponsor in 2007, the tournament has generated more than $35 million for over 1,000 charities. Shining a light on organizations in need
and providing a platform for them to spread their message continues to be a key component of the Travelers Championship’s mission.
“I really take representing New England very seriously in terms of golf. There’s not a lot of us out there. So I feel an obligation to the region but also to the younger players to show them that this is possible growing up in that area”, said Keegan Bradley.
“I do think about I need to be a good role model for the kids in the crowd that are local or coming from Vermont or Maine or Boston. This is their one chance to see PGA TOUR golf in New England, and I want to represent them in the right way. I do feel that, and I feel a real sense of pride to be the winner there and then also be from where I’m from. “
As a PGA TOUR Signature Event,
the tournament provides a purse of $20 million, offers 700 FedExCup points, awards $3.6 million to the winner and eliminates the 36-hole cut, so all players will compete in all four rounds. That combination helps produce a world-class player field: In 2025, every player in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking –and 45 of the top 50 –competed at TPC River Highlands.
“The players I’ve spoken with are eager to return to Connecticut, and we are just as excited to host them,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers. “Having the best players in the world competing in our field gives our fans the opportunity to see world-class golf and thrilling finishes while also supporting our charitable efforts. And even though we’ve achieved tremendous success
since 2007–from the quality of the player field to attendance and charitable contributions –we won’t let it keep us from finding ways to make the Travelers Championship bigger and better than ever.”
Ticketed fans will be able to attend starting on Wednesday, June 24.The 2026 Travelers Championship will be broadcast on Golf Channel (3-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), NBC/ Peacock (3-6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3-6 p.m. on Sunday), PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ andSirius XM and distributed internationally via the TOUR’s World Feed.
Travelers Championship ticket information, player announcements and event details can be found at www.TravelersChampionship.com.
Golf Like No Other
Blackstone National Golf Club was designed by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones. Rees put a great deal of his heart and soul into coming up with a player’s course that took full advantage of the best landscape and scenery that central New England has to offer.
508.865.2111 www.bngc.net
A Barn Wedding Venue
Celebrate your special day with us, where our stunning features including a semi-private golf course and pavilion, will make your day truly unforgettable.
508.865.7300 www.thebarnatblackstonenational.com
Discover Woodloch Legacy Resort Collection
A Unique Experience in Pennsylvania’s Poconos
By TOM LANDERS
We recently had the opportunity to visit Woodloch Legacy Resort Collection in Hawley, Pennsylvania. This three-resort destination, nestled in the scenic Pocono Mountains, is an easy 2 ½-hour drive from central CT and central New Jersey, and 90 miles from New York City. Originally founded in 1958 on just a few acres, the resort has grown significantly over the decades and remains in the hands of the Kiesendahl family, who have preserved its emphasis on family values and personalized service.
Woodloch Legacy Resort Collection, often referred to specifically by its family-focused segment, The Pines at Woodloch, is a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort where virtually every aspect of your stay — from comfortable accommodations and hearty meals to an extensive schedule of daily activities — is included in a comprehensive package. Families
can choose from a range of lodging options, including standard hotel rooms, spacious suites, and even larger vacation-style houses available both on the main property and nearby. Many of these accommodations overlook the resort›s beautiful lake or wooded surroundings, offering a peaceful backdrop to your Pocono getaway.
Dining at The Pines is part of the inclusive experience, with multiple meals served daily in the resort›s communal dining rooms. This setup removes the hassle of planning or booking restaurants, letting guests focus instead on enjoying their vacation together.
One standout feature of the resort is its diverse activity program, which draws comparisons to «a cruise on land» because of its robust daily schedule. Guests of all ages can participate in more than 30 activities per day, including arts and
crafts, sports, games, themed events, and evening entertainment — all led by engaging and enthusiastic staff. The property includes indoor and outdoor pools, nature trails, playgrounds, an adventure park with climbing structures, miniature golf, bumper boats and go-karts, tennis courts, fishing docks, and seasonal attractions like snow tubing and scenic boat tours. It›s the kind of place where families can easily spend entire days without leaving the property, yet also discover idyllic spots for quiet moments together.
The Country Club at Woodloch Springs, often simply called The Springs at Woodloch, is a golf resort and semi-private community set among the rolling hills and forested landscapes of the Pocono Mountains. Roughly two miles from the family-focused Pines, this property combines scenic beauty,
Brattleboro Country Club
well-designed golf, and comfortable accommodations to create a full-service getaway for golfers and non-golfers alike.
At the heart of the resort experience is a championshipcaliber 18-hole, par-72 golf course that stretches 6,579 yards through lush wetlands, ferncarpeted forests and broad upland meadows. Designed by renowned architect Rocky Roquemore, the layout has earned national recognition from Golf Magazine, Golf Digest (4.5 stars), and Distinguished Golf Destinations as one of America›s premier golf experiences. The course offers impeccable greens and fairways, exquisite mountain target golf, holes cut through the lush mountaintop, and splendid views of the area.
One of the most memorable
aspects of the golf course is its signature 14th hole, a challenging 220-yard carry over «Hell›s Gate Gorge,» where golfers must navigate a dramatic ravine carved by water hundreds of feet below. This and other strategically designed holes appeal to golfers of all skill levels, with four sets of tees and varied pin placements offering flexibility for both novices and seasoned players.
Beyond the course itself, The Springs at Woodloch emphasizes skill development and year-round play. A 16-acre practice facility and a state-of-the-art indoor performance simulator support instruction, improvement, and club fittings regardless of the weather.
The clubhouse at The Springs serves as a social and dining hub. Golfers and guests can relax with meals and drinks before or after rounds, and food-andbeverage service is offered both at the clubhouse and on-course during peak season.
The Springs at Woodloch isn›t just about golf; it›s also a resort community. The property features roughly 70 vacation rental homes ranging from two to five bedrooms, each offering spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces, and proximity to the golf course and clubhouse. Access to additional resort amenities — including pools, tennis, bocce,
and scheduled activities — enhances the experience for everyone in your group, whether or not they play golf.
Golf packages, including stayand-play options, allow visitors to combine lodging with rounds of golf and use of facilities at both the Springs and Pines. This makes it a compelling choice for multiday trips with friends, families, or corporate groups.
The third component of Woodloch Legacy Resort Collection is The Lodge at Woodloch, a luxury, adults-only spa resort and wellness facility. Unlike the nearby family-oriented Pines, The Lodge at Woodloch is designed for guests aged 16 and older, making it an ideal escape for adults seeking quiet, rejuvenation, and mindful self-care in a serene natural setting. The Lodge combines upscale accommodations, world-class spa facilities, and holistic experiences to create a comprehensive wellness retreat. The Lodge›s philosophy centers on personal awakening — giving
lifestyle through intentional activity and thoughtful rest.
Accommodations at The Lodge at Woodloch are spacious and luxurious, with 59 guestrooms and suites that open to private verandas overlooking forest or lake views. The design blends classic rustic charm with modern comforts, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels both refined and intimately connected to nature.
The award-winning spa is spread across a 40,000-square-foot facility featuring amenities such as steam rooms, saunas, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, hydro-massage water walls, and unique spaces such as a Snow Room and a Himalayan salt sauna. Guests can choose from a wide range of treatments including
massages, facials, body therapies, and salon services — many tailored to individual wellness goals.
Dining at The Lodge emphasizes healthful, flavorful cuisine. The Tree Restaurant and Bar highlights locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients, with menus designed to complement the resort›s wellness theme. Organic vegetables from on-site gardens, naturally raised proteins, and artisaninspired dishes ensure that meals are both delicious and nourishing.
We had never been to Woodloch, and I am already looking forward to returning to experience all it has to offer. We highly recommend that you play The Springs at Woodloch multiple times to get used to the course›s unique angles. There›s something special about the area, facility, and staff, which aim to please guests at every turn. Put Woodloch on your destination list; you won›t be disappointed.
www.Woodloch.com
Road Trip Through Connecticut
By TOM LANDERS
Golfing Magazine’s “Free Golf” program you get a complimentary round of golf on a number of courses in Connecticut when you sign up. Call 860-5631633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net to get aboard and take a road trip through the Nutmeg State.
Here are the layouts, some of which are private, that you can play for a cart or a small service fee by partnering with us.
PRIVATE COURSES
The Golf Club at River Oaks (www.ClubRiverOaks.com) is located on the Sherman/New Milford town line in western Connecticut. The courses has a number of holes on its back nine that hug the Housatonic River, which is visible through the trees in late autumn or early spring. The look from the tee box on the parfour dogleg left ninth hole reminds one of playing golf in northern New England rather than Connecticut. Many consider this to be one of the top two or three courses in the state. Robert McNeil designed the course that opened in 2003, and he built into it challenge and fairness.
Farmington Woods Country Club (www.FarmingtonWoods.com)
in Avon was designed by American designer Desmond Muirhead, who also crafted the famed Jack Nicklaus Muirfield Village course in Ohio. The layout is unique to the Farmington River Valley area in that there are dramatic elevation changes in what is usually a rather flat section of Connecticut. The course features woods that line many of the fairways, as well as wetlands.
Tumble Brook Country Club (www.TumbleBrookCC.com) was incorporated and organized in 1922 and features 27 holes. Willie Park, one of the foremost golf course architects of the time, was commissioned to design the first nine. A second nine, designed by Orrin E. Smith, was opened to play in the spring of 1949. The third nine, designed by George Fazio, opened for limited play in the fall of 1970, and was eventually integrated with the rest of the golf course in 1971.The seventh hole on the “Green Course,” a combination of two of the three nines, is a 440-yard beast where par is an accomplishment for any level of player
THE GREATER HARTFORD AREA
Simsbury Farms Golf Course
(www.SimsburyFarms.com), which measures 6,509 yards in length from the championship markers, was designed by Geoffrey Cornish and opened for play in 1972. Recognized as one of the top 100 courses in New England by one New England publication, the course provides an excellent test of golf and a visually pleasing round. A driving range and large practice green, as well as a newly constructed clubhouse compliment the golfing complex.
The Kemp family of purchased the Airways Golf Course (www. AirwaysGolfCourse.com) in West Suffield in 1996 with the intent of providing good, affordable and friendly golf to the town and surrounding communities. Their course is on the short side, 5,845 yards from the tips, and you can score here as long as you drive the ball well. Included in the final five holes of the front side are four par-fours measuring around 300 yards, including the ninth at 273 yards. The 16th is a strong par-five playing 481 yards from the tips. The hole doglegs to the right and there is water to worry about off the tee and on the second shot.
Keney Park Golf Course
Keney Park Golf Course (www. KeneyParkGolfCourse.com) in Hartford underwent renovations and upgrades that turned the par-70 track in the 700-acre Keney Park into a beauty. The first nine holes of the course were finished in 1927, and the remaining nine were completed in 1930. Keney was designed by notable early 20th century American architect Devereux Emmet, who has several illustrious courses to his credit, including Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., the site of several U.S. Opens.
Goodwin Park Golf Course (wwwGoodwinParkGolfCourse.com) in Hartford offers 27 holes, with the shortish North Course (2,544 yards) a great place for beginners and senior players to hone their skills and enjoy a leisurely round. The more demanding 18-hole course plays around 6,000 yards from the back markers and features a number of par-fours that are drivable, or approachable, off the tee for long hitters. The 381yard ninth hole may be the toughest par-four on the track.
the average player. Bunkers, ponds or wetlands come into play on almost half the holes. The fairway landing areas are ample.
East Hartford Golf Club (www.EastHartfordGC.com) was designed by Al Zikorus, plays around
green, so the dilemma is to take driver and risk hitting it short or right and into the water, or lay up and be left with a long approach to an elevated green. The 10th hole is a demanding 587-yard par-five that bends to the left and has water hazards on the left side of the fairway and near the green, which makes the second shot and approach tricky.
The 27-hole Stanley Golf Course (www.StanleyGolf. com) in New Britain has long been considered one of the premier daily fee facilities in the state. With three distinct nines to select from and some of the best conditions in the Greater Hartford area, Stanley has a dedicated following among the state’s golfers. Some modifications were made a few years back to the course, with several new or reshaped holes created and some shifting of the nines, which made the course even more interesting and more challenging.
Gillette Ridge Golf Club (www.GilletteRidgeGolf.com) in Bloomfield is an Arnold Palmer Signature course and a layout that fits nicely into the existing natural landscape. Great care was taken to preserve the numerous trees that serve to frame fairways and greens, as well as the ample wetlands on the property.
The architects built a number of peninsula or island greens, using granite from the site to construct walls near several greens and tee boxes. There are some forced carries at Gillette Ridge, both off the tee and on approach shots to the medium size, undulating putting surfaces, but nothing so daunting to scare away
6,200 yards from the tips, and has a nice mix of short par-fours that can be attacked with driver, reachablein-two par-fives and solid par-threes. There are a number of tee settings to cater to all abilities. This classical design is great for newcomers to the game, but tree-lined fairways and small greens present a challenge to even the most skilled golfer.
Hunter Golf Club (www.HunterGolfClub.com) in Meriden offers great views of surrounding trap rock ridges and Castle Craig in Meriden’s Hubbard Park, which can be seen while playing the fifth hole. The layout has one of the most challenging and perplexing opening holes you will find anywhere. It’s only 368 yards from the back tees, but a stream dissects the fairway a little over halfway to the
Manchester Country Club (ManchesterCountryClub.com) opened in 1917 and was designed by two early 20th century course architects, Tom Bendelow and Devereaux Emmett, the latter creating famed Congressional Country Club in Washington, D.C., and Keney Park’s golf course. Manchester has bunkers placed strategically around fairway landing areas and putting surfaces, which puts a premium on accuracy both off the tee and on approaches to medium-sized greens. The course plays 6,339 yards from the tips and has a par of 72. There are some elevation changes and water comes into play on several holes.
In Glastonbury, you will find the nine-hole Minnechaug Golf Course (www.MinnechaugGolf.com). The well-manicured layout is only 2,668 yards from the back markers and
The Club at River Oaks
Keney Park Golf Course
MUST PLAYS
plays to a par of 35. But the fairways are narrow and the par-threes demanding. The course features a true island green, a 125-yarder that plays from an elevated tee box.
One of the best-conditioned, player-friendly tracks in Connecticut is Rockledge Country Club (www.GolfRockledge.com) in West Hartford. The relatively flat layout has a parkland setting and offers a pleasing mix of holes. Rockledge has a mix of holes, ranging from short par-fours, like the 290-yard second and 317-yard 11th, where birdies await, to classic risk/reward par-fives.
Timberlin Golf Club (www.TimberlinGolf.com) in Berlin also has a park-like routing, and was given a facelift a few years back in the form of new bunker complexes, fairway and green complex work, an effort led by noted golf course architects Stephen Kay and Doug Smith. The track is kept in immaculate condition and the renovations added more teeth to this scenic track, originally designed by Al Zikorus.
THE GREATER WATERBURY AREA
Established in 1902, Pequabuck Golf Course (www.PequabuckGolf. com) in Bristol is a par-69 course that has a pleasing mix of two par-fives, 11 par-fours and five par-threes. Here, you will be called upon to use
every club in your bag and strategy plays a vital role in success as you navigate this well-manicured layout that has the distinction recently of being voted on Golf Advisor as the “13th Most Improved Golf Course in the United States”. While on the short side at just over 6,015 yards from the tips, Pequabuck is no pushover. It starts with a relaxing par-four that measures around 300 yards and gets you off and on your way with a chance to make birdie.
Originally a nine-hole private golf club, purchased by the town of Watertown in 1975, a second nine holes were added in 1980 to make Crestbrook Park Golf Course (www.CrestbrookPark.com) one of the best daily fee tracts in the area. Crestbrook features fast, sloping
greens and has four sets of tees for all levels of play. The course, which plays almost 7,000 yards from the tips and features a number of elevation changes, has par-fives that demand thoughtful tee and approach shots and beefy par-threes, like the 228yard seventh where the tee shot must clear a pond to reach the putting surface.
Southington Country Club (www.SouthingtonCountryClub. com) is fairly wide open with a few delightfully quirky holes, such as the deceptively short 306-yard par-four second and the 120-yard par-three 12th. The course is well maintained and the new ownership has made improvements to the layout and the facilities. It’s a track that is approachable for golfers of all levels.
Elmridge Golf Club
Hawk’s Landing Country Club (www.HawksLandingCC.com) in Southington is not long, 5,825 yards from the tips, but the course has great par-threes and some interesting par-fours. The seventh and ninth holes both play around 230 yards, while the 18th is 190 yards from the back markers with the tee shot having to carry a pond. The 360-yard par-four fifth is a good test. It doglegs to the right and the drive and approach must steer clear of water.
Chris Bargas Golf Club at Whitney Farms (www.WhitneyFarmsGC.com) in Monroe was designed by Hal Purdy and yardages range from 5,480 yards to 6,714 yards, with slope levels of 127 to 134. The layout starts in stern fashion, with three holes that will test you immediately. The first is a 426 yard par-four, the second another par-four measuring over 400 yards, and the third a 526 yard par-five. After letting up a bit, the front nine again rears its head with four difficult holes to end the outward journey. There are two parfives that play over or around 500 yards and a pair of par-threes that are 200 yards or longer. The back nine is a bit less severe with shorter parfours where birdie awaits. But you’ll also encounter two par-fives that play over 560 yards from the tips, and the
final hole is a brutal, 442-yard parfour that can make or break a round.
The VUE (www.TheVueCT) in Hamden is a classic Geoffrey Cornish track, and a stern test of playing ability. The course can be stretched beyond 7,000 yards and features some of the toughest par-fours in the state, like the 479-yard fifth. There’s a pond guarding the right side of the green, which often must be attacked with a long iron or fairway wood. Number nine is 450 yards from the back markers, and climbs up a hill to the putting surface, making the hole play 20 to 30 yards longer than its listed yardage.
The seventh hole is a monstrous par-three, measuring around 250 yards from the tips, leaving even the best players with a fairway wood in their hands on the tee box.
HEADING EAST
Coventry’s Twin Hills Country Club (www.TwinHillsCountryClub. com) was built on a former farm and offers golf in a rural setting yet convenient to Hartford and other cities off Rt. 84. Twin Hills has the country charm of stone walls, a covered bridge and its signature stone bridge located on hole number three (a massive 600-yard par-five) that makes one think of the famous bridge crossing to the 12th green at Augusta National Golf Club. Nestled into the rolling hills of the tiny town of Hebron is Blackledge Country Club (www. BlackledgeCC.net) that boasts two 18-hole courses. The club’s owners added nine holes in 1995 and another nine in 2000, creating what is called the Gilead Highlands course. The newest nine on Gilead Highlands is a bit reminiscent of Carolina courses, with wide fairways, bunkering, and tall pines and oaks framing many of the landing areas and large greens. Anderson’s Glen has the club’s original 18 holes and is another very solid test.
Gillette Ridge Golf Club
Chris Bargas Golf Club at Whitney Farms
The fairways are tree lined and the greens undulating.
Tallwood Country Club (www.TallwoodCountryClub. com) in Hebron is known for its classic New England landscape. Situated on over 200 acres of rolling country farmland, it’s another perfect place for a quiet golf getaway. The course offers a pleasingly eclectic mix of strong parthrees, long and demanding and then shorter and tricky par-fours, as well as par-fives that sometimes are reachable in two for long hitters and other times, not so much.
Quarry Ridge Golf Club (www.QuarryRidge.com), located on the slopes of the Connecticut River valley in Portland, offers some of the best views in Connecticut. This is a true shotmaker’s delight, with dramatic elevation changes, a mix of long and short holes, and tricky greens. The course is regularly listed among the best in Connecticut. The course plays 6,369 yards from the back tees, but it’s all about proper club selection and accuracy at Quarry Ridge.
Portland Golf Course (www.PortlandGolfCourse.com), which measures just over 6,200 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 71, is also set in the rolling hills of the Connecticut River Valley. Its tree-lined fairways, various elevation changes, and doglegs make the track challenging and enjoyable for all players. The 405-yard par-four first hole is a strong way to begin a round. The tee shot is relatively easy, but the second shot is down a 60-foot drop to the green, making club selection difficult.
Windham Golf Club (www.WindhamClub.com) first opened in 1922 and was once maintained as a private facility. The putting surfaces are medium in size with some undulation. They roll true and reward good approach shots with makeable birdie opportunities. The rough areas are kept at a height to punish wayward tee shots but still allow players to advance the ball to the greens.
Elmridge Golf Club (www.ElmridgeGolf.com) in Pawcatuck features three nines that are approachable for golfers of all abilities. The par-fours are on the short side, most measuring between 340 and 370 yards from the middle tees, but a number of them are doglegs. The par-threes are strengths of the layout and several measure close to or over 200 yards. One of the best par-fives on the course is the 525yard seventh on the Blue Course. The hole bends slightly to the right and a good drive will leave you with a shot to go for the green in two. But there are bunkers guarding the putting surface and the green is elevated.
Norwich Golf Club (www.NorwichGolf.com) is known for its fine playing conditions and is a tricky layout that is fun for players of all abilities. The course opened in 1925 on July 4th. It was designed by Tull and Tull, a famous golf course architectural firm of the day, and there is some indication that Walter Travis, a noted designer and legendary amateur player, had a hand in the routing. Norwich isn’t long, just 6,191 yards from the tips. But its slope of 131 from the championship markers gives you an idea of just how difficult it can be.
River Ridge Golf Course (www.RiverRidgeGolf.com) in Jewett City opened in May of 1999 and is a carefully maintained course. The first three holes were built on open space that was formerly an apple orchard. The other 15 holes are characterized by rolling hills and scenic vistas that present various challenges. The front side plays to a par of 37 and is a demanding nine holes. It has three of the course’s par-fives, all pretty much asking for three good shots to find the green in regulation.
Mohegan Sun Golf Club (www.MoheganSunGolfClub.com)
It’s okay to walk onto the tee at No. 6 with some swagger, even though the hole might eat your lunch. The par 5 slopes downward, then doglegs right 90 degrees, with plenty of bunkers along the way that could lead to the dreaded snowman, a.k.a. 8 on the scorecard. The safe play is a little baby fade that hugs the right side. Shot number two should be short of the creek that guards the front of a kidney-shaped green. (Only the bold and not-so-brilliant go for it in two.) There are plenty of other impressive holes on this course as well, originally designed in 1960 by the legendary golf-course architect Geoffrey Cornish and just renovated by world-class designer Ron Garl.
GOLF BY CONNECTICUT’S CASINOS
Laurel View Golf Club
The VUE
Summer in Vermont
Vermont is a summer playground, full of things to do and see; world-class fly fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, shopping, museums and parks and keep us around for a week or more. The Green Mountain State is also home to some superb golf courses, a number of them located at resorts, making stay and play always an option.
Several of the state’s best courses are in Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf program. To take advantage of his offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www.FreeGolf.net. You also get our digital magazine sent to you when you join.
The Mount Snow Golf Course (www.MountSnow.com) in Dover is one of Vermont’s premier “mountain” courses and has been rated one of the top five layouts in the state by Golf Digest magazine. The 18-hole, 6,943-yard (there are three other sets of tees) course has also been named one of the top 10 resort courses in the country.
The track meanders through
the Vermont countryside and provides views of the Green Mountains, including the peaks of Mount Snow and Haystack Mountain. Tamaracks, oaks, birches and sugar maples line fairways, while the mountains provide a majestic backdrop. The front nine is spread over scenic expanses and the back nine winds its way through wooded terrain. Water comes into play on 11 holes and 41 sand traps are strategically located on almost every hole.
Brattleboro Country Club (www.brattleborocountryclub.com) has been called “a hidden gem” and our readers simply must try out this classic New England layout.
The course measures 6,533 from the tips and is full of interesting, challenging and fair holes. Take the par-five second for instance. The hole heads up a hill, takes a right turn to a narrow strip of fairway only to head up another hill for the third shot. Then there is the drivable par-four sixth, the classic risk-reward par-five seventh, and the long par-four 11th, where bogey doesn’t feel all the bad.
A number of improvements to the course and clubhouse have been made in recent years, including a fresh look in the dining room, kitchen, and bar area, irrigation, tree work, cart paths, enhanced gardens and more. The club also has a new fleet of golf carts.
Green Mountain National Golf Club (www.gmngc.com) in Killington is in its second year under new management, Brown Golf Management Company, which is working tirelessly to enhance an already notable facility.
Green Mountain features holes that have demanding tee and approach shots and places a premium on all-around ability. The course was carved out of the mountains, and thus offers solitude and a “private” golf experience. Gently sloping fairways that feature generous landing areas, distinctive changes in elevation, and undulating greens add to the beauty. There are centuries-old rock formations carved by glaciers, and the view from 16th tee is stunning.
The seventh hole is a downhill
par-three that plays shorter than its 151 yards. With a ridge in the middle of the green, put your tee shot to the side of the ridge where the pin is located. There’s a bunker in the back of the green.here’s always something happening at Stratton Mountain, Vt. during the summer, with live music slopeside and in the Village, mountain top yoga, and a season of special events from Fourth of July fireworks and family fun to brewfests and chili cookoff.
If those activities don’t tickle your fancy, how about scenic gondola rides, downhill mountain biking, pickleball and tennis. And, there’s great shopping and dining in Stratton Village.
Of course, the golf is superb at this all-inclusive resort, which boasts a scenic and challenging championship 27-hole course that played host to six LPGA tournaments.
There are three distinct nine-hole routings at Stratton, the Forest, Lake, and Mountain. All three have their own charm and danger, and are designed to be playable for any level golfer.
The third hole on the Forest course is a wonderful, short par-four. It measures only 317 yards from the tips, but position off the tee is critical to avoid the right fairway bunkers, or being blocked by trees on the left. A blind, uphill second shot follows to a green with grass bunkers left and a bunker right.
The following hole is a short, 139yard par-three but don’t hit your tee shot with anything less than determination, as a stream closely guards the right portion of a two-tiered green. Three
bunkers surrounding the green make accuracy important.
The Lake Nine’s fourth, a 291-yard par-four, does not require driver because of its short overall length. Make sure you avoid the trees on the right. A deep bunker protects the front of the elevated green, so take care with your short-iron approach.
On the Lake’s eighth, a very demanding 435-yard par-four, aim your tee shot at the right side of the fairway to set up the approach. A medium- or longiron approach to a slightly elevated green must carry a bunker in front. Avoid going long on your approach because trees lurk very close to the green.
The Mountain Nine’s ninth hole is a good one. It’s a monstrous, 621yard par-five where the drive must thread the needle between trees on both sides. A stream is on the right and small brooks cross the fairway in two locations. A well-bunkered green slopes front to back and concludes a challenging journey.
Stratton Mountain offers a number of golf programs and lessons and has great stay and play packages.
www.Stratton.com.
New Hampshire Golf
Thanks to Golfing Magazine’s ground-breaking Course Play Stimulus Program, subscribers can visit New Hampshire this summer and enjoy a number of the best layouts the Granite State has to offer.
One of the premier courses in New England has joined our program to allow you to sample a classic layout that was designed by the legendary architect Donald Ross. Indeed, there are 27 holes to enjoy at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods.
The 18-hole Omni Mount Washington Resort Golf Course (www.OmniHotels.com) was completed in 1915. Its backdrop features New Hampshire’s spectacular Presidential Mountain Range. The par-72, 7,004-yard course has hosted four New Hampshire Opens and the prestigious New England Open Championship in 2010.
Reopened on Aug. 1, 2008, the Mount Washington Course was restored to Donald Ross’ original plans by noted golf course architect Brian Silva, including bunkers crafted in a classic flair and infinite varieties of recovery shots in the closely cropped areas around the putting greens. The parfive 11th hole and the par-three fifth hole feature stunning views of Omni Mount Washington Hotel and the surrounding mountains.
The nine-hole Mount Pleasant Course first opened in 1895, and has been host to generations of golfing enthusiasts from New Hampshire and beyond. Greats like U.S. Pro Golfer Gilbert Nicholls, Golf Course Designer Alex Findlay, British Golf Champions Harry Vardon and J.W. Taylor, and U.S. Open Golf Champion Willie Anderson have all played this historic par35 course. In 1989, the course was restored and upgraded by Cornish & Silva Golf Course Architects, with advice from worldrenowned golfers Gene Sarazen and Ken Venturi, and now offers players a more challenging round alongside New Hampshire’s scenic Ammonoosuc River.
You will want to stay and play when you visit, as the Omni Mount Washington Resort is a grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, conceived by industrialist Joseph Stickney, and named a National Historic Landmark. The Inn originally opened in 1902 and has served as a retreat for the famous and every day folk ever since.
New Hampshire is also where you will find one of the most challenging courses in New England. The Shattuck Golf Club (www.ShattuckGolfCourse.com) in Jaffrey was carved out of granite and mature woodlands and demands a well thought out approach to every shot on every hole. This is a tough routing and target golf at its best.
You must hit your spots, both off the tees and on approaches to the greens
The 200-yard par-three second is a picture perfect hole, with elevated tees that look down over a grassy hillside to a large, bunkered green set in front of a pond. The tee area doesn’t feel all that high, but it’s unusually deceptive. The most common error here is over-clubbing.
The 426-yard par-four 10th starts from a highly elevated area, offering a spectacular view of a large green below, with Mount Monadnock serving as the backdrop. The hole is a dogleg left with a deep drop-off at the turn. Drive the ball too far and you’ll go over an edge on the fairway.
The par-four, 391-yard 16th is another beauty and played over a reflecting pond in front of the tee to a wide, rolling fairway and bunkered green with a Colonial farmhouse behind. Keep it straight, as there’s deep rough left and right. A big green is slightly elevated, so your second shot may require one more club.
The Newport Golf Club (www.NewportGolfClub-NH.com) is nestled in the scenic Sugar River Valley of New Hampshire. The par 71, Phil Wogan design utilizes the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, streams and ponds to perfectly frame the 18-holes built on 143 acres in the early 1990s.
The “Wogan course” replaced the origi-
nal nine-hole course designed by Willie Park, Jr. in 1920. Coincidentally, Parks was also the designer of the Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I. In addition to golf the Newport Golf Club has a restaurant, the Hole-In-One Diner, and two facilities for hosting meetings, reunions and weddings. The Sunrise Pavilion can accommodate up to 175 people and The Divot Room is used for more intimate gatherings.
“The natural beauty of the area is usually commented on by visitors and first time golfers,” said Donald Hague, General Manager. “There are five course layouts utilizing three sets of tee boxes, ranging from the Sugar River Course at 6,509 yards to the Sunshine Course at 4,738 yards. The courses appeal to all levels of players from beginners to pros and all are welcome by the friendly staff. We also offer a driving range with a large natural grass teeing surface.”
The handicap rating of the holes changes quite a bit depending on which of the five courses is being played. Said Hague, “Probably the toughest hole on the course on average is the 12th. It’s a slight dogleg left to a long, narrow, undulating green
sloped back to front. From the tee there is a lateral marshy hazard to the left that ends in a pond on the left third of the fairway at about 220 yards from the tips. On the right, a fairway bunker and a pond at about 240 yards from the tee make a well controlled tee shot a necessity. Past the first pond on the left the marshy hazard extends all the
way to the green and the pond on the right extends all the way to the green as well. Hit your approach shot left and the ball will bounce left, hit it right and, you guessed it, it will bounce right. It’s a really good, challenging hole from all tee boxes.”
The Shattuck Golf Club
A Maine Golf Trip Beckons
By JOHN TORSIELLO
Maine has miles and miles of rugged ocean coastline, forests, rivers and lakes, mountains and, of course, lots of wonderful golf courses, some of them dating back 100 years or so and others of recent vintage. Why not plan a trip to the Pine Tree state and blend a week’s worth of golf with charming hotels and bed and breakfast establishments, great seafood, and a plethora of outdoor activities, from kayaking and fishing to hiking and sailing.
Here is a sampling of the some of the best courses you can play in Maine, thanks to Golfing Magazine’s Course Play Stimulus Program.
To take advantage of Golfing Magazine’s Free Golf offer, call 860-563-1633, or visit www. FreeGolf.net. Remember, you get five issues of our magazine in addition to Free Golf when you subscribe.
Established in 1895 by Arthur Fenn and re-designed by Donald Ross in 1912, the Links at Poland Spring (www.PolandSpringInns.com) claims to be the first golf course built at a resort in the United States. Poland Spring Resort recently added a new 330yard driving range with natural grass, artificial tees, and a spectacular view of
the rugged White Mountains. After a round at Poland Spring you can relax on the clubhouse porch overlooking the championship golf course at Mel’s Hilltop Restaurant, or grab a quick bite at the Pro Shop Café before you join your family for a swim in the large crystal clear swimming pool, all just a
few yards from the 18th green. The Inn offers many options for dining, such as a home cooked breakfast and evening meals that are served daily, buffet style, in a comfortable dining room.
Spring Meadow Golf Club (www.SpringMeadowGolf.com ) at Cole Farms in Gray is a delightful routing, with management taking great pride in the conditioning of their layout. The course measures 6,656 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 71. The par-fives here are very sturdy, including the 600yard third that tests your ability early in the round. Speaking of early, you can’t have a much more demanding start to a loop than the first at Spring Meadow. The parfour plays 430 yards from the tips and there is a pond to the right that must be avoided on the tee shot. If you play safe to the left you will have a longer approach that again must contend with the water and a bunker.
Spring Meadow Golf Club, the Links at Poland Spring, and Fox Ridge Golf Club are part of the Maine Trifecta (www.MaineTrifecta.com ) golf offering, were you can golf all three and stay at Poland Spring Resort for two different prices; $319, which includes lodging, three all-you-can-eat buffet meals, 18 holes at each course, golf carts and range balls at each course; and the
Bethel Inn Golf Course
$339 Deluxe Trifecta, which includes the above plus upgraded accommodations and four buffet meals. All rates are per person, double occupancy, plus seven percent Main sale tax.
The Bethel Inn Resort (www.BethelInn.com ) golf course in Bethel, built just over 100 years ago, remained nine holes of little recognition until 1988 when it was redesigned and expanded to an 18-hole championship layout by the renowned architect Geoffrey Cornish. The 6,663-yard, par-72 course takes maximum advantage of mountain vistas and the natural beauty of the area. Large, well-trapped greens, tree-lined fairways and five tee positions make play challenging for all golfers.
There is a pleasant mix of short and long par-fours, tough par-threes, and demanding par-fives that will test the ability of all levels of golfer. America’s Greatest Golf Resorts magazine has rated the Bethel Inn layout among the top 10 resort courses in the Northeast, and Golf Digest magazine has awarded it 3 1/2 stars.
Dunegrass Golf Club (www.Dunegrass.com) in Old Orchard Beach has been offering local and visiting golfers the opportunity to experience an
uncommonly high caliber of golf for Maine and New England since 1998. Designed by internationally known golf course architect, Dan Maples, Dunegrass Golf Club has quickly gained the reputation as the Portland area’s premier public golf course. Maples imbued the course with the look and feel of a layout one might find in the Carolinas.
The par-threes at Dunegrass are all very good and water comes into play on the four short holes. The 17th can play almost 200 yards from the tips and has water short and to the right of the
putting surface.
One of the most spectacular and scenic courses in New England, the Sunday River Golf Club (www.SundayRiver. com ) is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design featuring 18 breathtaking holes that wind through the Maine woods and over dramatic elevation changes in a stunning mountainside setting. Overlooking the Sunday River Valley with the Mahoosuc range towering above, the course follows the natural topography of the landscape while striking the perfect balance between challenge and playability. Facilities include a clubhouse, restaurant and bar, pro shop, and practice range.
As Maine’s premier golf destination, Sugarloaf Golf Club (www.Sugarloaf.com )is a must-play for any golfer. This Robert Trent Jones Jr. design provides golfers with stunning panoramic mountain views and an unforgettable experience from first tee to final putt.72 6,910. Aptly named for the course’s designer, the first hole plays downhill, and is a dogleg right parfour that is as demanding as it is scenic. The hole offers your first glimpse of the Bigelow Mountain Range. Be sure to factor in elevation change on both your tee shot and approach. Bunkers to the left and right guard the small green.
The Club at River Oaks, 17th Hole
Dunegrass Golf Club
Sugarloaf Golf Club
Travel to the Northern Catskills for Great Golf
Check out the northern Catskill Mountains this summer for a perhaps unexpected treat of superb golf courses and several timehonored resorts. You can unwind for a weekend or longer and sample several very good golf courses the area has to offer.
Let’s take a look at what awaits you in the area.
Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course (www.SunnyHill.com)
Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course in Greenville, N.Y. continues to attract a bevy of stay and play customers from the tri-state area who love bathing in the warm and laid back atmosphere of the Catskills while also taking the time to sample a fun course.
Sunny Hill, owned by the Nicolsen family since 1968, opened as a resort in 1920. “One of the significant highlights of Sunny Hill is that from any tee on the golf course you have picturesque views of the Catskill Mountains,” said Marc Guntert, Director of Golf. “We are very popular locally due in part to the layout and beautifully manicured grounds.”
Guntert said course conditions are “excellent as we continue to keep golf course maintenance equipment up to date and always professionally maintain the layout. Our business has been continuous and steady even through the pandemic and continues to stay strong,
thankfully.”
Sunny Hill is considered to be more a resort style golf course that is challenging to the beginner as well as the experienced golfer. The track could also be deemed an “executive” course that features a number of par-threes, seven in all including six on the front side, and several short parfours. It makes for an enjoyable round and a fine place to learn the game while not being overwhelmed by difficult holes. It also gives the accomplished golfer a chance to work on every club in the bag.
The front side has par-threes that range in distance from 104 yards to 202. The fifth, eighth and ninth holes are short par-fours where big hitters can drive the greens. The front side plays to a par of 30. The back side is more traditional in distance and plays to a par of 36. There are two par-fours, the 11th and 14th, that play around 350 yards as well as five par-fours of less than 300 yards, including the final four holes on the course. The only par-five is on the back, the 423-yard 13th.There is only one par-three on the inward nine, the challenging 203-yard 12th.
Said Guntert, “I would say that our best hole is number 11, which is a 348yard par-four and downhill all the way to the green. A few yards past the green is a pond, which of course has claimed many a ball.” Course Superintendent is
Erik Nicholsen.
“We don’t offer any real specials during the summer because we are pretty much swamped with our resort guests,” said Guntert. “We hold various tournaments for our guests to enjoy during their stay with us. We don’t have a restaurant but we offer burgers, hot dogs, various sandwiches and other snacks.”
Island Green Resort and Golf Club
(www.TheIslandGreen.com)
Thanks to a move by the managers of Island Green Golf Club in Greenville, N.Y., everyone who tees it up at the course will be able to sample the hole for which the layout is named for.
“The biggest change we made was flipping the nines,” said Kevin Smith, General Manager. “This was done for better flow and for quicker play. The signature hole is our now number three on the front and it is accessible to people only playing nine holes.”
The third hole plays 135 from back tees and it’s a true island green that is fun and tricky to play at the same time. There’s no room for error on the tee shot.
“We took over last season and saw a significant increase, but this season has been off the charts so far,” said Smith. “I have learned that there are so many loyal and wonderful people in this area and beyond. Locally, we draw mainly from the surrounding counties of Dutchess, Greene and Columbia and Schoharie
Island Green Resort & Golf Club
and we have some customers who make the day trip from Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and the upper New York City area.”
“Some of our most exciting news is our food and beverage component,” Smith added. “We have two new excellent food professionals. Drew Tobin is our new head chef with Brad Fitzgerald being the sous chef. They are offering some of the best BBQ I have ever tasted. They have elevated the level of our food and beverage department to new heights. I highly recommend either staying here overnight or booking an outing with us.”
Of course, customers come to sample the wonderful golf course at Island Green. In addition to the aforementioned and high profile island green, the course features a traditional design that is fun and challenging to play.
The first hole is a short par-four that can get a round off in good fashion. Numbers seven and eight and par-fours that measure less than 300 yards and present golden opportunities to make birdie with a strong drive.
The 340-yard 10th hole is a super par-four where players can drive the ball
course ends with a 341-yard par-four that can make the after round refreshments
Wentworth Hills Country Club
We know golfing is fun. The ownership at Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville, Ma. is intent on making it even more enjoyable.
The club has purchased a new fleet of “Shark” golf carts that allows players to remain in contact with the clubhouse throughout a round. They can order food and refreshments while playing the front nine and pick up orders at the turn. In addition, the carts offer yardages and golfers can even watch video tips from Greg Norman between their own shots.
And, the club has developed an app for cell phones that make the user a member of the “Wentworth Hills community” once they get the app. Individuals are notified of discounts on greens fees and other promotions and specials. A map of the course and yardages are automatically available on the user’s phone when accessing the app.
”We are trying to keep up with the younger generation that is so into technology,” said one of the club’s owners, Constant Poholek. “The holein-one challenge is a game within the game and money we receive helps out charitable causes. We are trying to do things to make golf even more
fun and keep people coming back.”
Wentworth Hills is a fun course to play, offering classic risk/reward holes that dare low-handicappers to “go for it,” while allowing for alternate routes to the green for less experienced golfers. The varied natural topography here features rolling, tree-lined fairways, large, receptive greens, ponds and lakes protecting holes, and 60 strategically-placed bunkers.
The course, while playing just over 6,200 yards from the tips, has a slope of 128 and a rating equal to its par of 71. The track places emphasis on proper club selection and accurate approach shots to the putting surfaces.
Wentworth Hills is located between Boston and Providence and only minutes from Route 495, which makes it an ideal destination for golfers from the Metro Boston area to Federal Hill in Providence.
Heritage Country Club
Heritage Country Club in Charlton, Massachusetts has long been a favorite of locals and those golfers who like to throw their sticks in the trunk and drive a bit to play a real good course. Heritage offers private club conditions and amenities at affordable rates.
Heritage CC has joined Golfing Magazine’s growing list of courses you can play when you subscribe to our magazine. You get a complimentary round of golf with a small service fee charged when you arrive to take care of a motorized cart for the round.
The 18-hole course at Heritage Country Club features 6,335 yards from the longest tees and a par of 71. The course rating is 69.3 and it has a slope rating of 118. The layout was designed by Donald Hoenig, with the track opening for play in 1964.
There are a mix of holes at Heritage
The setting is amazing for this semi-private Country Club which exudes pride of ownership. From the moment you enter the property, making the quarter mile country side drive you can’t miss the rolling manicured greens.
CC that will keep you entertained through your entire round. Some of the fairways are rather tight, so accuracy is called for off the tee to get you involved in the hole from the tee box.
The layout starts off in stern fashion, with a pair of fairly long par-fours followed by a 200-yard par-three where par is a good score indeed. The fourth is a 452-yard par-five that is reachable in two
shots for long hitters.
The fifth hole is a beast of a par-five, playing around 600 yards and it’s a true three-shot hole to get the putting surface. Number eight is a par-four of around 300 yards where birdie awaits before moving on to the monstrous 490-yard par-four ninth. The ninth can also be played as a par-five, which makes sense for most golfers.
The back side also starts off tough, with two par-fours of around 400 yards sandwiched around another long par-five of about 600 yards. Better bring a great long game when you play here and tee off from the tips. The wise option the first visit may be playing from one tee up, which will put the total yardage to around 6,000, shortening some of those long par-fives.
www.HeritageCountryClub.com
Crestview Country Club
Serving golfers in scenic Agawam, MA, and Suffield, CT, area, Crestview Country Club features panoramic views of the Pioneer Valley. Known as the “Gem of Western Mass,” a renowned Geoffrey Cornish design. The course is challenging enough to have played host to the PGA TOUR Travelers Championship Open Qualifier in 2015, the CT Section PGA Championship in 2013, the LPGA Friendly’s Classic from 1995-1998, as well as several US Amateur qualifiers. With it’s 5 sets of tees it is very playable for all levels of golfers. Best to be ready to take on the course right out of the gate. Best not to be tying up your laces on the first tee because the first 2 holes are challenging to say the least. Even from the white tees you are looking at an opening hole (#3 hdcp) of 400 plus yards backed up by a 526-yard part 5.
A scenic collection of challenging par 3’s await as you are guided through the meticulously maintained rolling fairways with a number of risk reward par 4’s and 5’s to round out you round. Big hitters can tee it up from as far back as 7,100 yards, the reds tees bring that down to a very manageable 5,500.
There is no excuse for not being ready when you get to the first as the club has an expansive driving range, practice green and pitching area.
Dining here is an art unto itself and you will want that experience, whether indoors or outdoors. The VIEW Restaurant and The California Grill feature panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley, sumptuous food and an impressive array of cocktails and wine selections.
If you are lucky enough to live close by membership at Crestview Country Club should be a consideration. A classic country club, one of the best semi-private golf courses in the area, other amenities include: pool, tennis courts and fitness area.
www.CrestviewCC.org
Or to book a tee time call: (413) 786-0917
Crumpin-Fox Club
One of the most enjoyable days you will ever spend on a golf course is at the Crumpin-Fox Club (www.GolfTheFox. com) in Bernardston, Ma., near the state’s border with Vermont.
Many of the holes at Crumpin-Fox are tree lined and gorgeous in the autumn, with ample bunkering and enough water to create a few jangled nerves as the round proceeds. Some of the greens are elevated, further complicating proper club selection, especially when a breeze kicks up. The course blends perfectly with the stunning natural landscape that this section of New England is known for. The layout plays a little over 7,000 yards from the tips and features several of the best holes in the region.
The seventh is a really good, short par-four that plays 387 yards from the back tees. There’s a fairway bunker just to the left side of the landing area that must be avoided, as the approach is to a wide green that backs up to a rise. Miss short and you’re in a pond, and send it a tad long and you are chipping downhill onto the putting surface with the water clinging to the front of the putting surface.
The eighth is super par-five and is certainly the most difficult hole on the course. It starts from an elevated tee box and a lake plays a factor on the first, second and third shots, as it must be avoided and then cleared on any approach to a rather large green protected by bunkers. www.GolfTheFox.com
Crystal Lake Golf Club
Since 1960, Crystal Lake Golf Club in Haverhill, Ma. has been one of the premiere public golf courses in the Merrimack Valley, located only 35 minutes from downtown Boston.
The course offers some of the finest rolling bent grass greens in the area, lush wide fairways, light rough, manicured bunkers, rolling tree-lined terrain, and a well-thought out design by Geoffrey Cornish of Cornish Golf Designs.
Crystal Lake provides a fun, yet challenging round of golf that will be played under four and half hours on weekends. Every club in your bag will be used and a memorable golf experience is guaranteed.
Blackhead Mountain Country Club
The club is also known as one of the best priced courses for the value in New England, with a caring staff, and a proactive membership program, including a “fun” tournament event calendar.
Acquired by Sterling Golf Management in 2018, Crystal Lake Golf Club continues to provide guests and members with a unique and afford-
able golf experience. Situated near Crystal Lake, the course features a multitude of challenging yet approachable holes for all types of players. Take the fifth for instance. The par-five plays around 500 yards from the tips and bends ever so softly to the right, which makes going for the green in two shots risky.
The 18th is a very reachable-intwo 448-yard par five where birdie, or perhaps even an eagle, can really bring your round to a delightful conclusion. www.CrystalLake-Golf.com
It’s a Trap!!
Nick Wiseman, PGA
Nick is the Director of Instruction at Blue Rock Golf Academy.
Blue Rock Golf Course on Cape Cod
South Yarmouth, MA
He can be reached at 508-398-9295 or NWiseman@BlueRockGolfCourse.com
We live in an age where information is just a click away… But is it the right information…or is it a trap?! Everyone knows that no two swings on the professional tours are the same, so why would you adopt the same technique as the next person and assume it’s the correct way to swing for both of you?
Research suggests there are very few “universal” moves that everyone must do in their golf swing. The key to swing success is navigating through the vast sea of information and finding the right individual moves that work with your physicality and abilities.
A prime example:
“Keep your head down, keep your eyes on the ball!” This may be the most common saying in all of golf and I’m here to tell you that it’s a trap! Keeping your head down may theoretically make sense, but if you dig deeper, you’ll find that it could invite the very thing you are trying to avoid: the dreaded top, or worse, a whiff.
Let’s go further. In the down swing we can recognize that there is a finite number of body parts actually leading the club in a downward direction, mainly the arms, hands, and a bit of the right shoulder. As we go through our acceleration process from the ground up (one of those universal moves) we notice that the arms need to extend out to the ball to amplify this speed and make contact with the ball.
But, if we lower the upper body too much, insisting that the head needs to stay down throughout the entire swing, we limit the room the upper body needs to extend and release the club. As a result, our subconscious immediately goes into protection mode, turning us into T-Rexes instead of golfers (think: short arms).
I enjoy a good viewing of Jurassic Park like the rest of us, but sadly T-Rexes don’t make good golfers! This is only one of a plethora of examples related to misinformation and the golf swing.
Mike Adams and Terry Rowles have a wonderful saying that we adopt here at Blue Rock Golf Course: “Measure, don’t guess.” How much should you actually stay down with your posture before and during the swing? That depends on things like the length of your arms. We interview, measure, and assess each golfer on an individual basis, creating each person’s unique “blueprint” for a repeatable and powerful golf swing.
GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHY YOU TOP THE BALL!
There are few sounds in golf more humbling than the sickening “thud-skip skid” of a topped shot. Not a majestic soaring iron. Not even a respectable low screamer. No...this one travels about 42 yards while your buddies drive their carts by you, unsympathetically. And yet, topped shots are one of the greatest teachers in golf...if you understand WHY they happen. Most golfers top the ball because they are unknowingly trying to help it into the air. Somewhere along the way, the brain decides: “Ball on ground...must lift ball UP!” Seems logical, right? Unfortunately, golf is not logical. In fact, the harder you try to lift the ball, the more likely you are to swing the club upward too early and hit the top half of the golf ball.
Now here comes the important part. Sorry but this is where physics holds the facts. Here’s your self-administered quiz and you must be CERTAIN of the correct answer. Where do you think, the club is supposed to hit the ground?
A) Just behind the ball
B) Under the ball
C) After the ball
If you answered A or B, don’t worry. You are officially normal, but sadly WRONG! The correct answer is C. On a normal iron shot, the golf club strikes the ball FIRST and THEN the ground! That’s the entire secret: BALL FIRST, TURF SECOND...always has been! The descending clubface compresses the ball against the ground, launching the ball upwards with spin and power. Your job is not to scoop it into the air like you’re flipping pancakes at a diner. Watch great players closely. Their divots don’t start behind the ball. The divot begins in front of where the ball was sitting. That means the club was still traveling downward when it contacted the ball.
Here’s a drill to help you experience your new delivery system and discover your new swing’s LOW POINT. Head to the dollar store and buy sidewalk chalk. Draw a straight line on the ground perpendicular to your target direction. Then place four or five golf balls on low tees on that line...moving away from you. Hit small shots first maybe a 1⁄2 pitching wedge. Having 60% of your weight on your lead leg, allowing the handle of your club to be slightly in front of the clubhead, will help move the bottom of the arc of your club more forward than you’ve ever experienced!
Your mission is simply: MAKE THE CLUB STRIKE THE GROUND AHEAD OF THE LINE. Not on it. Not behind it. Ahead of it! AFTER IMPACT! In the picture, I’ve hit the first ball, and you can see the mark on the target side of the chalk line. After little swings, move through your bag... Yes, even hybrids. Build confidence. Soon, those ugly topped shots will begin to disappear. You’ll be hitting the WHOLE ball for the first time. Who knew...hitting down would make the ball go up!
Sue Kaffenburgh, PGA/LPGA
www.GolfLessonsCapeCod.com
SusiePGA@comcast.net
508-364-GOLF (4653)
PRO SHOP
FOOTJOY PRO/SL | $160 www.Footjoy.com
Reimagined with direct input from Tour professionals, the iconic Pro/SL returns with a bold new design and unmatched performance. Featuring ultra lightweight comfort with improved connectivity to the ground, the all-new Pro/SL is spikeless innovation at its finest.
FOOTJOY PREMIERE SERIES | $250 www.Footjoy.com
FootJoy builds upon this legacy in modern classic golf footwear with a fully updated version of the Premiere Series, blending iconic styling with advanced performance technology designed for today’s game.
PRO SHOP
2026
TRUE LINKSWEAR OG3 Pro | $199
The OG3 Pro is a refined volution of the brand’s zero-drop design, supporting natural movement while improving balance, traction, and long-term foot health. The updated platform delivers high rebound and low compression cushioning while maintaining a level foot posture. A zero-drop midsole paired with an aggressive TPU outsole enhances grip and ground force reaction through the swing. The engineered leather upper increases durability without sacrificing the premium look and feel of genuine leather. A new easy-on tongue system simplifies lacing and a two-year waterproof warranty reinforces confidence in all conditions. Designed for golfers who prioritize natural foot feel and movement, the OG3 Pro delivers elevated performance with iconic comfort. Available in multiple colorways.
TRUE LINKSWEAR Antigravity Shoe | $199
www.truelinkswear.com
The TRUE Antigravity shoe caught our attention because of the technology put into making a truly comfortable golf shoe for walking the course. At its core is TRUE’s new Pebax® Superfoam midsole, delivering a rare combination of featherweight cushioning, explosive rebound, and long-term resiliency. The result is a low-compression ride that feels effortless underfoot while maintaining structure and energy return throughout an entire round—or a full day off the course.
SKECHERS GOLF BLADE TOUR SI | $165
www.SkechersGolf.com
Worn by top pros like Matt Fitzpatrick, the Skechers Blade Tour SI is engineered for serious golfers seeking elite performance. Designed with direct input from professional athletes, this shoe features a waterproof Clarino® microfiber upper and convenient Hands Free Slip-ins® technology for easy wear. Comfort is maximized with Hyper Burst Pro™ cushioning, podiatrist-certified Arch Fit® support, and lightweight Eco Flight™ materials. For stability, replaceable Softspikes® with Tour Flex Pro deliver superior traction and balance, ensuring confidence with every shot. The Blade Tour SI is the go-to choice for golfers who demand toptier equipment and unwavering focus on the course.
PRO SHOP 2026 GOLF SHOE GUIDE
SKECHERS GOLF PURE SI | $135
www.SkechersGolf.com
Experience unmatched comfort and convenience with the waterproof Skechers Pure SI golf shoe. Featuring Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® technology, a pliable mesh and protective TPU overlay upper with adjustable laces, this slip on offers effortless wear and a secure fit. The Heel Pillow® delivers lasting comfort, while the Arch Fit® insole and lightweight Eco Flight™ cushioning provide support and responsiveness. With a spikeless outsole for reliable traction and S-Wing technology for added stability, the Skechers Pure SI™ is the perfect choice for golfers seeking comfort, protection, and hands-free ease on the course.
SKECHERS GOLF FLOW SI | $115 www.SkechersGolf.com
Enjoy all-day comfort and performance on the course with the Skechers Flow SI for men and women. This spikeless, waterproof golf slipon features a sleek synthetic upper, Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® technology for easy entry, and a supportive Heel Pillow®. With lightweight ECO FLIGHT™ cushioning and a resilient HYPER BURST PRO™ insole, the athletic silhouette and spikeless traction deliver stability and control with every swing.
SKECHERS GOLF FLOW SI – TWIST-FIT | $130 www.SkechersGolf.com
Stay on par in effortless comfort with the Skechers Flow SI – Twist-Fit™ for men and women. This spikeless, waterproof golf slip-on features a sleek synthetic upper and Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® technology for easy wear. The Twist-Fit™ dial closure lets you customize your fit instantly—just turn right to tighten, left to loosen. Enjoy lasting comfort with the Heel Pillow®, lightweight Eco Flight™ cushioning, and resilient Hyper Burst Pro™ insole. The athletic, streamlined silhouette and spikeless traction move with you for stability and control through every swing.
PADDLES & PUTTERS SPOTLIGHT GAME-CHANGING GEAR
GEARBOX GBX POWER PADDLE
GBX Power introduces a proprietary approach to honeycomb core and carbon fiber frame construction, preserving the feel, feedback, and pop players love while unlocking more efficient power through Gearbox’s re-engineered Gen-3 construction. Built as an integrated, one-piece system with a focused design and efficiently engineered performance, it delivers explosive power, faster hands, heavier spin, and consistent results from anywhere on the court. Pro-level performance at an exceptional value. The GBX Power is available in an elongated and hybrid model. www.GearboxSports.com
Gearbox’s USAP approved pickleball ball was created for pickleball lovers worldwide and those who enjoy both recreational and sanctioned play. In relentless pursuit of excellence, Gearbox embarked on a mission to develop an advanced proprietary polymer formulation for the GB1 in order to engineer a ball that not only performs at its best, but that The GB1 is optimized to maintain great performance under a wider range of weather conditions.
PADDLETEK HONEYFOAM TKO-X
The Honeyfoam TKO-X incorporates a three-foam internal structure engineered to improve dwell time, sweet spot consistency, and energy return while maintaining a softer feel on contact. Combining an EPP foam core with strategically placed EVA foam zones and perimeter reinforcement designed to enhance stability and forgiveness during high-speed play. Additional features include a T700 raw carbon fiber surface intended to maximize spin generation and a shock-absorbing edge system for vibration dampening. Paddletek is committed to foam-core innovation as competition intensifies across the premium paddle category. Available in 14 and 16mm. www.
Performance Pickleball Bag: Durable and waterproof, 2 Insulated compartments, large center compartment, up to 6 paddles, shoes etc. smaller pockets for valuables, hanging hooks and backpack straps. All one might need in a solid bag.
www.Paddletek.com
Black Desert Resort
Golf Product Guide
THE TIN CUP MARKER
The Tin Cup Marker enables you to “Make Your Mark” with a personalized ball marker using the logo or design of your choice. There are over 250+ existing designs available or you may request your own personal custom design.The Tin Cup is an ideal gift for tournaments, corporate outings, birthdays, wedding parties, holidays and of course for personal use to simply play golf and have fun. Tin Cup will make it easier than ever for you to identify and personalize your golf ball for those shots that happen to miss the fairway!
www.Tin-Cup.com
SHOT SCOPE LM1
Shot Scope has the most popular launch monitor ready to buy; it’s the gift every golfer wants. The LM1 retails for $199.99, no subscription fees, and is a compact training device designed for golfers who want reliable data without complexity. Five metrics are measured: club speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance, and total distance. Test and measure how fast you are with the dedicated speed training mode, which works with clubs and speed sticks. https://shotscope.com/us/
VEGAS GOLF PUTTWISER
Puttwiser™ golf apparel and accessories — made for golfers who love great rounds, cold beers, and good laughs! Our stylish Puttwiser Caps and Polos get attention both on and off the course, while our Puttwiser Pint Glass Gift Pack is perfect for celebrating at the 19th hole. The waterproof caps include a free magnetic Puttwiser poker chip ball marker and built-in tee holder for quick access on the course. Fun, functional, and made for golf lovers, www.vegasgolfgame.com
VEGAS GOLF CIGARETTE GOLF TEES
Vegas Golf Cigarette Golf Tees are guaranteed to get laughs on the course! These 3.25” bamboo golf tees come packed in a funny cigarette-style box with the slogan “SMOKE YOUR NEXT DRIVE.” Each pack includes 10 durable bamboo tees built for big driver swings, plus a free Vegas Golf poker chip ball marker that doubles as our Beer Chip Game. Whoever has the worst tee shot on a Par 3 gets the chip — and if it’s in your pocket when the beer cart arrives… YOU’RE BUYING! Perfect for golfers who love big drives, cold beers, and good times. www.vegasgolfgame.com
