Connecticut National Golf Club:

A Formidable New England Challenge.

Posted by: Don Thorne

New England is flush with top-quality golf facilities. From the beautiful seaside links to the splendid historic grand resorts, the New England states have a wide range of beautiful, challenging layouts for locals and visitors alike. One facility in northeast Connecticut caught our attention for a round while on vacation to the lake country of Rhode Island. The Connecticut National Golf Course is nestled in the hillsides near Putnam, Connecticut—a mere 10 minutes off the I-395. Wedged in the rolling hills just an hour north of the quaint fishing town of Mystic, Connecticut, and 45 minutes west of Providence, Rhode Island, the facility provides a great golf opportunity when visiting the area.

Connecticut National began as a nine hole course enjoyed by the locals and has evolved over the years through ownership changes and redesigns to become a well recognized championship test. The most recent renovations occurred in 2007 when the new owners hired Mark Mungeam to oversee a complete redesign. Under Mungeam's direction every hole was modified to increase playability and challenge. Keeping the ball in the fairways is the key to low scoring as the fescue can get nasty and the bunkers are deep and unforgiving. However, the true challenge of the layout is the green complexes that set this course apart from most of the others in the area. With the multiple tiers and considerable slopes, finding a flat lie on these putting surfaces is a tough task.

Location: Putnam, Connecticut

Editor's Shot Maker's Picks: Connecticut National

Feature Holes Descriptions:

Connecticut National is full of shot making demands. Don’t be fooled by the handicap hole ratings as some of the easiest rated can play the most difficult when you are not accurate in club selection. Following an inviting opening par 5, the first par 4, hole number 2, will give you a hint of what is to follow. The dog-leg right, with a premium for finding the fairway, is well protected by mounds of fescue on the right and trees on the left. The green has a severe back-right to front-left slope, requiring an accurate approach for a reasonable par chance. Hole nine is the shortest par 3 on the routing, but added strokes are common if you miss the green to the right because of the severe drop off. The best play may be missing left as it can result in a friendly bounce to the putting surface.

The back nine features a variety of long par 4's. At 447 yards the lengthy number 14 can be friendly if you find the fairway but nasty should you encounter the rough. Long hitters must be wary of a pond on the left off the tee, while the approach must contend with a green that is guarded by mounds and bunkers. The most scenic shot on the course is your second shot on number 18. The long downhill par 5 routes back to the clubhouse and will make you pause to take in that view and forested hills in the background. The green is reachable for only the long hitters but birdies are possible as a reward for well struck shots.

Course Stats:

Having hosted PGA qualifiers in the past, the course certainly provides a tour golf experience. This visit was well worth the stop. Overall, the course is terrifically maintained and consistent throughout the round. The course has an ample practice facility to prepare for the outing. Make sure you take advantage of the two putting greens, as the putting surfaces are the true defense on the round. The staff, from the pro-shop to the greens keepers, are all friendly and courteous and definitely influence the desire to book another go at Connecticut National as soon as you’ve finished.

Drive Times: Hartford Airport 1 hr. 20 mins, Providence Airport 45 mins, Mystic 1 hr.

Contact:

Connecticut National Golf Club

136 Chase Road, Putnam,

Connecticut

89144

(860) 928-7748

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