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Golf Guide
Area courses, tips & tricks and virtual golf
Golfers hoping to finally sink that elusive hole-in-one this season have plenty of opportunities to make that ultimate shot at inviting, pristine public and private courses throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. Here’s our guide to some favorite spots to tee off from:
In Massachusetts
THE RANCH GOLF CLUB
Located at the foothills of the picturesque Berkshires, The Ranch Golf Club was voted in the top 50 of all Public Golf Courses in Golf World’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards and #4 Best Course You Can Play in MA as part of Golfweek’s Best in 2016. Beyond the 18th hole, a full practice facility awaits golfers and the Ranch Pub House offers a relaxing dining experience.
FRANCONIA GOLF COURSE
golf course that measures 6,213 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 118 and a 69.7 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels. The facility also offers a full pro shop, lessons, and Junior Golf Camp. The website offers tips to master each hole.
GREATHORSE
Named the #1 private club in Massachusetts by Northeast Golf, GreatHorse is a secluded, plush mountain retreat where beyond a top-notch golf experience, golfers and their families can enjoy a wide range of clubhouse amenities such as an outdoor pool, private spa, fitness center, golf simulators, tennis and platform tennis courts, and a restaurant and bar.
ST. ANNE COUNTRY CLUB
781 Shoemaker Lane • Feeding Hills, MA stannecc.com Scorecard:
St. Anne Country Club is a semi-private course that measures 6,608 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 116 and a 70.8 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skills levels. Before or after the game, players can enjoy the amenities of a full bar and restaurant alongside a banquet facility for any event.
COUNTRY CLUB OF WILBRAHAM
859 Stony Hill Road • Wilbraham, MA ccofwilbraham.com Scorecard:
Country Club of Wilbraham is a semiprivate club that opened in 1927 as a 9-hole course designed by Willie Ogg, a professional golfer and club designer from Scotland. A back nine holes introduced in the spring of 2002 rolls through wooded terrain. Other features include a Juniors Program, pro shop and practice facilities. The Grille is open to the public to enjoy a meal or drinks on the patio.
In Connecticut
CEDAR KNOB GOLF COURSE
446 Billings Road • Somers, CT cedarknobgolfcourse.com Scorecard:
Designed by Geoffrey Cornish and built in 1963, the tall cedars lend a dramatic backdrop to most fairways that feature
numerous water hazards and tactically placed sand traps to challenge even the best of golfers. Cedar Knob also offers golf lessons through its pro shop and special membership packages. Players can end their round with a delicious meal or their favorite beer, beverage or snack in the Cedar Castle Restaurant.
GRASSMERE COUNTRY CLUB
130 Town Farm Road • Enfield, CT grassmerecountryclub.com Scorecard:
Grassmere Country Club is a 9-hole public golf course offering golfers a challenging round with beautifully manicured greens and fairways, rambling brooks and a hilly terrain, as well as sand traps and natural grass bunkers that make for that special PGA feeling. Other features include pro shop, practice green, special membership packages, banquet facility and The Grill.
TOPSTONE GOLF COURSE
516 Griffin Road #A • South Windsor, CT topstonegc.com Scorecard:
Great conditions including lush fairways and rolling hills await golfers at Topstone - an 18-hole, par 72 Championship golf course. Off the course, the clubhouse offers a fully-stocked golf shop, Grill Room and banquet facility. Topstone’s PGA Jr. League offers a scramble format that builds confidence and encourages sportsmanship among boys and girls of all skill levels.
ROLLING MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB
76 Sadds Mill Road • Ellington, CT rollingmeadowscountryclub.com Scorecard:
Rolling Meadows offers a challenging encounter for all golfers with its more than 30 sand traps, some tight fairways, and a par 3 where you must carry over water nearly the full length of the hole. The public course features a pro shop, multiple practice greens, youth golf camp, various membership packages, and The Tavern at the Meadows. The back nine features spectacular views of the imposing Berkshire mountain range rising in the distance.
COPPER HILL GOLF CLUB
20 Copper Hill Road • East Granby, CT copperhillgolf.com Scorecard:
If 18 holes are just too much for you to play, Copper Hill Golf Club offers an invigorating 9-hole regulation length golf course to suit your needs. The public club also has an active youth golf program, PGA professional golf instruction, all grass driving range with 3,500 square foot practice green and bunker, season passes, banquet facility, The Grill at Copper Hill, and an 18-hole AFGL certified footgolf course. Growing in popularity, the sport is a combination of the games of soccer and golf where the goal is to get your regular size 5 soccer ball into a 21-inch foot golf cup.
