Hop Brook Golf Course
About
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
White | 36 | 2887 yards | 33.9 | 109 |
Red | 36 | 2449 yards |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue M: 34.1/116 | 479 | 349 | 338 | 325 | 147 | 494 | 180 | 406 | 329 | 3047 | 3047 |
White M: 33.3/112 | 455 | 344 | 320 | 304 | 135 | 476 | 170 | 382 | 298 | 2884 | 2884 |
Gold M: 32.0/109 | 356 | 256 | 285 | 274 | 124 | 434 | 136 | 332 | 244 | 2441 | 2441 |
Red W: 33.5/114 | 307 | 249 | 255 | 268 | 119 | 423 | 126 | 254 | 234 | 2235 | 2235 |
Handicap | 1 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 8 | ||
Par | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 36 |
Course Details
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Reviewer Photos
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The 1st, par-5, 474 yards, index 1. The tough opener demands, ideally, a shot over this pond–leading to a wedge for the third shot. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/08/2023
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Two, par-4, 371. Terrific par-4, its driving zone rolling, its green canted back to front. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/08/2023
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Three, par-4, 355. Short but tricky four-par that finishes on this slightly raised and small green. (The hog’s back fourth fairway lies in background). Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/08/2023
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Six, par-5, 490. Almost the opposite of the opening par-5, this doglegs right and plays to a relatively flat green fronted by a bunker. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/08/2023
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Eight, par-4, 402. An outstanding, tough dogleg playing to a well-protected green. Great driving hole. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/08/2023
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Nine, par-4, 329. Short but lethal: tight fairway; dogleg right; raised and sloping green. A hard finisher from tee to cup. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/08/2023
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The drive is hardly a piece of cake at Hop Brook’s first, but each shot may seem tougher than the previous one. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/07/2022
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A cross hazard–this pond–makes for a risk/reward situation at #1. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/07/2022
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Fairway two includes a pronounced swale on the way to the green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/07/2022
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Behind the third green is an unpleasant drop-off that makes a pitch back onto the putting surface difficult. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/07/2022
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Seven, a mid-length par-3, is well protected by flanking bunkers. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/07/2022
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Eight is my favorite hole on the course, a rigorous par-4 of 402. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/07/2022
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1st hole: Par-5, 474. A stream crosses the second-shot landing zone. A risk-reward proposition. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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3rd hole: Par-4, 355. A pair of golfers moves toward the landing spots of their drives. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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The fifth: Par-3, 153. Classic tee shot from on high, much higher than when I played HB as a teenager. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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Six: An outstanding par-5 of 490. Dogleg right. If you want to make it a two-shotter, you’ll need to miss this bunker. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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The sixth hole from behind, showing the course’s pleasant parkland style. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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The beautiful 8th hole, a par-4 of 402. Though not seen well in this shot, the fairway ripples nicely. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
Golden Age Golf in the Naugatuck Valley
More than any course I’ve returned to recently after many years, Hop Brook stands out as the most improved. How so? Much of the added oomph derives from longer holes, because deep tees, moved much farther back, have been added on nearly every hole. It seems like common sense to do this, given longer-flying golf balls of this modern age, but far too many clubs, who actually have the real estate to achieve such improvements, do not, sadly. Give Hop Brook credit for being one of the few to manage this intelligently and comprehensively. They’ve also made the smart decision to add bunkers on holes three (numerous) and eight (a few). I’m also thinking the wetlands zone on the left side of six was not there when I used to frequent the course so long ago: my last round here was in the early eighties.
The other major change is the course’s superior conditioning today, representing a quantum leap forward from the only fair grooming the course once delivered. Consequently, HBGC seems a wholly different animal--and a fiercer one that will threaten you a bit more. With quicker greens and better groomed fairways, it plays faster and better. The bunkers are particularly manicured and cared for; they’re well raked and filled with fine white sand. One small weakness was a bit of brownout on most of the fairways, surprising and unusual given all the heavy July rains.
The course, set nearly in downtown Naugatuck, benefits from its position next to the cascading Pigeon Brook (if I’m correct) running alongside the sixth hole; you begin from a tee positioned just behind and alongside the brook. Fairways are well-proportioned and the first five holes are separated well enough. The six hole does parallel and border, directly, holes eight and nine. Even though this is a ‘river valley’ course, holes one through five have some striking elevation changes. Variety, then, is a strength of this nine-holer.
The vigor of this track comes mainly from the par-threes and fives. Each one of these holes features character, variety, and some unusual aspect that sets it apart from the ordinary. The par-three seventh exemplifies this well by its raised green, armed with ideal defenses: bunkers on either side and a large hump guarding the middle. And if you’re long, you’ll be chipping from an awkward, downhill lie.
The par-fours fall closer to the side of routine than exciting, though a couple are dog-legged and most all have some of the ground movement characteristic of Golden Age layouts (this was designed in the 1920’s). But a standout is the third, which begins on an elevated tee, presenting a beautiful view of a landing area framed by woods left, a row of mature trees right, and bunkers sprinkled alongside the fairway. The hole concludes at a clever green complex with a sand bunker on the left flank and two grass bunkers to the right.
An Outstanding Hole: Six, Par-5, 512.
A great dogleg-right, strongly encouraging a fade from the tee. But the second shot will be the clincher if you dare slam another long shot down to the green, as the smallish surface is protected by a high-lipped bunker on the right, and, further right, the brook.
An Exhilarating Hole: Five, par-3, 152.
Wow, what a downhill tee shot! This was good when I used to play it way back when, but now, with the longer tee, the vista amazed me. It’s a sheer pleasure to hit a solid shot and watch your ball descend what seems like eight stories to the putting surface.
Some Conclusions:
Hop Brook ranks among the better nine-holers you can play in Connecticut. With great conditioning and a solid layout, this is a very good option for anyone who wants to sneak in a quick yet serious round. Clearly, this is a popular course, busy upon my arrival and positively packed when I left today at 3:30. I paired it up today with Sleeping Giant in Hamden today and enjoyed both rounds thoroughly.
Don’t hesitate to play it.
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1st hole: Par-5, 474. A stream crosses the second-shot landing zone. A risk-reward proposition. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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3rd hole: Par-4, 355. A pair of golfers moves toward the landing spots of their drives. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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The fifth: Par-3, 153. Classic tee shot from on high, much higher than when I played HB as a teenager. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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Six: An outstanding par-5 of 490. Dogleg right. If you want to make it a two-shotter, you’ll need to miss this bunker. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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The sixth hole from behind, showing the course’s pleasant parkland style. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
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The beautiful 8th hole, a par-4 of 402. Though not seen well in this shot, the fairway ripples nicely. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 07/23/2021
Mow the ruff
The course was in pristine shape - except the ruff was uncut & too long!! If you didn’t stay on the fairway - you were in trouble, it didn’t matter where.
9 holes of fun
Great and challenging layout. Not too long but shot placement is critical. 5th hole downhill par 3 is great. Plan to play at least twice a month
Good value for the cost
Course was in decent shape, greens were very very fast and hard but overall well worth the money. Low rate with a cart for 9, will definitely go back.
Jam packed, so bring a chair
I want to start by saying I like playing this course. Not much of challenge if you hit relatively straight. The greens aren't bad. The only problem I have with Hop Brook is pace of play. The weekends are booked out. We asked to skip to 6 to sort of create a shotgun start and were told no. I was not going to wait 2 hours at the first tee and watch 50 golfers tee up. I did get my raincheck and I'll book for a weekday. Have to say, one of the absolute best par 3 holes around is hole 5.
Full club selection
Even though it’s only a 9 hole course it has an excellent layout. Only my second time there but loved it.
Good for a 9-hole course
Hadn’t played this course in over 20 years. Better than I remembered it. Good conditions considering a mid December day. Pace was awfully slow though. Not the course’s fault.