Windham Golf Course

I’ve been wanting to play this course for the last three years, but it never seemed the right time to take the hour and 20 minute drive each way to play. We were looking for a half way course to have a friend from Connecticut join us and this was it. Check in was smooth and easy in the pro shop and we were off. The first tee from the two back tees has you going over a public road, which spooked one of the players in our group, so we started off on the senior tees on this hole only. Afterwards we moved back to the green tees, which results in a 6,200 yard round, which is 200 yds more than I care for. All of the tee boxes were in good shape, as were the fairways and greens. I found the greens a bit hard, and most of my shots would end up rolling to the back of the green or sometimes off. I think if I played this course a couple more times they could be mastered. There are a couple 440 yard par 4’s, which is a bit long for me . There are also 3 par 3’s that are over 200 yards. We all hit driver on the longest one. All in all, it was a pleasant day and I wouldn’t mind playing it again. I think the next time I will mix the green tees with the senior tees and try to get the yardage down to around 5800 yards. The senior tees are at 5400 yards, which is too short.

Haven’t played here since OT was the Willimantic Country Club. Greens are extremely fast, that’s a plus. Met up with a couple of Old Timers and good thing I did, because I probably would have left after 9 holes.

Course was in good shape. Greens rolled well were slow uphill but fast downhill. Tees could have been better sometimes not level. Signage good and needed can get confusing where the next tee is.

Drove about 50 minutes to course, Talked to the gentleman who worked in the pro shop and said they were not open today. Need to coordinate with Golf Now if they are not going to be open and are still taking reservations.

Windham Golf Club, a refined and subtle golf course laid out over pleasantly rolling terrain, delivers 18 holes with finesse and without superficial flash. It’s not that this 1922 creation needs oversized water hazards or highly dramatic bunkering to impress. It’s more that using the natural landscape to advantage is more than enough to challenge golfers here. The fourth hole, a strong par-5 of 480 that moves downhill and doglegs left, exemplifies just how the terrain often rolls, pitches and tumbles on the way to these greens. More undulations follow on a diverse and tough stretch of holes from six through nine. All have character as well as varied problems from tee to cup.

You don’t have to be a powerful driver at Windham to gain advantage, just an accurate one. Most of the tree-lined fairways submit to strategic placement of shots for a good or optimal route to the green. There are five very good par-3’s, no two of them remotely alike. The third is the simplest of these, but it also has the most interesting contouring in front of its green. Each one of the five par-5’s also plays quite differently, but seventeen—the most impressive—features great length, a fortress-like green set on a plateau, and above all a very tricky, tight second shot. The par-fours vary a great deal in difficulty, but holes 6, 7, 15, and 18 are top-notch. The latter is solid finisher: its drive will challenge you, and the approach must be hit truly on this 415-yard par-4. The 18th green is open in front, but a small pond, lurking left, will catch wayward shots.

Windham is the kind of layout built before long courses and the power game replaced the more strategic game, a game that emphasized shot-making. This course is original and refreshingly free of predictable challenges. It rewards very good iron play and short game skill, often providing the option to either chip or pitch when in close proximity to a green. Its fairways have enough airspace to work shots by your preferred shot shape. In short, you’re not playing paint-by-numbers golf.

The seventeenth, though, is the one exception to this rule: it requires power. But it’s also one of the most fascinating holes in all of Connecticut. Only one other par-5 in the state comes to mind that is, like this one, a veritable three-shotter into the green: this is the third at Oxford Greens, which is an uphill 630-yard behemoth. Windham’s 17th hole is a bit shorter—it’s ‘only’ 570 yards—but since it’s virtually impossible to cut the dogleg (unless you’re Dustin Johnson), reaching in two is not a realistic option. One could see how this hole might be a bit controversial, but I like it nonetheless.

Back in the 1990’s, the esteemed designer Dr. Michael Hurdzan feared that too many holes on too many courses were made not to be enjoyable and playable, but rather to look great in photographs. Golf architects were on a ‘quest,’ in other words, for what Hurdzan called ‘The Look.’ Some of the more upscale Connecticut courses built over the past twenty-five years have attained ‘The Look,’ without a doubt, but whether or not they are the best layouts remains a matter for debate.

Windham is truly a good-looking golf course, but it’s not of the sort that possesses ‘The Look.’ And that doesn’t faze me one iota. Today my friendly playing partner—Pete Haddad—and I had an engrossing conversation on why this course is so enjoyable to play. We were both in strong agreement about the challenges posed by these subtle and rolling greens, along with what’s around them. Mr. Haddad is a member here who has played the course since he was a youngster; he’s been around it for a long time and has always loved it. He knows every nook and cranny of the terrain, and helped me to discern how to play, in some cases, pitch shots and putts. And the man is an outstanding putter. We’re both impressed by the excellent conditioning, being especially good for late November. The pace of play today was nice, too: 3:45 for eighteen. I also happened to have an interesting conversation, while out on the patio, with the chef of the Windham’s restaurant—a very pleasant gentleman.

A final verdict: Reaffirming what I experienced in early September, this layout is first-rate, eminently playable, and interesting. It’s a Golden Age classic, and one of the ten best I’ve played across Connecticut.

When We got there even though We had all paid inboxed full they accused us of not have being paid up for the cart(even though it was included in the deal(They made me log in and prove it to them)..

Then they said I hadn't paid for the round..Total Jerks..Screw This Place Hard..Never coming back.

Plus the course sucked.

Horribly overpriced. I paid 2x more than other golfers just before my T time and those just after. $50 with no cart. Awful conditions. Trust me, you dont want to play there

Located in the Shetucket River Valley, less than a mile from the river itself and close to Eastern Connecticut State University, this Golden Age course (1922) features low rolling terrain and fairways primarily guarded by a good variety of mature trees, artfully culled from Connecticut forestland. Interestingly, Cornish’s reliable “The Golf Course” lists neither the course nor its apparently anonymous designer. Given the era and the look of this layout, its architect was very likely Scottish. Although the course definitely is rooted mostly in the American parkland tradition, its features are not inconsistent with those often employed by Ross or any number of Scottish designers from 1900-1930. In Connecticut, this is also a strong probability for courses like Farmingbury Hills or Harrisville, both less than an hour from here. Whatever the case may be, the designer was talented and used the landforms here to good advantage throughout this routing.

What I liked immediately about The Windham Club was its refreshingly unflashy look— even though the holes are impressive enough—and how it delivers the kinds of holes that most amateurs actually want to play. The course is pretty much absent of the theatrics or heroic style of a Dye or Trent Jones, and that is very much to its credit. Holes one through three, all relatively straightforward, are an appetizer for what is to come. Then begins a stretch of holes, continuing through the ninth, that ups the ante considerably. The fourth, a longish 5-par starting with a big dogleg left, travels downhill to a second stretch of beautifully rolling fairway. Big hitters may consider making it a two-shotter, while conservative players will likely opt for a short pitch on the third shot—from down in a swale beginning some 100 yards prior to the putting surface. The green complex is pitched and outfitted with flanking traps. The other great hole over this stretch, the par-four sixth, is played uphill, its landing zone set before a large ridge, rendering the approach shot blind. And the clever, short ninth features a slithering dogleg whose fairway is a mere 20 yards wide and leads to a green fronted by a gaping bunker.

Windham’s back nine tightens the screws further. Its first four holes were good but seemed to pose no major problems when I played them today. The thirteenth—an intricate, angular five-par—was the most interesting of the lot. A subtle shift in difficulty takes place on fourteen, a short but nearly perfect three-par on which you’ll need a solid tee shot to a pitched, very well guarded green. The final quartet of holes here builds continuous momentum, culminating in a great pair of finishers.

I found the seventeenth, which seems the centerpiece of Windham’s 2014 modifications, to be one fabulous golf hole. At first wide and even welcoming off the tee, this 550 yard par-five narrows considerably on the second shot. The landing area here is studded with a lone pot bunker. This is not the the world’s safest dogleg on which to be cutting the corner. Go a bit too far right and you’ll have to console yourself with at least having a challenge: playing out of deep underbrush. The hole culminates in a perched green set into the hillside and woods. Eighteen does not outdo the seventeenth (not much can), but this medium-length par four is still a great finisher. Two full-blooded shots are a must to reach the green.

Unsurprisingly, there are few water hazards at Windham, well in keeping with 1920’s-vintage courses. Only twelve and eighteen have ponds, both smallish and a bit tangential to the main action (they’re not all that threatening). Generally, the addition of prominent water hazards tends to ruin, I think, the classic layouts of this era. In other words, you can’t merge an Augusta National with a St. Andrews or a Troon—the resultant hybrid will feel too awkward.

I can’t say that this course needed little introduction, because my one and only prior visit here occurred in the distant past: the 1970’s, when I was a high school freshman. The course’s website, which features flyovers and an excellent description, well captures the essence of Windham’s strategic values, and its tendency to favor a precision—as opposed to a brute—playing style. Such a self-assessment goes one-up on most others I’ve read online.

But I walked away today feeling as if this layout will go toe-to-toe with nearly any golf course on a ‘Top Ten Connecticut Golf Course’ list. If you’re into vintage golf courses, I think Windham stacks up quite well against Donald Ross’ Shennecossett in Groton. There are no truly harrowing holes here like Ross’ third and fourth, but what I prefer here is the great flow, balance, and subtlety of a golf course that still feels every bit as shrewd and edgy as a Ross creation.

Other notes, comments, and opinions:
A) Outstanding conditioning ranks with the best golf courses I’ve played this year: well-kept fairways and smooth, speedy putting surfaces.
B) The Achilles heel here today, however, was very slow pace of play. Our foursome played eighteen in 4:45. This will not dissuade me from coming back here, but it put a dent in things. Granted, the course was crowded, but when will golf courses start using marshals REGULARLY to move along those foursomes apparently under the delusion that they’re playing the Masters?
C) Luckily I had three great, young playing partners today to keep things interesting. Chris, Megan, and Nick were all young professionals who have been playing golf for a couple of years; all three were capable and intense players. When chatting while we waited, we happened to discuss Florida golf—Orlando region. Chris and Nick recommend a trio of standouts they’ve played: Disney—Palm Course; Shingle Creek; and Celebration. Shingle Creek, said Nick, offered amazing service to complement the great golf.

1st time playing Windham Golf Club. Course layout is straight forward with generous tree lined fairways. Trees do a nice job framing the holes but don't come into play for well placed tee shots, so there isn't much trouble off the tee for straight hitters. Greens were moderate size. Fairways, rough, and greens were in good condition on most holes. Course maintenance needs to be improved to receive a higher rating, still many small tree branches scattered about in the rough 2 weeks after tropical storm Isaias, cart paths & tee boxes are in tough shape.

Hole 17 is a very poorly design hole IMO, a real head scratcher. A challenging hole but really poor design due to proximity to 16 green & 18 tee. A former par 4 made into a 5 starts with a tee box that is too close to the 16th green & has you hitting along the green & across a road to the fairway. The green is tucked behind the 18th tee box and not visible until your ~ 100 yards from it, a bunker in the layup area must be carried to have a clear line to the green for your 3rd, layups on the center/ right side of the fairway short of the trap will leave you with a choice to pitch forward ~ 40 yards or hit over the trees & 18th tee to reach the green.

Golfnow price was $16 for greens fees (walking) for a Wednesday morning tee time,

Walked 18 for 38$ .... even though it was advertised as 30 on the website and GolfNow.

Isaias just rolled through yesterday but they had not touched the course. Debris literally everywhere.

We played from the Blacks, and they alternate what Par a hole may be based on the tees you play from. ( just put them further away for gods sake )

Just not worth 38$ on a weekday afternoon. Greens were OK. Course not very well manicured outside of the debris either. Just disappointed probably won’t be back.

I booked a hot deal on a very hot day (mid 90’s). The course was pretty empty because of the heat so I breezed through it. It has a cool layout, some challenging holes, I liked it. I definitely will be playing here again.

Not a bad place to play .A bit of confusion on the first tee box but you shouldn't be in too big of a hurry playing on a Friday..Greens are in good condition and the fairways are a mixed bag.
Cart girl came around often and it is a nice place to take a pull cart and walk 18 .
Putting green is away from the clubhouse and the closing 3 holes are a good test..

Had a nice time playing this course yesterday. The greens are a little small but in very good condition.. some of the pin placement we're a bit strange they were on a steep slope so if you were putting downhill it was very hard to stop the ball unless they went in the hole..The par 3 range in difference from pitching wedge to 3 iron as they are 110 to 210 yards. The closing holes are not easy and 17 requires 3 good accurate shots to make the green..If you stay out of the rough you should have a good round..Would recommend anyone to play here.Cart girl came around often. Pace of play was a bit slow but to be expected on the weekend.

Played here today on a drizzly Friday. Course was in great shape overall. Greens were running a bit slow but true.For some reason hole 17 was not updated by GPS but other than that a great round overall.

Overall the course was good and well maintained but not sure if I’ll be back. I booked on golf now as a hot deal which stated cart included. The only reason I booked at that price was that it said the cart was included. When I get there the course charged me an extra $16 for the cart because it didn’t say it was included in the confirmation email. Definitely felt cheated out and surprised they didn’t give it for free when the same thing happened to the people before us.....