Vibrant Hartford, Conn. has home to both Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. (Courtesy photo)

Destination Guide: Golf in Connecticut

Connecticut is New England's second smallest and southernmost state. Its 5,009 square miles (13,023 square kilometers) are bordered by New York State on the west, Rhode Island on the east, Massachusetts on the north and by Long Island sound on the south.

What is the climate in Connecticut?

New England has a reputation for a rugged climate, but Connecticut's weather is relatively mild. On average, there are just 12 days a year when the temperature goes above 90 degrees, and six days when it falls to zero or below. The growing season is fairly long, with the first killing frost generally in mid-October and the last in mid-April. Despite Connecticut's small size, there is some variety in climate, with temperatures in the northern hills as much as 10 degrees lower than those in the central valley year-round.

Peak season for golf is usually June to August, but golf courses in Connecticut are playable usually through October.

What is the topography of Connecticut?

The Connecticut River divides the state roughly in half. The coastal plain and central valley are relatively flat and contain most of the larger cities. Other parts of the state are hilly, with the highest altitudes in the northwest corner. The hills are largely covered with hardwood forests, and about two-thirds of the state is in open land.

How far from other east coast metropolis am I?

From Hartford here are the driving distances to some of the east's biggest cities:

New York City: 120 miles
Boston: 100 miles
Philadelphia: 215 miles
Atlantic City: 250 miles
Providence: 90 miles
Concord, N.H.: 150 miles

Where's my best bet to find something to do in Connecticut?

Tourism in Connecticut is a $4 billion-a-year business. Much of it based on the attraction of the state's 250-mile Long Island Sound shoreline, the rolling Litchfield Hills, and its unspoiled Connecticut River Valley.

With its wealth of open land, Connecticut's scenery is some of New England's most beautiful. Its many of Colonial villages are filled with historic homes and landmarks. Dozens of golf courses are open to the public; boating, fishing and swimming opportunities are everywhere.

Among the most popular individual attractions are Mystic Seaport and nearby Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Lake Compounce in Bristol; Gillette Castle in Hadlyme; Valley Railroad in Essex; Branford Trolley Museum in East Haven; Connecticut river cruise ships; and the homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe in Hartford.

What's there to do along the coastline?

New Haven is a hotspot for a weekend getaway for east coast residents. Seventeen of the city's 21 miles are designated parks, one of the reasons New Haven draws so many visitors from the nearby concrete jungles. New Haven has one public course, Alling Memorial Golf Course.

Is it true there's gambling in Connecticut?

The world's largest casino isn't in Vegas, it's in Connecticut. Open for since 1992, Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard is home to the biggest casino known to man, as well as Foxwoods Golf and Country Club, a par-70, 6,004 yard course located a few minutes from the Resort in Richmond, Rhode Island.

When do the pros play golf in Connecticut?

The TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell has hosted the PGA Tour's Buick Classic, known previously as the Canon Greater Hartford Open. River Highlands, however, is a private TPC course, and used to be named Edgewood Country Club when it was built in 1928, until Pete Dye, along with a host of other architects restored the club to what it is today.

Where can I find phone numbers, locations and other information on all Connecticut golf courses?

WorldGolf.com provides a comprehensive guide to golf courses in Connecticut.

Connecticut transportation

Often called the Gateway to New England, Greater Hartford sits at the crossroads of I-91 and I-84. It's also midway between New York and Boston, only 100 miles from each city. This puts more than 23 million people within a 2 1/2 hour drive of Greater Hartford, via I-91, I-95, I-84 and I-90.

10 minutes from downtown Hartford, Bradley International Airport services 19 commercial carriers. Nearly 300 national and international flights daily, including same plane service to and from 75 U.S. and Canadian cities, make Bradley International the hassle-free alternative to other Northeast airports.

Union Station in downtown Hartford provides scheduled AMTRAK service. Nonstop bus transportation to every major Northeast city also runs regularly to and from Union Station.

July 7, 2004