Yale Golf Course

Yale truly is unique - a very abused word. There is _nothing_ like this. Built and opened pre-depression on land owned by one of the world's most prestigious Universities, two courses were originally planned but just the one was built. It has gone through various iterations but currently it has just emerged from a two-year restoration by Hanse-Wagner. Serious damage was done by time, arguably Roger Rulewich and a mid 1950's superintendent with a brand new bulldozer.

I have maybe a half-dozen plays of this course starting when I could walk and carry my bag, so pre-1999 for certain. On a day that felt more South Carolina low country than mid summer Connecticut, I was able to ride with the senior $100 discount - still a substantial $250 USD, but this gem of architectural history is worth it even in the current sub-optimal conditions.

Conditions: Greens are new with healthy but early coverage nearing a full 100% and very consistent. Restoration of width, green sizes, reduction of tree density will all improve even further the wonderful opening one now sees. Fairways are very sketchy, access roads are eyesores (#4 tee view over lake) tree density and topography show more impact on second nine. I would call the conditioning playable by winter rules.

Many long views are present on the first nine, the width, bunker expansions and especially green recovery is evident right form the first tee.Bunker scales on the first nine are as big as one will ever see - bunkers - not waste areas - however thy are often far too large to allow playability by the less skilled. This is however always a problem with world-class architecture and this course defines that term.

Hole 3 has a complete restoration of the double punchbowl green, hole 6 has a lovely return of the entire left side and holes 10 and 12 are spectacular eccentricities in the rarified world of uphill play holes.

The tightness of the forests, glacial dumps and exposed shields have continued to present a more constrained second nine. The greens are expanded as are the fairways. The extreme architecture (Especially for Mcd, Banks and Raynor) tames after the Redan 14th although the lovely Principals Nose is evident from the side rather than the line of play on #17 and #18 is unique to the world as ever.

This golf course is an education on architecture with elements of NGLA, Shoreacres and Chicago Golf Club - places most will never have the privilege of playing.

One hopes maintenance will allow turf to equal architecture but to my eye much more work is necesssary given the decision to make the course as big as it is.

So-called template holes abound. Biarritz, Eden, Redan and Short - the Four Aces of template Par 3's being beautifully presented. The Redan has not the slopes one would wish especially given that the length is rather stout. The others are fabulous.

Par 5's are just two the uninspired #16 - Long and #18 - Home - the most uphill vertical Par 5 anywhere.

Par 4 third is called Blind but is an Alps-Punchbowl combo also done at Fisher's Island. There is an Alps (a victim of the 1955 Bulldozer)at 12.

Par 4 Road (4) lacks proper green shape, hazards and nominal Bunker but it is still a superior hole. Cape, one of the most misunderstood set of features lacks some ferocity at some edges and is an extremely large green a bit defeating of the purpose of Cape. Knoll (14) is an excellent example.

18 alone is worth the price of admission, but overall Yale is quite the charmer.

Hailed as the top-ranked collegiate golf course in America, Yale GC is about to close in September for two years and undergo a renovation to restore this Raynor back to its 1920s splendor.

This place is big on scale and short on artificiality. Like other great courses of this era, minimal dirt was moved, as the holes relied instead on emerging from the hilly, granite land organically.

All the template holes are here, albeit with some variation aesthetically from the originals, as you’d expect from a Raynor. But that is not the lasting impression. Instead, it was thinking about what you’re asked to execute and the dire consequences for not doing so. Brawny bunkers and grass swales are benched into many greens, making missing on one side a fatal blow to a scorecard. And it’s not enough to tick off a green hit in regulation. The putting surfaces here are massive, and the internal movement within them are something you rarely see replicated any longer.

Finally, I couldn’t have felt more welcomed. Peter Palacios, the general manager and general do-it-all, could not have been more hospitable.

I would very much like to return when the course re-opens in 2025 to see how they have made an incredible place even more desirable.

Yale is the kind of golf course that has to be seen to be believed. As you pull up to the course, the size of the place is a bit overwhelming. The pro shop is somewhat modest in size, but perhaps that will change will upcoming renovations. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, especially the GM, Peter who made a couple of random out-of-towners feel like important guests. The course layout is special, and extremely interesting. There are elevation changes, forced carries, blind shots, undulating greens, it has it all. Yale is shutting down in the fall of 2023, and will remain closed for 2 years while they put $30 million into the place, including a renovation by Gil Hanse. Cannot wait to see it again in a few years.

This is an absolute gem. Classic layout from a trio of legendary 1920s golden age architects. Every hole is memorable. The terrain is fantastic. Definitely a lot of blind shots but having a yardage book made it a very reasonable play - not unfair for a first timer.

That said, the conditions aren't amazing. I played it in late August which is prime season for crab grass and dying greens. There were some patches of green in bad shape. The fairways were pretty good. The rough was iffy - some dead patches, some way too thick with recently cut grass covering the ball. The sand traps are in good shape, but the sand was baked out and hard as a rock.

But what an amazing layout and terrain. The greens are so interesting. The greens ran a little slow today, but were still very challenging. I'm definitely coming back in late September or October when the grass is up and growing again, and I'll be back many many more times.

Those who give this course a negative review really don't understand what makes a golf course memorable, challenging, and a work of art. Sure it can be rough around the edges but you have to see through that and look at the great angles, the strategy, etc, that makes this place great.

With all the great comments on line about the Yale Golf Course, I had to give it a try. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! The fairways were all patchy and poorly maintained, the green were running at a 5 on the stimp (and that's being generous!) and I was unimpressed with the layout. Way too many blind shots (both tee and approach).

The guy who they paired me up with told me the reason the course was in such bad shape was because all the staff are union and the course can't afford to pay $35/hour to keep the course maintained (I can't confirm that's true or not).

PS - The guy in the pro shop gave me a discount for the round ($100 instead of $135) but I've played much nicer munis for $25. DISAPPOINTING!

Let me first say this is one of my favorite layouts ever. Have been playing it here and there for over 30 years. I enjoy all 18 holes. The 18th is unlike anything you've ever see, which is 1 reason I love it. The halfway house staff was fantastic; however pro shop and starter seemed less than enthusiastic. I rated value as 4 primarily because the conditions are awful. This gem of a layout needs serious TLC. The 10th fairway is almost unplayable. I realize Yale U is in the business of education but this has the "bones" to be so much better. I also realize this has been a tough season but I've seen many other private and public courses in the area come through so much better. The locker room could use a little attention; not a major makeover. Practice facilities are pretty good.

In my opinion this is the best course in CT. Better than your private courses or tour tracks. A member once told me it is 17 great holes of golf followed by #18 and he was right. #18 will keep you perplexed for years. People tell me the smart play is to hit three 5 irons but I can't play it that way either. Another member told me they ran out of dynamite and that's why 18 is the way it is. Whatever, you will enjoy this course and wonder how to play it under all the conditions that New England can throw at you. Each hole is a delight, bunkering on #1 great, #2 stay to the right, #3 just a great tee shot with a blind 2nd, #4 is a beast, #5 and #9 spectacular par 3s. The back is just as good. You will remember every hole which to me is the test of a great golf course. The food and people after the round at Widdie's is also great.Do what you can to play this course and if you figure out #18 let us know with a post!

Having played Fishers Island a couple times, I have become a big fan of Seth Raynor designed golf courses. Yale has always been on my to-do list, and a recent trip to Boston gave me the chance to play.

Overall, it was a great day and I really enjoyed the golf course. The 9th hole (Biarritz) is the most famous hole on the course. Unfortunately, the flag was on the front portion of the green and I hit my tee shot into the bottom of the swale and three putted. I love the old-school greens. Course knowledge is very helpful as there are numerous blind second shots (e.g., 10th, 12th, 18th). I wish I would have known about the split fairway when hitting my second shot on 18 (I wound up in the rough between the two fairways in a terrible lie.)

I highly recommend the course, especially those that like Golden Age designs and are a fan of Seth Raynor/C.B. Macdonald.