Fishers Island Golf & Country Club

Stunning; Old World, firm, fast, big, engaging, compelling, with every hole brushing up against Long Island Sound and all that the sea entails for golf.

A pure, classic, Scottish-style links course on an island in Long Island Sound just offshore from the Connecticut/Rhode Island border. Fabulous course! Enjoyed the straightforward easy 1st hole to warm up on but by the 4th hole, called "Punchbowl," my brain was already frazzled. The pressure and difficulty seems to increase on every hole. One great hole after another with few exceptions. Punchbowl has to be one of the 18 best holes in America; a par 4 with a blind 2nd shot that looks like you're hitting over a hill into the ocean. The holes are basically adapted re-creations of great links holes and they all have names. Not a long course but the wind makes up for the lack of length. Played in 40 mph winds the first day from the tips and the course was virtually unmanageable. I think the pro said that they have to be careful about the speed on the greens because the winds whipping in off the ocean can cause balls to roll off the greens; and they can roll a long ways! The course is surprisingly hilly. I don't think they water most of the fairways or at least not much in true links style so the course can look a bit brown as designed. It can be a challenge to keep the ball in the firm fairways. Most of the holes seem to be on the ocean or have spectacular ocean views. Just a great, great course but it really needs a good breeze to bring it to life and show its teeth. For those that prefer manicured, wind-free parkland courses this might not be your cup of tea. But for links aficionado's this is as good as it gets in the States. Fishers has to be one of the greatest course in America. Well worth playing if you can get on. It's also one of the most exclusive, least publicized courses in America which is the way the old money barons of Wall Street membership apparently want to keep it What a fabulous course! A real treat to play!