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Gillette Ridge
Rating Snapshot
About
Gillette Ridge Golf Club in Bloomfield, just outside of Hartford, is an Arnold Palmer Signature course. It is one of the toughest rounds in all of New England. The course sprawls across a beautiful landscape covered with natural wetlands and forests of towering maples, oaks, and elm trees. There are strategically placed bunkers in addition to the natural challenges but they are not excessive. The wetlands come into play on almost half of the holes at Gillette Ridge Golf Club. The approaches to the greens are seemingly intimidating but as long as you don't hit short there is always bailout area on one side. Since each hole presents a unique challenge, there is not just one signature hole, but one of the most memorable holes is the par-5 second, a true risk-reward test that requires both length and accuracy.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 7191 yards | 74.5 | 140 |
| Blue | 72 | 6569 yards | 71.3 | 133 |
| Blue/White | 72 | 6047 yards | 68.9 | 128 |
| White | 72 | 5695 yards | 67.3 | 123 |
| Green | 72 | 4847 yards | 69.8 | 130 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 74.5/140 | 426 | 505 | 431 | 182 | 364 | 387 | 612 | 187 | 447 | 3541 | 430 | 214 | 609 | 294 | 430 | 187 | 431 | 577 | 478 | 3650 | 7191 |
| Blue M: 71.3/133 | 379 | 500 | 380 | 168 | 325 | 359 | 556 | 159 | 424 | 3250 | 407 | 186 | 567 | 273 | 397 | 173 | 409 | 502 | 405 | 3319 | 6569 |
| Blue/White M: 68.9/128 | 311 | 500 | 299 | 148 | 325 | 359 | 481 | 146 | 389 | 2958 | 407 | 136 | 567 | 273 | 326 | 147 | 383 | 502 | 348 | 3089 | 6047 |
| White M: 67.3/123 W: 74.6/138 | 311 | 480 | 299 | 148 | 283 | 316 | 481 | 146 | 389 | 2853 | 306 | 136 | 474 | 242 | 326 | 147 | 383 | 480 | 348 | 2842 | 5695 |
| Green M: 63.5/113 W: 69.8/130 | 298 | 404 | 241 | 117 | 254 | 253 | 426 | 123 | 338 | 2454 | 234 | 119 | 394 | 215 | 225 | 124 | 345 | 436 | 301 | 2393 | 4847 |
| Handicap | 18 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 16 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
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Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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I just want to play Photo submitted by Jamesbrianlow on 10/27/2025
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Golf is life Photo submitted by Jamesbrianlow on 10/27/2025
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Photo submitted by u000005787699 on 08/23/2023
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Photo submitted by u000005787699 on 08/23/2023
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Photo submitted by u1732467322 on 05/12/2023
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The sixth, 173, 3-par: The long slender green, obliquely set to the tee, is a common feature at Gillette. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/28/2021
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The ninth green: par 4, 405, but the blues were set at 440 today. A murderously tough golf hole. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/28/2021
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Eleven: par 5, 500. Another strong driving hole, with the Heublein Tower as part of the backdrop. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/28/2021
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Eleven again, at its well-defended green. My playing partners prepare to putt. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/28/2021
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16: One of my playing partners, a scratch golfer and club member, praised the quality of the three finishing holes; this is the first of them. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/28/2021
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The 424-yard 18th, a sound tee-to-green test, finishes the exam well. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/28/2021
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Photo submitted by Mldtina1 on 05/31/2021
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Photo submitted by u000008034144 on 11/10/2020
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Photo submitted by psppete on 10/21/2020
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Photo submitted by psppete on 10/21/2020
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Photo submitted by psppete on 10/21/2020
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Photo submitted by u241990994 on 07/29/2019
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Gillette Ridge Golf Club, hole 3 (former 12) Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 07/13/2018
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Gillette Ridge Golf Club, hole 14 (former 5) Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 07/13/2018
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A welcome sight: kids and locals of all ages pack the range at Gillette Ridge on a June Tuesday evening. Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 07/13/2018
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Gillette Ridge's drivable par-4 13th is an excellent hole. Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 11/08/2017
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The 16th green at Gillette Ridge shows the course is consciously shrinking the putting surfaces, presumably for ease of maintenance. I wish they wouldn't do this - it makes an already hard course even tougher and will slow pace of play. Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 11/08/2017
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The quirky 17th green at Gillette Ridge juts out over a stone bridge. Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 11/08/2017
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Gillette Ridge's closing hole is a fair but seriously tough long par four. Photo submitted by TimGavrichGP on 11/08/2017
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Photo submitted by Bullguy on 09/01/2017
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"Really"? Photo submitted by jfeliciano103 on 06/11/2014
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Photo submitted by u000005387859 on 04/30/2013
As long as you don’t have plans after your round…
Love the course, it’s so much fun to play target golf around there and test your game. However all three weekday rounds I’ve played this year have been either 6 hours or on pace for 6 hours after needing to leave after 9 holes.
I get that weekend play is tough to get in within 6 hours this anywhere these days, but weekdays too? Raise the price by 5 bucks a round and hire a ranger to move people along. Mr. Palmer would not be pleased with the reputation that this beauty is receiving. Other members of my group said the same thing and the overall consensus is there are definitely other places around that you can play a full 18 in 5 hours or less on a weekday.
So sad, but the overall 2 stars is deserving and would be a 1 if not for the exceptional staff who didn’t have any problem issuing a rain check after making the turn in 3 hours and 15 minutes
Gillette
Course was in nice shape. Marshall could have pushed pace in front.
Awesome
The course was in great condition. 3 and a half hour round on a Saturday dosen't get better than that definitely will be going back
Good condition and challenging course
Challenging layout. Can't just hit driver on every par 4&5. Fun course that challenges your skill on all levels.
Range a bit pricy, you have to walk up to the pro shop to get your cart key then walk back to your cart. Oththan those two minor issue, the staff was professional and the course was in fantastic shape. With the ongoing drought conditions the course was plush, green and well maintained, greens ran well and were very receptive, will return soon.
A Challenging and Beautiful Test
This was my first time playing Gillette Ridge and I'm quite upset with myself for taking this long to play it because it's a fantastic course and a great challenge. Course knowledge is key here, as there's a lot of blind shots, and shots that require you to carry penalty areas. Considering how hot and dry it's been in CT, the fairways and greens were soft, green and in great shape. My only course complaint is there is a bunker on the front 9 (soon to be back 9) that is short of the green (in front) that has no sand and is overgrown. Hopefully there's a plan there, because it really doesn't match the rest of the course.
My only other complaint is about the off-course amenities as the restaurant is closed on the weekend and would have loved to get a post-round bite to eat on site, but really, I'm here for golf and doesn't change my experience.
I can't wait to play here again.
Course conditions have made tremendous improvements since last time I played. Greens were always pretty good but nowTees and fairways are top shelf. could use a little more sand in the bunkers but otherwise the best I've played this year
Excellent
Course was in great condition, played 18 in 4 hrs
I'll be back
First time on this track. Fantastic price frim GN. Interesting course, loved the meandering layout.
The course was nicely manicured, and the greens superb except one thing - l must have repaired mine plus 50 other ballmarks on the greens. Divot tools should be mandatory!
That said, the greens were otherwise superb, rolled true and were full of subtle and not so subtle contours. Not many straight putts, but with the right line and the right speed...
Play from the correct tees though. The white tees are too short, if you drive a ball 250 yds or more. The black tees on the other hand stretch to about 7200 yds so you'll think you're at Bethpage.
Fantastic course was just as advertised. I have been waiting to be this course and it did not disappoint. Couse was in great shape and was very challenging, but the experience was enjoyable. This course should be a must play for all CT golfers.
Tough track
This is a nice course but it is very difficult. If you are not at least a bogey golfer stay away. You will lose balls and not enjoy. If you can hit it well, challenging and fun
