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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 | 72.1 | 135 |
| White | 72 | 5695 yards | 69.3 | 128 |
| Green | 72 | 4847 yards | 73.7 | 138 |
| 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 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
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Bar, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
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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
A challenging , but fun course to play
I've played Gillette Ridge a number of times now and thought the course conditions were at its best.
Good time!
Today was a great day.our score was a little high but we enjoyed our self cause everything about this course was great. The fairways and greens was keep In good conditions. I WOULD RECOMMEND TBID COURSE TO ALL MY FELLOW GOLFERS OJT TBERE.I PLAY EVERY WEEKEND AND THIS PLACE IS EADY THE BEST COIRSE OF THEM ALL. THE STAFF ARE REALLY FRIENDLY. I WOULD PLAY HERE SEVEN DSYS A WEEK IF I COJLD. THANKS GOLFNOW FOR THIS GREST EXPERINCE.
Early spring golf - can’t beat it
This place is difficult. Probably not the best idea for the first round of the year haha but man you can’t beat it for this time of year. Tee boxes / fairways / greens were in considerably good shape.
Only complaint is no carts. One of the longer walks on 18 you’ll have. Also no rental push carts. Also range is still closed, alright so a few complaints, but do love this place and it is one of my favorites.
Disappointed
It is winter golf but there no markers on the tee boxes. They had temporary greens . All temps were about 30-50 yards short of the actual putting green. And when I got there we were told to play front 9 twice. There are other courses that are using the original greens to put out the hole. Some courses have two holes on the green which is usually alternated by the golfers. If you are going to charge players to play you need to make a effort to keep the course as much operational as possible
My favorite public track in CT!
Great layout with a fun challenge and the green are always beautiful. One of my favorite courses.
Be wary of the sun
Love this course. It is a lot of fun. Greens were terrific, nice and fast. Fairways nice. Course always makes you think.
Tough to see the ball this time of year. If it goes out of play, don't expect to find it. Too many leaves.
As the sun sets, pace of play slows to a crawl. Expect a backup on the back nine as groups stack up. I feel you have a later tee time, consider getting there early- but don't always expect them to let you out...
Fun time, not the cheapest deal around, but very enjoyable course.
Friendly staff, great course, beautiful view
I just started picking up golf this year due to Covid and the closing of my regular gym. Chris, the starter guy who also runs the outside operations has been extremely helpful, encouraging, and considerate. With a big smile he greets everyone and always brings with him a positive attitude.
I have since got two of my friends joined this course as members under Chris encouragement. We all play here often and enjoy it very much. Thanks Chris.
Near pristine conditions
Very nice tract. Like a soft carpet from tee to green. Staff visible removing leaves. Other courses do not make the same effort, and good luck finding your ball if your not in the fairway..
a good time
the November weather was chilly and very windy. the course is in good shape they do a good job clearing the leaves off the fairways. the sand traps this time of year were like hitting off a cart path according to my friend. I would avoid the traps if i were you. the greens were OK. I found it disturbing that it appears most golfers DO NOT REPAIR FAIRWAY DIVOTS AND BALL MARKS ON THE GREEN on this course. A beautiful course like this the golfers should repair any damaged they cause if possible.
Great course
Next to Wintonburry Hills; this course us in immaculate condition: staff are very friendly. Finished my round in 4hrs exactly on a cold fall morning. Definitely coming back
Challenging. Good value, good condition
More challenging than most Palmer courses. Some lengthy forced carries, and the usual Palmer course green-side safety bailout areas not as apparent. But very rewarding to overcome the front-of-green obstacles (bunkers, mounds, collection areas) and look at a birdie putt. Need to be “on your game” to score well. But you can have a great time in any case. I’d play it again. Worth a trip if you haven’t played it.
Slloowwww
Slowest round I have ever played. Took a little over 5 1/2 hrs to get around. Just terrible for a Wednesday morning tee time. Other than that, the course got an excellent layout, and it's still in decent shape for this time of the year.
I recommend this course with a warning: make sure to give yourself plenty of time to play this course. It's going to take a long time.
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