Gillette Ridge
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
Rentals/Services
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Food & Beverage
Bar, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Locker RoomsReviews
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
Great members
I had such a great night golfing. I booked the round for 1 and was paired with 2 friends that golfed there frequently. They made the night! I would go back there just to golf with them.
The course was lovely and the night was perfect.
There was a problem with the booking. I booked for 5:56 and they changed it to 6:04, but when I got there they had eliminated me. They didn't tell me, but I saw on the ticket it stated 6:36 start time. I didn't think I'd get 9 holes in. The young people at the registers did not know what to do, so they sent me out to the starter, who thought I should go back and ask them. But then he solved the problem and I started right away.
Great cource! Great shape! Great atmosphere and staff! I only hope they go back to the original layout they flipped the 9holes. The original 16,17,18 were excellent finishing holes!
Know this before playing
The course is in very good shape considering the amount of play it gets. It's usually pretty crowded in the evening so 9 holes will take more than 2 hours. It is an interesting course with lots of water.
The biggest problem is the walkers/runners on the course. Because there are multiple housing units on both the front and the back, it is not unusual to have a walker come over a hill while you are teeing off, or even a jogger come up behind you in the middle of a swing. They usually stay on the cart path but it is very distracting. While there are a few signs saying the course and cart paths are restricted to golfers only, the course management has no intention of controlling this.
Course was great
Course was in great shape. Staff was friendly and helpful. Great experience.
Nice track!!
I’ve Played several times here before. Got in on a hot deal!! Course was in nice shape this time of year. Greens were rolling well. Will definitely be back to play again soon.
Nice course
This was my first time playing at this course. Fairway are nice greens were quick. Great course lots of fun
Getting better
This course continues to improve. Definitely recommend to a better player.
The greens were still recovering from being aerated recently, but otherwise the course is in good shape for this time of year.
It’s a good test with some interesting holes. Some approach shots are very challenging, so be prepared to score a little higher than your handicap.
Looking forward to playing it again.
Tough public course in great shape.
The course was in amazing shape for being early spring and after a lot rain. The course is certainly challenging and has really turned around under new management. Bring an extra sleeve of balls with you.
Early Spring round on the first decent weather day we have had. Gillette Ridge was packed and the pace of play was pretty dismal. Just over 5 hours for 18. Everybody was rusty and there were pins set like it was the Master. How about near the middle of the green for a couple weeks! It also slows down when egos get in the way. Watched the group in front of us hit it 180 off the Blue Tees all day so you get the drift. If everyone played the correct tees it would have maybe been a little better. Hard for someone from the course to tell a group to move up....shouldn't be, but it was hard to watch. Course was in decent shape for early season.
Good to be back.
I hadn't played this course for over a year as it was suffering from poor maintenance. I had heard that they have since worked on it to get it back to where it was a few years ago so I decided to give it a try again (a good price from Golf Now made the decision easy). I'm happy to report that conditions have improved and I would recommend the course to others. Note that many believe this course falls under the "extremely challenging" category - and it does if you insist on playing from the "tips". If you play the white tees and you become familiar with the layout, the course is "getable" however there are big scores lurking on many holes if you're not on your game - our foursome had an enjoyable experience (despite not all of us bringing our "A Game"). Also note - "Happy Hour" pricing in the bar would be welcome. I'll be back.
Gillette ridge
This course has come a long way since I played here 6 or 7 years ago. Pretty tough course but fair. Nice interesting layout. Fairways are in great condition, nice sand in the bunkers, nice level tee boxes. The greens had been punched 3 weeks before we played so they were still bumpy and sandy but still rolled decent and will be nice come spring. Got a good deal on golf now paid $39 but there regular rate is around $70 which I believe is a bit much. Every bit of a $55 course but not $70.
Winter Golf in CT.
Course was in Great Shape for the time of year. Had a wonderful late Fall round of golf. Weather helped out with a high of 44.
Yes It's Back
You can feel safe going to the "Ridge" again. This is not a waste of $. The holes are still extremely difficult but the horrendous conditions are gone. There are still some problem areas but the greens are back and the bunkers at least have sand. Some of the holes just need work. The design never really worked and people just found it too much of a mess. Hole #2 still has a ridiculously hard approach to a green that has no bail out area with a cliff on one side and water on the other three. #5 is a mess, the bunker on the back hill was removed but the hole needed it even though the shot was hard to get out of it on to the green. The back nine also has some holes that will perplex you and make you say what were they thinking, especially 17 and 18. Nonetheless it will make you think and work hard for a good score. Give it another chance.
Gillette Ridge is Back!!!
Finally got out to play Gillette Ridge last month for the first time since the reopen... Just have to say how happy i am that this course is back and in great condition once again! One of my favorite layouts of all time, almost every hole is memorable. The course was in fantastic shape and the staff was superb. I will definitely be visiting again!!
This is agreat course. Challenging interesting
Hi great course. Challenging and interesting. In really good shape. If we hadn't picked such a cold and windy day it would have been perfect.
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