Gillette Ridge

First off, be prepared for a mix up in the pro shop if you book on Golf Now, they seem to be having some problems figuring out that they have been paid. They were very friendly dealing with the issue.

Starters & Cart Runners didn't have a clue. Thankfully the players all seemed to pair up. Starters were sending out 2-somes after 2-somes, then wanted me to go as a single? Made a great 4-some with others on the first tee. 5:15 pace needs help... on a Thursday afternoon!

The course is getting back into good shape. I'd imagine the miss management of the past and the 2 years shut down hurt the conditions. They seem to be making a real effort to building a fine course once again.

If you find a good deal on GN, give it a try, it's worth it. Full rate, I'm not sure about that yet.

I showed up at the course and was early for my time. I went inside and asked if I could go out early being a single. They said I was paired with two other players and I would have to wait for them. No problem!!! Except the other players didn't show up. I was left at the first tee for 45min. with no word from the starter as too when I could go out and play. After 45min of sitting around. Someone who I think worked in the golf shop came up to me and said they would check if I could go off the back. After ten more minutes he came back and told me I could jump around the back nine. I didn't pay to jump around!! I payed to play 18 holes of golf. They were nice people and all, But to treat someone like they did is just RUDE. I will not recommend this course to my golf group after what happened. I will make a point to tell as many people of this experience as I can. Maybe it will force the course to recognize all paying customers the same.

Two years ago Gillette Ridge closed due to mismanagement. Just this week it became fully open and is better than ever as a new management team has rejuvenated this once, great course. The fairways are lush (in spite of the drought the state is experiencing) the greens smooth and true, the sand traps full and fluffy. A lot of the rough has been trimmed back and workers were on the course cutting back even more. Trees are being trimmed or cut down, cart paths repaired and broken down cart path bridges replaced. They’ve even moved the tee sets up to a more realistic distance for the average golfer, whereas in the past they were back too far making the course very difficult. Now it is more playable and enjoyable. They’ve also charging very reasonable rates, especially for seniors and juniors. Eighteen holes weekdays (with a cart) is $35 for seniors, $20 for juniors. I highly recommend this course and please think about playing it soon before the word gets out how good it is.

The course closed at the end of 2014, stayed that way throughout 2015, but is scheduled to re-open in 2016 according to newspaper reports.

If anyone has any updated information, kindly share it with the golfing public.

I set a t-time through Gol;fnow.com at 11:40 and was playing at 12:10pm. Being late in the year the course was in pretty good shape. I think I got out for the last time this year !!!

I have been to this track several times and every time I wonder why I came back. The course is in horrible condition and is not well maintained in any way, shape or form. The greens are always a mess and there is more duck dung on the course than you could possibly fathom. Save yourself the pain and go elsewhere.

I love playing this course but don't even think about trying to play out of any of the traps as they have no sand in any of them.

This course has come back considerably from two years ago.

I witness this course being built on the grounds of Cigna Insurance. I believed it was going to be a top notch facility. For the greens fee and its association with Cigna (although I know Cigna has nothing to do with the course!)I expected a top notch facility. Was I wrong. The traps were all hard packed...the greens were horrible with 4 different shades of grass...looks like it wasn't maintained...leaves were all over the fairways and greens....did not see one maintenance person or moving machine...rest rooms were in a great building at the turn, but were out of order! I have played only a few courses in the greater Hartford area and rank this one as the lowest. Looks like they're having financial problems from the condition of the facility.

Having played this course previously several times, it was a different and more laid back atmosphere. There was no starter or ranger visible nor anyone loading clubs or taking them off the carts. Course was in better shape than what I had heard.
I heard the course was closing which would be a shame.

Overall, we were very impressed by this course. The course is cut into the natural landscape and offers some of the most challenging and beautiful holes in New England. Many holes have forced carries where you must land your ball on the fly or pay a price. Lies are often uneven due to undulating terrain further challenging the player. Overall, the course is expertly maintained with one major exception - the bunkers! Virtually all bunkers have apparently been abandoned of any upkeep, often devoid of sand and chock full of weeds and mud. This could be due to financial woes facing GR, but if you can avoid these pits, there is much to enjoy. Grab a tee time on Golf Now or enroll in Golf New England for best value. Good luck with that approach shot and stay below the hole.

COURSE PLAYS OUT VERY NICE TILL U SEE A SAND TRAP THE SAND TRAPS NEED A LOT OF WORK OTHERWISE COURSE WAS NICE. SAND TRAPS EXTREMELY HARD DIRT DONT APPEAR TO BE RAKED MUCH WOULD BE NICE WITH SOME BETTER GRADE OF SAND

The course was enjoyable but work is needed in some areas including the bunkers.

I was stunned but the expansive layout of this course. Frankly, I was almost speechless and thrilled to be there. Fortunately, I was with a golf professional who knew the course and it's "intimacies" which are too numerous to mention. Were he not guiding me with excellent and precise advise, I would still be there wandering around talking to myself. For example, I butchered the front, putting a 9 down on the 5th hole which is only 283 yds long featuring a critical drive and very precise approach shot which I failed to produce till my 3rd ball. With only 1 par on the front I was rattled after 9 however, I am thrilled to announce that with my trusty navigator and the help of a beer at the turn, I produced 5 pars on the turn and a 41 for the back for which I am so proud to have calmed down and not given in to my disappointing front. I cannot wait to return to that truly magnificent course which has a extraordinary and grand maturity especially for a public course. NOW FOR THE SAD NEWS...I know it's near the end of a long golf season however, it appears to me that management (MDM Golf Enterprises), has not been putting any money back into the course and basically sucking it dry of income and I say this from observing what I can only describe as completely neglected traps (which are huge and numerous), and multiple tee boxes which are in very poor condition. I do know that the turf bottles on both carts were empty when we teed off which is evidence of their neglect. I fell in love with this course yesterday and can't wait to return some day and find it cared for with the love it was designed with by Arnold Palmer G C Design.

Beautiful course. Holes 11, 16, 17 and 18 very challenging. Condition was very good except for the bunkers. Bunkers need work.

Greens and tee boxes were not in very good shape. I realize its near the end of the season, but other courses are in much better shape.

I had heard that the bunkers were not in good shape but that is an understatement. There is not one grain of sand in any of the bunkers - they are all dirt and in some cases mud puddles. Other than that, the course is not in horrible shape. The fairways are okay, the tee boxes are fair, the rough is okay, the cart paths are in fair condition for their age (I think it's like 10 years?). Could use some yardage markers - how difficult would it be to put a red stake at 100 yards? The only other complaint is the gas carts - noisy and no gps. So without good yardage markers on the course and no gps, many shots are a guess. Maybe they figure everyone has a range finders? But be sure to bring one if you play.

The course is difficult as they do not have enough yardage signs. Also, the greens aren't in the best shape. I liked the layout as you have to know where to place each of your shots.

But it was worth it. Played from the blues and it played all of the yardage. Challenging.

Love this course. Hard, challenging, long, many par 5's, beautiful layout. Usually quiet due to people not wanting to take up the challenge. No one fixes their ball marks which is unfortunate, but overall def 1 of my top 5 courses ever played...