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
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Locker RoomsReviews
Reviewer Photos
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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
9 holes 3 hrs
Love the Place, cart guys are rude. Paired up with talkers. Conversation is 1 thing, but finishing convo, then hitting ball. No thanks. Never got to finish 9 holes
Always Hits
This course is tough.. playing from whites and then blues. Almost makes it a totally new course. It dares you to go driver. High risk.. high reward. Have to play smart shots or you can get into big trouble. Fairways were in great shape. Rolled smooth greens. All in all I love playing this course. Feel it's a little over priced. But it's very good. Would love to see it a little cheaper. But in a pinch. Love playing the ridge
Rob Mullins
The course is in excellent shape, and the pro shop personnel and the starter are top notch. I especially appreciate the discount offered to former military. The only reason for the 3 star rating on amenities is because the restaurant wasn't open on the 4th, but I've previously enjoyed the food and friendly waitstaff.
Great public course and I highly recommend it!
Nice course going downhill
This was a great Arnold Palmer course when I first played it in 2021. And since then I played it every year when I visited Hartford. This time around the course has gone noticeably downhill. All the tee boxes are ripped, the bunkers are not being maintained and the fairways are covered with unrepaired divots. The only positive is that they have greatly lowered their price accordingly so can’t complaint too much. But it is sad to see such a nice property turning into a bad one.
Challenging
Course is in wonderful shape. If you want to challenge your skills go here. Humbles the average golfer
Beast of a course
Awesome fun course. Played from the blacks and walked. Will definitely play here again.
Very challenging
Too many holes have water or difficult hazards to carry. I lost 5 balls.
Beautiful course
We were in the area for a family party and found this course on GolfNow. Beautiful layout, tough by playable. In great shape. Full service half way house. Would definitely play again.
Great after work round and unbeatable price .
Had fun revisiting an old treasure for $27. Played after work and was excited to get out. Went off 1 as a single and immediately stared waiting and had a foursome right behind me. Not sure if sending me off early behind a league or something was a benefit or curse as it made for a very slow front 9 (like 5 minutes of waiting between shots).
All that said, course was in great shape and fun to play. Greens were recently punched though still fine. The wind was high which made some holes even tougher from the Blues. Got to the back and flew through 6 and two Gents let me play through on the last 2 holes to get in 18.
Highly recommend, would play in at least a 2some if post work, and watch out for the MAMA Bear and cubs on Hole 7……they strolled across the fairway as I waited for the group in front of me to tee off.
Thx GR for hosting.
Road trip
We were visiting from NJ and found this course. Nice layout in great shape. Good pace of play, friendly staff. Greens were recently aerated for an upcoming junior tournament but that has to be done from time to time. I would definitely recommend this course.
Back nine being aerated
Should have been told by golf now back was closed cause of aeration
Tough lay out
Dares you to hit driver. Nice greens. Rolling nice. Fairways cut nice. And 44 dollars for 18 and a cart. Great value all around. Will be back
Best value
One of the most challenging courses around. Absolutely offers the best deals of any courses in the state. Friendly staff and good restaurant. Can’t go wrong.
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