Player at Lyman Orchards Golf Club
About
Lyman Orchards is a popular Connecticut destination most known for the nearly 100 varieties of pick-your-own fruit but it also offers two championship 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole course. One of the longer courses was designed by Gary Player and the other by Robert Trent Jones. Lyman Orchards' Player Course is a seemingly mild 6,600 yards from the tips but don't let the yardage fool you, this layout is a tough but fair test. There are over 30 bunkers strategically placed along the small greens and deciduous trees and beautiful white pines line the fairways. Routed through the orchards across gently rolling hills, the golf course is as scenic as it is challenging. The terrain provides the course with plenty of ups and downs, as well as great views, especially on the 11th and 13th holes.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 71 | 6725 yards | 72.7 | 133 |
| Blue | 71 | 6325 yards | 71.0 | 130 |
| White | 71 | 5890 yards | 68.9 | 129 |
| Red (W) | 71 | 4900 yards | 68.3 | 113 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 72.8/134 | 404 | 373 | 380 | 190 | 397 | 351 | 223 | 584 | 381 | 3283 | 383 | 211 | 426 | 210 | 502 | 357 | 187 | 520 | 567 | 3363 | 6646 |
| Blue M: 69.7/129 | 370 | 364 | 336 | 175 | 345 | 341 | 186 | 567 | 358 | 3042 | 344 | 185 | 415 | 176 | 474 | 317 | 155 | 498 | 509 | 3073 | 6115 |
| White M: 67.9/121 W: 72.9/123 | 349 | 332 | 324 | 153 | 307 | 315 | 174 | 455 | 343 | 2752 | 303 | 166 | 395 | 146 | 455 | 299 | 142 | 484 | 491 | 2881 | 5633 |
| Gold M: 63.6/110 W: 67.6/112 | 290 | 291 | 200 | 135 | 261 | 301 | 141 | 378 | 258 | 2255 | 244 | 135 | 302 | 141 | 409 | 253 | 116 | 422 | 421 | 2443 | 4698 |
| Red M: 60.8/100 W: 62.0/106 | 244 | 244 | 196 | 112 | 224 | 207 | 110 | 305 | 240 | 1882 | 175 | 121 | 230 | 118 | 314 | 191 | 102 | 297 | 314 | 1862 | 3744 |
| Handicap | 9 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 8 | 6 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 36 | 71 |
Course Details
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Reviewer Photos
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On the opening hole, the second shot plays straight uphill to an unbunkered green. Fortunately, the green is large. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/23/2025
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Three may not be a hard hole when you keep the ball in play, but otherwise it is unsympathetic to missed shots. It’s the #3 index here. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/23/2025
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A view from the tee at the sixth hole. It is a surprisingly difficult test–if mainly for its blind, downhill second shot. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/23/2025
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One of my playing partners (“L.”) prepares to hit his putt on the ninth as his friends look on. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/23/2025
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Birdie! (…and on to the back nine) Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 08/23/2025
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The tenth is a robust par-three of 386 yards. It will fight you tooth and nail from tee to cup. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 05/18/2025
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Thirteen: One of several outstanding par-3s here, stretching up to 217 yards, downhill. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 05/18/2025
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15th, Par-4, 346: Set on the lowest section of the Player, this may be the prettiest hole on the course. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 05/18/2025
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Another view of the 15th from behind its green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 05/18/2025
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Seventeen is strategic par-5. Its character feels like that of a linksland hole. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 05/18/2025
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18th, par-5, 554: The fine and beautiful finisher at the Player, and the #6 index among many challenging golf holes. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 05/18/2025
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An intimidating par-4 that starts the round, the first plays 404 yards, uphill all the way to the green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2024
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The fourth supplies a kind of “break” as the #17 index. Par-3, 190 yards. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2024
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Hole five, a 397-yard four-par, threatedns with a tight driving zone, followed by a brushy pit that must be traversed on the approach. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2024
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Six requires a blind second shot down to this green set by the woods. Par-4, 351. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2024
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The par-3 eleventh stretches 211 yards downhill to a green protected by bunkers. Stretching out beyond that is a hilly Connecticut landscape. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2024
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A close-up view of green eleven. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2024
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The third hole is a brutal par-4 that plays over a brushy, deep pit. The view here looks backward down the fairway, toward the abyss. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/24/2023
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At the par-4 sixth, the fairway “runs out” alongside the green, where most pitch shots will be blind down the the putting surface (situated to the left, out of view). Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/24/2023
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The seventh, a classic downhill par-3 that drops precipitously to a well-defended green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/24/2023
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A view from tee eight, looking up toward the driving zone on a monstrous par-5. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/24/2023
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Tee-to-green, the eighth concludes with a third shot (typically) over a sizeable waste area. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/24/2023
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The closing eighteenth: as aesthetically pleasing as it is difficult. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/24/2023
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Photo submitted by u314159836253 on 01/22/2023
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The Player’s 2nd is a straightaway par-4. A stream crosses its fairway; the green is well-guarded. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2022
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The fourth: a challenging par-3 of about 200 yards. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2022
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Six is a scenic par-4 playing to an elevated fairway, its green hidden below in a small dell. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2022
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Eight demands this tough tee shot to a perched fairway, requiring a carry of some 200 yards from the blues. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2022
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The eighth fairway, as seen from the high right-side rough. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2022
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Under late afternoon shadows, a view from the ninth fairway into its green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 09/22/2022
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The opening hole glides uphill all the way to its green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 04/13/2022
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Seven travels 228 yards downhill. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 04/13/2022
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View from the blue tee at eight: Par-5, 578. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 04/13/2022
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Green eight is set behind a large, marshy depression. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 04/13/2022
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Fourteen is a downhill five-par of 493. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 04/13/2022
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Eighteen qualifies, a long, uphill par-5, qualifies as strong closer. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 04/13/2022
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Five: par-4, 397. Plays downhill to a two-tiered fairway, then farther downhill to a well-defended green. First-rate hole. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/29/2021
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Five: A view of its green, from the left rough. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/29/2021
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Seven: A fine three-par with big contouring--reminiscent of Scotland-- around the green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/29/2021
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Eight: Par-5 of 592. One of the longest par-fives in Connecticut. And one of the toughest. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/29/2021
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Eight: A view over the large thicket that precedes the green. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/29/2021
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Eighteen, 40 minutes prior to sunset: A 554-yard par-5, with its green set upon a large plateau. Photo submitted by AptlyLinked on 10/29/2021
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Tee shot on par 5 #8 Photo submitted by u314159379595 on 08/08/2021
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Photo submitted by John4576224 on 07/26/2020
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Photo submitted by u1732467322 on 07/15/2020
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Photo submitted by nugentmk on 07/05/2018
Caught them at a bad time
Beautiful course but didn't expect the greens to be aerated in the end of April. Would of been nice to know this before booking
Aerated Greens
The greens had been aerated and top dressed. It was impossible to putt. If we had known that beforehand, we would have played elsewhere. It took over 5 hours to play. Miserable experience.
Early spring so a little water drainage problem expected. Player course has great layout. Need to get off tee well to play from blues
Don't miss this one
if you like a challenging geographic course then the players at Lyman Orchards is for you. it is a course you have to ride due to distance between holes and terrain but extremely enjoyable. there is also the Jones course there you can walk as less hilly and tighter. both are worth the trip.
Dissatisfied
1. Show up to the course an hour early to use the driving range, pro shop tells me the range is closed because they don't have balls, this while there are people using the range, then after our round I saw even more people on the range.. 2. cart paths only 3. Staff was rude, not sure if they're under new management or something, but I've had much better experiences there in the past. This being said, I will probably not return to Lyman orchards in the future
Hold on
The course as we know is not a classic routing for a good part of the front. Position golf off a number of tees but the holes on a whole are not bad. Just not driver then iron. The course was in very good condition this fall even with a drought in CT for the most part. Fairways were great and greens were even better.
So hold on for two reasons. One there are a number of hilly and sometimes precarious cart rides up and down steep hills. (that's not to say the holes are hilly just the cart path routing) Two the cart paths are terrible. Huge bumps and large depressions, many near bridges. They will likely need new carts in a year. It was very bumpy and a shocking ride at points. In number two the main entrance to the fairway had a foot deep bathtub sized hole that i didn't see coming. It's a mazing they are not seeing this and repairing it.
not playing here again
Won't be playing here again, no matter how beautiful the courses are.
The rangers like to shame players into playing faster, instead of being courteous and actually helping. Had a ranger tell us we were playing too slow, when we had already closed a 2 hole gap into a one hole gap by the 5th hole. Perhaps if there is a 2 hole gap in front of a foursome going out, you would at least let them hit their second shot before sending off the next four behind them. 4 guys played the front nine in less than 2 hours, not sure how that is considered slow play, especially on a day that was 90+ degrees with high humidity. Then he sat on the tee box at ten, insulted us, drove away shaking his head after he caused us to hit 4 bad shots while he sat there glaring at us with his arms folded across his chest, like we were a group of children. We went to 11 and waited for the group in front of us to tee off. Again, not sure how this is considered slow play.
Also, the golf pro won't return your phone calls when you call to tell him how bad your experience was, so there's that. Guess they don't care about player experiences, only collecting greens fees. The rangers are a direct reflection of the course pro, I believe his name is Mr Valk, but I don't know for sure because he wouldn't call me back.
This is supposed to be a gentleman's game. Not so at Lyman Orchards Golf Club based on my experience.
Oh, and I asked when I was paying for the round if they sold cigars, was told no. Grabbing a soda afterwards, saw them for sale about twenty feet from where I was told 'no, we don't sell cigars'.
great course
Picture perfect round, great weather course in great shape ......people behind us a different story..no etiquette..hit into us 4 times on front nine...other than that would play again
bring your tree wood
lots of trees and blind shots if you never played here the starter supplies map pay attention or bring lots of balls. pace of play was good as were conditions of greens and fairways bunkers could use sand. Will play again if in area.
Need marshall Dillon
I don't generally write or comment on a golf course but I have to this time. This is a great track and layout. When I got there at 2:30 tee-time on Friday the parking lot was full so I new they had a lot of folks on the coarse. This was going to be a great day the weather was perfect-a little wind enough to keep the bugs off me. We started out like normal its always slow on the first tee. I fell in love with the course right off the bat. Well we start to wait on the second hole and I made no notice for the wait. I always play to the pace to keep balance In my game so if its a little slow I take more time or practice some chip. In short, the pace changed and the waiting got a little longer. Well the bottom line is we finished the 18th at dark 7 hour round. I was shocked not to see one marshall all day on such a "full" beautiful golf coarse. Several people left early and several groups didn't even finsh. The pro shop was closed because their phone was ringing of the hook. Amagine that!
I might play it again if they can get it down to 4 to 4 1/2 hours.
Claw
Great course- slow play
Awesome course always worth the money in great shape only downfall was slow play. Three twosomes in front of us. Group right in front of us was playing from the blues and should of been on the reds. A 3 hour round was 5 hours long.
Slow play
The ranger was blaming us playing slow despite theres a group in front us older people playing so slow but did say anything to pick the pace
Nice Layout, Course Conditions Lacking...
The rough has been very high all season so far at Lyman. Cut your grass! Also, the bunkers have been in terrible shape the past two years. Two many rocks and not enough sand. Hardpan bunkers. Why? Fill them with some nice fine, white sand! And you renovate the bathrooms, but leave that terrible snack bar going. Ninth hole shack was closed and the restaurant is stuck in the 1980's. Build a nice bar overlooking the course and we won't have to go elsewhere for post round drinks and lunch!
Nice layout frustrating conditions
I've always liked the layout of the Player course better than that of the Jones course. The conditions on the other hand are always frustrating. The greens were bumpy due to aeration. The rough was ridiculous at 4-6 inches just off the fairways and right around the greens making it difficult to even find your ball. The bunkers were bad. Beware of the fairway bunker on the 3rd hole. Golf ball size rocks. Smooth and place a must.
Rough needs to be mowed
The lawn mowers have yet to cut at Lyman orchards player course. Sections off the fairway were 8" tall and need mowing. Green were good and the traps have not been tended too. Prices should be discounted further for these conditions. The clubhouse has yet to open for food and beverage.
Great Courses for any level.
Totally enjoyed my round at both of Lyman Orchards courses. I was able to play both courses on the same day. Each course offers a totally unique experience. I especially enjoyed driving through the Apple Orchards. Both of these courses were in great shape and were well worth the money I spent to play. The pro shop was very, very helpful. I would recommend these courses to anyone.
Par for the course.
This was a great course, even though the season is long they still should maintain it a little better. The grass was a little long around the greens. Could not find my ball twice within 4 feet of the green . The Teeboxes were not marked. Overall had a great day weather was fantastic.
Poor job of clearing the leaves
Overall a good challenge and good price for that caliber of a course
Fun day
Players is one of my favorite courses. The course today was in fine shape. Pace of play for a threesome was under 3 hours on this day.
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