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
Roughing it
Rough was brutal, five inches thick just off fairways.
Greens unusually slow.
Tough track for 10+ caps.
Greens still growing in
Pace was excellent. Pro Shop staff was accommodating. Greens were recently punched, need another week or so.
good times
Loved this course. Great challenge for a beginner/intermediate player. My buddy and I didn't have players in front or back of us, so we had a great leisurely day. Highly recommend!
winter conditions
It was a great deal and a great day. Course was still in winter form. Traps had ice and were not raked. I would do it again
Nice early season conditions
Traveled an hour south to get in a round of golf when most local course still were closed. Tough winter and long delay in Western Mass for golf course being open for the season.
Got a hot deal from Golf Now and played the course with cart for $31 including fees. Course was mostly dry, greens had yet to be mowed or rolled. Overall conditions were good for time of year.
Layout was nice. Finished with back to back par fives which was different. Five par three's also. Round was slow to average in time. It was cart paths only so that affected timing I'm sure. Look forward to testing the course later in the season.
Staff were very nice. Talked with clubhouse staff, cart attendants and greens keepers who were moving the holes. All were friendly and helpful where needed.
Awesome fall view
Felt on top of the world. Even though the course was wet and could not leave the cart paths, our foursome really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back.
The course has a lot of tight shots and some long carrys.
Course was in good shape for all the rain we had, don't like cart path only but nothing you could do about it. weather was a little cold when we started so the ground had a lot of dew on it.
It all begins at check-in
Most experiences begin with the check-in and welcome and this was no exception and a great start to a beautiful day. Warned from the start that fairways and greens would be a little bumpy due to being aerated a week or so earlier, prepared you for greens and fairways that weren't in their usual great condition, which started your thought process early. My favorite hole is the par 3, 203 yard down hill 11th hole. This hole appears to be the highest point of the course with rolling hills, a view to die for and an apple orchard, which was in full bloom, that winds around through the 13th hole. What else could you ask for! Oh yeah, did I mention the swirling winds? It doesn't get much better than this unless your lucky enough to land your tee shot on the green, which this day I did. There are many more holes to experience on this course, but the one thing I'll leave you with is that no matter what hole your on, the fairway is your best friend. Stray away and it will be a long day. Love the course.
Player Course on Sunday 9/14 was great time with visiting family
Was a beautiful day and staff was very helpful from Check in to the 19th hole !!
Course was in Great condition and awesome views
Got a great deal for their anniversary special. The course was in great condition, although the greens were
a bit slow. Fun to play and challenging some holes very long specially from Blue tees. The views on some holes
were fantastic. the staff was very friendly.
Put this one on your bucket list
Tough course
A few more blind shots than I would have likes BUT...now that I know where to place ball I would definitely play there sgain
Good Course for Balance between Forgivig and Challenging
Course is not particularly long but does penalize you for shots outside the fairway although fairways are of a fair width. Greens were left too long which took away break and length of roll.
Slow greens
About ten years ago I played this course often and it was in much better shape. The greens are incredibly slow and the course has not been well maintained.
Great Layout
The Player course was excellent, I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a challenge. Recommend you make sure you are loose by the time you hit the hard 3rd hole, from the blue tees you have about a 220 yard carry to the fairway. Greens were in excellent condition. Highly recommended.
Challenging for the first timer
I was lucky enough to get paid with twosome that have played the course before. There are many blind/positional shots on the players course. Conditions were great from tee to green. Next time I am in the area again, I look forward to challenging this course again and scoring a little better.
Tough for first timers
The front nine on this course is very difficult because there are so many blind shots with hazards on both sides where you can't see where you're supposed to hit the ball and you can't see where your ball ends up. The back 9 is much more enjoyable. Conditions were pretty good. A few too many rocks in the bunkers though.
Highly recommended course
The staff was friendly and courteous, the golf course was an excellent running condition very well maintained. The only drawback was the slow pace of play from the foursome in front of us. Other than that it was a perfect day of golf. If the opportunity presents itself I would highly recommend you play this course. Be sure to take time to enjoy the view from the 11th tee.
Golfapalooza
We played the Player course Memorial Day weekend. It was one of three courses we played over the weekend. Our tee time was 5:27 AM. Course was in great shape. I should have spent more time in the fairway as the rough was rough. Thick and wet.
Being the second group off made for quick play. 18 holes in 4 hours.
Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package