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Player at Lyman Orchards Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
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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Reviews
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
Out of towner and enjoyed my time playing. Worth the cost and a great course to check out
Slow Walkers
Course was in decent shape with the usual thick/long lyman rough. Greens were in good shape except for some ant mounds and all the ballmarks that were not repaired. Pace of play was soooo slow due to 2 foursomes of walkers followed by some hacks playing from the blue tees. About 20 minutes per hole is ridiculous. Ranger was kind enough to let us skip ahead a few holes and complete them at the end of our round. Would have been a 5hr plus round which is unacceptable especially on a weekday.
Thank you for playing and thank you for your feedback. We are glad that we were able to find a solution for you even if not ideal. Hope to see you back again soon!
Very enjoyable round
Haven’t played here in a few years as I think it’s become over priced, but I was able to get a Friday morning time for $50 on the Player course. The course was in superb condition. Greens rolled well. The pace of play was excellent, finished in just under 4.5 hours.
Thank you for coming back to play and thank you for the great review! Hope to see you back again soon.
Getting better
The course definitely benefited from the heavy rains this week. Tee boxes didn’t require a hammer. Conversely, the warmer weather means the roughs wasn’t diabolical. Some greens were covered in ant hills. Still an awesome course layout any day of the week and the staff is great.
Golf experience
The course was in spectacular shape. I can definitely see the improvement made to the course. I would highly recommend playing here again.
Little rough
The player course is great because not driver on every hole / makes you think / etc. Downside is you need a hammer to get your tee in the ground and the rough is not taken care of very well.
Played with a PGA PRO today
I had the pleasure of playing the Players course today with Jon Cote (PGA PRO) and his friend Bill ( who recently purchased the driving range in Colchester!)
Had a great time playing here n s great course.
Conditions were A+
Spotty Conditions
Some tee boxes were in poor shape. The greens were quick but had a lot of small debris(pine needles and tree debris) which should have been blown clear. Pace of play was fast as we were the first ones out. Except we caught up to random people a few holes in who appeared out of nowhere. This is not the first time this has happened here. They did let us play through so not a big deal this time. Rates are too high for the current conditions especially on weekends.
Excellent condition, 5+ hour round
Course is in excellent shape. Was very busy and so round took 5 hours and 15 minutes.
A GEM!!
Had a great time today Greens were early spring FAST!!!!!
Conditions were solid everywhere.
Really hope they fix the cart paths soon. Getting whiplash on some of the potholes.
Thanks for coming out and thank you for the review! We are definitely working on the cart paths this spring. Should be a smoother ride next time out. Hope to see you soon.
For early it’s playing well
For this early in the season the course is playing well. The greens were quick and rolled true. A few of the tee boxes need fixing in the Player Course. Overall, I had a great time and will be back.
Thank you for playing and thank you for your review. Our tees on the Player will get aerated and seeded soon, and will recover quickly. Hope to see you back again soon!
Thank you for playing and thank you for the 5 star review!