Topstone Golf Course

One of Connecticut’s upper-tier golf courses; a layout that every good golfer should at least try; a good example of Architect Albert Zikorus’ better and later work. Topstone tends toward being subtle and straightforward, but included in the proceedings are some good holes–if not monsters–that provide a solid test.

The course generally combines flowing and often hilly terrain with well-guarded greens, tees that begin holes from varied and interesting settings, and curving or doglegging fairways. The latter may often dictate playing strategy on many of these holes. Except in a few cases, hole design is not elaborate (a la Donald Ross or Mark Mungeam), but it’s still engaging enough. As much of this course plays as typical parkland, trees will be the most common hazards, and may restrict the line of play in some form as you head down each fairway. The lack of fairway bunkers on this course–there are none–detracts little from the overall quality of the layout. Greenside bunkers are plentiful, however.

Zikorus seems to have sacrificed anything too complex on the par-5s of Topstone; they’re uncomplicated but still challenging. At five, the hilltop green complex features a central, gaping bunker positioned to catch short shots, while a pair of deep bunkers guards the second. Likewise, the two par threes on this front side are notable primarily for their undulant or pitched putting surfaces.

I played only the front side today, yet my interest was piqued by a couple of holes, seven and nine, that stood out for different reasons:

Seven, par-4, 419. An exercise in patience. Uphill from tee to green, this hole features a demanding tee shot and an even more daunting approach into a pitched green. Two huge bunkers guard the left/front of this green, leaving only a narrow opening from which to run the ball onto the putting surface. The green is hard to hold. After that, reading the green–and then striking your putt with precision and judgment–is something else altogether.

Nine: This “driveable” par-4 may be the entire course’s most complex hole, yet the green turns out to be virtually impossible to hit from the tee. Three huge bunkers protect it from any angle at which this is possible (left and front), because drawing the ball in from the right seems inconceivable; trees block the approach on the right-hand side of the fairway. A fade is the better option, as it may be flown around the huge trees at the elbow of the short dogleg covering the hole’s last 50 yards or so. Most golfers will play this as a drive and pitch hole, yet even at that, the pitch will have to come in over the bunkers. An exacting but also fascinating golf hole.

Conditions: Good overall, with excellent and smoothly-rolling greens along with very good fairways and tees. The only flies in the ointment were some areas of burnt-out rough (it has been dry lately) and an excess of leaves in places—generally this was the roughs–making it impossible, at times, to find the golf ball.

Some conclusions: A parkland-style track with the good-looking, mature trees seems a fit setting for Zikorus’ restrained approach. Despite tees and greens set upon hills, the fairways are almost all pretty flat on the front nine; you’ll seldom play a big sidehill lie other than at the seventh, or unless you end up on one of the humps that line some of these fairways. The threat of the trees, the greenside bunkers and the sloping, fast putting surfaces will all keep you on your toes. A hillier backside complements the flatter front, and the course’s length and accuracy requirements qualify it as championship-caliber. It’s an authentic yet enjoyable test.

Topstone presents golfers with a strong test that never overwhelms. The well-conceived parkland layout (which becomes more densely wooded on the back side) features diverse terrain that rolls and dips, rises and falls throughout the eighteen. The holes are mostly challenging and all play fairly.

Having arrived in the late-afternoon, I played the front nine today, and enjoyed every minute of it. And I was reminded again of how good the two par-fives are, not to mention the challenges present over the most demanding stretch of holes--three through seven--beginning with tight par-4 set hard by the railroad tracks and culminating in the seventh, one of the best par-4’s in Connecticut.

Seven deserves special mention because you must hit three outstanding shots to get near the cup for your par. The first should be a nearly dead-straight drive that must thread a chute of trees just off the tee; the second needs to traverse two huge-scaled bunkers that front the green; and then your first putt must be struck precisely given that the green is sloped like something you’d see at Augusta National. The entire hole, I would add, has that general look. Not bad for a moderately-priced public track, and, to boot, another outlier is the beautiful twelfth, which will make equal demands on your game.

The front side’s par-3’s may not be special but they’re solid citizens that for me required a midiron (on eight) and a hybrid on the 200-yard fourth. Nine is a short but more noteworthy hole, a par-4 whose tee-shot will cross a deep pit on its way to a tree-lined landing zone. Big hitters can take a crack at the green here, but good luck with getting your ball to run through or over its massive frontal bunkers.

Both front side five-pars are excellent, but I’ll give the nod to five as the better. It plays gently uphill over a bending fairway, roaming some 520 yards and finishing on a plateau green. Both of these holes supply expansive views, as well, over the Connecticut countryside.

The acid test of your game, however, will be the Topstone greens. They play firm and fast, but also true. And as a group they’re ably defended, most set above grade (e.g., as at the third) or on plateaus, and many equipped with extensive greenside mounding. Their receptivity is good given their firmness.

Conditioning:

For a public course it’s rather amazing. The fringes, greenside roughs, and greens themselves are impressive. After my round, I spoke with a well-versed and personable course marshal (initial “A.”) whom I ran across; he also works part-time a bit on the maintenance staff. I was impressed to hear his commentary on how hard the greenskeepers here work to keep Topstone in top condition. And despite all the rain we’ve had recently, you can’t detect it while walking this plush layout. It drains exceptionally well, it seems.

Some conclusions:

This course is moderately challenging and, as such, can still be enjoyed by the average player. This is especially true because the fairways seem wide enough, and many of them are lined with well-spread trees. Today again, Topstone was a pleasure to play on an ideal fall afternoon.

Topstone is one of the most balanced, straightforward courses I’ve played. In this design, Albert Zikorus upholds a careful unity that doesn’t come unglued even once: there are no bad holes, and variety and playability are high points. Most of the holes allow you to play reasonable golf; only a few require defensive play. Its layout challenging yet fair, Topstone offers far more subtlety than harshness.

I played the outward half today and had fun. Mainly, the holes move straight ahead (a few bend a bit) and have a no-nonsense directness. Only the third, which seems as narrow as a ribbon, and the ninth, a driving test that imposes a gaping pit and forced carry, fall outside of predictable norms. And yet the course’s lack of great novelty doesn’t mean it’s a Plain Jane--not by any stretch.

Instead, the first thing that may strike you is its aesthetic appeal. The second thing, possibly, are the long views from high tees down the fairways. The third, as you begin to play the course, is its collection of big, modern, sprawling greens, all of which are well contoured and which putt fast. Finally there are the deep and wide bunkers. Many of them. The kind that show up on major championship courses. Extracting yourself from most of these will test sand game finesse.

A striking piece of traditional architecture, Topstone’s clubhouse rests on a hilltop along with its parking lot; the course falls away on three sides from both. The layout itself resists easy categorization: it’s neither woodland, strictly, nor parkland. Rolling terrain on much of the outward half imparts an open feel, as if it’s converted farmland, but In other sectors, the course is carved from woods.

Topstone’s setting is a quiet, suburban neighborhood on the northern fringe of South Windsor; it’s ambience, though, is mainly rural: houses appear on the course’s periphery on the first two holes, then disappear altogether until you reach the tenth. The course is hilly enough and full of natural ground movement. Hillocks are used for green and tee sites; fairways run down and through vales; trees create avenues through which go most of these holes. Architect Zikorus added both fairway and greenside mounds as further hazards but left water out of the front side. Railroad tracks lend a touch of industrial character between holes four and five. If your ball lands on them, of course, you’re OOB.

What I enjoyed playing most here were the par fours. Zikorus invested them with variety by their lengths, by difficulty level, and by bunker position and configuration. Hole seven may be the standout among them, a merciless piece of work that will test your ballstriking. Running uphill, it culminates in an expansive green which seems straight out of Augusta National. Fronting this surface is a pair of meddlesome bunkers, one hidden from the fairway, the second a massive specimen with a tall lip that snags all but well-judged approaches.

For those golfers with power to burn, one interesting hole should be number two, a five-par of 518 yards. For them, it’s reachable as long as the two large frontal bunkers are threaded (though the opening is narrow) on the approach. I laid up today with a three-hybrid to fifty yards from the hole, leaving me with the nagging thought that I ought to relearn to hit my 3 wood from the deck. The fifth, the fron’ts other par-five, will require excellent shots as well--a carefully placed drive, a solid layup, and a precise wedge into an elevated green--to earn a par.

With patience, wisdom, and consistently good shotmaking, you just might meet your golfing expectations at Topstone. Then again, isn’t that what the game is all about?

Random Notes:

The gentleman I met today at check-in was both helpful and personable. Great service. Also I was fortunate to have met up with three fine playing partners from four through nine.

Topstone ranks among the state’s best conditioned places to play. It’s near private-course manicuring.

Like most of what Al Zikorus built later in his career, this is among his top (apology for the pun) designs. It’s comparable to Rolling Meadows, though that course’s back nine (which might be entitled “Murder in the First”) is recognized as being one of the state’s toughest. Topstone’s back side, too, can be grueling in places.

Played the course with the Safari Club and had an enjoyable round of golf. Course was in good shape from Tee to greens. Holes made more challenging with placement of bunkers throughout the course.

I played with the Safari group with over 100 players and we were treated with outstandning service. This management team was highly organized.

The course is in perfect condition and loaed with Bunkers around every green

#191

The final leg of our NE golf trip, was at this course. Had an early tee time on the Sr. special and was paired up with a couple of local players and that in itself, really made the round fun and had local knowledge on top of that.

The course was in great shape and the pace of play was good …

One of the best things about this course is that when you hit it off the fairway, you have a good chance of finding the ball.

There were some interesting holes... 10 and 18 come to mind with the elevation rolls..

After the round, had lunch in the grill and the food was good and the waitress friendly.

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I will preface this review with, I’m a below average golfer so I have very little basis for my opinion. I love golf and everything that goes with it. This course was fun and very reasonably priced. The cafe was good, nice bar selection, food was very good and again the prices weren’t bad. They were slightly under staffed. The course complaint would be the greens around the pin were very pitted, lots of bumps, which especially for this below average golfer, made it hard to putt. But otherwise, a lot of fun and I’ll be back!!

Very nice course. well kept. only thing I would say negative is greens very very flat and not challenging but other than that I thought it was very nice. I only played back 9.

I find Topstone to be slog that produces no memorable holes that really stand out. The conditions are always good and the greens fair, if fairly flat. It just that besides #9 none of the holes capture my imagination or respect. I'm talking about a lot of down and back holes that are all fairly straight with uninteresting bunkers. It's not horrible, it's just not memorable. The price is also out of whack for what you are getting. It's really no better than any other muni in the area.

on September 27th i played Topstone Golf Course with the Safari Golf Association again, this Golf Course is always in excellent condition

i must have played this course a dozen times and never had a bad outing

i highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to play a great Golf Course

Second Trip as a Safari member and cant wait to go back again...Course conditions were magnificent and a challenge on every hole. BBQ afterwards was great

Last Wed. the Safari Club played at Topstone and we had a wonderful time. The course was in excellent shape and the staff was super to our group. Well worth the trip.

Great course - in great shape - only wish we had played the longer tees

nicest greens ever - a little slower than desired but still very good

I played Topstone for my first time last Wednesday. I am a new Member of a great groupI called the Safari Club. Over the past month many of the Members told me to be sure to sign up to play Topstone. I am glad I did as this course delivers. The greens were excellent and soft. They held your approach shots and rolled true. The fairways were great and the rough was just thick enough to provide some challenge without being overly unfair. The sand traps were like sand traps should be. We also had a great and very tasty buffet lunch making the day even more special. Go Play Topstone , you will enjoy it as much as I did

Dick L.

Played here with the Safari Club and couldn't have had a better day. The course was in great condition. The staff and food are superb. They go the extra mile to ensure the day goes smoothly and everything was extremely organized. Looking forward to returning!

Fairways and Greens were in excellent condition. Staff was attentive, courteous and extremely helpful. Played with the Safari Club which seems to always knock it out of the park with golf course selections. My compliments to Top Stone and staff and the Safari club for a wonderful experience. Both highly recommended to all golfers.

Another great course that we played with our group called the Safari club.The weather was great and the course was very nice The next time I play there I will not be playing from the gold tees . I would highly recommend this course.The staff was very friendly and helpful.

well another great course played with our Safari Group.The course was in excellent condition and the staff was very nice to us. They prepared a great cook-out for us after we were done playing.Can't wait to play this course again.See you soon,Member # 30

We played TopStone the other day with the Safari Club ,look them up on line !

The course is in perfect condition and the layout is very good every hole is different and interesting .

The staff was great and the food was to die for !!

This course is a do over for sure !! make the trip you will not be disapointed.

Played here on 9/27 with the Safari Club. This was our second Safari Club visit here, as everyone enjoyed it so much last year. In the interim, my group liked the course so much that we returned 3 more times. Every time -- including this one, the course was in excellent condition from tee to green! The staff was excellent and had everything very well organized from the time we arrived to and including the nice barbecue buffet that we enjoyed after golf. Looking forward to returning for some Fall golf.