Twin Hills Country Club

Tucked a bit off Route 44 in Coventry, Twin Hills is worth the trip for anyone who is partial to eighteen solid holes of golf in a fine countryside setting. It’s a well-manicured parkland course, on which most of the holes are straightforward and typical of tracks designed in the 1960’s and 70’s. Over most of the layout, the landscape rises or tumbles gently, although you’ll encounter a couple of rugged hills. Greenside bunkers are common, but fairway traps appear on but two holes. The greens themselves are large, affording multiple pin positions, and often tilted or well-contoured, with several set upon hillocks, a few on larger hills. These putting surfaces ran today on the quick side. Also of importance are some pronounced doglegs, along with six ponds that come into play, and they’re large enough to gulp down–frequently enough–Titleists and Taylor Mades.

Twin Hills isn’t the sort of course where nearly every hole is filled with problems; instead, the shot values are balanced quite well from tee to green on the par-4s and 5s. Sloping at an average (by today’s revised standards) 121 from the back tees, this still is hardly a course that treats you with kid gloves. And a balance is struck here: there are enough holes that may be birdied–mainly through accurate ball-striking–and so provide you the reasonable opportunity to make your score. All of this translates to what is basically a good, but also fun, course that seems ideal for mid-handicappers, though I think single-digit players should appreciate it as well.

Some Key Holes at THCC:

Fortunately, at the first and second, you are given a couple of moderate holes as warm-up. Then comes the third, the best hole at Twin Hills. A long and picturesque five-par, it plays straightaway and downhill off the tee to a blind landing zone, from where most players will lay up prior to the sizable and serene pond that fronts the green. This leaves a pitch to an expansive putting surface that tilts back to front. Crossing the pond, well to the left side of the fairway, is a handsome, double-arched stone bridge. Having a kind of Swilcan Bridge look, this bridge appears quite a bit larger than the one on St. Andrews’ final hole. The third hole oozes with character, yet it also happens to be the #3 handicap index.

The par-4, 456-yard seventh is a giant hole that doglegs severely; it can be a card-crusher and ranks as the course’s number 1 index, mainly because the huge and dense trees on the inside elbow of the dogleg will thwart virtually any attempt to cut it. Bust a drive down the middle–and not too far left–and the approach will play far shorter into the green. Eight is a fine par-3 that plays slightly uphill over its 185 yards. When the pin is on the right side, a huge, lipped bunker guards it.

A driving challenge, the 11th doglegs left and begs you to cut the corner for a thrilling risk-reward element. This is entirely possible with a well-struck tee shot. The approach, though, is simpler, traversing a large dip in the fairway that precedes a green. But don’t go long. Thirteen, a straightforward, downhill par-3 of over 200 yards, will allow for a run-on into the green.

A switchback hole that favors a draw off the tee, then a fade on the second, the par-5 fifteenth threads through the woods, stretching to 540 yards from the deep tee. Its sprawling green is imaginatively contoured and tricky just to two-putt. Seventeen is a harsh test of accuracy, doglegging right at a near 90 degree angle. For a relatively narrow hole, the tree protruding into the left side of the fairway on the approach seems like overkill–at least, on this first day I played the course. Place your drive to the center or right side of the fairway if you want a clear shot at the green, which is raised, bunkered on the right, and set among the trees.

The short par-4 eighteenth, rated the course’s easiest hole, offers a closing birdie opportunity. Still, the fairway is tight, and a hidden pond juts into its right side a bit. The final green is both elevated and huge–so a properly placed approach matters much.

Course Designer:

The course was designed in 1971, according to at least one reliable source I have, by George McDermott–the original owner. I was under the impression when playing it today, for the first time, that Albert Zikrous was the designer. Thinking about this later, though, I realized that it departs from Zikorus’ strong tendencies to favor deep greenside traps and frequent fairway bunkering. No real matter. Zikorus did design a course by the name of Twin Hills, but that one is in Longmeadow, Mass. But this THCC does have the overall feel of a Zikorus layout, which is a good thing.

Playing Experience:

Pace of play was good, and the course was well-managed by staffers who were very organized, polite, and accommodating. I hooked up with a good threesome, including Jack and Bob, and played both front and back sides with Tim, a good golfer who appears in a couple of the photos. He helped me considerably with tips for playing the layout, and I greatly enjoyed his company along with the other two amiable gentlemen.

Conditioning:

Outstanding. The greens and their lush surrounds are first-rate and the fairways ranged from good to excellent. Tees and roughs were very good overall. Bunkers were outstanding. Simply put, the conditioning approaches that of private courses I’ve played in Connecticut.

Some conclusions:

While there are some narrow and moderately hilly holes at THCC where you have to find the fairways–or to mainly stay out of trouble–for the most part this is a solidly conventional course that may be played with some ‘quiet’ aggression. The superb conditions are a nice bonus. I enjoyed these eighteen on my first visit here.

Haven’t played here in about 12 years. It was in tremendous shape. Great bang for the buck. Good food n Bev. We’ll be back asap

This would be the second time I play the course and I really enjoyed it. Beautifully maintained all around. Takes me over an hour to get there but worth the trip. Little details around the course with flowers and beautiful views throughout. Would most definitely be back.

Twin Hills is a beautiful golf course. We only played the front nine but the course was in good condition despite all the rain we have had lately.