Manchester Country Club

This is a public course that has memberships. Some of those members treat everyone like it’s their personal private course. We walked out last time out. We were paired w a 4th that was a little slower. We were followed by a group that was playing fast and our our behind. To be clear, we weren’t playing slow, we finished 18 in just over 4 hrs. Their pace didn’t affect us until they spoke up on the 10th, telling us we have to pick it up and we were holding up 4 groups. They also called the clubhouse to complain.

This behavior is not acceptable at a public course. I can’t imagine what they would do if you were a true beginner.

Besides that, I love the course. Greens are always nice.

One measure of the finest golf courses is their memorability. Manchester Country Club delivers eighteen holes that linger long in the memory: each maintains an individual look and plays with a different feel. There is also a vigor and quality to both nines that stems from a superior routing, which perhaps should be credited mostly to Tom Bendelow, the original architect. Then there is the inspired and carefully positioned bunkering of A.W. Tillinghast. And doubtless Devereaux Emmet put his own distinctive stamp on things here—and this (who knows?) could have been the strongest contribution among these three designers. Like Bendelow, Emmet was a naturalist who did not believe in disturbing the landscape excessively. And these holes flow beautifully and naturally over the landscape.

Sometimes the bunkers and the greens themselves seem to fit imperceptibly into the terrain. For example, look at the green at the fourth, closely and from the front, and you’ll notice the subtle downslope from front to back, which conforms closely to the land’s own slope. It’s a useful design feature, one that may trap the unwary into an unplanned visit with one of the green’s rear bunkers.

Not having played here in some time, I reflected throughout my round on the overall appeal of this layout. Manchester is not the toughest golf course in this state, and far from the longest. Nor is the most dramatic looking, though the elevation changes here supply plenty of scenic views. Yet how many Connecticut public-access courses are truly superior to this one? That number has to be very small. Or maybe zero.

The holes at Manchester are often carved beautifully out of the Connecticut woodlands. They also sidle up to a reservoir, run through some open, nearly field-like terrain, and even parallel the road. As a rule, the fairways here are neither tight nor punishing. Some of this has to do with Tillinghast’s philosophy, which maintains that precise approach play is of utmost importance in playing a hole. What part of the fairway you hit here at Manchester often becomes critical. On the second, for example, a short 4-par, you’ll need to hit down the left side of the fairway, almost to its edge, to have the best angle into the green. The tee shot need be an exacting one to set up the ideal second shot, on which it would be far less desirable to be flying your golf ball in over a bunker (which would further limit the available landing area on this smallish, fairly narrow green).

Tillinghast, also a great believer in the primacy of par-3’s in any design, was the last architect to modify Manchester: it’s no surprise, then, that this course offers four excellent one-shotters. A final key facet of Tillinghast’s design principles was his insistence on “inspiring” holes rather than sensational ones. A couple of ideal examples of come at eleven, fourteen, and even eighteen, where making smart strategic choices from tee to green often will serve any player best. These holes are attractive enough, yet not the stuff of glossy magazine ads; its three architects exercised restraint, not self-indulgence.

Two Best Holes: 15 and 17

Fifteen, a five-par of 531 yards, challenges both your strategic planning ability and ball-striking skills: tight landing zone off the drive, to which your drive must thread clusters of trees; uphill approach to a perched and tilted green. You likely need five capable strokes before your ball finds the cup. On the other hand, seventeen is a straightway 4-par requiring a relatively routine drive. The approach, however, must find a well-defended green. This green complex and what precedes it—most notably the big mounds on the left—is unique in Connecticut.

Most interesting Hole: 12.

Simply put, a terrific short par-3. From a high tee, your short iron must find the pedestal green with a very unfriendly false front. Miss short, though, and you’ll almost surely be pitching over a large hump. No easy task.

There is far more to say about Manchester Country Club, but I’ll save if for next time.

I’m guessing that the members here realize just how good they have it at MCC. This course, comparable to Bethpage Red in Long Island, doesn’t quite measure up to the Red’s extraordinary driving challenge—primarily because the latter has so many long 4-pars, on which quality matches length. With a virtual showcase of excellent holes, though, Manchester can hold its own against great Golden Age designs across the Northeast, which is where—I’ll write with a touch of personal bias—the best ones are located. If you’re serious about classic golf, here is a venue that should be at the top of your list.

Beautiful day, beautiful foliage, and the course was in great shape.

course is green, and greens are rolling nice

Held up to the drought very well.

Played here quite a bit years ago and course always seemed to get burned out in the summer but not anymore! The fairways and green areas were in great shape. The greens themselves were bumpy for the speed they played- they were quick. Got stuck behind a foursome with no golf etiquette or skill. Had a whole open hole in front after the first hole! No rangers in sight. We had to jump ahead of them as they wouldn't let us play through. Course is nice but very busy.

Manchester CC layout, gives you different types of holes every 3 holes... from fairway elevation changes to length changes to green challenges, to Dogleg LF / RT...

Sweet course... we play 20 different courses in Hartford/ Springfield area and Manchester is in the top 4 .SBRO

This is my new top courses. A mix of easy & difficult holes. Didn’t like the blind holes because but this was my first time there so don’t expect that next time.

Pace was slow but my twosome was invited to join the twosome in front of us.

Liked the course layout. Greens were much slower than I’m use to. Generous wide fairways. A little lost of grass here and there. Because of drought conditions this summer probably. My wife really enjoyed the course.

Pace of play was so slow. People jumping on the course from the street. There was no ranger to notify.

I really enjoy playing at MCC. The course is well maintained and is the perfect balance of challenging and fun. The scenery is amazing and always makes for a great day of golf.

Course was in beautiful shape considering the lack of rain this summer. Some hardpan and dead grass spots here and there, but mostly a well-maintained course. Greens rolled true and the bunkers were in great shape. Carts ran well. The cost of $60 for an afternoon round is just a little higher than what you're getting, but didn't feel like robbery or anything. 9th hole stand only takes cash, wish they took cards somehow. Overall, a great day on a really nice course.