Indian Springs Golf Club

By now most Connecticut golfers have packed it in for the year--and for good reason. Golfers had to be fairly hardy to be out here today, with temps hovering in the mid-40’s and wind chill making it colder. Indian Springs had quite a few visitors, however--mostly in three and foursomes--especially for a day that falls within a week of the outset of meterological winter (coming December 1st).

I had begun to think myself foolhardy for even attempting to play today when reaching the crest of the second hill (at two) and the wind began to gust. Playing in the wintry breezes on holes two through five, I remembered my trip to Scotland, especially Royal Dornoch, as hitting shots here now felt nearly the same as hitting them on an oceanside links. Another similarity: average November temperatures in Dornoch, Scotland--only 8 degrees below the Arctic Cirlce--are a mere three degrees cooler than Middlefield, Connecticut. At hole three I became focused on playing the game after a long chip-in. I knocked down an 8-iron approaching the fourth, though the shot fell just short of the green. The golf soon became as engrossing as it always seems to be at this challenging nine-holer, easily among the best of this category in the state.

The course’s conditions, always strong for a public course, were good considering this late date for golf (Even courses on the more temperate coastline, some of which, like Shennecossett, stay open year-round, can’t maintain excellent conditions from late November to mid/late April.) The fairways here were more than acceptable and the greens rolled smoothly. Some of the greens that sit in the shade for part of the day were too hard.

Once again the overall level of management at this facility impressed, and it’s clear that consistency is a hallmark of the operation. Service is quite friendly here.

There are several standout holes here, but I like the first and eighth above all. The opener is a graceful, dogleg-left par-4 with a plateau green. And what a green it is: canted from front to back with all manner of clever undulations. Putting at the first green should provide an immediate ‘wake up call,’ and the alarm may sound loudly if you haven’t warmed up. The other fascinating hole is eight, a moderate par-4 that plays uphill all the way to the green. Out of bounds left, out of bounds right. This is exactly the kind of hole that will eat up even a small banana ball. The green complex, positioned atop a small but rugged hill, demands your utmost; you’ll need a purely struck approach to be on in regulation.

What makes Indian Springs unusual, by contrast to the typical nine holer, is a near dearth of genuine birdie opportunities. The aforementioned fourth, a straightaway 363-yarder, is one, but it’s complicated by a tricky approach to a green generally not all that receptive--though it’s huge. The only other chance typically comes at nine, the airy drive-and-pitch closer.

Nice and challenging course with very friendly staff. Good course to walk!

I've played this course several times and the length, condition and layout of the course is nicely challenging and fun.

Not realizing how hilly this course is, I didn’t take a cart. Big mistake! For a 74 year old, I found it very difficult to walk 9 holes. But I also didn’t like the design at all. Because of the steep inclines and canyons, there are many blind shots, and on two tee shots, you have to aim off the fairway or at an adjacent fairway to keep the ball in play. The course is inexpensive, but there are other local inexpensive courses that provide better value for money, in my opinion. Not recommended.

We love Indian Spings. They have a casual couples league on Sunday nights that we just started. Fun.

The course is well maintained and scenic.

The food and drinks are good.

Set largely on a huge hill, Indian Springs features long-range views throughout, sculpted landforms, and several holes beginning from high tees. It blends woodland with farmland, but also provides a sense of openness. The first tee shot, framed by scattered tall trees on the ‘road hole,’ sets the tone. Vistas from the top of the central hill, allowing you to take in the surrounding hills, give the course a ‘wow factor.’

Demanding Layout: There’s no mistaking Indian Springs for a walk-in-the-park snoozefest. Al Zikorus, perhaps Connecticut’s most prolific architect, designed this nine-holer fifty years ago with a hard edge, showing up on holes like the par-5’s, two and five, where elevation changes and awkward, severe slopes will punish weak shots.

The second, which is short for a par-5, makes up for lack of length: the drive is steeply uphill to a landing zone that lacks flat lies (its fairway slopes steeply right-to-left) and then a tough downhill approach. Should you go for this in two, a near-perfect strike is needed to land on the green. Otherwise you’ll find the woods, a huge frontal bunker, or a steep hillside on the right. At the fifth hole, the other par 5, hazards and slopes again prevail: there’s a wide-spreading tree on the tilted fairway’s left edge, which is the best line of attack; then an awkward, angular, downhill fairway to hit on the lay-up; finally a plunging approach to a green guarded by woods left, bunker right, and falloff behind. The green is no picnic to putt.

Other holes, such as the par-3 third (an uphill beast) or the eighth, have the power to capsize hopes for a solid round. Judgment and touch is required, in most situations, just to two-putt the third green, while the drive at eight may give golfers fits: it’s all angles and slopes in the landing area, along with OOB left. The first, fourth, and ninth holes are less taxing, but even they have their moments.

Conditioning: Strong for a busy public course. Not much comes in for criticism. Indian Springs was one of the very few courses to weather last summer’s drought with little deterioration.

Today out at number seven, I had the pleasure of meeting an astute, fine golfer who frequently plays here, Mr. Don Klepper-Smith. We struck up a conversation, during which he talked a bit about the course. What impressed me most was his genuine appreciation for the layout, the ownership, and the commitment made to manicured conditions here, even during summer droughts. Mr. Klepper-Smith believes that the Parmelees, who have run this course since the ‘70’s, have a terrific family-run golf operation.

Some conclusions: Indian Springs is beautiful, well-conditioned, varied, tough, and interesting. Add to all of that a friendly staff and pleasant amenities. The operation is indeed smoothly run and, for me, checks all of the key boxes.

The greens at Indian Springs are rolling fast and true...just the way I like them. The course always challenges you to be a shot maker and makes you take your medicine when you hit a bad shot.. The staff is always friendly and the beer choices are always numerous. Because of all of these things I keep coming back.