Pomperaug Golf Club

The coarse was in good condition considering that there was flooding on the coarse a couple days before.

I realized recently that I’ve played here now, if only on and off, over the span of half a century: fifty years between the time I played high school golf at Pomperaug starting in 1974, and by now having come back many years later to play again on this public venue through to the present. Pomperaug was a private resort course for quite some time, yet my 40-year hiatus from playing here also involved my living mostly on the other side of the state. But I’ve always enjoyed playing this layout…

A FEW POINTS about the layout:

–Pomperaug was designed with variety in mind. You’ll face a surfeit of water hazards, with at least one on every hole. Three of them are woods and the OOB (including Setter’s Field on the layout’s east end) mainly guard the perimeter. On the interior, the overall feel stems from classic parkland with scattered trees and typical bunkering (the sand pits are mostly of medium depth). Greens are mostly large to afford multiple pin positions. They’re also characterized by assorted undulations, shapes, and contours. Pomperaug has almost no fairway bunkering, but mounding in assorted places can be hazardous to drives missing the fairways.

–The beauty of the water hazards here, despite their abundance, is that they sit mainly on the sides of fairways; the only forced carry comes at nine. In the event that you play Pomperaug twice for an eighteen hole total, the frontal third tee presents a carry entirely over the pond.

–I consider the first three holes relatively straightforward, although the third, a short par-4, will intimidate some by its tight fairway. The stretch from four through eight is typically more trying, especially from the back tees.

–Where do the best scoring opportunities come from? The par-5s, which are definitely short.

–The sixth may well be the best hole on this golf course. It’s long enough from any of its tees; it benefits nicely from the slightly raised green with a huge hump rearward; also, it’s tough enough–mainly because of its dogleg with a pond on the outer part of the elbow.

–The seventh, with water all down the right side of its driving zone and OB left, seems to me the toughest hole of the nine. No picnic, either, is the second shot at seven: more water threatens on both sides. Adding to the hardships on this hole may be its raised green–bunker right, falloff left.

Other:

CONDITIONS: Very mixed–and, overall, average. The greens, cut well and rolling very smoothly, allowed every one of my putts to hold its line. Greenside areas, in good condition around the fringes and in about a five-yard band beyond them, made for consistent chipping/pitching lies. The rest of the course lagged, however, with the well-below-average fairways still lacking (since I played here last year) enough grass for consistently good lies. The rough is beset by crabgrass. Though I am no greenskeeper, my suggestion is just to cut the rough down more, crabgrass and all, so that players can at least hit consistently decent recoveries out of it.

SERVICE/ ATMOSPHERE: As always, Tommy went well beyond the norm for both friendliness and service. He is a credit to this operation, and I’ve enjoyed chatting with him every time here. I noticed too, that that proshop is well stocked. It’s not large, but it is pretty well-appointed for its size. I also like coming back to Pomperaug because I grew up in Southbury, and always seem to find those from this part of the state friendly. Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed the company of two fine playing partners today, both from the area.

SOME CONCLUSIONS:

Intriguing layout and excellent service, enhanced by a friendly atmosphere.

The conditioning is only average, and I hope the staff will address it in the future. Still, it didn’t affect my score much at all. In my opinion, this is an excellent ‘value’ course offered by GolfPass. Although a majority of players seems to prefer carts, this flat layout is an easy walk.

Only criticism is that the greens needed some work. Other than that good value for what you pay.

Course is a great design with water on all 9 holes. Had trouble with flooding last year but course is coming back. People there are great and always do their best to please. Can't wait to see the condition in the fall. Snack bar on weekends a nice treat. Highly recommend.

The course has definitely improved conditions this year as compared to last year. Conditions aren’t great but it’s playable now couple greens are in bad shape but most are average. Good value for the money and to work on your approach game. Staff is always very friendly.

For the price of a round and being a muni course - sure it’s okay. But man is this place a free for all. You could show up and see nobody, or you could wait 25 minutes after your tee time to even step on the first tee box because of the line of people waiting to tee off. Pace of play is horrifically slow, and there’s no one there to regulate it. Grass is dry, greens are patchy. Used to love coming to get some practice in as it’s an easy course to navigate, but the juice isn’t worth the squeeze here anymore. Save your time, play somewhere else.

Very helpful staff and a great place to walk nine and work on your game. Improvements are underway and hope this course is on the upswing. T in the pro shop is great!