Pomperaug Golf Club

This was my third visit to this fine nine-hole track in six weeks, and the last two times conditions have improved. This time, given some rain, the fairways looked markedly better. A few still lag behind the rest, but clearly all seven of them are now, at very least, decently playable. New pictures I’ve included should reinforce my points. The greens, as always, are simply superb in their smoothness, reliability, and speed.

As my previous reviews have detailed, this is a great layout. There’s nothing special to be added at this point. The course was quite crowded, the parking lot full—both when I arrived and left.

Once all of the fairways return to good condition, this will be the excellent golf course that I remember it to be (I haven’t played it for many years until this July). As always, I enjoyed my round again here today, because this golf course makes you work for pars; only the first hole feels like a routine one. To outthink the rest of them, you’ll need precision and strategy both.

Have played this course for several years. It's easy to book a tee time. Last 2 years the pace has been super slow. Group ahead of us were on 3rd when we teed off. Caught up to them on 5th.

The drought has really hit this course in a bad way too. Lots of dirt spots on the fairways.

Teebox and fairway needs Improvement

Greens or immaculate

Very enjoyable and challenging but flat

I love to walk when I play so this was really really a great course to walk.

Looking forward to playing there again.

Great staff

Today I played Pomperaug for the second time in about a month, once again enjoying my 9-hole round thoroughly. After last time’s extensive review, here’s a summary version:

1) Though not a long course, Pomperaug poses plenty of challenges, above all by the two par threes, 5 and 8, which are 188 and 205 yards, respectively, from the blues. I needed hybrids to reach their greens and struck the ball very solidly.

2) The two most interesting holes are the third, a short par-4 requiring precision to hit the fairway (it doglegs around a pond), and seven, a monster four-par from the white tees; it is lined entirely on the right by a huge pond.

3) Another pair of excellent holes are two and six, both mid-length four-pars. You’ll need to carefully gauge how you play the doglegs on both.

4) This is a course that generally emphasizes straightness, and can be brutal on those in possession of a habitual slice. Played on the ‘back side’ from the blues, holes four and seven —as five-pars this time—present excellent scoring opportunities.

5) Fairways are of average width, and the greens tend toward largeness. Purpose: to vary pin placements. Shotmakers have some advantages here, but straight hitting may be a more valuable asset in light of the numerous hazards.

All in all, then, this is an excellent test of golf and among the best nine-holers in the state.

The conditioning remains what I observed, for the most part, in early July. Clearly, the greens and their surrounds were being watered extensively as I was playing, but equally clear was that some of the fairways were still—over stretches—browned out and patchy. Nonetheless, some improvement has been made in this department, as overall they look greener. The putting surfaces are ultra-smooth and as good as I’ve played in 2020. I had no trouble gauging putting speeds: they rolled true and consistently.

Other facts, comments and opinions:

A) Met two friendly staffers in the clubhouse, one of them, again, the amiable Mr. Mitchell; service is excellent here.

B) Even on a hot, 90-plus degree day, this flat course is walkable provided you’re fit for it. My clubs came along for the walk on a push cart.

C) Solid Covid-19 response.

D) This is only the second time I’ve played Pomperaug since high school (long ago), but it helps to remember a course like the back of your hand, having played it about 100 times. It also helps to use today’s longer golf balls and to swing driver-heads that feel like tennis rackets—compared to the Wilson wooded-headed driver I used… way back when. Today I managed to hit all nine greens in regulation. I’ve got to bottle whatever the heck it was I was doing.

E) I want to come back here in the fall when conditions closer to optimal. Despite hot weather it was busy today even in the afternoon, though not packed—so pace of play was good.

F) Rumor has it that the private Heritage Village (which abuts this course) is going public next year.

Nice challenging course, got teamed up with two members at T time and they made this morning alot of fun. Cant wait to play here again

Pomperaug succeeds as a layout in spite of its flat locale—in the river valley—owing to outstanding design work by its architect Ted Manning, a one-time protégé of Robert Trent Jones.

Here you’ll find doglegs, ponds, big greenside traps, varied green complexes (most set above grade), a double green, small swales, and the Pomperaug River itself, all working in conjunction to keep things entertaining. For shotmakers, few if any dull moments are to be had, while straight hitters should see three or four holes working in their favor. Also—fairly enough—the golf ball may be run onto at least seven of the nine carpets here. Both greens and fairways here are often flanked by some fairly natural-looking humps and large mounds; they don’t look like the once-common “chocolate drops” that often marred a course’s appearance. Water hazards lurk somewhere on every hole, although perhaps they are a bit overdone (if only slightly): three big ponds come into play for slicers on holes 3, 4, and 7; the Pomperaug River is a forced carry on holes one and nine, but only significantly on the latter. Perhaps best of all, you won’t be playing too much ‘lumberjack golf’ at Pomperaug GC. Trees are only dense on the course’s perimeter; they do not line fairways heavily.

The course, to be sure, suffers to a certain extent right now in the conditioning department. Yet it should be said first that the greens deserve special mention for their smoothly rolling surfaces. In fact, the greens, their fringes, and the rough beside them were all manicured and lush. Bunkers were nearly perfect, tees OK. What lagged, then, were the fairways, which had some general patchiness (burning out) in places. Still, landing areas on most fairways were respectable and playable. But the bottom line on conditioning is two-fold: this is summer (the harshest season in Connecticut for golf courses); and I never felt the fairway’s conditions affecting my score.

THE NINE:

Pomperaug’s first three holes, all four-pars, set the tone for the course: they are all subtly well-designed. Hole one, appearing straightaway and open from the tee, is deceptive: two ponds are hidden from view on either side of the fairway, and they’re most dangerous for longer hitters. On the second, a mature, massive tree (rightward) threatens your tee shot most, making the best driving play a gentle fade around the bend of this curving fairway. The hole also sports a clever ‘false front,’—basically a sod-like wall some 20 yards before the green. Acting as an optical illusion, it may fool some into thinking the green is closer to them from the fairway than it actually is.

Hole three, the most artful of this opening trio, is a short, tight, watery, woodsy, and gorgeous set-up that may seduce you into hitting a longer shot down into its bend. But that’s both dangerous and pointless—really—because it’s far safer to lay up to about 75-100 yards and then spin a full wedge into this hard-to-hold green. The green itself, beautifully two-tiered, is the kind that appears to have a buried elephant (albeit a smaller one) underneath its surface. Its contours are dramatic. The entire hole, moreover, is a gem.

Playing on, Pomperaug only gets better. I hit from the back tees today, and the next three holes demanded bigger swings. Into the breeze, the 455-yard fifth—playing as a 5-par—required a stout drive (staying out of the woods left; water right) and hybrid to reach the green complex. A par three of 188 yards, the fifth demands an arrow-straight hybrid or mid-iron—given that we want to avoid a gaping right side bunker and the trees, looming left. Six is the best longer par-four on the golf course, a dogleg-left that is open right with huge trees on its elbow. The prudent course is to steer toward the dogleg’s wide side, but long hitters will also have to respect a pond on the far side of the bend. The semi-table green has plentiful problems about: trees, big mounds, and a large trap on its right flank.

As good as four through six are, the culminating three may well be the best. The seventh ups the ante further, being a long, rightward-swinging four-par the curves around a massive pond running nearly the length of the fairway. And I’m only describing the beginning of the problems you’ll face on this hole. The pro here, Mr. Dave Cook, calls it one of Connecticut’s toughest par-4’s. He’s not overstating.

Eight is a 205-yard corker of a par-three where your tee ball must traverse yet another pond, though the water does not run all the way to the green: the architect, in fairness, gives us a moderate ‘landing strip’ for those shots not perfectly struck. The green itself seems besieged by trouble, mostly in the form of a sizeable, deep bunker on the left and waste areas behind the green.

Nine is a fine finisher, a short 305-yard par-4 which will be a drive-and-pitch affair for most. Yet the pitch, which may end your round with a flourish, must cross the Pomperaug River to the ninth green hard beside it. Lovely. Or perhaps, with an imprecisely judged stroke, not so lovely, as your golf ball meets an undignified end. It shall sleep, as said in The Godfather, with the fishes.

My key takeaway after revisiting Pomperaug was this: I enjoyed fun and relaxing golf that still manages to challenge on all nine holes, none of which are clinkers. That’s an impressive balancing act. What sets the course apart are its varied green complexes: no two are alike in dimensions, contouring, and surrounds. And with two of the best holes of their kind in the state—a clever short four-par at the third and a monster of a two-shotter at seven—there’s a terrific bonus to be had here. Along with Wolcott’s Farmingbury Hills, this nine-hole layout ranks as one of the two best in Connecticut.

For those who haven’t yet tried Pomperaug, this is a course well worth a visit.

Other notes and comments:

1)..Friendliness was great here. Met Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Cook upon arriving, who were both pleasant and genial hosts. When talking with Dave Cook after playing, was impressed by his expansive Connecticut course knowledge.

2) Covid-19 awareness and response is more than acceptable.

3) Nice facility, though smallish. They’ve added an outside dining pavilion that was well used.

4) The course was quite busy, yet pace of play was good.

5) In all fairness, the lack of rain here has affected the conditioning of fairways. Surely they will come back.

6) The community (the course is based in Heritage Village) is prosperous and elegant. I grew up in its surrounding town, Southbury, and played my high school golf at this very course. It was enjoyable back then, and the trees here have today matured so much so that Pomperaug’s character has gained distinctiveness.

It’s not bad for the money. Around 20 to walk nine holes. You’re not going to find anything cheaper in the area. The course seemed to be attached to a senior center and I was the only one there under 55. Despite this pace of play wasn’t terrible. Lots of water on the very short course, even from the blues. Tee boxes and greens were taken care of very nicely. Fairways were a bit rough but if you’re not to serious you can always move your ball a foot or two on a patch of grass. Very easy course to walk but keep your head on a swivel because there are lots of beginners here. Overall good cheap place to practice!

I had not played this course in a couple of years, and frankly I was shocked at how bad it has become. It appears the only part of the course receiving any water are the greens. I had played this course numerous times in the past during dry seasons and had never seen it like this. Every hole had some portion of it with brown, dormant grass - and some were completely brown. Additionally, many of the fairways have now become infested with weeds. Also, there are essentially no services available at this course, so take note of that. I do not recommend playing this any time soon. I listed the weather conditions as 'wet" because I played just after an afternoon shower had passed thru the area.

This was my second time playing this course. The layout is beautiful. Lots of water. Tee boxes and fairways are in fair condition. Lots of shredding. Could use some upkeep. The staff was very friendly but the pace of play was slow. Some people walking while some riding. Overall, I would play again for a practice session but it won’t be my first choice.

Was able to play 9 holes with friend and my 78 year old Mom. It was enjoyable. People on course were patient and courteous. Course was a bit hard due to dry weather and heat but it helped get some distance for those “rollers”. Nice layout. Would play again and recommend it for a casual game.

Course was in very poor shape. The first green is also the green for the 5th or 6th hole and it totally throws you off. Grass was all dead.

I dont like giving negative reviews but I just felt like I had to here. Couldnt tell where the fairways were. Dead short grass everywhere. Teeboxes were in very poor shape. On a good note everything around the greens was well kept and watered. I will not be returning

We always have fun at this course as it is easy access for us. They do provide last minute tee times to try to get you in if possible. Friendly people up front. Green stay in great condition. RL

Not bad on a hot day but wouldn’t go there considering the quality of the fairways and the very slow pace of play.

We love this course. Going there pretty much every week. We began golfing last October and this course has his challenges but not too hard. Some nice distances, hole 8 is over the water and the hardest is 9, very strategic.