Windham Golf Course

Windham keeps you engaged from the outset by the sheer energy of its smoothly undulating terrain, while the tree-lined fairways add a second key dimension to the test. Among the main attractions is the opening sequence of holes. I find the pair of nearly opposite, opening par-4’s to be enticing: first a longer, open, and rolling opener, followed by a shorter and tighter affair at two. Then comes an imposing but fascinating par-three, followed by a beautifully contoured, tumbling par-5 that runs through a shallow valley and back up to a semi-table green, which demands a precise pitch on the third shot. At five, another par-3 presents you with a tough tee shot to a crown-like green complex protected by a huge left side trap. The common theme on the opening five holes, it seems, is precision over power–although each has its place, both here and throughout the full eighteen.

While Windham is not often a dramatic layout, it still has its moments, which come mainly at holes like the sixth, a great driving hole enhanced by an even better approach to a green blind from the fairway. Twelve is a stunner of a short par-4, testing you with distance control on the drive that should find a landing zone guarded by a pond, then finishing on a fine, elevated green that will punish, dearly, any miss behind the putting surface. The long and fairly monstrous 17th, now undergoing some form of remake–should continue to add spark.

For those who want a firm driving challenge, the lengthy par-4 fifteenth (435 yards) shouldn’t disappoint. The fairway tilts just enough left-to-right to magnify the effects of both cut and sliced drives, and will dump errant tee shots–in some cases–into a serene-looking pond that sidles up to the clubhouse. A draw, by contrast, is the ideal tee shot for fifteen; however, any overdraw will find, likely, a row of tightly spaced conifers down the fairway’s left side. Not an ideal spot when the approach shot is a long one.

CONDITIONS:

There are no genuine problems here, and much of the conditioning shortfall is simply seasonal: in December, most clubs in this cold state of Connecticut keep only a skeletal greenkeeping staff. So bunkers were weakly maintained (as was expected) and about the course’s best aspect was its putting surfaces, which ran fairly true overall. Still, the entirety was playable. The one area that may lag next spring may be the results of work on seventeen and eighteen, both of which were heavily bulldozed today over parts of their fairways and roughs. Golfers had to skip past them today and play the first and second holes a second time. Over my experience, Windham has been kept–typically–in good to strong condition.

CONCLUSION:

I’m looking forward to next spring–and to seeing what changes will emerge at holes seventeen and eighteen. In any case, Windham has long offered a blend of variety, challenge, and old-school excellence stemming from its fine layout.

Another course ruined by the desire to add a range at the expense of the layout. Not about golf. All about revenue generation.

Greens in good shape- some of the best I’ve played this year, fairways get bare in some places leading to poor lies.

When I played the course, the area was in a state of drought. So it wouldn't be fair of me to judge the condition of the course, however, the greens were in reasonable shape and has a nice speed to them. All I all, not many straight putts on the course.

The course had a nice layout. With the drier conditions, I found the course to play harder than the rating and slope suggested.

My only disappointment on how the day went was In regards to the speed of play and overall tee time management by the starter. I was sent out as a single behind a 3-some, who were behind a 2-some, who were behind 3 4-somes. Another 2-some behind me. I think a better job could have been done to pair up some players so the round went more smoothly. At times, I waited close to 20 minutes between shots. And due to some of the blind shots on the course, I was narrowly hit by the group behind me. On the 18th tee box, I waited 35 minutes before being able to tee off: and 3 groups collected on the tee behind me.

Lastly, and probably the least significant of my feedback is how I only saw the drink cart on the 2nd hole and not again the entire round. It would have been fine on most days, but walking on a hot day, I definitely could have used a water on the back nine.

If looking for plush course this isn't it...course has a cool layout which is its best feature

This was an unfortunate experience, and I will not be back. The pace was great, but $75 with a cart for this course is a ripoff. If I paid $45, my experience would have been different, but when you price your course at a premium, the expectation is set, and this underwhelmed entirely. Patches everywhere, pooling water green side, not true sand, the driving range is 150 yards, etc. The lack of signage was confusing, and there’s not even hole layouts on the scorecard. 2 par 3s that played over 200 yards, and not even from the tips.

The new owners continue to improve the course and make it better and better

I’m very happy that the new owner of this course is putting in the work it desperately needed. They have already made some great improvements, and I’m excited to see what’s next.

Good conditions and fairly priced.

Disrespectful patrons on cell phone for long time instead of hitting off 17th tee. No ranger.

This is the first time playing at this course. We decided to walk. Beautiful scenery. Definitely got our steps in.

. The green’s and tee boxes are in great shape. Would say the fairways are good only because there is a some holes that they need to blow the leaves off but it was the weekend so they probably are blown off by now. For 25 dollars you can’t beat it would definitely play it again