Windham Golf Course

Horribly overpriced. I paid 2x more than other golfers just before my T time and those just after. $50 with no cart. Awful conditions. Trust me, you dont want to play there

Located in the Shetucket River Valley, less than a mile from the river itself and close to Eastern Connecticut State University, this Golden Age course (1922) features low rolling terrain and fairways primarily guarded by a good variety of mature trees, artfully culled from Connecticut forestland. Interestingly, Cornish’s reliable “The Golf Course” lists neither the course nor its apparently anonymous designer. Given the era and the look of this layout, its architect was very likely Scottish. Although the course definitely is rooted mostly in the American parkland tradition, its features are not inconsistent with those often employed by Ross or any number of Scottish designers from 1900-1930. In Connecticut, this is also a strong probability for courses like Farmingbury Hills or Harrisville, both less than an hour from here. Whatever the case may be, the designer was talented and used the landforms here to good advantage throughout this routing.

What I liked immediately about The Windham Club was its refreshingly unflashy look— even though the holes are impressive enough—and how it delivers the kinds of holes that most amateurs actually want to play. The course is pretty much absent of the theatrics or heroic style of a Dye or Trent Jones, and that is very much to its credit. Holes one through three, all relatively straightforward, are an appetizer for what is to come. Then begins a stretch of holes, continuing through the ninth, that ups the ante considerably. The fourth, a longish 5-par starting with a big dogleg left, travels downhill to a second stretch of beautifully rolling fairway. Big hitters may consider making it a two-shotter, while conservative players will likely opt for a short pitch on the third shot—from down in a swale beginning some 100 yards prior to the putting surface. The green complex is pitched and outfitted with flanking traps. The other great hole over this stretch, the par-four sixth, is played uphill, its landing zone set before a large ridge, rendering the approach shot blind. And the clever, short ninth features a slithering dogleg whose fairway is a mere 20 yards wide and leads to a green fronted by a gaping bunker.

Windham’s back nine tightens the screws further. Its first four holes were good but seemed to pose no major problems when I played them today. The thirteenth—an intricate, angular five-par—was the most interesting of the lot. A subtle shift in difficulty takes place on fourteen, a short but nearly perfect three-par on which you’ll need a solid tee shot to a pitched, very well guarded green. The final quartet of holes here builds continuous momentum, culminating in a great pair of finishers.

I found the seventeenth, which seems the centerpiece of Windham’s 2014 modifications, to be one fabulous golf hole. At first wide and even welcoming off the tee, this 550 yard par-five narrows considerably on the second shot. The landing area here is studded with a lone pot bunker. This is not the the world’s safest dogleg on which to be cutting the corner. Go a bit too far right and you’ll have to console yourself with at least having a challenge: playing out of deep underbrush. The hole culminates in a perched green set into the hillside and woods. Eighteen does not outdo the seventeenth (not much can), but this medium-length par four is still a great finisher. Two full-blooded shots are a must to reach the green.

Unsurprisingly, there are few water hazards at Windham, well in keeping with 1920’s-vintage courses. Only twelve and eighteen have ponds, both smallish and a bit tangential to the main action (they’re not all that threatening). Generally, the addition of prominent water hazards tends to ruin, I think, the classic layouts of this era. In other words, you can’t merge an Augusta National with a St. Andrews or a Troon—the resultant hybrid will feel too awkward.

I can’t say that this course needed little introduction, because my one and only prior visit here occurred in the distant past: the 1970’s, when I was a high school freshman. The course’s website, which features flyovers and an excellent description, well captures the essence of Windham’s strategic values, and its tendency to favor a precision—as opposed to a brute—playing style. Such a self-assessment goes one-up on most others I’ve read online.

But I walked away today feeling as if this layout will go toe-to-toe with nearly any golf course on a ‘Top Ten Connecticut Golf Course’ list. If you’re into vintage golf courses, I think Windham stacks up quite well against Donald Ross’ Shennecossett in Groton. There are no truly harrowing holes here like Ross’ third and fourth, but what I prefer here is the great flow, balance, and subtlety of a golf course that still feels every bit as shrewd and edgy as a Ross creation.

Other notes, comments, and opinions:

A) Outstanding conditioning ranks with the best golf courses I’ve played this year: well-kept fairways and smooth, speedy putting surfaces.

B) The Achilles heel here today, however, was very slow pace of play. Our foursome played eighteen in 4:45. This will not dissuade me from coming back here, but it put a dent in things. Granted, the course was crowded, but when will golf courses start using marshals REGULARLY to move along those foursomes apparently under the delusion that they’re playing the Masters?

C) Luckily I had three great, young playing partners today to keep things interesting. Chris, Megan, and Nick were all young professionals who have been playing golf for a couple of years; all three were capable and intense players. When chatting while we waited, we happened to discuss Florida golf—Orlando region. Chris and Nick recommend a trio of standouts they’ve played: Disney—Palm Course; Shingle Creek; and Celebration. Shingle Creek, said Nick, offered amazing service to complement the great golf.

1st time playing Windham Golf Club. Course layout is straight forward with generous tree lined fairways. Trees do a nice job framing the holes but don't come into play for well placed tee shots, so there isn't much trouble off the tee for straight hitters. Greens were moderate size. Fairways, rough, and greens were in good condition on most holes. Course maintenance needs to be improved to receive a higher rating, still many small tree branches scattered about in the rough 2 weeks after tropical storm Isaias, cart paths & tee boxes are in tough shape.

Hole 17 is a very poorly design hole IMO, a real head scratcher. A challenging hole but really poor design due to proximity to 16 green & 18 tee. A former par 4 made into a 5 starts with a tee box that is too close to the 16th green & has you hitting along the green & across a road to the fairway. The green is tucked behind the 18th tee box and not visible until your ~ 100 yards from it, a bunker in the layup area must be carried to have a clear line to the green for your 3rd, layups on the center/ right side of the fairway short of the trap will leave you with a choice to pitch forward ~ 40 yards or hit over the trees & 18th tee to reach the green.

Golfnow price was $16 for greens fees (walking) for a Wednesday morning tee time,

Walked 18 for 38$ .... even though it was advertised as 30 on the website and GolfNow.

Isaias just rolled through yesterday but they had not touched the course. Debris literally everywhere.

We played from the Blacks, and they alternate what Par a hole may be based on the tees you play from. ( just put them further away for gods sake )

Just not worth 38$ on a weekday afternoon. Greens were OK. Course not very well manicured outside of the debris either. Just disappointed probably won’t be back.

I got a hot deal on a very hot afternoon. Because of the heat the course was pretty empty and I breezed through playing by myself. It has a good mix of scoring and challenging holes. It was a very good value.

The staff were real friendly as were the people I met out on the course.

I will definitely be playing here again.

I booked a hot deal on a very hot day (mid 90’s). The course was pretty empty because of the heat so I breezed through it. It has a cool layout, some challenging holes, I liked it. I definitely will be playing here again.

Played Saturday mid morning. A little chaotic getting off the first tee. I liked the layout and the accuracy required on many of the 2nd shots. Greens were in good shape. Good local course but I wouldn't travel too far to play this track

Had a nice time playing this course yesterday. The greens are a little small but in very good condition.. some of the pin placement we're a bit strange they were on a steep slope so if you were putting downhill it was very hard to stop the ball unless they went in the hole..The par 3 range in difference from pitching wedge to 3 iron as they are 110 to 210 yards. The closing holes are not easy and 17 requires 3 good accurate shots to make the green..If you stay out of the rough you should have a good round..Would recommend anyone to play here.Cart girl came around often. Pace of play was a bit slow but to be expected on the weekend.

Reasonably priced and in good shape. Few difficult holes to keep it interesting including some long par 3s. I enjoyed the pace of the greens, they looked and felt great. Tee boxes were cut well and very well maintained. The ground was very level, I never felt uncomfortable at the tee, and never felt drowned in divots.

This is not the easiest course to walk. 18 holes is usually tough, but there are a few decent walks between holes to make it a bit tougher. It was difficult keeping up with the twosome with a cart , especially by the end.

All in all great round, glad i tried out the course.

Played here today on a drizzly Friday. Course was in great shape overall. Greens were running a bit slow but true.For some reason hole 17 was not updated by GPS but other than that a great round overall.

Have played here multiple times this year. Walkable, although good exercise. Pace of play is always good. Pretty easy course to play well. Worth a trip or if close. Good value.

The course was in very good shape. Greens were a bit slow but in good condition and fairways trimmed well. Noticed bunkers were raked by staff and looked clean of debris. Its a nice track and we played a great pace. I play the black tees so the par adjustment makes it a challenge to hit par. Well worth the discounted price online.

Overall the course was good and well maintained but not sure if I’ll be back. I booked on golf now as a hot deal which stated cart included. The only reason I booked at that price was that it said the cart was included. When I get there the course charged me an extra $16 for the cart because it didn’t say it was included in the confirmation email. Definitely felt cheated out and surprised they didn’t give it for free when the same thing happened to the people before us.....

Midweek afternoon was able to sneak out. Have played 2 other times but walked both. Little rough walking(with pull cart) but played great on a cart. Hooked up with 3 others and they were all over the place, but still a great afternoon. Did take longer, but pretty sure that was due to their refreshments getting in the way of speedy round. Nice course. Nice layout.

Course was great !!! Really enjoyed the layout !!!! Busy day and still played in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. Cart girl was attentive. Pro shot staff excellent !!! A great day !!

We went here during the Covid-19 crisis. Because Massachusetts courses were closed. The planning was easy did it all online through Golfnow paid in advance super convenient. We arrived at the course called into the clubhouse to check in and we were off. Played in four hours twenty five minutes mostly because of our own pace of play. Didn’t have to wait for the group in front and were not pushed by the group behind. Excellent experience!