Farmingbury Hills Golf Club

First time playing this one - it's a 9 hole course, but several of the holes have tee/green options to make it different if you play 18. Course seemed a little short but that didn't mean it was easy - greens were fast and tough to 2 putt. Hard to hold the greens without a little bite on the irons. All in great shape which is why i'd go back for sure. The ONLY bummer today was an extremely slow foursome in front of us - they were nice enough guys but just very very slow. 2 hr 20 min for 9 holes was a little on the high side but again, i'd go back!

Very good golf course well kept an excellent restaurant

CAPSULE REVIEW:

Type of Layout/Style: traditional American parkland from Golden Age era (1920’s). Mostly strategic holes, so ‘position golf’ is mostly unnecessary. I used driver on every par-4 and par-5. A few holes penalize severely: the road on four; a pond on seven; some OOB. Fairways are mostly open and very playable, providing a range of shot options for skilled players. General width of fairways accommodates nearly all golfers.

Tee-to-green strengths: Takes advantage of huge hillside terrain via dramatic elevation changes; the ground often falls from many high tees, enabling you great views of landing areas.

Green complexes: Well-designed and varied. Greens are often pitched with some severe slopes. Very good test of your putting stroke and of judgment of speed/line. Today greens were moderately fast--almost recovered from aeration.

Challenging Holes: 2,4,5,7, above all; yet all have some form of challenge (great balance).

Best Hole: The fourth achieves a neat trick: it’s both the toughest and most scenic hole at Farmingbury, and arguably the best driving hole.

Unique Feature: A number of holes, including 5, 6, 7 and 8, can be played in different ways—as par fours or fives; or from very different tees (as at six), all of which give these holes different ‘slants.’

Clubhouse: Small but decent. Violi’s Restaurant, adjacent to first tee and ninth green, is impressive. Outdoor dining.

Scenery: Outstanding; as good as any course in Connecticut, with stunning vistas (see pictures).

Conditioning: Strong around greens, fringes and greenside rough. Fairways (average) are still recovering from summer drought. Rough was OK. All in all, conditioning is essentially ‘good.’

Improvements: The owners seem committed to improving Farmingbury with the addition of new cart paths on several holes this year. Maintenance appears to be a priority, but I’m hoping for even better in the future. Carts, by the way, are used by most on this track.

Accessibility: Excellent: five minutes from I-84.

Recommendation: Absolutely play it. It’s one of the top nine-hole layouts in the state. Though conditioning is a ways from perfect, it’s still quite playable. In actuality about four-and-a-half stars right now, but considering its high value, I’ll call it five. Expect better conditions in the spring of 2021. Today I enjoyed lively conversation and had much fun with my three playing partners (J., S., and B.). Terrific experience.

Great course to play. Greens were in great shape. Not crowded and play was quick!!

Course was in good shape considering how dry its been. Greens a bit sandy but didnt alter play. Ill be back.

The course was in TERRIBLE condition. All the fairways were burnt it was like hitting off concrete. The course did an awful job spacing out tee times where there was a log jam on every hole. The group in front was a 5sum. Tee boxes weren’t any better. All the golf carts were either to slow and had terrible breaks. Even for the price it was not worth it. Staff was friendly though

Not going to find 9 holes with cart for only $12 anywhere