Here it is- my favorite course in the state! It may come as a surprise especially since many of you have never heard of it(gets no press or rankings…YET). CT national is the recently renovated Putnam Country Club. This beauty of a course is located in Putnam which is about 45 mins North of Mohegan Sun and close to the RI and MA borders. I never played Putnam but I heard from others that the new owner expanded the course, allowing for the word national to be added, and imported fescue and added bunkers during the multi million dollar renovation. As I approached the course the first time I was somewhat disappointed. The GPS took me on a dirt road in the middle of the woods so I was thinking that CT National was going to be like the other local tracks I played that week. Boy was I wrong. Hole 1 is a straightaway slightly uphill scoreable par 5. I suggest not using your driver on the dog leg right hole 2 as left is OB and right is heavy fescue. Hole 3 is the best hole there and make sure you take the right angle over the quarry. Hole 4 is a par 3 with a long green so check where the pin is before selecting your club. Hole 5 is a skinny par 4 and I suggest laying up with a 3 or 4 iron off the tee. Par 5 hole 6 offers a great chance at birdie. Hole 7 is a short par 3 and offers you a back to back birdie chance(I did!). Hole 8 offers a beautiful view off the tee box and is a reachable downhill par 4 but I do NOT recommend going for it as its not worth it(ask my friend TC). Hole 9 closes out the par 35 front 9 with a 160yd uphill par 3. I am not going to walk through the back 9 as the holes are more basic and wide open for you to see for yourself. The 18th is a downhill dogleg right par 5. If you hit a nice drive with a slight fade you will be left with about 225yds in and the best approach view in the state. See the pic below- an uphill view of the green, surrounded by bunkers and fescue, the clubhouse, and the lush uninhabited forest.
After your round I suggest you enjoy a meal there. The menu changes daily as they use fresh local ingredients. First time I played here linked up with a member there, Albi, who I call whenever I visit now as he offers a tale a hole.
They offer a weekday rate of $47 w/cart and $7 food voucher so take a day off from work and your welcome. Overall this course gets a 10.
- layout-10
- condition-9
- food-10
- staff- 9
GOLFCT 