Crestbrook is an above average 18 hole course located in Watertown. The course was originally only 9 holes but then was purchased by the town, who added 9 more and a pool and tennis courts. It is a challenging course with tree lined fairways, plenty of water and sloping greens. The front nine(3275) plays shorter than the back(3655) so you must get off to a good start or it only gets worse.  Holes 8 and 9 are both big dog leg lefts and I suggest laying up on 8 but on 9 give it all you got or you will be forced to lay up again. As I mentioned the back 9 is long and pretty tight so good luck.  The cart girl was very nice and prob the prettiest girl in town. Overall it gets a 7.5 and I need to go play it again soon then catch a Taft hockey game.

http://crestbrookpark.com/

• layout-7
• condition-7
• food-6
• staff- 7

Copper Hill is a nine hole course located minutes from the Mass border. I played this course with my friends Paul and Bill, as a warm up before playing Simsbury, and we were eager to get off of it. It was almost completely under water even though it hadn’t rained in a week. The course was short, flat, and boring. My least favorite hole there is # 8 which dog legs right and then left and leaves you wondering where your tee shot went. The club house and grill is somewhat cozy and if you are a recreational golfer, league play there would be fun. I will give it another shot on a dry fall day but it will be on my way to the RANCH.

http://www.copperhillgolf.com/

• layout-3
• condition-3
• food-NA
• staff- 3

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.

http://ctnationalgolf.com/

• layout-10
• condition-9
• food-10
• staff- 9