Best CT public tracks for "weekend" play

[prorobo]

What are the best public courses in CT (New Haven county origin but open to traveling within reason, i.e. not Enfield, Danbury, etc) for price, pace of play, and value (not necessarily layout/condition but those are factors as well)?

 

I played Lyman a month or so ago on a Saturday and it literally took my threesome 40 minutes just to get to the first tee. 2 hours later we got rained out on hole 4.

 

I've dabbled in my fair share of courses throughout CT, mostly southern CT, over the past couple years and have had pretty good luck as far as pace and what not. But, and this is the kicker, I mostly play during the week since in the past my job has had me traveling the country on weekends working.

 

So what are your recommendations for courses that might see less traffic on the weekends and aren't Great River prices?

 

Here's my list:

 

[best]

Woodbridge CC - fairly good pace in the afternoon, I think because it's relatively secluded, conditions are awful right now though

Tradition at Oak Lane - *see Woodbridge

Oxford Greens - I have yet to have a slow round there, knock on wood

Great River - *see Oxford

Quarry Ridge - only played it once, conditions were very good, pace was fast

Yale - *see Quarry Ridge

 

[Decent]

Tradition of Wallingford - hit or miss, I've had lightning quick rounds there and crawls, great if it's fast!

Orange Hills CC - *see Wallingford

Whitney Farms - *see Wallingford

Grassy Hill CC - *see Wallingford

Tashua Knolls - *see Wallingford, very overpriced in my opinion

 

[Avoid at all costs]

Alling Memorial - snail's pace, overwhelmingly rude staff

Lyman Orchards - snail's pace, I literally watched a turtle crawl from one side of the teebox to the other while we waited, but good value midweek

Laurel View - snail's pace, conditions are terrible

Fairchild Wheeler - slow, but have had decent pace there

H. Smith Richardson - slow

Sleeping Giant - slow and hacker's paradise

The Orchards - *see Sleeping Giant

Short Beach - *see Sleeping Giant

[geoangus]

I find pace of play to be a totally hit or miss type of thing (I've played Lyman in both 4 & 6 hours). In the past 10 years, I can only think of one instance where a marshall actually told a group ahead to pick it up. So if you're behind some good players, you're round will be quick. If you're not, pack a lunch and maybe dinner.

I would think mid-week should be better, but I've been out a few times and find myself behind several foursomes of mixed seniors. While many can and do play fast, some do not.

[Fowler]

Longshore in Westport has its slow play issues, but if you get out in the morning it's no issue at all. Only thing is it's a really easy, short course that plays to a par 69 and just over 6000 yards. It's public, but it's a course to go to for a raise in self esteem

[dartboss04]

I agree with Geoangus...honestly, I think it's really hit or miss. I haven't had a really slow round at Lyman and I've played there quite a bit, but have had very slow rounds at Quarry. It depends on the day, who's out there, etc. I think we all have such small samples sets on most of the these courses.

I know a member at Oxford, and he's seen some very slow weekend rounds there as well.

[Smithj36]

WIntonbury is a great track and whenever I play there is takes around 4 hours and 15 minutes. I played there last week and the course is in great shape.


Note on Oak Lane, palyed there twice this year and pace of play is awful- 5 to 5 and half hours.