Western Connecticut Courses?

[Firios]

This holiday I will be spending Christmas time up in CT, located around Southbury, CT. I was just wondering which courses around are worth my time (will be limited due to holiday festivities), and was also wondering if the courses are worth trying in the winter (I am from NC, so I will not be used to the extremely low temps). Thanks!

[Jay Dub]

Here's a link to all the courses in Ct according to the PDGA website.

http://www.pdga.com/course_directory/state_province_city/CT

[Firios]

I've looked at what courses are nearby and available. I am more interested in finding out from a local about how playable these courses are in the winter, and which ones should be the focus of my attention.

[CaptainAnhyzer]

Cranbury is the closest "can't miss" course to Southbury. Winter Doubles start 12/20 at 1030am

.......haven't played Panthorn, heard it's nice.

[heelboycraig]

Isn't Conneticut small enough that you can easily drive to any course in the state?

[kenjiac]

Wickham is very nice. FDR is also very cool they just did new fly pads for thier tees. Both about an hour away from southbury opposite directions. Cranbury is a must! Also I hear good thing about wavenly but I havn't played it yet.

[kenjiac]

Look for locals here NEFA FORUMS (http://forums.nefa.com/index.php?sid=fc4c9605d8590a633ca842f938d3aa04)

[optidiscic]

Cranbury is nice....I really enjoyed Wickham but it's closed until April....I think the best course in Western Connecticut is Joralemon Park in Eastern New York...hahahaha......seriously if your in Western Conn play Cranbury and Joralemon (its a quick jaunt up the NY thru way) I drove from SE PA and bagged J-Park and Cranbury in the same day......both of those courses are heavily wooded so while it will be cold there will be less foliage to deal with....Eastern NY and W Conn don't get the legendary snow that Western NY does......so snow may be a hit or miss decision based on the day! J-Park and Cranbury are worth playing!

[kenjiac]

If you want to make the trip to the "J" me and the captain will be your tour guides. This is my home course, 28 holes! It's not quite the quick juant as optidiscic said. 2ish hrs but we'd love to show off our course!

[CaptainAnhyzer]

Cranbury is nice....I really enjoyed Wickham but it's closed until April....I think the best course in Western Connecticut is Joralemon Park in Eastern New York...hahahaha......seriously if your in Western Conn play Cranbury and Joralemon (its a quick jaunt up the NY thru way) I drove from SE PA and bagged J-Park and Cranbury in the same day......both of those courses are heavily wooded so while it will be cold there will be less foliage to deal with....Eastern NY and W Conn don't get the legendary snow that Western NY does......so snow may be a hit or miss decision based on the day! J-Park and Cranbury are worth playing!

damn, Opti...... we're gonna have to give you a honorary club membership if you keep plugging the "J" like this. :D

Seriously though, I thought the new woods holes were gonna be a tough hike in the snow but 6-8 inches is not scaring ANY locals from playing them. Was out there yesterday and there were player tracks everywhere.

[optidiscic]

If you want to make the trip to the "J" me and the captain will be your tour guides. This is my home course, 28 holes! It's not quite the quick juant as optidiscic said. 2ish hrs but we'd love to show off our course!

Just do it...it's a lot of fun..everyone else is saying so....don't be afraid...it's twice the course Cranbury is! (I love peer pressure)

[Aubin]

if you're not used to the cold... dress warm! It's supposed to be around 30 degrees for the next week.

The closest park is probably Hop Brook; I've never played there, and I've heard it's kinda in disrepair so may not be worth the drive.

Panthorn Park is about 25-30 minutes east; 18 holes, wooded and long (for the woods), nice tee boxes and fly pads, lots of locals, sunday AM dubz, and a good challenge. Some of the reviews are mediocre, noting signage and some tee boxes, but both of those have improved recently (two new tee boxes in just the past two weeks). More of a "I survived' challenge course than a birdie-fest; par is 58, course singles record is 54.

Cranbury park is about 40 minutes south, but is a sorta 'roundabout' trip to get there. Traffic on I-95 should come into play with your decision. It's a fantastic course that hosts an A tier event. Wooded but fair, some field holes, absolutely top notch tee pads and signage. one of the only downsides is the dog walkers (there are a LOT) so you may have to wait a few minutes on a tee for the fairway to clear. This could add a good 15-20 mins to a round depending on when you play. All of the dog walkers know there's a well-played course there so they're not oblivious.

No offense to Joralmon park, but it's almost 100 miles from Southbury! I have heard great things about it but I'm afraid you'd spend 2+ hours driving instead of playing. It is absolutely on my wishlist though, and a long drive might be worth it for a guided tour. There are other East NY courses (Mt Kisco, FDR) that I haven't played but are further than Panthorn or about the same drive as Cranbury. If you do decide to hop the border to NY, watch out for cops as they LOOOOOVE to give CT'ers speeding tickets right over the border.

Overall, I'd say it depends on your total time. Cranbury will not disappoint at all, and is worth the trip 100%. Panthorn is probably closest and a great challenge but is a brutal monster if you're not used to New England courses.

[Aubin]

Also of note: Page Park in Bristol, nice tough 9 hole'r just installed, and Waveny Park in New Canaan, 15 minutes south of Cranbury.

[Dave242]

I'll be in Avon CT 12/25-27 and in Tarrytown, NY on 12/28. I am going to try to get out for several hours on 12/26 and play a few courses around Hartford (I hope to walk Wichkam since the baskets are pulled). On 12/28 I hope to get over to Cranbury, Leonard & FDR (weather and family permitting).

[solomon.trenton]

I'll be in Avon CT 12/25-27 and in Tarrytown, NY on 12/28. I am going to try to get out for several hours on 12/26 and play a few courses around Hartford (I hope to walk Wichkam since the baskets are pulled). On 12/28 I hope to get over to Cranbury, Leonard & FDR (weather and family permitting).

how many courses are you bagging this trip?

[Dave242]

Probably/hopefully 8 or so.

[optidiscic]

Dave242 the disc golfer in you will love Cranbury Park and the Dog in you will love the other dogs! Have fun!