Wintonburry Hills Golf Course, Bloomfield.
It took seven years of bureaucratic negotiating, but the northern suburb of Bloomfield finally got to celebrate its new municipal course in 2003. Designed by Pete Dye and his one-time protege, Tim Liddy (with help from architecture writer Bradley S. Klein), Wintonbury sports open and forested holes alongside the Tunxis Reservoir, plus 125 bunkers, 90 acres of protected wetlands and firm fast greens.

Gillette Ridge Golf Course, Bloomfield.
Critics harped that this 7,200-yard Arnold Palmer design opened too early when it debuted in 2004, but these days, it's recovered nicely. Crisscrossed with lakes and streams and built on the CIGNA compound, the course calls for accurate driving through well-wooded terrain and equally precise approaches to boldly bunkered greens. Trivia buffs will note that the course was named for Frances Gillette, a 19th-century firebrand politician and businessman.

Rockledge Golf course, West Hartford.
A vintage old-school design from the 1940s, with small greens and fairways that meld to the property's natural slopes, this 6,436-yarder was a private club in the days when Julius Boros was an apt pupil to mentor Tommy Armour. This parkland layout is easily walkable and dotted with ponds and streams. Perhaps the most memorable hole is the 422-yard, par-4 11th that doglegs to the right, but many come just to sample the Lobster corn chowder and steamed clams at Angelo's, overlooking the 18th green and the Farmington River Valley.

Fox Hopyard Golf Course, East Haddam.
30 miles southeast of Hartford, within shouting distance of the Connecticut River and Devil's Hopyard State Park is this Roger Rulewich layout that is full of temptation-and lost balls. It's a gorgeous, but difficult track, thanks to narrow fairways lined with hardwoods, and multiple forced carries over water, wetlands and massive bunkers

Lyman Orchards Golf Course, Middlefield.
Two distinct courses, a 1969 Robert Trent Jones Sr. offering and a 1994 Gary Player track demand different skill sets. The Player course is extremely scenic, with holes winding through apple orchards, but is narrow, hilly and difficult to walk, with a handful of blind shots. The Jones is more open, with more water, making it a mixed bag for folks fighting a slice or hook.

Blue Fox Run Golf Course, Avon.
The Farmington River divides the home course of LPGA teaching pro Suzy Whaley, who teed it up with the men in 2003 at the Greater Hartford Open. This layout sits 10 miles west of Hartford and is 6,800 yards of pure fun, unless your irons fail you at the newly redesigned 167-yard, par-3 17th, which plays to a near-island green.

Farmington Miniature Golf is beautifully landscaped with colorful flowers--if you lose your ball amid the blooms, you're supposed to go and ask for another one, rather than trampling the posies to save face. Each hole presents a new challenge--many have architectural obstacles including a lighthouse, a barn, a castle, a church and a windmill. The 17th hole, known as "The Waves," is the toughest, with a wavy green that presents problems for even the most seasoned miniature golfer. A bonus 19th hole gives you a shot at winning another free round.

Chippanee Golf Club is a private family oriented country club located on 150 acres in Bristol, Connecticut. The club offers many different levels of membership including family, limited family, single and social. As a golfing member, you can join tournaments, ladies 9 or 18-hole groups, mixed golf, and our ever-popular annual member-guest. The facility features a full-service clubhouse, 18-hole golf course, driving range, finely stocked pro shop, tennis courts and an outdoor pool with a snack bar. In addition to the recreational aspects, Chippanee offers a full service restaurant with dining and banquet facilities to accommodate 25 to 200 guests. With a full complimentary staff on hand to accommodate your needs, you can utilize Chippanee for business luncheons, large or small groups, or casual socializing in our grillroom.