Designer: Arthur Fenn (1899, 9 holes), Donald Ross (1928, 18 holes)
Location: Waterbury, Connecticut
History: Originally a 9-hole course laid out by Waterbury local Arthur Fenn in the late 1890s, today’s course is a Donald Ross after he redesigned and converted the course to 18 holes in 1928. Considered one of the top courses in the state, Waterbury holds the following accolades:
- #192 Best Classic Course in America – Golfweek (2023)
- #14 Best Course in Connecticut – Golf Digest (2023)
- #5 Best Course in Connecticut – Golf Magazine (2023)
- #8 Best Course in Connecticut – Top100golfcourses.com (2020)
Conditions: 8/10, The Country Club of Waterbury is in overall strong condition but does contain a few barren spots in the fairway and teeboxes that prevent it from achieving a higher score.
Value: N/A, This is a private course.
Scorecard:
Tee Par Yardage Rating Slope
Black 69 6603 72.5 130
Blue 69 6406 71.4 128
White 69 6065 69.8 126
Green 71 5494 72.3 122
Hole Descriptions: Connecticut is a fascinating golf state for me because while its courses aren’t nearly as good as neighbors Massachusetts or New York, there are a number of quality offerings, mainly on the private side. I’ve been fortunate to play most of the top courses in the state and what really stands out is how close in quality the top 10 are and how any of them could be the best course in the state on a given day. This group is quite varied in terms of architecture and setting as well ranging from the template-dominated Tamarack, Yale, and Fairfield to the impeccably conditioned modern gems Stanwich and Bull’s Bridge. Waterbury, however, has my vote for most underrated course in Connecticut and is a course that is clearly top 10 in the state and on par with many of the above big names.
Located in the central part of the state on rollicking, rocky terrain, Waterbury is a true Donald Ross design that has been altered very little since he came here in 1928. In typical Ross fashion, he routed this par 69 terrifically over the terrain with a fantastic set of greens and plenty of challenge for better players. Like nearby Worcester, this is a course that would receive a lot more attention if it were closer to either Boston or New York, but flies well-under the radar in a post-industrial city like Waterbury. The very definition of a hidden gem, a day at Waterbury is a day very well spent and one I recommend very highly.
Some might scoff at Waterbury’s short overall yardage, but keep in mind it is a par 69 and actually plays quite long with many lengthy par fours. Like another Ross par 69 Wannamoisett, Waterbury opens with a very tough stretch beginning with the 423 yard opener. A real standout and arguably the most memorable hole on the course, this dramatic par 4 plays directly downhill from the clubhouse to a generous, left-to-right sloping fairway that bends right. This approach then plays over a creek to a large, left-to-right sloping green guarded by bunkers and a false front short.
Called the “best par 4 in the state” by Connecticut golfing legend Dick Siderowf, the 2nd is another excellent yet difficult hole at 412 yards. Featuring a tight, right-to-left sloped fairway lined by trees and fescue, this hole turns left at about 270 yards with a bunker down the right at this point. After a good teeshot, your work isn’t over, as this back-to-front sloped green sits on a tall pedestal defended by a vicious false front and bunker right. Pars here likely go a long way.
At 227 yards, the 3rd hole continues Waterbury’s difficult start as its longest par 3. Playing downhill along the edge of the property, this one-shotter plays over fescue-lined chocolate drops towards a narrow, back-to-front sloped green lined by bunkers on either side. The distance alone makes par an elusive target here.
The 386 yard par 4 4th hole is the first real break you get at Waterbury, but still features a somewhat challenging teeshot to a tree-lined fairway that turns right at just 220 yards. Likely facing another sidehill lie in the fairway, this approach plays towards a left-to-right sloping green defended by bunkers on either side short.
The longest par 4 on the course, the 456 yard 5th is a deserving number 1 handicap and another very difficult hole at the beginning of your round. This straightaway hole features an 170 yard forced carry over a creek to a generous fairway lined by OB right the entire way. The bunkers on this hole are more in play for the lay-up and come up well-short of the green. This approach runs slightly uphill to a fairly severe back-to-front sloped green defended by another false front.
At just 307 yards, the 6th is the shortest par 4 on the course and is a lovely and fun little hole. Although reachable in theory by the longest hitters, this hole runs uphill the entire way and most golfers will be laying up to a comfortable number here. This fairway is initially wide but narrows considerably around 200 yards with bunkers on either side and a slight turn left. Perhaps the most interesting green on the course, this elevated surface features numerous internal swales and plateaus and is defended by bunkers on either side.
Running along the edge of the property, the 7th hole is an extremely strong 426 yard snaking par 4 that ranks among my favorite holes in Connecticut. This challenging hole begins innocently enough with a semi-blind teeshot to a fairway that twists right immediately. OB runs down the right the entire way while thick forest lines the left. At about 240 yards, this fairway narrows to almost nothing and then begins to turn left again through a tight, rocky valley. The terrain on this hole feels very similar to many of the holes you find at nearby Yale. This beautiful approach plays over a crossbunker towards another elevated, back-to-front sloped green lined by bunkers.
Running in the opposite direction along the same rocky, hilly terrain, the 8th hole is the shortest at Waterbury as a gorgeous 150 yard par 3. Playing slightly uphill to a pedestal green defended by deep bunkers short and on either side, this putting surface slopes right-to-left and leaves difficult up-and-downs for those who miss it.
Waterbury’s lone par 5 sits at only 487 yards and is a fun, risk/reward hole and one of the best birdie opportunities on the course. Featuring an exhilarating downhill teeshot with a decent forced carry, this hole is lined by OB right the entire way. This fairway ends about 100 yards short of the green with a small pond and dam you’ll need to cross on your approach. This hazard is certainly a formidable risk for those who attempt to get home in two. There are no bunkers on this hole and this green again predominantly slopes back-to-front.
The 10th hole runs in the opposite direction back up the hill as a 378 yard par 4. Playing briefly over the pond, this hole features a generous fairway for the first 270 yards before turning left and narrowing considerably at this point. From here, this approach is quite challenging straight uphill to a circular, severely back-to-front sloped, punchbowl-like green with bunkers on either side.
The 11th hole is another stellar par 4 as a 359 yard dogleg right. With tremendous land movement, this hole plays downhill to a severely canted fairway that turns 90 degrees right around 235 yards. From here, the hole trundles even further downhill to a fascinating back-to-front sloped green with several plateaus and two deep bunkers on either side.
At 180 yards, the 12th hole is a beautiful downhill par 3 with a back-to-front sloped infinity green lined by bunkers on either side. An additional crossbunker sits well-short of the green and is more of a visual illusion than true hazard.
Waterbury continues its barrage of terrific par fours with the dogleg left 395 yard 13th. With a beautiful teeshot featuring an immediate forced carry over water, this tree-lined fairway slides left with a severe right-to-left slope. There aren’t many flat lies for your uphill approach into a green that slopes back right-to-front left and is defended by bunkers and a false front short.
The 14th hole is probably the least interesting and memorable of Waterbury’s strong one-shotters but is still a formidable challenge at 226 yards. This green is one of the flattest on the course and is lined by a bunker right.
The closing holes at Waterbury are four quality par fours beginning with the 427 yard 15th. A challenging tree-lined hole featuring a semi-blind teeshot over a plateau, this fairway then plays slightly downhill towards an open green containing a back right mound and two bunkers right. The views of the property afforded on this green are fantastic.
The 16th hole is a dogleg left at 369 yards turning left around a large clump of trees at 240 yards. This green runs back-to-front defended by bunkers on either side and a steep drop-off long.
The 17th hole is a slightly downhill, straightaway par 4 at 374 yards. Featuring another blind teeshot over fescue and rocks, this hole features OB right the entire way but an otherwise generous fairway without much danger. This green is narrow, slopes back-to-front on its front portion, and is very-well defended by bunkers on either side and a drop-off long.
At 424 yards, the closing hole at Waterbury is a strong dogleg left lined by fescue left and OB right with trees and street. After finding the fairway, this approach runs back uphill towards the clubhouse and a two-tiered, back-to-front sloped green flanked by bunkers. Pars are a great score here.
General Comments: Amenities at Waterbury include a small clubhouse, tennis courts, a pool, and practice green near the 1st tee. Pace of play was extremely strong when I played.
Verdict: The very definition of a hidden gem, the criminally underrated Country Club of Waterbury is a fantastic Donald Ross par 69 featuring numerous strong, memorable holes over an engaging, rocky terrain. I highly recommend a round here if given the opportunity.
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