A closer look at southwestern Connecticut's Fairfield County reveals a home for hundreds of commuters who venture into New York City each day via Metro North's New Haven Line from Greenwhich, Darien, Westport, and other quaint towns. Many of these people share six-figure jobs in finance, advertising, medicine, and other industries, and when they relax they like to unwind with leisurely pastimes. It's no wonder that there are so many fine golf courses in the area. While quite a few of them are private, and some are exclusively town-owned, some persistence and inside knowledge will make it possible to tee up at a few pristine courses with reasonable green fees.
Longshore Club Park dates back to the 1920s, a private club designed Orin E. Smith. Clocking in at 5,895 yards from the tips, the course is easy to walk but is a bit more deceiving than meets the eye. A recent renovation has expanded the bunkering, instilling the tracks with a links-like style. Keep an eye out for the last hole—with a sharp dogleg right bordered by an out of bounds, it could make or break rounds.
Nestled on a moderately hilly Stamford acreage, Sterling Farms Golf Course looks almost park-like, but it's definitely not a stroll in the park. Designer Geoffrey Cornish called for the course construction on a former dairy farm in 1969, which was renovated by Robert McNeill later in 2005. Sterling Farms embodies the country-scenic feel of the area, with occasional peaks of the Long Island Sound. The course is team-owned, which doesn't make it easy to get on, but it's worth trying.
D. Fairchild Wheeler's Golf Club is a Fairfield course owned by the city of Bridgeport and dates back to 1934, when Robert White of Scotland first designed The Wheel's layout. The club's two 18-hole courses highlight fairs that twist through the undulating Connecticut landscape; golfers will find terrain that shifts from hilly to flat and creeks that cut throughout. Those who prefer more open landscape should seek the Red Course, while the Black Course is tighter, longer, and considered to be more difficult. The views of the Sound from the 10th hole on this course are worth checking out alone!
Mitchell B. is our featured golf coach teaching golf lessons in Stamford! Mitchell is a PGA certified teaching professional who provides high-quality instruction for players of all ages and skill levels. Mitchell is very proud to have coaches students who played in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National Golf Club. If you are looking for golf lessons in the Stamford area, look no further, Mitchell is the golf coach for you!