There is a special kind of magic that happens when you tee off at Copper Hill Golf Club in East Granby. You step up to the first tee box, feel the cool New England breeze, and look out over the fairways so wide and inviting they practically scream, Go ahead, unleash the driver – you literally cannot miss!
It’s the ultimate confidence boost. You take a deep breath and make a full, glorious rip at the ball hoping to impress your playing partners, Ken and Michele. That’s when Copper Hill reveals its true character. While those rolling green corridors look generous from the tee, they are framed by some of the most unforgiving, pitch-black thickets of dense Connecticut forest you’ll ever encounter. One slight slice or an overly ambitious hook and your ball doesn’t just hit the rough, it embarks on a permanent sabbatical into the deep woods never to be found again. Let’s see how it played out over this 9-hole track.
I took the honors at Hole #1 and predictably couldn’t find the fairway with my driver at this par 4 of 337 yards. Ken, who has played here before, pulled his trusty 5-iron and laced one straight down the fairway – lesson learned. Too far right on this hole will place you in the #9 fairway, so when playing these two holes – beware! The first bunker you may encounter is at the front left of the green on this straight-forward hole. Hole #2 is another straight 313 yard par 4. There is a scum-filled pond to clear with your tee shot and the start of the dense woods on the right.
Scum-filled may be the term of the day as you need to carry another one at the par 3 third hole. Any ball launched to the right is probably long gone. Hole #4 is a fun risk/reward par 5. The first shot is blind and if you land on top of the hill, now the decision is…which direction does your second shot take? To the right will give you an unobstructed view of the green. Straight ahead is shorter; however, a bunker and two large trees will stand in the path to birdie.
Go figure…another scum-filled pond to clear at this short par 4. The fifth hole is only 241 yards long, but from the white tees, I may have difficulty clearing this water hazard. It almost plays as a tour-length par 3. FYI…my tee shot did not clear the pond! Hole #6 is a more manageable par 3 (164 yards), with dense woods to the left and a “crowned” green that makes holding the putting surface a challenge. Hole #7 is a great example of how to make a straight par 4 very interesting. Another pond to carry with your tee shot, dense forest all around, a gully to navigate by the green, and bunkers surrounding the putting surface. Whew, tough hole!
Hole #8 is a “mini” dogleg to the left, and a fun and dangerous hole. Let me “splain”, Lucy. This 426 yard par 5 is straight until you get to the end of the fairway, and then the green is tucked up to the left at a 45 degree angle. Down both sides of the fairway are those pitch-black thickets we discussed earlier. If your first and second shots are down the left side, this becomes a risk/reward hole. These shots would need to get airborne quickly to clear the trees that guard this green. Hole #9 is the number one handicap hole with dense woods to the left, uphill slope to the green, and a fairway that slopes from left to right. Hard hats can be rented at the clubhouse because as mentioned on the first hole – beware of approaching tee shots from that opening hole!
Rating – Birdie (46 out of 60): The course was in very good shape, the greens were exceptional, and the staff was very friendly. Luckily, when you’re out on the course with great company like my playing partners, Ken and Michele, even hunting through the timberland for stray balls turned my New England: Birdies (Bogeys), Bakeries, Brews, and Beauties Golf Adventure into a great day!
The Bakery: Julien’s Farm Store – Granby, CT. A short drive from our Airbnb and a fantastic place.
The Brewery: Cambridge House Brew Pub – Granby, CT. Friendly staff, excellent beer and burger.
The Copper Hill Golden Rule: Bring twice as many balls as you think you need. In my case, the water seemed to attract many of them!
20 Copper Hill Road, East Granby, CT 06026; 860-653-6191; www.copperhillgolf.com
