The Course Layout
We have a PDF Version of the COURSE MAP that is ideal for printing.
Authored by Chris Carpenter, Director of Golf, Nashawtuc Country Club
Hole #1, 386 Yards, Par 4:
The relatively short opening hole requires players to shape the tee shot from right to left. Players need to avoid the thick rough down the left side and can easily be blocked out by the trees if the fairway is missed to the right. The relatively flat putting surface will allow players to take advantage of quality approach shots.
Hole #2, 191 Yards, Par 3:
Playing just shy of 200 yards, this relatively straight forward par-3 requires players to keep their tee shots below the hole. With a significant back to front sloping green, putts from above the hole will require a smooth stroke to avoid an early bogey.
Hole #3, 396 Yards, Par 4:
There are a couple of options from the tee. Players can select the driver to carry past the fairway bunker on the left or they may choose to play a fairway metal or iron to position their approach from the crest of the fairway. Regardless of their choice from the tee, players must avoid the row of pines just off the right side of the fairway. The approach shot plays deceptively uphill bringing the bunker on the right front of the green into play. The putting surface is divided by a ridge running from front to back.
Hole #4, 298 Yards, Par 4:
A short hole with lots of character. Players must make a decision from the tee and may choose to take a chance with the driver. Balls hit to the right will most likely end up among the large trees making par a good score. Players finding the fairway will need to control their distance and spin when playing to the green. The multiple ridges cutting through the putting surface will be a factor on approach shots and putts.
Hole #5, 517 Yards, Par 5:
With a sharp dogleg to the left only 240 yards off the tee, players will choose a fairway metal or must move the ball sharply from right to left with the driver. Trees guarding both sides of the fairway and mounds on the right ensure poorly placed tee shots will face a difficult recovery. Players finding the fairway can take a shot at reaching this par 5 in two. Bunkers guard the right side of the putting surface and will collect poor approach shots played to this large green.
Hole #6, 366 Yards, Par 4:
With water right and bunkers left, players must produce an accurate tee shot to avoid recording a bogey to begin the difficult closing holes on the outward nine. Players finding the fairway from the tee will be tested as they play to the severely back-to-front sloping green. Playing short of the green is no bargain as the putting surface falls off on both the front and left sides, leaving a difficult chip to the slick putting surface.
Hole #7, 455 Yards, Par 4:
With heavy rough on both left and right, players must find the fairway to have a realistic chance of reaching the green in regulation. Players will encounter a seemingly benign putting surface that proves to be one of the hardest greens to read on the course. Having ranked among the hardest holes on the Champions Tour, the seventh will certainly require the player’s full attention.
Hole #8, 190 Yards, Par 3:
Playing just less than 200 yards to the center of the green, players must choose the proper club to find themselves with a realistic birdie putt. The two-tiered green will make any putt from the opposing level difficult to gauge. Water fronting the green should not come into play but the bunker and severe slopes left will see plenty of action.
Hole #9, 543 Yards, Par 5:
Finding the fairway from the tee may be difficult for those wishing to play a driver from the tee. Most players will choose to take a traditional three-shot approach to the relatively short par 5. The approach shot always proves difficult to the putting surface that is significantly elevated above the player. Only the longest hitters will have a view of anything more than the top of the flag when playing their approach. Players must also guard against spinning their ball off the severely sloped front left portion of the green.
Hole #10, 538 Yards, Par 5:
This relatively short par 5 allows players to get off to a good start on the inward nine. Players must position the tee shot to avoid the hazard left of the fairway. Players may choose to work the ball from left-to-right from the tee to attempt to reach the hole in two. The approach and putting is more difficult when the pin is placed on the right side of the green.
Hole #11, 421 Yards, Par 4:
Players must produce an accurate tee shot to stay clear of the bunker left and trees down the right. Players will face a difficult mid-iron to an undulating green protected by bunkers. The various ridges cutting through the green will test the short game skills of those not producing and accurate approach.
Hole #12, 407 Yards, Par 4:
This medium-length par four requires an accurate tee shot to avoid the bunker on the left and the overhanging trees guarding the right. Players finding the rough must produce an accurate second to a green falling off on all sides. Once on the surface, the green is deceptively slopped from back to front.
Hole 13, Par 3, 205 yards
The most difficult of Nashawtuc’s par three holes, the 13th requires an accurate long-iron approach to a green guarded by deep bunkers right and left. The green slopes drastically from back to front making putts from above the hole a challenge for even the best of putters.
Hole 14, Par 4, 378 yards
This short dogleg right will yield a good number of birdies. Trouble looms for aggressive players attempting to cut across the large fairway bunker guarding the right side of the fairway. The green is quite narrow in the front and falls away from the player in the back.
Hole 15, Par 4, 338 yards
A variety of options are available to players from the tee. Players will play to a landing area not visible from the tee and must negotiate the well-positioned bunker on the left. Trees pinching in on the right will produce trouble for tee shots finding the rough on the right. Players must guard from going left and long with their short approach. The green is difficult to putt when the pin is on the front third of the green.
Hole 16, Par 4, 420 yards
A well struck tee shot is necessary for players to have a realistic chance of making birdie. Thick rough and bunkers both right and left of the fairway will penalize those not finding the short grass. A mid-iron approach to the two-tiered green places a premium on distance control. Putting will be difficult for those attempting to negotiate the ridge cutting across the center of the green.
Hole 17, Par 3, 171 yards
Players must be decisive on the tee shot to the oddly-shaped green. Water short will come into play when the pin is placed on the right side of the green. The multiple levels of the green make putting and chipping difficult for players attempting to negotiate the various ridges. Players taking advantage of the slopes could easily produce a crowd pleasing hole-in-one.
Hole 18, Par 5, 521 yards
Players must avoid the hazard left and bunkers right off the tee. A well struck drive could set up a demanding play for the green in two. Players laying up on their second must play to a narrow landing area guarded by bunkers, overhanging trees and heavy rough. The large green is severely slopped on the front left but provides a level putting surface elsewhere.
