Longshore Golf Course is a public par-69 course measuring approximately 5,895 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 1922 by Orin Smith and is located in Westport, Connecticut.
Set beside the Long Island Sound, the course is routed through a compact seaside property with modest elevation changes and consistent turf conditions. It favors players who enjoy short walks between holes and the occasional ocean breeze. Fairways are mostly open, while mature trees and water hazards shape strategy across the routing. The course appeals to casual walkers and lower handicaps alike thanks to its balance of playability and coastal charm.
Walkability
Longshore plays across a relatively flat and compact footprint, making it one of the more walker-friendly public tracks in Connecticut. The course likely occupies less than 120 acres, and green-to-tee transitions are mostly under 50 yards. There’s a pleasing rhythm to the routing, especially from holes 6 through 9 and again on the back nine. With the exception of a few minor climbs—most notably to the elevated 3rd tee—the terrain is forgiving. The proximity to the Sound keeps things breezy and tranquil, adding to the comfort of the walk.
- Pro: The transition from the 2nd green to the 3rd tee provides a satisfying change in elevation and delivers one of the course’s most scenic moments. Holes 6 through 9 loop efficiently in an open area with smooth terrain and minimal crowding. The walk to the 10th tee continues the momentum seamlessly, encouraging players to play on foot without fatigue.
- Con + Fix: Holes 3 through 6 are routed tightly together, with parallel fairways and minimal buffers. This congestion can lead to cross-traffic and a loss of individual hole identity. Planting staggered native rough between corridors or selectively relocating tees—especially on 4 and 6—could help reclaim breathing room without sacrificing routing efficiency.
Strategic Test
While Longshore isn’t layered with Golden Age deception or MacKenzie-esque flourishes, it still delivers a respectable test for the thoughtful golfer. Several holes feature subtle angle biases, narrow fairway corridors, and crosswinds that force commitment to shot shape. Greens are modest in size, which elevates the importance of precise approach play. Water comes into play on key holes, especially on the back nine, where the routing begins to open up. Players with a reliable fade can find advantages on several tee shots, while those who drive it long but erratic may struggle with constrained landing zones.
- Pro: Hole 12, a 289-yard par 4, is a microcosm of modern short hole strategy. The tee shot presents a classic dilemma: take the bait and go for the green over water with driver, or lay up safely short-left to a narrow landing pad. The aggressive line—typically a baby fade with a 3-wood or driver—requires carrying a pond and avoiding a bunker right that punishes bailout misses. A successful bold play can yield an eagle putt. Meanwhile, the conservative route (4-iron to 200 yards) yields a wedge, but the shallow angle into the green magnifies spin and trajectory control. The green itself slopes gently away, making back pins deceptively hard to access. Wind off the Sound makes club selection unpredictable. This hole rewards creativity, shotmaking, and confidence in both bold and cautious players.
- Con + Fix: Hole 8, a 131-yard par 3, is straightforward to the point of forgettable. The green is flat, the hazard set benignly short-left, and the angle is dead-on from the tee. There’s no real option or forced decision, and even mishits tend to gather toward the center. To introduce nuance, the tee box could be rotated 20 degrees left and lowered slightly, turning the hazard into a true carry and encouraging players to play a fade into the heart of the green. A back-right tier would create a second line of defense.
Playability
Longshore is highly playable, with forgiving fairways, limited forced carries, and minimal elevation stress for high-handicappers. Most holes provide clear visuals from the tee and few surprises en route to the green. The lack of thick rough and abundance of open approaches make recovery possible for all skill levels. At under 5,900 yards, the length is comfortable without being trivial. The course feels welcoming without sacrificing integrity.
- Pro: Hole 5, at 304 yards, is a fantastic example of fun and fair play. It’s short enough for juniors and seniors to reach in two but still offers strategic interest with subtle bunkering and an angled green. A well-placed tee shot of 180–200 yards rewards players with a clean look at the pin and takes the front bunker out of play. It’s a hole that builds confidence while retaining architectural interest.
- Con + Fix: Hole 6 can be punitive for shorter hitters, especially into the prevailing wind. Although it’s listed at 417 yards, it plays longer due to the orientation and subtle uphill approach. A forward tee in the 275–300 range would allow more players to approach the green in regulation and maintain flow without slowing the group pace.
Atmosphere
The course leans heavily on its coastal setting, and the ambiance is most powerful when the Sound is visible. Gentle breezes, open skies, and the occasional gull call lend Longshore a relaxed, inviting vibe. Tree lines on the front nine are mature but trimmed back enough to frame rather than choke. The back nine opens up even more, with views extending to the water from multiple vantage points.
- Pro: Hole 3 is the emotional high point of the round. Set atop an elevated tee box, the fairway unfurls below in dramatic fashion, framed by distant water and open sky. The hole plays 396 yards but feels like it could go a million. There’s a liberating sensation to the drive, made more memorable by the unobstructed sightline and subtle tailwind. It’s a moment that makes you pause, exhale, and appreciate where you are.
- Con + Fix: Holes 4 through 6, despite being functionally solid, suffer from repetition and a lack of visual drama. They are routed side-by-side with similar shaping and little to distinguish one from the next. A simple recontouring of fairway lines, added mounding, or tree removal along key sightlines could create stronger hole identity and elevate the sensory engagement.
Final Word
Longshore doesn’t try to be more than it is—and that’s its greatest strength. It’s a coastal municipal course that offers clean routing, a walkable footprint, and a few genuinely memorable holes. It stacks up favorably against nearby Smith Richardson (59), which shares a similarly short footprint but suffers from more awkward transitions and a less coherent front nine. Compared to Fairchild Wheeler (54), Longshore offers far greater variety in green complexes and a more scenic routing, despite having fewer total holes. The back nine at Longshore—especially holes 12 through 14—offers more strategy and a stronger connection to the landscape than anything found at either municipal alternative. For golfers who appreciate compact, well-routed golf with flashes of coastal charm, Longshore is an easy recommendation.