Lake of Isles South Course is a private par-72 course measuring approximately 7,279 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 2005 by Rees Jones and Steve Weisser and is located in North Stonington, Connecticut.
Opening in April 2005 as the private companion to the resort’s public North Course, Lake of Isles South Course was conceived during the mid-2000s peak of ambitious golf development when the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation sought to establish a championship golf facility adjacent to Foxwoods Resort Casino. The course was carved from heavily wooded terrain in southeastern Connecticut, with both the North and South layouts routed around the property’s signature 90-acre namesake lake. Since opening, the South Course has been limited to its 298 members and their guests, maintaining a pristine playing environment with impeccable conditioning that has earned consistent praise from those fortunate enough to access it. The layout occupies the less dramatic portion of the property compared to its public sibling, though severe elevation changes and forced carries still define much of the routing. Spanning what amounts to nearly 1,000 acres of development between both courses, the South Course utilizes approximately 150-160 acres of rolling, forested Connecticut woodland characterized by rock ledges, wetlands, and dense tree corridors. The routing follows a predominantly out-and-back design with the front nine moving away from the clubhouse through wooded corridors before the back nine returns, punctuated by several memorable water features including the island green at the 11th and the dramatic peninsular green at the 16th. This represents classic Rees Jones championship architecture from the Tiger Woods era, emphasizing target golf with narrow tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and heavily defended greens that reward precision over creativity. The player who will most enjoy this course appreciates a pure ball-striking examination where accuracy off the tee and approach control matter more than strategic options, and who values pristine bentgrass conditions and dramatic water features over architectural variety or strategic flexibility.
Strategic Test
| Handicap | Course Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Handicap (18+) | From the forward Copper tees at 5,387 yards with a slope of 122 and rating of 67.1, higher handicappers face a manageable but still demanding test where course management becomes paramount. The narrow fairways require disciplined tee shots with fairway woods or hybrids to find short grass, as thick rough and forced water carries punish wayward drives severely. The slope rating indicates these players can expect to add approximately 22-24 strokes to their handicap, making an honest 95-100 a respectable score for an 18-handicapper. The par-3 11th hole at 196 yards from the Black tees but playing considerably shorter from forward tees offers the most enjoyment, as this signature hole features a peninsula green jutting into Lake of Isles with water on three sides. From the Copper tees this hole plays around 130-140 yards, requiring a well-struck mid to short iron that must carry water and find the putting surface, rewarding accurate iron play while offering a thrilling visual experience that captures the course’s dramatic lakeside setting. |
| Mid Handicap (8-18) | The Gold tees at 6,757 yards with a slope of 141 and rating of 73.9 provide the ideal challenge for mid-handicappers, who should expect to add approximately 31-33 strokes to par based on the slope differential. This translates to a target score around 105-106 for a mid-range 13-handicapper, though the penal nature of the design means double bogeys accumulate quickly when missing fairways. Strategic positioning becomes critical from these tees, as longer hitters must resist the temptation to overpower the course and instead focus on finding optimal angles into well-guarded greens. The par-4 13th hole at 370 yards from the Black tees represents an ideal mid-handicap test, featuring what reviewers describe as a severely rumpled fairway that slants left toward an infinity green perched at the edge of dramatic elevation change. From the Gold tees this hole plays around 340-345 yards, requiring a controlled 3-wood or hybrid off the tee to navigate the undulating fairway, followed by a precise short iron or wedge that must account for the green’s severe contouring, making par feel like a genuine accomplishment. |
| Low Handicap (0-8) | The championship Black tees stretch to 7,279 yards with a demanding slope of 148 and rating of 76.3, creating a formidable examination where scratch golfers should expect to shoot 76-77 under normal conditions. This represents one of the stiffer tests in Connecticut private golf, with the elevated slope suggesting even accomplished ball-strikers will be challenged by tight driving corridors, penal rough, and approach shots into elevated, heavily-bunkered greens. The key strategic element involves managing risk on par-5s where length alone cannot overcome water hazards and strategic bunkering, while maintaining concentration through a succession of demanding par-4s that offer little respite. The par-3 16th hole at 200 yards represents the course’s signature challenge for accomplished players, featuring a downhill tee shot to a stunning peninsular green surrounded by water on three sides and set behind an inlet of Lake of Isles. This hole demands a controlled long iron or hybrid that must carry approximately 185-190 yards accounting for the downslope, with any miss short, left, or right finding water and even a miss long leaving a treacherous up-and-down, testing both distance control and nerve under pressure. |
Nearby Course Alternatives
TPC River Highlands in Cromwell offers Connecticut’s most recognizable private golf experience approximately 45 minutes northwest of Lake of Isles South. This Pete Dye design from 1982, later renovated by Bobby Weed in 1989, stretches to 6,841 yards from the championship tees with a par of 70, slope of 139, and rating of 75.2. The course meanders over 148 acres of gently rolling parkland with mature corridors of maple, oak, sycamore and eastern white pine framing bentgrass fairways surrounded by bluegrass fescue rough. Unlike the forced-carry penal architecture at Lake of Isles, TPC River Highlands emphasizes strategic variety with multiple route options on most holes, culminating in one of professional golf’s most celebrated closing stretches where holes 15-17 play around a four-acre lake. The property’s relatively modest elevation changes make for an easier walk compared to the dramatic topography at Lake of Isles, while the Tournament Players Club pedigree delivers impeccable conditioning throughout the season. The course’s reputation stems from hosting the annual Travelers Championship, Connecticut’s only PGA Tour stop, giving members the unique experience of playing where tour professionals compete each June. A player who values architectural variety, strategic options off the tee, and a more player-friendly design philosophy would find TPC River Highlands more enjoyable than the target-golf demands of Lake of Isles South, particularly mid-handicappers who appreciate rewarding creative shot-making over pure execution.
Connecticut Golf Club in Easton provides a distinctly different private golf experience approximately 55 minutes west of Lake of Isles South. Designed by Geoffrey Cornish and opened in 1966, this par-71 layout stretches to 6,824 yards with a slope of 136 and rating of 73.5 carved through rocky, wooded hills in western Connecticut. The course occupies roughly 125-135 acres of severely rolling terrain featuring dramatic elevation changes that make the plays-like yardage considerably less than the scorecard suggests, with multiple blind shots and frequent uneven lies testing shot-making ability and course management. Recent renovations have removed trees to restore playing corridors while adding a new head groundskeeper from Winged Foot, positioning the club for improved national recognition in coming years. The routing emphasizes huge, undulating greens that add significant difficulty to approach play and putting, with particularly memorable par-3s that showcase Cornish’s skill with one-shot holes across varied terrain. Founded exclusively as a golf club rather than a full country club, Connecticut Golf Club focuses entirely on the playing experience without extensive social amenities beyond basic dining and locker rooms. The player most likely to prefer Connecticut Golf Club over Lake of Isles South would be an accomplished ball-striker who enjoys old-school design quirks like blind shots and severe green contours, values a more intimate club atmosphere without resort-style amenities, and appreciates dramatic elevation creating strategic interest beyond pure length and water hazards.
Final Word
Lake of Isles South Course offers members comprehensive practice facilities including a driving range with 60,000 square feet of teeing space, large putting greens, dedicated chipping areas, and practice bunkers that provide ample opportunity to prepare for the course’s demanding challenges. The practice facility also houses four indoor teaching studios equipped with state-of-the-art technology including TrackMan, Toptracer, and video analysis systems, allowing year-round instruction and game improvement regardless of New England weather. The clubhouse itself reflects the property’s upscale positioning with fine dining options, a well-appointed pro shop carrying premium merchandise and equipment, and comfortable lounges offering panoramic views of the golf course and Lake of Isles. Members and guests can enjoy Matches Tavern for more casual dining, with outdoor deck seating overlooking the water and frequent golfer traffic creating a vibrant post-round atmosphere. Beyond golf, the adjacent Foxwoods Resort Casino provides essentially unlimited entertainment, gaming, and lodging options, making Lake of Isles South unique among Connecticut private clubs in offering seamless integration with a major resort destination. What makes this course genuinely special lies in its members-only status ensuring uncrowded conditions and pristine maintenance, combined with dramatic lakeside holes that rank among the most visually stunning in southern New England. The course proves its value not through architectural innovation or strategic variety, but rather through delivering exactly what its mid-2000s design intended: a championship-caliber examination of pure ball-striking wrapped in tournament-quality conditioning, memorable water features, and exclusive access that makes every round feel like a special occasion worth the membership investment.
David is an avid golfer who loves walking Connecticut’s courses and playing alongside his family. He’s passionate about golf course architecture and one day hopes to play at Pebble Beach.
