Tashua Knolls Golf Course – Tashua Glen is a public par-33 course measuring approximately 2,184 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 2004 by Michael Zikorus and is located in Trumbull, Connecticut.
Tashua Glen represents the culmination of nearly two decades of planning by the Town of Trumbull, opening in 2005 as the second course at the Tashua Knolls facility. The design was entrusted to Michael Zikorus, son of Al Zikorus who created the adjacent 18-hole Tashua Knolls championship course in 1976. The terrain for this layout presented unique challenges that Michael transformed into a family-friendly gem, earning recognition as Connecticut’s first designated Family Course by the National Golf Course Owners Association. The Glen underwent a significant bunker renovation at the end of 2013, further refining the strategic elements throughout the routing. Sitting on a modest footprint estimated at under 50 acres, the course makes efficient use of its compact parcel through thoughtful routing that incorporates rolling elevation changes, tree-lined corridors, and small push-up greens. The layout follows a mostly looping pattern with minimal backtracking, featuring six par-4s, two par-3s, and a single reachable par-5 that serves as the climactic ninth hole. Players seeking a classic New England experience will find the Glen’s tight fairway corridors, mature hardwood framing, and subtle elevation shifts particularly engaging. The course favors those who value precision over power, rewarding proper club selection and strategic positioning rather than brute distance. Beginners and high-handicap players appreciate the absence of forced carries and relatively generous landing areas, while accomplished players find ample challenge through demanding green complexes that feature pronounced slopes and minimal flat putting surfaces.
Strategic Test
| Handicap | Course Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Handicap (18+) | From the forward tees at 1,664 yards with a rating of 65.1 and slope of 119, high-handicap players will find the Glen exceptionally accommodating. The modest total yardage and slope suggest rounds should finish within 10-12 strokes of gross par for bogey golfers, though the small, sloped greens introduce variable scoring potential. Hole 9 provides the ideal strategic examination at 404 yards from these tees, playing as a reachable par-5 with a dogleg left configuration. The tee shot allows for conservative placement with a hybrid or fairway wood down the right side, avoiding overhanging tree limbs on the left corner. A mid-iron approach of roughly 150-170 yards remains, with the green sitting slightly elevated and angled left-to-right. Players should favor a bail-out short-right rather than challenging the left side, which rejects errant shots. |
| Mid Handicap (8-18) | Playing from the middle tees at 1,851 yards with a rating of 67.9 and slope of 124, mid-handicap players encounter a proper test that demands accurate iron play and disciplined course management. The increased slope rating reflects the greens’ undulation and strategic hazard placement, suggesting rounds should trend 8-10 strokes over par. Hole 9 at 432 yards becomes particularly engaging from this distance, requiring a driver or strong fairway wood off the tee to reach the dogleg apex. The decision point arrives on the second shot: lay up to 80-100 yards for a full wedge or attempt to reach the elevated green with a long iron or hybrid from 180-200 yards. The green’s left-to-right cant punishes anything short or left, making club selection critical. Players who shape their tee shots left-to-right gain an advantage by opening up the ideal approach angle. |
| Low Handicap (0-8) | From the championship tees at 2,184 yards with a rating of 72.4 and slope of 133, low-handicap players face a deceptively stern examination. The elevated slope rating indicates the course plays considerably more difficult than its modest yardage suggests, with expected scores hovering 2-4 strokes over par for single-digit handicaps. Hole 9’s full 460-yard distance transforms it into the layout’s most tactically rich challenge. The opening shot presents a risk-reward proposition: take an aggressive line over the left tree corner for a more direct angle, or play conservatively down the right for safer positioning. Bold players who execute the optimal drive can reach the green in two with a hybrid or long iron carrying 220-plus yards, but the elevated green’s pronounced slope and greenside mounding punish anything short. Conservative players lay up to 50-80 yards, accepting a wedge approach to a receptive angle while avoiding potential trouble from overambitious play. |
Nearby Course Alternatives
H. Smith Richardson Golf Course in Fairfield offers a substantially different experience approximately 10 minutes south of Tashua Glen. This 18-hole municipal championship layout stretches 6,704 yards from the tips with a par-72 rating of 72.1 and slope of 126, presenting nearly three times the yardage and a full-length test. Originally designed by Hal Purdy and Malcolm Purdy in 1972, with subsequent refinements by Stephen Kay, the course occupies considerably more acreage than the Glen and features significant elevation changes throughout its routing, particularly on the back nine where dramatic uphill and downhill holes create a distinctly different playing experience. The terrain produces large, severely undulating push-up greens that demand confident reads and aggressive strokes, contrasting sharply with the Glen’s more modest green complexes. Richardson’s strategic value emerges through its thoughtful risk-reward architecture, incorporating numerous doglegs where players can take on as much as they dare while navigating tree-lined corridors that punish errant drives more severely than Tashua Glen. The course has earned recognition as one of Fairfield County’s premier municipal layouts, drawing praise for conditioning that rivals private clubs despite its public accessibility. Players seeking a more rigorous physical test with substantial elevation climbs and longer approach shots will find Richardson particularly appealing, as will accomplished ball-strikers who relish the challenge of holding firm, contoured greens. The facility includes a driving range, putting areas, and the Shebeen restaurant, though the locker room amenities lag behind the course’s overall quality.
Chris Bargas Golf Club at Whitney Farms in Monroe provides another compelling alternative roughly 12 minutes northwest of Tashua Glen. This 18-hole public facility measures 6,628 yards from the championship tees with a par-72 rating of 72.4 and slope of 130, designed by Hal Purdy and Malcolm Purdy and opened in 1982 through the vision of developer Chris Bargas Sr. The routing occupies significantly more acreage than the Glen, incorporating the property’s natural ponds, scenic views, and native wildlife into a challenging parkland design that blends aesthetic beauty with strategic demand. Whitney Farms announces its intentions immediately through a stern opening stretch featuring a 426-yard par-4, a second par-4 exceeding 400 yards, and a 526-yard par-5, establishing a tone considerably more demanding than Tashua Glen’s gentle introduction. The course’s architectural pedigree shows in its thoughtful use of elevation changes, multiple forced carries over water, and tight corridors through wooded areas that require precision off the tee. The layout favors players who can shape shots both directions, with several doglegs rewarding proper ball flight while punishing those who cannot work the ball. The greens feature substantial mounding and slope, demanding accurate approaches to avoid difficult recovery situations. Originally built with a surrounding residential community of over 300 homes, Whitney Farms maintains a polished country club atmosphere despite its public accessibility, with above-average food service and well-maintained practice facilities. Players who prefer a more traditional championship test with greater length, more pronounced water hazards, and tighter driving corridors will gravitate toward Whitney Farms, particularly mid-to-low handicappers seeking to test their complete game rather than work on specific skills as they would at the developmental Tashua Glen.
Final Word
Tashua Glen complements its strategic routing with comprehensive practice amenities that elevate it above typical nine-hole executive layouts. The facility features a full driving range with multiple tee positions, allowing players to work on distance control with various clubs before their round. Two putting greens provide ample space for pre-round practice, both maintained to match the speed and firmness of the course greens. Most notably, the Glen includes a dedicated chipping and short-game area, a rarity among Connecticut public courses that proves invaluable for players seeking to develop their scoring touch. The practice bunker allows for sand play rehearsal, while the varied lies around the chipping green simulate real course conditions. These facilities reflect the course’s designation as Connecticut’s first Family Course, providing the infrastructure necessary for skill development rather than merely serving experienced players. The clubhouse houses the Eagles Nest Grille, offering full restaurant service and a banquet facility suitable for weddings and events. The pro shop stocks essential equipment and apparel, while the facility maintains locker rooms for both men and women. Indoor training facilities operated by experienced PGA professionals, including Director of Golf Bobby Brown, provide year-round instruction opportunities that complement the outdoor practice areas. What distinguishes Tashua Glen from similar nine-hole layouts is its dual mission: serving as both a legitimate strategic test for accomplished players seeking a quick round and a development tool for beginners building foundational skills. The course’s compact routing allows for walkability, with most green-to-tee transitions requiring minimal steps and creating an intimate connection to the layout’s strategic elements. The small push-up greens, tight tree-lined corridors, and thoughtful use of elevation provide architectural interest without overwhelming newer players. For families introducing children to golf, the designated family tees at even shorter yardages create accessible entry points while maintaining the routing’s integrity. The Glen proves its value not through championship credentials or architectural pedigree, but through its sustained popularity with area golfers who appreciate a well-conditioned course that respects both their time and skill level while delivering genuine strategic interest across all nine holes.
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.
This place is excellent, Coach Bart and Jaquon and his team do a fantastic job