Golf Club of Avon is a private par-70 course measuring approximately 6,700 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 1929 by Robert J. Ross and is located in Avon, Connecticut.
The Golf Club of Avon traces its origins to 1925, when Samuel Graham of Unionville and Dr. Ralph Cox of Collinsville envisioned creating a golf facility in the Farmington Valley. The original property consisted of the 60-acre Stillwell Farm in Avon, which was purchased and developed into an initial nine-hole layout with professional Charles Henderson overseeing play. By 1927, construction began on the clubhouse using lumber harvested from nearby woods and water drawn from springs discovered on the property. Ross created the Red nine in 1926 as the inaugural layout, then returned in 1929 to design the White nine, completing two-thirds of what would become a 27-hole facility. The course received significant architectural attention in 1937 when A.W. Tillinghast visited to modify the Red and White nines, refining the strategic elements and bunkering schemes that define much of the layout today. The original routing was reorganized in 1963 so that the first nine holes concluded at the clubhouse. The third nine, known as the Blue course, opened for play in 1967, designed by Geoffrey Cornish and Bill Robinson to provide additional playing capacity and create three distinct 18-hole combinations. This expansion gave the club considerable versatility while maintaining the architectural integrity of the original Ross-Tillinghast nines.
The White/Blue combination occupies an estimated 150 acres of gently rolling terrain characteristic of the Farmington Valley region. The routing juxtaposes two distinct design eras, with the White nine reflecting Ross’s golden age principles refined by Tillinghast’s 1937 modifications, while the Blue nine exhibits the more contemporary design sensibilities of Cornish and Robinson from the 1960s. The property features modest elevation changes that create natural amphitheater settings around several greens, though the course never presents severe uphill or downhill lies. Mature tree canopies frame most fairways on the White nine, establishing defined playing corridors, while the Blue nine incorporates more open sightlines and strategic bunkering patterns characteristic of mid-century American design. The White nine begins the routing with Ross’s thoughtful placement of hazards and green complexes that reward specific approach angles, while the Blue nine concludes play with a different aesthetic that emphasizes broader strategic options and more visible defensive features. Players who appreciate architectural diversity will find the combination engaging, as the contrast between classic golden age design and 1960s modernism creates varied strategic challenges. The White/Blue configuration particularly appeals to members seeking a thorough test of adaptability, as the shifting design philosophies between the two nines demand different shot-making priorities and course management approaches throughout the round.
Strategic Test
The White/Blue combination presents strategic decision-making through the interplay between two distinct architectural philosophies separated by nearly four decades. The White nine opens play with Ross’s signature placement strategies refined by Tillinghast, where optimal driving lines frequently conflict with preferred green angles, creating legitimate choices about risk and reward. The par-4s on the White nine range significantly in length, with some holes offering drivable opportunities for longer hitters while others demand careful positioning over pure distance. The strategic complexity on the White nine derives primarily from green contouring and hazard placement that rewards specific approach trajectories, requiring players to think several shots ahead when selecting tee shot positions. The Blue nine transitions into Cornish and Robinson’s mid-century design approach, which tends toward more visible strategic elements with broader fairway corridors and larger, more receptive greens that accommodate various approach styles. The architectural contrast creates an interesting strategic dynamic where players must adjust their decision-making frameworks between the two nines, with the White rewarding precision and positioning while the Blue generally offers more recovery options for wayward shots. The combination works effectively because neither nine overwhelms the other stylistically, instead creating a balanced 18-hole examination that tests different aspects of strategic thinking.
Understanding slope and rating proves essential for strategic planning and handicap calculation. The course rating represents the expected score for a scratch golfer playing from a particular set of tees under normal conditions, while slope rating measures the relative difficulty for bogey golfers compared to scratch golfers on a scale from 55 to 155, with 113 representing a course of standard difficulty. A higher slope indicates that the course becomes disproportionately more difficult for higher handicap players, typically due to forced carries, severe hazards, narrow fairways, or heavily contoured greens. The White nine carries a rating of 71.0 with a slope of 125, while the Blue nine features a rating of 70.4 with a slope of 129, suggesting the Blue plays slightly easier for scratch golfers but presents more challenges for higher handicappers. The combined White/Blue routing averages these metrics, creating a layout that defends par effectively across skill levels through varied architectural approaches. These slope and rating variations directly impact course handicap calculations, with higher slopes resulting in more strokes received for a given handicap index, thereby ensuring equitable competition regardless of which 18-hole combination members choose to play.
| Handicap | Course Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Handicap (18+) | From the forward tees with reduced yardage and lower slope ratings, the White/Blue combination becomes accessible while maintaining architectural interest. Strategic priorities shift toward course management rather than aggressive scoring, with emphasis on finding fairways and avoiding penalty situations. The shorter yardages reduce forced carries over hazards and allow higher handicappers to reach most par-4s in regulation with two solid strikes. The Blue nine generally proves more forgiving from forward tees due to its mid-century design philosophy favoring broader landing areas and more receptive greens. Focus should remain on steady execution rather than attempting heroic recovery shots, as both nines reward consistent ball-striking over occasional brilliance. The moderate combined slope indicates course difficulty increases somewhat for bogey golfers but remains manageable with sound strategy and club selection appropriate to ability level. |
| Mid Handicap (8-18) | From the middle tees with moderate length and balanced slope ratings, the White/Blue combination provides optimal challenge through its architectural diversity. Strategic decisions become more meaningful as players possess sufficient length to reach most holes in regulation while still needing to navigate the contrasting design features thoughtfully. The White nine demands more precise positioning due to Ross’s routing principles and Tillinghast’s bunkering refinements, while the Blue nine offers slightly more latitude for recovery due to Cornish and Robinson’s broader playing corridors. Key strategic considerations include recognizing which holes reward aggressive positioning versus those favoring conservative play, identifying the optimal approach angles into Ross-designed greens on the White nine, and understanding when the more visible hazards on the Blue nine genuinely threaten versus when they create optical intimidation without substantial penalty. The architectural contrast provides an educational experience as players learn to adjust strategy based on design era and philosophy. |
| Low Handicap (0-8) | Championship play from the back tees at approximately 6,700 yards with an average slope around 127 demands both precise execution and strategic adaptability across design philosophies. Low handicappers must carefully evaluate the architectural principles underlying each nine and adjust their decision-making accordingly, as the White nine rewards Ross’s emphasis on positioning and angle creation while the Blue nine responds better to aggressive, contemporary scoring strategies. The White nine generally presents more sophisticated green contouring that complicates approach work and requires precise distance control, while the Blue nine features bolder, more readable defensive elements that allow for calculated risk-taking. Green reading becomes critical on the Ross-designed holes where subtle contours deflect approaches, while the Cornish-Robinson greens demand more focus on lag putting from distance due to their larger footprints. The combination reveals its full strategic depth only through repeated play, as understanding the optimal lines and landing areas requires familiarity with how the two distinct design philosophies defend par differently. |
The finishing 9th hole on the Blue nine serves as the concluding examination and reflects the mid-century design principles of Cornish and Robinson. This hole presents players with strategic options that differ from the Ross-Tillinghast aesthetic dominating the White nine. The hole exemplifies the broader, more visible strategic features characteristic of 1960s design, with its defensive elements clearly presented rather than subtly concealed. Players completing the White/Blue routing appreciate how the architectural journey transitions from Ross’s golden age positioning strategies through Tillinghast’s refinements into Cornish and Robinson’s more contemporary approach. The finishing hole rewards course management throughout, as players who maintain strategic discipline through the contrasting design philosophies can conclude their round positively regardless of skill level. From the championship tees, the hole demands thoughtful club selection and route planning, while mid-handicappers from the middle tees find the strategic options clearly presented and accessible. High handicappers from the forward tees can navigate the hole successfully with steady execution, making par an achievable goal that provides satisfying closure to the round.
Nearby Course Alternatives
Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield offers 27 holes of contrasting architectural pedigree approximately 10 minutes northeast of Avon. The facility features three distinct nines designed by different architects across nearly five decades, creating an eclectic but engaging experience. The Red nine, designed by Willie Park Jr. in 1924 and measuring 3,327 yards at par-36, predates the Ross work at Avon by two years and exhibits classic golden age principles with understated bunkering and strategic green placements. Orrin E. Smith contributed the Blue nine in 1949, measuring 3,455 yards at par-36, with a more parkland aesthetic featuring tree-lined corridors and moderate elevation changes. George Fazio completed the triumvirate with the Green nine in 1971, bringing a more modern sensibility at 3,305 yards and par-35 with bolder contouring and aggressive green complexes. Mark McCumber renovated all 27 holes in 2005, modernizing playing surfaces and bunker styles while respecting the original design intent. The Smith/Fazio combination measures approximately 6,760 yards with slope ratings in the mid-130s, presenting similar architectural diversity to Avon’s White/Blue but with more dramatic internal green movement courtesy of McCumber’s renovation work. The property encompasses roughly 175 acres with more pronounced elevation changes than Avon, particularly on the Smith and Fazio nines. Players who gravitate toward Tumble Brook over Avon typically prefer more visible strategic features and enjoy the novelty of experiencing three distinct architectural voices within a single facility, along with those who favor courses with pronounced topographical variety that creates more diverse shot requirements and appreciate the cohesion McCumber’s renovation brought to the disparate design eras.
Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford presents a more refined and historically significant option approximately 10 minutes south of Avon. Founded in 1896, Hartford Golf Club predates Avon by nearly three decades and carries substantial architectural pedigree through the combined work of Devereux Emmet and Donald Ross in 1914. The facility features 27 holes with three different 18-hole combinations, though the Blue/Green pairing measuring approximately 6,520 yards at par-70 offers appropriate comparison to Avon’s White/Blue layout in terms of length and challenge. The course rating of approximately 71.6 with a slope around 135 presents slightly more difficulty than Avon, though Hartford generally features more sophisticated green contouring reflective of Ross’s mature design philosophy. Recent restoration work by Ron Forse and Bruce Hepner in 2017, with earlier modifications by Stephen Kay in 1996, has returned many Ross design elements to their original strategic intent while accommodating contemporary playing distances. The course occupies approximately 165 acres of gently rolling terrain similar to Avon but maintains stylistic consistency across all 27 holes since all were designed by the same architectural team, unlike Avon’s mix of Ross-Tillinghast and Cornish-Robinson work. Hartford Golf Club maintains championship conditions with bent grass putting surfaces that run considerably faster than those at Avon, demanding more precise speed control and green reading ability. Players who prefer Hartford over Avon typically possess lower handicaps and appreciate the architectural cohesion of a single design vision executed across the entire property, faster green speeds that reward precise ball-striking, and the historical significance of playing a Ross design in its refined state, along with those who value the prestige associated with one of Connecticut’s premier private clubs with deeper historical roots and more consistent golden age design principles throughout.
Final Word
The practice facilities at Golf Club of Avon provide comprehensive preparation for play with a driving range featuring mat stations, a dedicated putting green with multiple hole locations for reading practice, and a short-game area including a practice bunker for working on greenside technique. The range offers sufficient distance for driver work while maintaining separate areas for wedge precision. Members can refine all aspects of their game before heading to the first tee, with the practice green’s speed and firmness closely matching on-course conditions.
Beyond golf, the club functions as a full-service family destination with extensive recreational offerings. The aquatic facility features a heated Olympic-sized pool with zero-entry sections accommodating young children, a dedicated diving well, and a surrounding deck area with ample seating and shade structures. The racquet center encompasses eight meticulously maintained Har-Tru tennis courts with evening lighting, four pickleball courts responding to growing member interest, and three heated paddle tennis courts enabling year-round play. The clubhouse underwent significant renovations in 2008, expanding and modernizing both men’s and women’s locker rooms with enhanced amenities and storage. The dining program operates in multiple settings, including a formal dining room for private events and member celebrations, a family dining room accommodating casual meals, and a pub environment favored for post-round gatherings with an expanded patio overlooking the golf course. The facility hosts extensive social programming throughout the season, with member tournaments, junior golf clinics, family swim meets, and tennis leagues creating an active community atmosphere. The club’s commitment to junior programming extends beyond golf to include youth tennis instruction following USTA protocols and swimming teams competing regionally.
Golf Club of Avon distinguishes itself through the thoughtful combination of golden age design principles with mid-century architectural evolution across a property that rewards strategic adaptability. The White/Blue combination showcases the progression of American golf course architecture, with Ross’s 1929 routing refined by Tillinghast in 1937 flowing into Cornish and Robinson’s 1967 design that reflects the sport’s evolution during the post-war era. This architectural journey provides members with an educational experience about design philosophy changes across four decades while maintaining playability and strategic interest throughout. The three-course configuration provides exceptional flexibility for member play without the pressure of tee times, allowing spontaneous rounds and varied hole combinations that prevent monotony. The family-oriented atmosphere transcends typical golf club models, with genuine attention to programming that engages all ages and skill levels across multiple recreational disciplines. The course challenges better players from the back tees while remaining genuinely enjoyable for higher handicappers from forward positions, a balance achieved through the complementary nature of the two design philosophies rather than through forced compromise. The architectural diversity brings substance to the playing experience, with design features from two distinct eras that reveal how different approaches can both create engaging strategic golf. The location in the Farmington Valley positions members within convenient reach of Greater Hartford while maintaining a secluded, parkland setting. The combination of architectural evolution, comprehensive amenities, and genuine community atmosphere creates a club where golf excellence across different design eras coexists comfortably with family recreation, establishing Golf Club of Avon as a facility that honors its century-long tradition while demonstrating how thoughtful expansion can enhance rather than dilute the original vision.
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.
