Timberlin Golf Club is a public par-72 course measuring approximately 6,797 yards from the tips. The course was originally designed in 1970 by Al Zikorus and is located in Berlin, Connecticut.
Timberlin Golf Club opened on a former farm at the base of Ragged Mountain in 1970, establishing itself as a municipal facility serving Berlin and the surrounding Hartford County communities. The original Al Zikorus routing took full advantage of the property’s natural rolling topography and views toward the surrounding farmland. In 2006, the Town of Berlin invested two million dollars in a comprehensive renovation overseen by architects Stephen Kay and Doug Smith, addressing all 62 bunkers through either complete redesign or reconstruction while adding strategic hazards throughout the layout. This work also included fairway recontouring and installation of a computerized irrigation system. Ray Hearn contributed additional refinements in 2014, continuing the evolution of the property. The course occupies approximately 120 to 140 acres along the eastern slope of Ragged Mountain, where the rolling terrain provides both visual interest and strategic variability across the routing. The layout presents as a parkland design with tree-lined corridors, generous landing zones, and push-up greens that reward approach precision. A stream intersects play on the eastern portion of the property, introducing water as a hazard element on several holes. The design philosophy emphasizes strategic placement over raw length, with fairway bunkering that creates alternate angles of attack and green complexes featuring sufficient defense through mounding, falloffs, and perimeter hazards. Players who value course management and execution over distance will find Timberlin particularly engaging, as the routing rewards thinking through positioning rather than relying on carry alone. The back nine features elevated greens and tighter corridors through wooded areas, creating a distinct contrast with the more open front side. This is a layout that suits cerebral golfers who appreciate shot variety and strategic flexibility across a full 18 holes.
Strategic Test
| Handicap | Course Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Handicap (18+) | High handicappers will find appropriate challenge from the Yellow tees at 5,831 yards with a 120 slope and 67.3 rating, though many may prefer the Red tees at 5,472 yards (slope 120, rating 69.9 for men). From these distances, the slope ratings suggest that course management becomes more important than distance, as hazard avoidance and keeping the ball in play will have greater impact on scoring than attempting aggressive lines. The par-3 12th hole plays 169 yards from the Blue tees but reduces significantly from forward markers, presenting a straightforward mid-iron or hybrid across water to a green with room for bailout areas. This hole rewards commitment to the target line without demanding precision beyond most recreational players’ capabilities. |
| Mid Handicap (8-18) | Mid handicappers will engage most productively from the White tees at 6,361 yards (slope 128, rating 69.4), where length combines with tactical decision-making to create a complete examination. The slope rating indicates that mistakes will be punished but not catastrophically, allowing recovery opportunities through solid short game execution. These players will benefit from the fairway bunkering that Zikorus incorporated, as choosing proper angles into greens becomes paramount. The 12th hole at approximately 169 yards from Blues (shorter from Whites) demands commitment across the pond with a mid-to-short iron, presenting both risk and reward. The green’s contouring means that finding the putting surface is only the beginning of the challenge, as lag putting becomes critical to avoiding three-putts on this moderately sloped surface. |
| Low Handicap (0-8) | Low handicappers will find examination from the Blue tees at 6,797 yards with a slope of 129 and rating of 71.3, or can test themselves against the championship conditions at 6,858 yards (slope 130, rating 72.9 from different tee markers). These numbers suggest a course that provides resistance through strategic architecture rather than overwhelming length. The fairway bunkering, green defense through surrounds, and elevated putting surfaces on the back nine all demand precise ball-striking and sound decision-making. The 12th hole plays 169 yards from the tips, requiring accurate iron play over water to a green that accepts shots from specific entry angles. Better players will recognize that the pond short creates both visual intimidation and actual penal consequence, while the green’s internal movement means that proximity to the hole matters significantly for birdie opportunities. Club selection here varies from a smooth 7-iron to a punched 6-iron depending on conditions and pin position. |
Nearby Course Alternatives
Hawk’s Landing Country Club in Southington presents an alternative public option approximately 15 minutes south of Timberlin via I-84. The Geoffrey Cornish and Bill Robinson design from 1967 plays to 5,944 yards from the tips as a par-70 or par-71 layout (sources vary) with a slope of 120 and rating of 68.6. The course occupies roughly 100 to 120 acres of moderately rolling terrain with a mix of elevation change and wooded corridors. Cornish’s architectural style emphasizes strategic variety through hole length diversity rather than overwhelming challenge, creating opportunities for scoring mixed with demanding examinations. The property features both risk-reward opportunities, including a driveable par-4, and penal holes where accuracy takes precedence over distance. Water hazards appear on multiple holes, adding visual drama and strategic consideration to club selection. The shorter overall yardage compared to Timberlin makes this layout more approachable from the forward tees while maintaining interest through green contouring and approach shot demands. Players who struggle with Timberlin’s length or prefer a parkland design with more pronounced elevation changes will find Hawk’s Landing suits their game, particularly mid-to-high handicappers seeking a complete round without the grind of longer yardages. The restaurant and banquet facilities provide additional amenities for outings and social golf, though course conditioning reports vary more widely than at Timberlin.
Hunter Golf Club in Meriden offers another compelling public option approximately 20 minutes southeast of Timberlin. The course opened in 1933 and underwent significant transformation through work by Robert D. Pryde, Alfred H. Tull in 1968, and Al Zikorus in 1987, creating the current championship test. From the tips, Hunter measures 6,606 yards as a par-72 layout with a slope of 131 and rating of 71.6, presenting slightly more resistance than Timberlin based on the elevated slope number. The property encompasses approximately 130 to 150 acres of hilly terrain along trap rock ridges, providing dramatic elevation changes and views toward Castle Craig in Hubbard Park. The routing splits into distinct character between nines, with tighter tree-lined holes particularly prominent on the back nine from holes 13 through 16. Strategic defense comes through deep bunkers, well-protected greens, and fast putting surfaces with significant internal movement. Water hazards include ponds that affect play on multiple holes, most notably the par-3 11th where both water and bunkers surround the green. Hunter has earned recognition as a Connecticut top-10 public course by various publications, testament to its conditioning standards and architectural merit. Players seeking more dramatic elevation change, faster greens, and a hillier examination than Timberlin provides will gravitate toward Hunter, particularly low-to-mid handicappers who can manage the tighter driving corridors and elevated approach demands. The course has hosted significant amateur championships including the Connecticut Women’s State Amateur, indicating its championship credentials and tournament-quality conditioning.
Final Word
Beyond the golf course itself, Timberlin Golf Club maintains practice facilities appropriate to its municipal positioning, including a grass-tee driving range with mat stations, a practice putting green, and areas for short game work around the clubhouse. PGA professionals on staff provide instruction through individual lessons, group clinics, and specialized programming including the popular Women and Wine clinics that combine instruction with social elements. The facility supports one of Connecticut’s largest men’s club organizations along with active women’s, senior, and junior golf programs that create community around the game. Par For The Course restaurant operates as a full-service facility serving both golfers and the general public, offering daily lunch and dinner menus along with weekly specials and a bar area for post-round gatherings. The outdoor spaces provide views across the course toward Ragged Mountain. The pro shop carries essential equipment, apparel, and accessories while maintaining rental club availability. What distinguishes Timberlin within the competitive Connecticut public golf market is its commitment to conditioning standards that rival private facilities combined with strategic architecture that rewards thoughtful play over sheer power. The 2006 renovation elevated the property from serviceable municipal status to a layout that demands respect through its bunkering scheme, green complexes, and routing variety. The combination of accessible forward tees for recreational players and legitimate championship examination from the tips creates versatility across skill levels. The municipally-owned status ensures stable management and reinvestment in course improvements, evidenced by consistent conditioning reports and facility upgrades. For golfers seeking a cerebral challenge where course management matters more than distance, where fairway position dictates scoring opportunity, and where greens demand both precision in approach and skill in putting, Timberlin delivers exceptional value through strategic design rather than gimmickry or excessive length. The property proves that municipal golf can compete aesthetically and strategically with higher-end facilities when architecture, conditioning, and management align toward excellence.
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.
