If you're looking for top-tier public golf courses in Connecticut, you'll find a mix of challenging layouts, scenic views, and affordable options.
Here are the five best: Wintonbury Hills, Lake of Isles – North Course, Keney Park, Oxford Greens, and Richter Park.
Keep reading for a detailed look at what makes each course special.
Wintonbury Hills Golf Course (Bloomfield)
Wintonbury Hills, designed by the legendary Pete Dye, is widely considered one of Connecticut’s finest public golf courses.
Just minutes from Hartford, this 6,711-yard par-70 course offers a perfect blend of challenging play and natural beauty, making it a favorite among both locals and visitors.
Architectural Significance: A Pete Dye Masterpiece
Pete Dye is known for his thoughtful, strategic approach to course design, emphasizing the natural landscape while challenging players to think about every shot.
Wintonbury Hills embodies Dye’s philosophy of incorporating the environment seamlessly into the game.
The course's rolling hills and wide-open vistas make it feel expansive and connected to nature, while each hole presents its own unique challenge.
Dye’s commitment to minimal disruption of the natural terrain is evident throughout, offering golfers not just a test of skill, but a chance to appreciate the scenic beauty of the surroundings.
Course Layout and Features: Rolling Hills and Wildlife Habitat
The 6,711-yard, par-70 layout of Wintonbury Hills offers a mix of open fairways and more demanding, strategically placed hazards.
Designed to accommodate golfers of all abilities, it provides ample space off the tees while rewarding precision and strategy on approach shots.
The course's unique feature is its wildlife-certified habitat, meaning golfers often find themselves playing amid natural wetlands, woodlands, and native grasslands.
This not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides an eco-friendly aspect that sets the course apart.
Challenging Yet Accessible: Ideal for All Skill Levels
While Wintonbury Hills is known for its beauty, it’s also recognized as a course that offers both a challenge and accessibility.
The varied terrain, with its elevation changes and carefully placed bunkers, keeps seasoned golfers engaged.
However, the course's wide fairways and manageable distances from the front tees make it welcoming for beginners and intermediate players.
The real challenge comes in the strategic design—players need to think about club selection and course management on almost every hole, making it a mentally stimulating round without being overly punishing.
Pricing and Value: Affordable Excellence
One of the best aspects of Wintonbury Hills is its affordability, especially considering the quality of the experience.
For non-residents, weekday green fees are around $55, offering exceptional value for such a well-maintained and architecturally significant course.
Golfers also have the option to walk the course, which is encouraged to fully appreciate Pete Dye’s original vision for the layout.
For those seeking an excellent round of golf without breaking the bank, Wintonbury Hills is an excellent choice, providing top-tier golf at a reasonable price.
Lake of Isles – North Course (North Stonington)
Nestled within the expansive grounds of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, Lake of Isles’ North Course offers one of the most luxurious public golfing experiences in New England.
Designed by renowned architect Rees Jones, the course combines scenic beauty with a challenging layout that tests even the most seasoned golfers.
Part of the Foxwoods Resort Experience
Lake of Isles is part of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, which means golfers can easily pair a day on the course with a stay at the resort, enjoying world-class amenities both on and off the green.
The connection to Foxwoods adds an extra level of luxury to the overall experience, with access to fine dining, entertainment, and spa services.
This makes Lake of Isles a destination for those looking to elevate their golfing experience beyond just a round of golf.
Design and Layout: Rees Jones’ Challenging Terrain
The North Course, designed by Rees Jones, is well-known for its dramatic elevation changes and stunning woodland and lake views.
The course is set amid rolling hills, with several holes offering panoramic vistas that can be both breathtaking and distracting.
It is also home to some of the most difficult par-3s in the region, demanding precision off the tee. Jones’ signature undulating greens require careful approach shots and thoughtful putting strategies, especially with water hazards in play on many holes.
The course layout rewards strategic thinking, with each hole offering a unique test of skill.
Who Should Play Here: Ideal for Experienced Golfers
While the North Course is open to the public, its design caters more to advanced players who are comfortable with challenging terrain and complex hole layouts.
The combination of elevation shifts, undulating greens, and well-placed hazards means that golfers need to plan their shots carefully and adjust their strategy as they progress through the course.
However, even with its difficulty, the resort-like ambiance ensures that all visitors can appreciate the stunning scenery and enjoy the experience, regardless of their score.
Pricing and What You Get: Resort Quality, Higher Cost
For those looking to experience resort-quality golfing, the Lake of Isles North Course offers an experience that justifies its higher price point.
Fees start around $123, which includes access to a meticulously maintained course, high-end practice facilities, and exceptional service from staff.
While this might be on the pricier side for public courses, the elevated experience—both in terms of challenge and luxury—makes it worthwhile for golfers seeking a premium round.
Additionally, the proximity to Foxwoods Resort means that players can extend their visit, making it more than just a golfing trip.
Keney Park Golf Club (Hartford)
Keney Park Golf Club is a historic gem that has been revitalized through a $6 million renovation, offering a top-tier golfing experience at an affordable price.
Located in Hartford, this municipal course combines the charm of its original 1927 design with modern updates, making it a favorite for both casual golfers and competitive players alike.
Historic Significance: A Renovated Gem
Keney Park was originally designed in 1927, and for decades it served as one of Hartford's beloved public courses.
However, it recently underwent a $6 million renovation, bringing it back to its former glory while incorporating necessary modern updates.
The renovation carefully preserved the course’s historic character, allowing it to maintain its classic charm while transforming into a competitive, well-maintained municipal course.
The upgrades included significant improvements to fairways, greens, and bunkers, restoring the course's original design elements while making it more enjoyable for today’s golfers.
Course Layout and Features: Classic Meets Modern
The course layout at Keney Park now features beautifully updated fairways, challenging bunkers, and smooth greens that make every round both enjoyable and challenging.
The 18-hole layout follows the original design's strategic elements, with tree-lined fairways, natural undulations, and a mix of short and long holes that require both power and precision.
The mix of par-3s, 4s, and 5s ensures that players are constantly engaged, needing to think through their shots while enjoying the scenic parkland surroundings.
Tournament-Level Play: A Course for Competitions
Keney Park has earned a reputation for hosting prestigious events, including the Connecticut PGA Championship, which speaks to the quality of its design and maintenance.
Its updated greens and fairways make it suitable for high-level competitive play, while still being accessible for regular rounds.
The course’s ability to host major tournaments highlights its status as a top-notch municipal course that offers a professional-level experience without the exclusive price tag.
Affordable Pricing: High Quality at a Low Cost
One of the standout features of Keney Park Golf Club is its affordability.
Non-resident weekday rates start at just $42, offering incredible value for such a well-maintained and historic course.
The combination of high-quality course conditions and affordable pricing makes it one of the best options for golfers looking for a premium experience without breaking the bank.
Whether you're a local or visiting from out of town, Keney Park provides a fantastic round of golf at a price that’s hard to beat.
Oxford Greens (Oxford)

Oxford Greens is widely regarded as one of the top public golf courses in Connecticut, offering a long and challenging layout that consistently attracts serious golfers.
Ranked among the best in the state, this course combines natural beauty with a championship-level design that provides an unforgettable round for players of all skill levels.
Ranked Among the Best: Top 4 in Connecticut
Oxford Greens has earned a prestigious reputation in the golfing community, with Golfweek ranking it #4 among Connecticut’s public courses.
This ranking is a testament to its excellent course conditions, challenging design, and the overall experience it offers to golfers.
Known for its high-quality maintenance and thoughtful layout, Oxford Greens stands out as a must-play destination for both local and visiting golfers.
Course Layout and Features: Long and Challenging
Stretching to 7,147 yards from the back tees, Oxford Greens presents a test of endurance and skill.
The course is known for its large, rolling greens that can be difficult to read, paired with ample water hazards and strategically placed bunkers.
Golfers will face a variety of challenges, from long par-4s that demand precise tee shots to well-protected greens that require careful approaches.
The course is set against a scenic backdrop, with tree-lined fairways and views of the surrounding hills adding to its appeal.
Despite the difficulty, the course is fair, offering multiple tee boxes to accommodate golfers of different abilities.
Popular for Events: Championship-Level Play
Oxford Greens is a popular choice for hosting events and championships, thanks to its well-maintained fairways and challenging layout.
The course is frequently used for competitive play, attracting golfers from around the region for tournaments and special events.
Despite its demand for tournaments, Oxford Greens remains accessible to the general public, with daily tee times available for those looking to enjoy a round of championship-level golf.
The course's reputation for quality ensures that it remains in high demand, both for casual rounds and formal events.
Accessibility and Pricing: A Must-Play for Serious Golfers
Tee times at Oxford Greens are readily available, but it’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak season or around tournament events.
The course is accessible for golfers who are looking for a serious challenge and want to test their skills on one of Connecticut’s top courses.
While pricing varies based on the day and time, golfers can expect competitive rates for a course of this caliber, making it an attractive option for those seeking a high-quality round at a reasonable cost.
Booking is easily done online or via phone, ensuring that players can secure their spot on the course without hassle.
Richter Park Golf Course (Danbury)
Richter Park Golf Course is widely considered one of the best municipal courses in Connecticut, offering a perfect blend of challenging play and scenic beauty.
Nestled in Fairfield County, this course is a favorite for golfers looking to experience a top-notch round at an affordable price.
A Fairfield County Treasure
Richter Park has built a reputation as one of Connecticut’s premier municipal courses, attracting both local golfers and visitors from across the state.
Its location in the rolling hills of Danbury provides a picturesque backdrop, with stunning views of lakes, wooded areas, and carefully landscaped fairways.
The course’s design emphasizes both aesthetics and challenge, making it a destination for golfers who want a scenic round without sacrificing the difficulty that experienced players seek.
Course Layout and Features: Water Hazards Galore
One of the standout features of Richter Park is the abundance of water hazards.
Water comes into play on 14 out of the 18 holes, requiring golfers to strategically plan their shots to avoid penalties.
These hazards not only add to the visual appeal but also force players to think carefully about risk and reward on each hole.
From streams and ponds to large lakes, water hazards shape the way the game is played here, particularly on the signature par-3 12th hole, where water fronts the green, demanding precision.
Scenic Yet Demanding: A Test of Skill
Richter Park strikes a balance between beauty and challenge, making it an excellent choice for golfers who appreciate a visually stunning course that also tests their skills.
The rolling terrain, coupled with the water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, ensures that even experienced golfers will need to bring their best game.
However, the multiple tee boxes allow players of various skill levels to enjoy the course without feeling overwhelmed, making it accessible while still challenging.
Affordable Rates: Great Value for a High-Quality Round
Despite its high level of play and beautiful surroundings, Richter Park offers excellent value.
Non-resident weekday rates are around $69, which is a competitive price for a course of this quality.
This affordability, combined with the course’s well-maintained conditions and challenging layout, makes Richter Park an excellent option for golfers who want a premium experience without a hefty price tag.
Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, Richter Park provides a fantastic round of golf at a price point that’s hard to beat.
Conclusion
Connecticut offers some of the best public golf courses in the region, each providing a unique blend of challenge, beauty, and value.
Whether you’re seeking a classic layout, resort-style luxury, or an affordable yet high-quality round, these courses deliver.
No matter your skill level, there’s a course on this list that’s perfect for your next round.