You’re driving through Old Saybrook, past the usual shoreline shops and weathered shingles, when the road starts to feel different. The air gets saltier. The houses get older, grander, and somehow more understated all at once. Suddenly, you’re in Fenwick. It's a tiny borough, barely a blip on the map, but it’s home to the Fenwick Golf Course, a place that honestly feels like a time capsule from the 19th century.
Most people see a nine-hole course and think "executive" or "pitch and putt." Big mistake. Fenwick is a legitimate links-style experience that has been around since 1894. It’s the second oldest public course in Connecticut. But calling it "public" feels a bit misleading to outsiders. While anyone can theoretically play here, the vibe is intensely local, tucked away in a private enclave where Katharine Hepburn used to roam.
The Weird, Wonderful Layout of Fenwick Golf Course
If you’re looking for perfectly manicured, emerald-green fairways that look like they’ve been spray-painted, go somewhere else. Fenwick is raw. It’s basically at the mercy of the Long Island Sound. This means the wind isn't just a factor—it’s the entire game.
The layout is quirky. That’s the only word for it. You’ll find yourself playing across roads. Yes, actual residential streets where residents might be walking their dogs or heading to the beach. You have to pause, wait for a golf cart or a cyclist to pass, and then fire your shot. It’s a rhythmic disruption that drives some low-handicappers crazy, but it’s exactly what gives the place its soul.
The greens are small. Tiny, really. If you miss the dance floor, you aren't just in the rough; you're likely in a patch of fescue or sandy soil that hasn't changed since the Grover Cleveland administration.
Why the Sixth Hole Will Break Your Heart
The 6th hole is arguably the most famous. It’s a par 3, and on paper, it looks like a pushover. Then you stand on the tee box. You’re looking directly at the lighthouse—the Saybrook Breakwater Light—and the wind is whipping off the water at 20 miles per hour.
One day it’s a 9-iron. The next day, you’re hitting a 5-iron and praying it stays on the planet.
📖 Related: Finding Your Way: What the Tenderloin San Francisco Map Actually Tells You
There is no protection here. No towering oaks to block the breeze. It is pure, exposed shoreline golf. If you can’t control your ball flight, the Fenwick Golf Course in Old Saybrook will chew you up and spit you out before you even reach the 7th tee.
It’s Not Just About the Score
Let’s be real: you come here for the views. You’re playing on a peninsula where the Connecticut River meets the Sound. On almost every hole, you have a panoramic view of the water. You see the inner "Lynde Point" lighthouse and the outer "Breakwater" light.
It’s easy to get distracted. You’ll find yourself staring at the massive "cottages"—which are actually sprawling historic mansions—instead of focusing on your putting line. This was Katharine Hepburn’s backyard. Literally. Her family home was right here, and she was known to play these holes frequently, often with a fiercely competitive spirit and very little patience for slow play.
The history isn't just in the books; it's in the turf. The course was originally designed by the residents themselves. It wasn't some high-priced architect coming in with a bulldozer. They used the natural contours of the land. That’s why the fairways have those weird humps and hollows. It’s "found" golf.
Dealing With the Logistics (It's Kinda Tricky)
Planning a trip to play here requires a bit of strategy. Because it’s a nine-hole course, it fills up fast.
- Tee Times: You generally need to book in advance through their online system. Don't just show up on a Saturday morning expecting to walk on.
- The Season: It’s open year-round, weather permitting. Playing here in November is a totally different beast than July. The wind is sharper, the ground is harder, and the crowds are gone.
- Walking is King: Most people walk Fenwick. It’s a short loop, and honestly, using a cart almost feels like a sin in a place this historic. Plus, navigating those residential streets is easier on foot.
Expect to pay a bit more than your average muni. You’re paying for the location and the maintenance of a very sensitive coastal ecosystem. It’s worth every penny for the atmosphere alone.
👉 See also: Finding Your Way: What the Map of Ventura California Actually Tells You
Common Misconceptions About Fenwick
A lot of people think Fenwick is a private club. It's not. The borough is a bit exclusionary in its feel because it’s a dead-end peninsula with private roads, but the golf course is owned by the Borough of Fenwick and is open to the public.
Another myth? That it’s easy because it’s short.
Hard no.
The lack of distance is compensated for by the complexity of the greens and the unpredictability of the elements. You might hit a perfect drive on the 2nd hole only to have a gust of wind push it into a bunker you didn't even know existed. It’s a "thinking man’s" course. You have to play for position, not power.
How to Play Your Best Round at Fenwick
If you want to actually score well at the Fenwick Golf Course, leave the ego in the parking lot.
- Low and Slow: Keep the ball under the wind. This is the place to practice your "stinger" shots. If you sky the ball, the wind is going to take it for a ride to Long Island.
- Short Game is Everything: Since you’ll likely miss a few of those tiny greens, your chipping needs to be dialed in. The grass around the greens can be thin, so a "Texas Wedge" (putting from off the green) is often the smartest play.
- Respect the Neighbors: Remember, you’re playing through a neighborhood. Keep the shouting to a minimum and stay off the private lawns. The relationship between the golfers and the residents is a delicate one.
- Check the Tide: It sounds crazy, but the water levels can actually change the "feel" of the coastal holes. High tide brings the water closer to your psyche, even if it doesn't physically touch the fairway.
Honestly, even if you shoot a 50, you’re going to have a good time. There’s something meditative about the sound of the waves and the sight of the lighthouses while you’re lining up a birdie putt.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Your Way: The United States Map Atlanta Georgia Connection and Why It Matters
Essential Next Steps for Your Visit
Before you head out to Old Saybrook, take a moment to prep.
First, check the wind forecast specifically for Lynde Point. A "breezy" day inland means a "gale" at Fenwick.
Second, book your tee time exactly when the window opens. During the summer months, spots disappear in minutes.
Finally, bring a camera. Or at least make sure your phone is charged. Most golfers find themselves taking more pictures of the 6th hole than they do actual swings.
Once you finish your round, head into downtown Old Saybrook. There are some great spots on Main Street for a post-round burger and a beer. It’s the perfect way to decompress after the wind has spent two hours trying to steal your hat.
Don't expect a country club experience. Expect a rugged, historic, and beautiful challenge that reminds you why golf was invented in the first place: to test yourself against nature.