The Orchards Golf Course in Milford, CT is simple, casual golf at an unbelievable rate. The course is 9 holes that weave through an old apple orchard and was built by the town’s mayor back in 1997. Walking 9 holes during the week is $19, and on weekends it jumps up to a whopping $21.25. This is not a land lost to time; it’s just a course that values the experience over the wallet.
You don’t need to tuck in your shirt or take off your hat in the clubhouse. You go to The Orchards to simply enjoy playing a round of golf. There aren’t any hills, so it is easy to walk, and even though it fills the tee sheet (200 rounds a day during peak season), it still manages to provide a quick pace.
The layout is short with a total par of 32, and it plays at 1625 yards from the back tees. However, what makes it so appealing to golfers of all skill levels is that you still need to pack every club in your bag. The holes range from 93-266 yards. It is not a course where you show up and automatically shoot under par because it was designed with hazards and subtly breaking greens to keep you honest.
There are a lot of trees that provide separation between the holes, but there is no water on the course, so you always have a chance to find your ball. Some old stone walls run along the fairways, which give it a nostalgic feel even though the course is young in terms of golf.
Accuracy is the key as some guarded greens and doglegs require precision off the tee. Hole 1 is a dogleg left where you want to hit it 150 yards to the turn of the fairway. The green has a couple of tiers, so you want to check the pin placement before you hit your approach. Hole 4 is 207 yards uphill to a protected green. There is also a huge tree on the right-hand side that slightly blocks your path, especially if you hit a draw. The green has two bunkers guarding a narrow passage up to the flat land. Hole 9 is the longest on the course, playing at 266 yards, but it is a straight line to the green. There are a couple of strategically placed trees on the sides of the fairway and two kidney bean-shaped bunkers in front of the green. The putting surface is large, but it has some tricky slopes and undulations that make it tough to secure your par on the final hole.
The course is well designed to provide a challenge but also allows you to enjoy a quick nine. The clubhouse has all of your basic needs with clothing, equipment, and snacks. There is a hitting net and a large putting green to help you warm up.
For the quality and the price, The Orchards is a great way to spend your time playing golf in a fun and casual setting.
