Westwoods Golf Course: Farmington's Par-61 Classic

Geoffrey Cornish built Westwoods Golf Course in Farmington, Connecticut in 1950, and this town-owned par-61 has been drawing golfers from Hartford County ever since. It sits on the southwestern edge of Farmington, a few minutes from the Farmington River, and the layout makes full use of the natural terrain Cornish was famous for working with rather than against.

The Layout

Westwoods plays 4,407 yards from the white tees with a course rating of 60.8 and a slope of 93. The red tees come in at 3,597 yards, rated 59.5 with a slope of 85. Those numbers might suggest a pushover, but the slope of 93 from the whites earns its rating. Cornish built 12 par-3s into this 18-hole routing, alongside five par-4s and a single par-5 opener.

Hole 1 sets the tone immediately: a 452-yard par-5 that carries the course handicap of 1. It rewards a clean drive and punishes anything leaking left or right. From there the course shifts into a rhythm of shorter, precise holes that demand accurate iron play more than raw distance.

The back nine's par-3s get genuinely long. Hole 11 stretches to 216 yards from the back tees. You are hitting a full long iron or hybrid into a green that does not forgive a mis-hit. Players who bring a complete bag to an executive course will find holes like this a real test. The par-4 13th at 344 yards and par-4 15th at 318 yards both require a committed second shot into small targets.

The course plays longer than the yardage suggests on certain holes because Cornish relied on elevation change and narrow corridors rather than length alone. Walking the course is allowed and encouraged, and the routing flows logically from tee to green without the kind of backtracking that can make some short courses feel awkward.

Geoffrey Cornish's Approach

Cornish spent decades shaping New England golf, and his philosophy showed up consistently in courses like Westwoods: keep the construction simple, use the land you have, and build something that average golfers can enjoy while still giving skilled players something to think about. He did not over-bunker or over-engineer. At Westwoods, the hazards you face are mostly the ones nature put there.

That restraint has kept the course maintainable for a municipal operation. The Town of Farmington still runs Westwoods, and green fees stay in the 5 to 3 range for 18 holes. For a genuine Cornish design with a full driving range and walking access, that pricing is hard to argue with.

The Practice Facility

The driving range at Westwoods is a serious practice amenity for a municipal course. Ten natural grass tee stations sit alongside 20 artificial turf mats, giving range-goers the option to hit off real turf or work through a bucket without worrying about divots. Range tokens run for 30 balls, 1 for 60, and 6 for 90. The 24,000-square-foot practice green adds room for short game work before or after a round.

A Grass Pass Membership gives access to the natural grass hitting areas for a full season, limited to 45 players. For players who want to improve iron contact and use real turf feedback through the season, it is a practical investment at 75.

Amenities Beyond Golf

Westwoods has developed into more than a golf course in recent years. Carol's Lunchbox handles the food and beverage side. Eight dedicated pickleball courts and a splash pad make the facility a legitimate destination for families who do not all play golf. A pavilion handles outings and group events. The pro shop is staffed, lessons and youth camps run throughout the season, and the course recently updated its cart fleet for 2026 along with online tee time booking seven days a week.

Who Should Play Westwoods

Beginners and high-handicappers get a course that will not overwhelm them. The par-3-heavy layout rewards players who are working on their iron game, and the shorter par-4s take driver out of the equation on several holes. Scratch players can use Westwoods as a precision tune-up or a fast weekday round. The round moves quickly when the course is not crowded, and walking keeps it efficient.

Hartford County golfers looking for a new-to-them public option should not overlook Westwoods. It is a Cornish original from 1950 that has aged well under town management, with enough of a challenge to bring you back.

View the full scorecard for Westwoods Golf Course on Stymie, including tee ratings and hole-by-hole yardages.