Yale Golf Course

The Yale golf course, owned and operated in New Haven near the West Haven border by Yale University, is a fine example of early American golf course design, with large, deeply bunkered greens and narrow rolling fairways challenging the golfer; it is considered one of the best collegiate golf courses in the United States.

In 1988, Golf Magazine ranked Yale as the 71st most difficult course in the world. In particular, the 432-yard (395 m) par-4 fourth hole and the 238-yard (218 m) par-3 ninth hole have been ranked among the 100 most difficult holes.

The clubhouse is contemporary in design, but blends with the surrounding woodland. Inside, high ceilings and large windows offer magnificent views of the course and Connecticut's seasonal foliage, with a large dining room overlooking the third and fourth holes serving as the building's center. Gourmet food and fine wines are provided to the dining room and an adjoining sunny garden patio and deck by the club restaurant, Widdy's. The building also houses a unique hexagonal conference room with matching hexagonal conference table and a full service PGA pro shop, which contains the computerized national golf handicap system and sells, rents, and repairs the latest equipment, as well as selling golf apparel featuring Handsome Dan, the Yale bulldog mascot.

Yale opens the course to outside groups; Mondays during the golf season are reserved for private golf outings of 100 players or more.