Blue Fox Run Golf Club - Red Nine

In December, the option of ‘scrimmaging’ in golf--as opposed to playing the normal game--presents itself. That’s what I did today, focusing mainly on getting GIR’s rather than keeping close tabs on score. From the first hole, such a prospect, anyway, was hindered by bumpy, aerated greens.

Blue Fox White/Red was in average shape for December, and would be only fair compared to what I experienced on October 31st. Conditions deteriorate that fast in Connecticut when late fall arrives (look at the comparative pics). The high-quality layout is always worth playing, though, as it has a nice mix of tough, moderate, and more routine golf holes.

Perhaps surprising for December, a fair number of cars were in BFR’s parking lot.

Beautiful course and always has a great pace of play

It's always worth the hour trip to play Blue Fox. We go there about once a month. Staff is great, the course conditions are improving. Hope to get in at least one more round this year.

It’s unusual to play golf here on Halloween with temps hovering in the mid-60’s. But that was the case today, and when I finished my round I felt fortunate to have been out in the Farmington Valley on a course that couples a fine layout with a stunning setting: spacious, mainly open parkland surrounded by attractive hills clad in orange and red, green and gold. The White Nine, which I toured today along with the Red, is of special note, as it opens up with six holes that have a linksy aura, especially with the breeze up, as it was this early afternoon.

The layouts of these two nines are central to what is noteworthy about Blue Fox Run, and I’ve always found each one impressive. The Red, definitely the easier of the two, rambles along quietly until you hit the sixth, a difficult short-par four that places a premium on the tee shot. Then comes the demanding seventh, which, along with the second hole on the White, are the toughest par-threes on this twenty-seven hole complex. Eight is a long par-5 which most will play as a three-shotter; the ninth closes it out with a tricky dogleg right of only 324 that tempts you to be greedy off the tee and cut the corner (better for most to hit a fade, instead). The White’s opening hole is long though straightforward, but this nine does offer a pair of birdie opportunities at a pair of short 3-pars: the third and sixth. The remaining holes are all challenging, but I particularly like the two par-5’s. The fifth--in my estimation-- is one of the best in this state, its rolling fairway leading to a pitched green fronted by a bunker that’s reminiscent of the greenside specimen at St. Andrews’ 17th. The uber-long, 642-yard ninth impresses by its well-defended, knob-like green complex, which, from my observations, seems to bewilder most golfers.

The clubhouse, bar/restaurant and other amenities are solid here as well. Also worth mentioning is the outstanding service: I chatted today with Jay, the Course Manager, here a couple of times and should say that he’s attentive to every detail and clearly wants to make your experience here a positive one. It was, again. Service is 6 on a scale of 5. Another note: I took pictures of the Blue Nine today, as well--a few of them appear in the photos.

Conditions: For this time of year, good. The fairways ranged from average to good; the roughs were fine, the tees needed cutting (but a reason they may not most likely relates to a softer, wet course after the rains). The greens were aerated, but their ‘base’ conditions would appear to be far more consistent (as they were this summer) than they were when I played the course in mid-2020. In short, big improvements were made here this year on the greens, as well as overall.

Some Conclusions: There’s no accounting for taste when any golf course is reviewed, but I’m in the camp this year that finds BFR a course that has returned to form. Today it was clearly one of the best values I’ve seen this year. The large parking lot was two-thirds full today--unusual for this time of year--so I’m inclined to think that a lot of golfers agree with me.

played on the blue course and it was the worse i ever seen it, it was like playing on dirt they arriated the greens and didn't fill them and left the log like dirt on the green and around it if you had to chip you would be chipping the dirt instead of your ball was going to stop play but back nine was red course thought it would be better but it was the same i quit after a few hole but partner played on just to practice driving and 2nd shot when he went to putt it was going to go in the hole but it hit the dirt log and stopped it i had to just laugh there were no grounds keeper out working blowing leaves or filling in the holes never again would i play at this course unless it gets in better shape looks like they don't care about the course maybe its for sale???

First, there should be a feature on golf now that shows if courses are being aerated.

When I arrived at the proshop, the person gave me no heads up that the course was being aerated

The tee boxes were like the rough at most courses I play

Today was an embarrassment, waste of money and time, even though it only took us two and a half hours to play because we couldn’t even putt, I would’ve asked for a refund but we did end up playing 18 holes

The golf course conditions has improved over time (since I started here, 2 years ago). You are always welcome and the staff is amazing.

Beautiful scenery especially this time of year. Unfortunately the course has suffered damage from all of the rain. One temp green. But it’s very playable and the greens are in good shape. For what I paid I can’t complain. Played with some cool people and enjoyed the round. I’ll be back

This was my first time playing the course. Played Red to White. Course in pretty good condition. Some holes still recovering from flooding but staff was out working and taking care or the course. I will definitely play there again.

They are doing a great job coming back from the terrible floods. A couple of holes on the White and of course the Blue took a beating.. Keep up the good work. we'll be back.

Book the tee time with golfnow as usual. When we check in at the pro shop they inform us that the course is wet a d four holes were .move due to the water on the course. This day was a waste of time and .money. l end up paying for my friends case I didn't know how to explain the situation. We left after six hole that's how awful the course condition was. They should of never let anyone out that day or even that week. Its sad that they would send people out knowing the course wasn't in playing g condition. I should of called golfnow but I didn't wNna started any trouble.