Course overview
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Located next to the Foxwoods Resort Casino, said to be the second largest of its kind in the United States, the South course at Lake of Isles is the private 18-hole layout at an upmarket 36-hole golf complex designed by Rees Jones. Both the North and South courses are routed around a 90-acre lake, with several holes on each layout touching its shores.
Lake of Isles' two courses comprise a great example of pre-Recession golf course design and construction. The mid-2000s were the peak of the market as influenced significantly by Tiger Woods and the professional game. Golfers wanted tough-as-nails courses and high-end experiences everywhere, not just for themselves but for groups of friends and clients. And at Foxwoods, Rees Jones delivered.
Opened for membership in 2005, the South course can be stretched to a massive 7,359 yards, playing to a very strong slope index of 140 and a rating of 75.8 (against a par of 72) from the back tees. It’s laid on out on a rolling landscape where wetland areas and rocky outcrops come into play from time to time.
The South Course occupies the less dynamic (though still quite severe in places) piece of property, with a number of elevated tee shots and greens. Sinewy fairways, thick rough, big and deep bunkers and lots of hazards come together to form a course where you'd better be on your game if you want to play anywhere near your handicap. The name of the game is to hit it long and straight off the tee and hit it high into the greens. The reward for doing this is exquisite putting surfaces without a ton of movement and where you can make some putts if you leave yourself in a good spot.
At the risk of declaring the course a torture chamber, it does have plenty of nice views and some compelling holes. The par-5 fifth and par-3 16th are two good examples. Feature holes on the front nine include the 440-yard 2nd, which doglegs left across a couple of marshy areas, and the 433-yard 9th, where the tee shot is played across another wetland area to a fairway veering left towards a greens that’s protected by sand on either side of the putting surface.
On the inward half, two of the more memorable holes are water-threatened par threes: the peninsula green at the 165-yard 11th juts out into the lake and the putting surface of the 230-yard 16th sits behind an inlet on the same body of water. The short par four 13th is another fine hole on the back nine, its severely rumpled fairway slanting left to a lovely infinity green.
Lake of Isles' two courses comprise a great example of pre-Recession golf course design and construction. The mid-2000s were the peak of the market as influenced significantly by Tiger Woods and the professional game. Golfers wanted tough-as-nails courses and high-end experiences everywhere, not just for themselves but for groups of friends and clients. And at Foxwoods, Rees Jones delivered.
Opened for membership in 2005, the South course can be stretched to a massive 7,359 yards, playing to a very strong slope index of 140 and a rating of 75.8 (against a par of 72) from the back tees. It’s laid on out on a rolling landscape where wetland areas and rocky outcrops come into play from time to time.
The South Course occupies the less dynamic (though still quite severe in places) piece of property, with a number of elevated tee shots and greens. Sinewy fairways, thick rough, big and deep bunkers and lots of hazards come together to form a course where you'd better be on your game if you want to play anywhere near your handicap. The name of the game is to hit it long and straight off the tee and hit it high into the greens. The reward for doing this is exquisite putting surfaces without a ton of movement and where you can make some putts if you leave yourself in a good spot.
At the risk of declaring the course a torture chamber, it does have plenty of nice views and some compelling holes. The par-5 fifth and par-3 16th are two good examples. Feature holes on the front nine include the 440-yard 2nd, which doglegs left across a couple of marshy areas, and the 433-yard 9th, where the tee shot is played across another wetland area to a fairway veering left towards a greens that’s protected by sand on either side of the putting surface.
On the inward half, two of the more memorable holes are water-threatened par threes: the peninsula green at the 165-yard 11th juts out into the lake and the putting surface of the 230-yard 16th sits behind an inlet on the same body of water. The short par four 13th is another fine hole on the back nine, its severely rumpled fairway slanting left to a lovely infinity green.
south Course detail
NOTE: Yardage shown below are from the longest Black tees. Our play will be from the Silver tees for men and Jade tees for women. Those yardages can be found on the scorecard below.
1- 4: The 1st hole is actually a gentle opener as a downhill 373 yard dogleg right. This hole features a relatively generous fairway lined by tall trees on either side and a bunker on the right at 250 yards. This approach plays to a diagonal elevated green guarded by a bunker short.
At only 382 yards, the menacing par 4 2nd is the number 1 handicap and one of the most intimidating holes I’ve ever played. This teeshot requires an 150 yard carry uphill over a pond to reach a small sliver of fairway lined by thick woods on either side. This fairway laughably ends at 250 yards and the hole turns left with another forced carry over brush towards an elevated green guarded by bunkers on either side. This hole is pure target golf, and the golfer is given only one option to play the hole – hit two high and long shots.
There are no reachable par fours at Lake of Isles, but the 3rd is about as close as it gets playing a level 357 yards straightaway. This is another relatively benign hole with a wide right-to-left sloping fairway lined by a trio of bunkers on the right at 250 yards. The fairway dips just prior to a green guarded by a false front and multiple deep bunkers on either side.
The 4th is the first par 3 playing a lengthy 203 yards. This is a relatively uneventful hole with a large green protected by a bunker short left.
5 - 8: At 493 yards, the reachable 5th is the shortest of a very long set of par fives. This is a fun hole with an elevated teeshot over an 160 yard chasm of wasteland. This fairway runs uphill the entire way and is notable for a 50 yard long giant bunker down the left beginning at 250 yards. As you near the green, this fairway narrows with rough and three bunkers down the right for the final 150 yards. This narrow green is elevated and protected by a bunker short left.
The par 3 6th is another rather nondescript one-shotter at 181 yards. This hole requires precision with bunkers sandwiched in front and behind a shallow green.
Although the longest par 4 on the course at 448 yards, the 7th is not one of the more difficult ones as there’s no forced carry required. This hole plays straightaway and slightly uphill with thick forest lining both sides and a bunker on the right at 265 yards. This elevated green is lined by two deep bunkers on the left.
The 8th hole is the longest hole at Lake of Isles and one of the more difficult par fives in the region. At a prodigious 591 yards, this monster requires a 200 yard forced carry just to reach the fairway. Although this fairway is wide, beware of bunkers on the left at 280 yards and a crossbunker on the right at 300 yards. As a true three shot hole for almost everyone, this lay-up is very challenging with a giant crossbunker about 120 yards short of the green that occludes almost the entire fairway. After this point, the fairway constricts to virtually nothing and turns sharp right with forest on both sides. The safe play is to lay up short of this crossbunker, leaving a nice wedge into another elevated green guarded by bunkers on either side. This hole offers the best views of the Foxwoods Casino in the backdrop, one of the largest casinos in North America.
9 - 11: The bruises keep coming with the 403 yard 9th, one of the more difficult par fours I’ve played. This dogleg left features yet another forced carry to a very slim, diagonal fairway ranging from 200 yards on the right to 250 yards if you want to cut the corner. A bunker awaits you at 260 yards on the left and thick trees line the entire left side. If you can somehow find a way to hit this fairway, you’re left an uphill approach to an elevated, narrow green lined by cavernous bunkers on either side and a hazard left.
At 413 yards, the par 4 10th is no picnic to commence the back nine. This hole features a narrow fairway initially lined by bunkers on either side at 230 yards and then opens up. This approach requires an 100 yard forced carry over brush to an elevated back-to-front sloped green guarded by a bunker short. There’s a tiny sliver of fairway to the left of the hazard, but it’s so narrow that it’s unrealistic to take this route. Thanks for the false hope, Rees!
The best holes at Lake of Isles are the ones that utilize the Lake, with the first being the par 3 11th. This is by far the shortest hole on the course at 139 yards, but still demands precision with a downhill shot to an island-like green surrounded by water.
12 - 16: At 436 yards the par 4 12th is another very difficult hole. Playing uphill the entire way, this hole features just another 200 yard carry to a narrow fairway lined by thick forest on both sides. Beware of bunkers at 230 yards on the right and one just short right of this elevated green.
The 13th is the shortest par 4 on the course at 356 yards and plays as the 18th handicap. There’s no real danger on this hole until 240 yards, where there’s a bunker on the left quickly followed by bunkers on either side that narrow the fairway to almost nothing. Once again, this approach runs slightly uphill to a green guarded by a deep bunker on the left. The 13th is a fine hole for sure, but I think Rees Jones missed an opportunity to create a risk/reward, reachable hole by shortening it 50 yards. At its current length, there’s no incentive to hit driver as the best play is to lay-up short of all the danger.
At 559 yards, the par 5 14th is another very long three-shotter with an 190 yard forced carry. This dogleg right runs uphill and features a narrow fairway lined by trees on both sides and a bunker on the left at 255 yards. Bunkers line the right for the final 90 yards and this elevated green is tucked behind the right corner guarded by bunkers short and long.
The 15th is a more forgiving hole playing downhill at 393 yards. Although this tight fairway is lined by trees, there’s no forced carry here so the golfer has more options off the tee. With a large crossbunker on the right at 270 yards, the longer hitter might want utilize these options and consider hitting less than driver. Like most, this green is elevated with bunkers short on either side.
The final par 3 16th is both the best and most memorable hole at Lake of Isles South. This fantastic 203 yard hole plays downhill to a beautiful peninsular green surrounded by water on three sides. The only bailout is long left, where a bunker awaits those who misjudge the distance.
17 - 18: The 550 yard 17th culminates a very difficult set of par fives that all run uphill and require a serious forced carry. This hole is very similar to the others with a shorter forced carry (140 yards) and a narrow fairway lined by trees on both sides and a large crossbunker on the left at 250 yards. This fairway then runs straight uphill toward another elevated green guarded by a bunker right.
The closing 18th hole is very unique and doesn’t feel anything like the other holes. While I’m not sure how I feel about the design itself, I do commend Jones for going out of his comfort zone and not creating another mindless forced carry here. This par 4 technically plays 365 yards on the scorecard, but in reality the green is only about 300 yards from the teebox and tucked behind trees to the right. This hole features perhaps the widest fairway in the state as a severe dogleg right that doglegs pretty much as soon as you reach the fairway. A bunker in the dead center of the fairway at 225 yards is the only hazard and those who drive it 270+ yards will run out of fairway. As mentioned above, this narrow green is tucked to the right behind trees and faces the elbow of the dogleg. Those thinking of laying up well short or taking an aggressive line at the green will have an awkward approach over a deep bunker to a very shallow surface.
At only 382 yards, the menacing par 4 2nd is the number 1 handicap and one of the most intimidating holes I’ve ever played. This teeshot requires an 150 yard carry uphill over a pond to reach a small sliver of fairway lined by thick woods on either side. This fairway laughably ends at 250 yards and the hole turns left with another forced carry over brush towards an elevated green guarded by bunkers on either side. This hole is pure target golf, and the golfer is given only one option to play the hole – hit two high and long shots.
There are no reachable par fours at Lake of Isles, but the 3rd is about as close as it gets playing a level 357 yards straightaway. This is another relatively benign hole with a wide right-to-left sloping fairway lined by a trio of bunkers on the right at 250 yards. The fairway dips just prior to a green guarded by a false front and multiple deep bunkers on either side.
The 4th is the first par 3 playing a lengthy 203 yards. This is a relatively uneventful hole with a large green protected by a bunker short left.
5 - 8: At 493 yards, the reachable 5th is the shortest of a very long set of par fives. This is a fun hole with an elevated teeshot over an 160 yard chasm of wasteland. This fairway runs uphill the entire way and is notable for a 50 yard long giant bunker down the left beginning at 250 yards. As you near the green, this fairway narrows with rough and three bunkers down the right for the final 150 yards. This narrow green is elevated and protected by a bunker short left.
The par 3 6th is another rather nondescript one-shotter at 181 yards. This hole requires precision with bunkers sandwiched in front and behind a shallow green.
Although the longest par 4 on the course at 448 yards, the 7th is not one of the more difficult ones as there’s no forced carry required. This hole plays straightaway and slightly uphill with thick forest lining both sides and a bunker on the right at 265 yards. This elevated green is lined by two deep bunkers on the left.
The 8th hole is the longest hole at Lake of Isles and one of the more difficult par fives in the region. At a prodigious 591 yards, this monster requires a 200 yard forced carry just to reach the fairway. Although this fairway is wide, beware of bunkers on the left at 280 yards and a crossbunker on the right at 300 yards. As a true three shot hole for almost everyone, this lay-up is very challenging with a giant crossbunker about 120 yards short of the green that occludes almost the entire fairway. After this point, the fairway constricts to virtually nothing and turns sharp right with forest on both sides. The safe play is to lay up short of this crossbunker, leaving a nice wedge into another elevated green guarded by bunkers on either side. This hole offers the best views of the Foxwoods Casino in the backdrop, one of the largest casinos in North America.
9 - 11: The bruises keep coming with the 403 yard 9th, one of the more difficult par fours I’ve played. This dogleg left features yet another forced carry to a very slim, diagonal fairway ranging from 200 yards on the right to 250 yards if you want to cut the corner. A bunker awaits you at 260 yards on the left and thick trees line the entire left side. If you can somehow find a way to hit this fairway, you’re left an uphill approach to an elevated, narrow green lined by cavernous bunkers on either side and a hazard left.
At 413 yards, the par 4 10th is no picnic to commence the back nine. This hole features a narrow fairway initially lined by bunkers on either side at 230 yards and then opens up. This approach requires an 100 yard forced carry over brush to an elevated back-to-front sloped green guarded by a bunker short. There’s a tiny sliver of fairway to the left of the hazard, but it’s so narrow that it’s unrealistic to take this route. Thanks for the false hope, Rees!
The best holes at Lake of Isles are the ones that utilize the Lake, with the first being the par 3 11th. This is by far the shortest hole on the course at 139 yards, but still demands precision with a downhill shot to an island-like green surrounded by water.
12 - 16: At 436 yards the par 4 12th is another very difficult hole. Playing uphill the entire way, this hole features just another 200 yard carry to a narrow fairway lined by thick forest on both sides. Beware of bunkers at 230 yards on the right and one just short right of this elevated green.
The 13th is the shortest par 4 on the course at 356 yards and plays as the 18th handicap. There’s no real danger on this hole until 240 yards, where there’s a bunker on the left quickly followed by bunkers on either side that narrow the fairway to almost nothing. Once again, this approach runs slightly uphill to a green guarded by a deep bunker on the left. The 13th is a fine hole for sure, but I think Rees Jones missed an opportunity to create a risk/reward, reachable hole by shortening it 50 yards. At its current length, there’s no incentive to hit driver as the best play is to lay-up short of all the danger.
At 559 yards, the par 5 14th is another very long three-shotter with an 190 yard forced carry. This dogleg right runs uphill and features a narrow fairway lined by trees on both sides and a bunker on the left at 255 yards. Bunkers line the right for the final 90 yards and this elevated green is tucked behind the right corner guarded by bunkers short and long.
The 15th is a more forgiving hole playing downhill at 393 yards. Although this tight fairway is lined by trees, there’s no forced carry here so the golfer has more options off the tee. With a large crossbunker on the right at 270 yards, the longer hitter might want utilize these options and consider hitting less than driver. Like most, this green is elevated with bunkers short on either side.
The final par 3 16th is both the best and most memorable hole at Lake of Isles South. This fantastic 203 yard hole plays downhill to a beautiful peninsular green surrounded by water on three sides. The only bailout is long left, where a bunker awaits those who misjudge the distance.
17 - 18: The 550 yard 17th culminates a very difficult set of par fives that all run uphill and require a serious forced carry. This hole is very similar to the others with a shorter forced carry (140 yards) and a narrow fairway lined by trees on both sides and a large crossbunker on the left at 250 yards. This fairway then runs straight uphill toward another elevated green guarded by a bunker right.
The closing 18th hole is very unique and doesn’t feel anything like the other holes. While I’m not sure how I feel about the design itself, I do commend Jones for going out of his comfort zone and not creating another mindless forced carry here. This par 4 technically plays 365 yards on the scorecard, but in reality the green is only about 300 yards from the teebox and tucked behind trees to the right. This hole features perhaps the widest fairway in the state as a severe dogleg right that doglegs pretty much as soon as you reach the fairway. A bunker in the dead center of the fairway at 225 yards is the only hazard and those who drive it 270+ yards will run out of fairway. As mentioned above, this narrow green is tucked to the right behind trees and faces the elbow of the dogleg. Those thinking of laying up well short or taking an aggressive line at the green will have an awkward approach over a deep bunker to a very shallow surface.