Golf Club at Oxford Greens in Oxford, Connecticut

OXFORD, Conn. - Set on 680 acres of wooded preserve in Connecticut's Naugatuck State Forest between New Haven and Fairfield counties, the Golf Club Oxford Greens opened in 2004 as a greatly anticipated public course in southern New England. Designed in a "neoclassical" style by Mark Mungeam, the 18-hole course plays at 7,147 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72, with bentgrass greens and fairways throughout.

There's a good variety of hole length here, with par 3s ranging from 170 to 221 yards, while par 4s start at 335 yards and move up to 458. Also, none of the golf courses' holes are parallel, with nearly all the doglegs tilting left. While this provides a nice challenge initially, the consistent trouble-left, bailout-right movement can become monotonous. On the other hand, the narrowness of many holes could still leave high handicappers scrambling in their bags for balls.

Managed by Billy Casper Golf, the Golf Club Oxford Greens has much to offer players of all levels, and was recently named "The 3rd Best Course in Connecticut" by Golfweek - good news not only for New Englanders, but also for New Yorkers, who are only an hour's drive away.

Golf Club at Oxford Greens - hole 2

The par-3 second hole at the Golf Club at Oxford Greens highlights the large, undulating green with a deep swale through its middle - and three bunkers left.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

G.C. at Oxford Greens - hole 14

One of the toughest holes at The Golf Club at Oxford Greens, the 14th is a long par 4, with a left-sloping fairway to a pond and a deep green beyond.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

Oxford Greens golf course - hole 3

Appropriately named "Scoundrel", the 630-yard third at the Golf Club at Oxford Greens is the longest hole in Connecticut, presenting a steady climb to the two-level green.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

Golf Club at Oxford Greens - hole 5

The classic-looking fifth hole at the Golf Club at Oxford Greens is protected by bunkers left and right, before you reach the square, knoll-top green with a sharp drop-off.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

Golf Club at Oxford Greens - hole 9

A treacherous close to the front nine, the Golf Club at Oxford Greens' ninth hole offers alternate angles of play off the tee, before you face a long, narrow green slipped in between a steep downslope and bunker.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

G.C. at Oxford Greens - hole 10

The relatively mundane 10th hole at The Golf Club at Oxford Greens actually rewards play to the right bunker rather than the generous-looking left.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

The Golf Club at Oxford Greens - hole 13

Named "Redan," the par-3 13th hole at The Golf Club at Oxford Greens is fashioned after the famous 15th at North Berwick in Scotland.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

Oxford Greens golf course - hole 15

Don't let the pretty view of the 15th hole at the Golf Club at Oxford Greens fool you: Danger lurks on both sides of the distant landing area.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

Golf Club at Oxford Greens - hole 16

At 170 yards, the 16th is the shortest hole at the Golf Club at Oxford Greens, but it's also well protected with bunkers on all sides.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf

Connecticut's Oxford Greens golf course - hole 2

The Golf Club at Oxford Greens' second hole, known as "Vista," is a 218-yard par 3, with trouble in the form of water and three bunkers on the left.

Courtesy of Billy Casper Golf