The Members’ Birdie Hunt
Local lore puts a premium on taking advantage of the short par 5s—especially 17—where matches and side bets often swing late in the round. Veteran members circle these holes for their best shot at a big finish.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Silvermine Golf Club
Norwalk, Connecticut
Established
1959
Architect
John E. Warner
Access
Private
Par
Par 70
Length
5,301 yds
The verdict
Compact, Demanding, Pure Members’ Golf
Silvermine GC challenges players with narrow corridors and elevated greens on a short, sharp 18 that tests nerves and placement. It's a low-key but authentic club experience for those seeking traditional, no-fuss New England golf. With its tight layout and old-school charm, it’s a round that rewards precision far more than power.
Course DNA
Difficulty
74
Scenery64
Conditioning76
Shot Variety70
Walkability80
Green Complexity73
Wow Factor61
Design Quality65
At a glance
Quick facts
Executive 9 Available
Year-round access to a separate 9-hole executive course for members.
Main Course Par
18 holes, Par 70
Original Architect
John E. Warner (1959)
Narrow Landing Areas
Demanding tee shots test nerves and placement.
Elevated Greens
Numerous raised green complexes add challenge.
Signature Par 5s
Holes 9 and 17 offer real birdie chances.
Course Terrain
Classic inland, tree-framed New England club style.
The design
The architecture
Silvermine’s architecture is pure 1950s club golf—tight corridors, well-bunkered approaches, and modest but demanding greens. John E. Warner’s routing squeezes big demands from a compact, traditional property, where players are forced to think position off every tee. With its old-school, no-frills New England parkland setting, golfers are rewarded for control, patience, and a sharp wedge game.
John E. Warner’s vision for Silvermine focused on maximizing shot value within a close-knit property, relying on natural elevations and corridor routing rather than flash.
Defining features
- Narrow landing areas from the tee
- Small, elevated greens with subtle breaks
- Classic parkland corridors with tree framing
- Minimal water in play—trouble lurks in the rough
- Mix of short and mid-length par 4s
- Well-integrated executive 9-hole layout
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 6
The Long Test
PAR
3
YARDAGE
200
A demanding 200-yard par 3 that rewards a confident long iron or hybrid, with a small, raised green ready to repel the slightest mishit. The wind influences club selection, amplifying the tension for mid-handicappers.
Play it smart
Aim to favor the center of the green and avoid chasing any pin tucked near an edge; getting safely aboard is the priority for par.
Where it bites
Anything short leaves a tough up-and-down from a tight lie or awkward bunker angle.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching elevated greens from tight fairways
Favor the center and play for the front edge—short is better than long.
Second shot on hole 6, the long par 3
Don’t force the shot; take your club and accept a par if you find the green.
Driving on hole 13’s narrow fairway
Club down and play for position to avoid trouble lurking on both sides.
Par 5 approach on 9 or 17
If you’re not in perfect position, lay back for wedge distance and attack with your third.
Chipping from tight lies around raised greens
Use a lower-lofted club if you’re uncomfortable, landing short and rolling up.
Short-sided in rough near the green
Take your medicine, play to the safe side, and avoid compounding mistakes.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Well-maintained, classic club conditioning with tight, fast fairways and true greens.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial In Your Wedge Game
Expect many approach shots from inside 120 yards—wedge precision is the secret to scoring here.
02
Keep the Driver in Check
Consider using a fairway wood or long iron on most tees to keep your ball in play and out of the trees.
03
Get a Feel for the Elevation
Spend extra time on the range mimicking uphill chips and pitches to adjust for the raised greens you'll face all round.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1959
Silvermine Golf Club is founded as a private club.
- 2009
Club celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Anniversary Toasts in the Barn
During Silvermine’s 50th anniversary in 2009, the entire membership packed the rustic clubhouse for speeches, toasts, and stories stretching back to opening day. The club’s low-key, communal spirit is still felt today.
Putting Nerves on Display
It’s said that the real test at Silvermine often lies in chipping to, and putting on, its subtle but unforgiving elevated greens—where so many hopes for a clean card quietly vanish.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Silvermine’s main 18 is noticeably short for a private club but fiercely demanding.
2
The club features an executive 9-hole course available year-round.
3
Signature par 5s, holes 9 and 17, are the best birdie opportunities and often swing club matches late.
4
Celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009 with strong ties to the original membership.
Build the trip
For a Fairfield County Private & Public Combo
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Sterling Farms Golf Course
Public
Good municipal design with above-average conditions and variety; easy for out-of-towners to book.
Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course
Public
Budget-friendly, fun, and playable with 36 holes to choose from.
The Country Club of Darien
Private
Well-regarded layout for those with access and a neighboring club experience.
Wee Burn Country Club
Private
A classic parkland option if you can secure an invitation or reciprocal play.
Downtown Westport, Norwalk, or Darien for dining, convenience, and highway access.
Course DNA
If You Like Silvermine Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Lochmoor Club
Grosse Pointe Woods, MichiganWhy it matches: If Silvermine Golf Club is your kind of course, Lochmoor Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Riverton Country Club
Cinnaminson, New JerseyWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Riverton Country Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.4
Prairie Green Golf Course
Sioux Falls, South DakotaWhy it matches: Prairie Green Golf Course is a natural next stop after Silvermine Golf Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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