
H. Smith Richardson Course
H Smith Richardson Golf Club


About this course
H. Smith Richardson Golf Club occupies a wooded property in Fairfield, Connecticut, designed by Hal Purdy and opened in the mid-1960s. The course was developed as part of a private club serving the Fairfield County community, an area with a long tradition of golf dating to the early twentieth century. Purdy, a regional architect active primarily in the Northeast during the postwar era, created a layout that works with the natural rolling terrain and mature tree cover characteristic of southwestern Connecticut. The routing moves through corridors of hardwoods and evergreens, with elevation changes that add variety to shot values and create natural separation between holes. The design emphasizes accuracy over distance, as tree-lined fairways reward precise ball-striking and course management. Greens are typically modest in size with subtle contours, reflecting the architectural sensibilities of the period. Water features appear on several holes, contributing to the strategic demands of the layout. The club operates as a private facility with a membership drawn from the surrounding Fairfield County area. Its location places it within a region known for numerous established clubs and a strong golf culture. The course serves primarily as a venue for member play and club competitions rather than high-profile tournaments, maintaining a focus on the day-to-day experience of its membership. The setting provides a traditional tree-lined golf experience typical of southern New England courses from the same era.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CT
Quick facts
- Location
- Fairfield, CT, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1972
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Hal Purdy
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,676 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.5/120
- Course Vaults score
- 6.8
Getting there
The journey to H. Smith Richardson Golf Club begins at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, just twenty minutes south across the Connecticut line, or at the larger gateways of LaGuardia and JFK for those connecting from farther afield. The drive north traces the familiar contours of Fairfield County's wooded estates and stone walls, a landscape that has quietly harbored some of the region's most discreet private clubs for generations. As you leave the Merritt Parkway and wind through Fairfield's residential lanes, the transition is subtle but unmistakable - a retreat from the commuter corridor into the kind of secluded, understated enclave where serious golf has been played, without fanfare, for decades.

FAQ
Common questions about H. Smith Richardson at H Smith Richardson Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
H. Smith Richardson at H Smith Richardson Golf Club has a Course Vaults score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 28 logged golfers.
H. Smith Richardson was designed by Hal Purdy.
Yes. H. Smith Richardson at H Smith Richardson Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at H. Smith Richardson is 72.
H. Smith Richardson plays 6,676 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at H. Smith Richardson is 120.




