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Rhode Island isn’t a big state, but that doesn’t prevent us from having a bevy of options when it comes to golf.
The state is known for the legendary quality of its private golf courses, but the Ocean State has plenty of quality choices on the public side. What are the best public courses in Rhode Island?
As with most things, that’s up to the user. Expect opinions to be regionally-based, but passionate nonetheless – and that’s why we want you, our readers, to show exactly what course you believe is the state’s best.
While our list of the state’s best 9-hole courses included both private and public, this list is strictly public courses. Any course that offers public tee times is considered public, much like a glass of milk immediately becomes coffee milk once you throw a few drops of Autocrat in there.
Below is a list and quick description of each of the state’s 18-hole public courses. The ballot is at the bottom of the page and readers can vote as often as they’d like until the poll closes.
Now that you have that info, there’s only one thing left to do – get those social media campaigns teed up and get votes as we try to figure out what is Rhode Island’s best public golf course.
One of a few South County gems located on Route 138, this par-70, 6,000-plus-yard course offers up some of the wildest elevation changes you’ll see in Rhode Island golf. Beaver River challenges players on every shot and if you’re thinking about walking the course – don’t.
Because it’s within three miles of the border, CT National is a Rhode Island Golf Association course and qualifies for this list. Located on the back roads of Putnam, Connecticut, CT National brings TPC Boston vibes with its layout and has some of the best public course conditions you’ll play at a price that can’t be beat.
This course doesn’t hide from its rural identity and provides two very different experiences between its front and back nine. Country View remains one of the state’s elite courses for those learning the game and if you’re looking for a boost of confidence, the first nine holes give you the chance to score like you never have before.
Up there with Del’s Lemonade and Twin Oaks as a true Rhode Island staple, Cranston CC has likely been played by more Ocean Staters than every other course on this list. The course, which annually hosts the RIIL Golf Championships, is traditionally lush and has solid playing conditions year-round and also boasts one of the best 19th holes in the state.
Once a hidden gem, everyone in the Rhode Island golf community knows what Exeter CC brings to the table. The layout is terrific from No. 1 to No. 18 and offers challenging and fun shots to players of all levels, making the trip to the western part of the state worth it.
Fenner Hill has had a post-COVID resurgence, offering both quality and cost-effective golf for players of all levels. The linksy course, accessed via Exit 3 on 95, boasts open fairways that make things look easy up until you play them. Fenner Hill recently hosted the Rhode Island Open and remains one of the state’s most underrated tracks.
Boasting one of the more interesting layouts in the state, Foster Country Club has become a popular spot since the golf boom. It’s front nine is a terrific and challenging layout, with a back nine requiring both a good game plan and good swings. The course closes with back-to-back par 3s, giving it a unique feel.
Everyone in the East Bay and Aquidneck Island already know how great of a course Green Valley is and the trip over the bridge is worth it for every Rhode Islander. Golfers will use every club in their back as they navigate the layout that’s only made more challenging with winds coming off the bay.
One of the terrific string of courses on Route 138, this West Kingston golf course is a community gem. Laurel Lane provides plenty of scoring opportunities, but punches back with some shapely holes that require shot-making. It provides a challenge, but has proven again and again to be a course that can be enjoyed by players of all levels.
Ask people about Rhode Island’s best public courses, Meadow Brook is always one of the first to come up. The course has one of the state’s best layouts and with a vast array of tee options – it can play as long as 7,400-plus yards – it can be enjoyed by plus handicaps and beginners alike. It should be on everyone’s “must play” list every season.
The vibe at “The Hill” is strong, as it offers up some terrific rural golf that makes it impossible to have fun regardless of score. Melody Hill has put money back into the course, improving playing conditions to create a course that offers up a fair and enjoyable test of golf.
A semi-private course, Montaup offers ample opportunity for the public to play so it earns a spot in this poll. The conditions are among the best in the state and Montaup Country Club has hosted several RIGA events. Armed with some of the best views in Rhode Island golf, Montaup provides some tough golf that always leaves you wanting more.
Another out-of-state course close enough to the border to be recognized by the RIGA, New England CC has become an immensely popular spot for golfers from both northern Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Its reputation is built by its greens, but the 18-hole layout is perfect for golfers of any level.
The golf standard for public golf, Newport National isn’t just one of the best public courses in the state – it’s one of the best RI has to offer. There isn’t a public course that can match Newport National’s conditions and the links layout fits perfectly for its geographic location. While the arm-and-a-leg cost hurts the wallet, it’s always worth it.
With one of the coolest stretches of holes in the state – you can putt with a fleet of National Guard planes sitting a wedge away – there aren’t many courses that pack this much fun and value. North Kingstown runs at 6,200 yards and allows players to be aggressive or conservative and still score well.
Known for its tree-lined fairways and tough doglegs, Richmond Country Club provides an exclusive feel you don’t get at other public courses. Accuracy is key at Richmond, which measures at a stout 6,800-plus yards from the tips but still provides a challenge at 6,200 yards from the white tees.
A Massachusetts course that falls within the geographic limit and is part of the RIGA, Swansea is a Geoffrey Cornish design that’s playable for golfers of any level. Another tree-lined course where accuracy off the tee is key, Swansea boasts about its lush conditions and can play anywhere from 7,000 yards to 5,200.
It might take five hours (or more), but Triggs continues to provide one of the best golf experiences in Rhode Island. The Donald Ross layout speaks for itself and a recent push to improve conditions have taken Triggs to the next level. You get what you get when you head to Providence’s lone course and the getting is always good.
You won’t find a better logo – public or private – in the state, but this Donald Ross design also provides one of the state’s best tests of golf. Winnapaug gives you a golf experience for all 18 holes and the coastal views on the back are among the best in RI. Ownership has put money into the course and it’s really started to show the last few years.
It might not be known by the majority of the state, but Wood River is the definition of what golf is about. The 18-hole course offers a variety of playing options – 11 holes, 13 holes or 18 – and you can play all day for $40. There’s no tee times, just an opportunity to play 18 holes and then enjoy the prize of the course – its award-winning 19th hole, which rivals any food experience any course in RI has.
What is the best public 18-hole golf course in RI?
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What is Rhode Island's best public golf course? Vote now to decide.
Continue reading...
The state is known for the legendary quality of its private golf courses, but the Ocean State has plenty of quality choices on the public side. What are the best public courses in Rhode Island?
As with most things, that’s up to the user. Expect opinions to be regionally-based, but passionate nonetheless – and that’s why we want you, our readers, to show exactly what course you believe is the state’s best.
While our list of the state’s best 9-hole courses included both private and public, this list is strictly public courses. Any course that offers public tee times is considered public, much like a glass of milk immediately becomes coffee milk once you throw a few drops of Autocrat in there.
Below is a list and quick description of each of the state’s 18-hole public courses. The ballot is at the bottom of the page and readers can vote as often as they’d like until the poll closes.
Now that you have that info, there’s only one thing left to do – get those social media campaigns teed up and get votes as we try to figure out what is Rhode Island’s best public golf course.
You must be registered for see images
Beaver River Golf Club
One of a few South County gems located on Route 138, this par-70, 6,000-plus-yard course offers up some of the wildest elevation changes you’ll see in Rhode Island golf. Beaver River challenges players on every shot and if you’re thinking about walking the course – don’t.
CT National Golf Club
Because it’s within three miles of the border, CT National is a Rhode Island Golf Association course and qualifies for this list. Located on the back roads of Putnam, Connecticut, CT National brings TPC Boston vibes with its layout and has some of the best public course conditions you’ll play at a price that can’t be beat.
Country View Golf Club
This course doesn’t hide from its rural identity and provides two very different experiences between its front and back nine. Country View remains one of the state’s elite courses for those learning the game and if you’re looking for a boost of confidence, the first nine holes give you the chance to score like you never have before.
You must be registered for see images attach
Cranston Country Club
Up there with Del’s Lemonade and Twin Oaks as a true Rhode Island staple, Cranston CC has likely been played by more Ocean Staters than every other course on this list. The course, which annually hosts the RIIL Golf Championships, is traditionally lush and has solid playing conditions year-round and also boasts one of the best 19th holes in the state.
Exeter Country Club
Once a hidden gem, everyone in the Rhode Island golf community knows what Exeter CC brings to the table. The layout is terrific from No. 1 to No. 18 and offers challenging and fun shots to players of all levels, making the trip to the western part of the state worth it.
Fenner Hill Country Club
Fenner Hill has had a post-COVID resurgence, offering both quality and cost-effective golf for players of all levels. The linksy course, accessed via Exit 3 on 95, boasts open fairways that make things look easy up until you play them. Fenner Hill recently hosted the Rhode Island Open and remains one of the state’s most underrated tracks.
You must be registered for see images
Foster Country Club
Boasting one of the more interesting layouts in the state, Foster Country Club has become a popular spot since the golf boom. It’s front nine is a terrific and challenging layout, with a back nine requiring both a good game plan and good swings. The course closes with back-to-back par 3s, giving it a unique feel.
Green Valley Country Club
Everyone in the East Bay and Aquidneck Island already know how great of a course Green Valley is and the trip over the bridge is worth it for every Rhode Islander. Golfers will use every club in their back as they navigate the layout that’s only made more challenging with winds coming off the bay.
You must be registered for see images
Laurel Lane Country Club
One of the terrific string of courses on Route 138, this West Kingston golf course is a community gem. Laurel Lane provides plenty of scoring opportunities, but punches back with some shapely holes that require shot-making. It provides a challenge, but has proven again and again to be a course that can be enjoyed by players of all levels.
Meadow Brook Golf Club
Ask people about Rhode Island’s best public courses, Meadow Brook is always one of the first to come up. The course has one of the state’s best layouts and with a vast array of tee options – it can play as long as 7,400-plus yards – it can be enjoyed by plus handicaps and beginners alike. It should be on everyone’s “must play” list every season.
Melody Hill Golf Club
The vibe at “The Hill” is strong, as it offers up some terrific rural golf that makes it impossible to have fun regardless of score. Melody Hill has put money back into the course, improving playing conditions to create a course that offers up a fair and enjoyable test of golf.
Montaup Country Club
A semi-private course, Montaup offers ample opportunity for the public to play so it earns a spot in this poll. The conditions are among the best in the state and Montaup Country Club has hosted several RIGA events. Armed with some of the best views in Rhode Island golf, Montaup provides some tough golf that always leaves you wanting more.
New England Country Club
Another out-of-state course close enough to the border to be recognized by the RIGA, New England CC has become an immensely popular spot for golfers from both northern Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Its reputation is built by its greens, but the 18-hole layout is perfect for golfers of any level.
Newport National Golf Club
The golf standard for public golf, Newport National isn’t just one of the best public courses in the state – it’s one of the best RI has to offer. There isn’t a public course that can match Newport National’s conditions and the links layout fits perfectly for its geographic location. While the arm-and-a-leg cost hurts the wallet, it’s always worth it.
You must be registered for see images attach
North Kingstown Golf Course
With one of the coolest stretches of holes in the state – you can putt with a fleet of National Guard planes sitting a wedge away – there aren’t many courses that pack this much fun and value. North Kingstown runs at 6,200 yards and allows players to be aggressive or conservative and still score well.
Richmond Country Club
Known for its tree-lined fairways and tough doglegs, Richmond Country Club provides an exclusive feel you don’t get at other public courses. Accuracy is key at Richmond, which measures at a stout 6,800-plus yards from the tips but still provides a challenge at 6,200 yards from the white tees.
Swansea Country Club
A Massachusetts course that falls within the geographic limit and is part of the RIGA, Swansea is a Geoffrey Cornish design that’s playable for golfers of any level. Another tree-lined course where accuracy off the tee is key, Swansea boasts about its lush conditions and can play anywhere from 7,000 yards to 5,200.
You must be registered for see images
Triggs Memorial Golf Course
It might take five hours (or more), but Triggs continues to provide one of the best golf experiences in Rhode Island. The Donald Ross layout speaks for itself and a recent push to improve conditions have taken Triggs to the next level. You get what you get when you head to Providence’s lone course and the getting is always good.
You must be registered for see images attach
Winnapaug Golf Club
You won’t find a better logo – public or private – in the state, but this Donald Ross design also provides one of the state’s best tests of golf. Winnapaug gives you a golf experience for all 18 holes and the coastal views on the back are among the best in RI. Ownership has put money into the course and it’s really started to show the last few years.
Wood River Golf
It might not be known by the majority of the state, but Wood River is the definition of what golf is about. The 18-hole course offers a variety of playing options – 11 holes, 13 holes or 18 – and you can play all day for $40. There’s no tee times, just an opportunity to play 18 holes and then enjoy the prize of the course – its award-winning 19th hole, which rivals any food experience any course in RI has.
What is the best public 18-hole golf course in RI?
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What is Rhode Island's best public golf course? Vote now to decide.
Continue reading...
