The best golf courses in Rhode Island, USA

Shelter Harbor Golf Club is a private course set on 400 acres of protected land in Rhode Island, designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry in 2004. The routing wanders through native woodland and glacial boulders, offering players strategic challenges and scenic tranquility in a natural, preserved environment.

Wannamoisett Country Club is a historic Donald Ross design, renowned for its par 69 layout, undulating greens, and strategic bunkering. The course hosts the prestigious Northeast Amateur and formerly the 1931 PGA Championship. Situated on tree-lined, parkland terrain, it is widely considered one of Ross’s finest works and is consistently ranked among the best courses in Rhode Island.

Founded in 1895, The Misquamicut Club is a private, Donald Ross-designed 18-hole seaside links in Westerly, Rhode Island. Blending classic architecture with scenic Atlantic views, it features a short but strategic par-69 routing with undulating front nine and flatter back nine. The course offers challenging play and a high standard of conditioning.

Newport Country Club is a private, historically significant club on the Rhode Island coast. Designed by William F. Davis and later shaped by A.W. Tillinghast, it boasts links-style characteristics, Bent/Poa Annua greens, and a storied legacy as a USGA founding club and past U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur host.

Rhode Island Country Club is a private 18-hole Donald Ross design opened in 1911, blending parkland, wooded, and several seaside holes along Narragansett Bay. Known for its exceptional layout and scenic closing stretch, the course has hosted multiple USGA championships and is recognized as one of New England's top classic golf venues.

Sakonnet Golf Club, established in 1899 and designed by Donald Ross, sits on the southern tip of Little Compton, Rhode Island. Known for classic Ross architecture, bentgrass greens, and fairways, the layout features memorable sea views and stone walls across 18 holes, presenting a well-conditioned, strategic challenge for all levels.

Warwick Country Club, established in 1924 and designed by Donald Ross, offers an 18-hole, par-69 course stretching along the Narragansett Bay. Known for its gorgeous ocean vistas and natural coastal features, the course is a quintessential Ross layout with elevated greens, strategic bunkering, and a golfing experience shaped by ever-changing winds. Bentgrass turf ensures premium playing conditions.

Newport National Golf Club, designed by Arthur Hills and Drew Rogers, is an acclaimed public links-style course set on 200 acres offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet Passage. Opened in 2002, it features fescue-lined, bentgrass fairways and greens reminiscent of classic Irish links with challenging winds and strategic bunkering.

Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club, founded in 1922 and designed by noted architect Seth Raynor, is a private, picturesque par-70 course on Aquidneck Island just outside Newport, Rhode Island. Featuring the 'sea coast' style with open layouts and few trees, this historic course offers dramatic bay vistas and has remained true to Raynor's vision through several careful restorations.

Aquidneck Club is a private 18-hole, par 71 course in coastal Rhode Island, designed by Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie. Routed across historic wetlands, the course showcases a Scottish links-style layout with bentgrass throughout, subtle bunkering, and picturesque Narragansett Bay views. The club is celebrated for its member-focused atmosphere, playability, and first-class amenities.

Point Judith Country Club is a classic private course on Rhode Island’s south coast, established in 1908. Known for its historic design and coastal setting, it features traditional links-inspired architecture catering to a discerning membership. The course layout blends strategic shot values, natural movement, and coastal breezes, offering a distinctive New England golf experience.

Meadow Brook Golf Course, designed by Roger Rulewich, is regarded as a 'hidden gem' in Southern New England. Known for its expansive fairways, large contoured greens, and impeccable conditions, the course provides a test for all skill levels and features picturesque forested surroundings. The welcoming atmosphere and challenging design make Meadow Brook a favorite destination for Rhode Island golfers.

Triggs Memorial Golf Course, designed by famed architect Donald Ross and opened in 1932, is a classic 18-hole municipal course in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Providence. Ross’s hallmark routing utilizes rolling topography and strategic bunkering. Popular with locals, it’s regarded as one of the best municipal layouts in New England.

Agawam Hunt Club is a private, historic 18-hole course in Rumford, Rhode Island, originally established in 1895 by Willie Park Jr. and redesigned by Donald Ross in 1920. Recent restorative work by Gil Hanse aims to recapture Ross’s strategic vision. The course features rolling hills, mature trees, and a walkable layout admired for both its challenge and approachability.

Pawtucket Country Club, established in 1902 and re-designed by Willie Park Jr. in 1924, is a classic parkland course known for its mature oaks, undulating bentgrass greens, and inviting fairways. The par-69 layout stretches 6,500 yards and is celebrated for its smooth putting surfaces and well-placed hazards, offering a genuine challenge while maintaining an enjoyable playing experience.

Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is an 18-hole public course known for its attractive parkland layout and accommodating staff. Designed in the 1950s and continuously updated, it offers a challenging but fair test with tree-lined fairways and quick greens. The course is popular for its versatility and hosts numerous local events.

Fenner Hill Country Club is a picturesque public course in southwestern Rhode Island set among rolling terrain, woodlands, and stone walls. Opened in 2002, it features a links-inspired layout with panoramic views, generous fairways, and a welcoming clubhouse. Designed to challenge players of all skill levels, the course combines a fun routing with modern amenities.