Rhode Island might be America's smallest state, but don't let that fool you into thinking the golf is anything less than spectacular. From windswept oceanside links to century-old Donald Ross designs, the Ocean State packs more quality golf per square mile than just about anywhere else in the Northeast.
Getting there is half the fun (and surprisingly easy)
Let me tell you about T.F. Green Airport in Providence, which Condé Nast Traveler rated fourth best in America. This isn't one of those massive airports where you need a shuttle bus and three escalators just to find your rental car. You'll be on the highway within 10 minutes of landing, and that's if you stop for coffee.
The beauty of Rhode Island golf lies in its geography. Every course worth playing sits within 45 minutes of the airport, and most are much closer. You could theoretically play 36 holes and still make it back for an evening flight, though I wouldn't recommend cutting it that close. Trust me on this one.
You'll need a rental car, period. Unlike Scottsdale or Myrtle Beach, Rhode Island hasn't figured out the whole golf shuttle thing yet. But honestly, with drives this short, who cares? Just remember to bring your GPS or phone charger, because some of these rural courses are tucked away in places Google Maps occasionally forgets exist.
When to make the trip
Peak season runs from June through September, when temperatures average between 61 and 83 degrees. This is when the courses look their best, the weather cooperates most of the time, and you'll pay top dollar for the privilege. Smart money visits during shoulder season (April-May or October-November) when rates drop 30-40% and you might actually get a tee time without calling three weeks ahead.
Morning fog is a real thing at coastal courses during summer. It usually burns off by 9 AM, but if you're one of those dawn patrol types, consider yourself warned. The afternoon sea breezes at places like Newport National can turn a gentle 7-iron into either a punched 5-iron or a stock wedge, depending on which way you're facing. It's part of the charm, really.
Newport National: Where public golf reaches private heights
If you only play one course in Rhode Island, make it Newport National. This Arthur Hills masterpiece from 2002 somehow manages to feel like it's been here forever, with fescue-lined fairways and ocean views that'll make you forget about that three-putt on the last hole.
The course claims the title of "Number One Public Access Course" in New England, and honestly, it's hard to argue. Links Magazine ranked it eighth among America's best links-style courses, which puts it in some pretty exclusive company. At 7,244 yards from the tips, it's plenty long, but the real defense is the wind. Always the wind.
Here's what makes Newport National special: it was supposed to be private. Financial reality intervened (thank goodness), and now we mere mortals can experience what was designed as an exclusive playground for the wealthy. The back-to-back par 3s at holes 3 and 4 play in opposite directions, so if you're hitting a wedge on one, you might need a hybrid on the other. The par-4 5th is theoretically drivable with a helping wind, though I've seen plenty of big hitters find the fescue trying to prove they're longer than they actually are.
Peak season rates run $195 on weekends and $165 weekdays, including cart. Yes, that's real money, but you're getting a genuine links experience just five miles from Newport's famous mansions. The temporary clubhouse situation (they're building a permanent one) actually adds to the unpretentious vibe. The Orchard Bar & Grill serves excellent food, and they stock top-tier Callaway rental clubs if you're flying in light.
Triggs Memorial: Donald Ross for the people
While Rhode Island's wealthy set enjoys several pristine Donald Ross designs behind private gates, Triggs Memorial in Providence stands alone as the master's only public offering in the state. At $50-59 per round, it might be the best Ross value in America.
Built during the Depression with Civil Works Administration labor, Triggs transformed a Yorkshire cattle farm into 6,522 yards of strategic golf that Golf.com ranked among the nation's top 14 municipal courses. The small, elevated greens demand precision, not power, and the strategic bunkering makes you think twice about every approach shot.
The course once hosted PGA Tour events, and you can still see original Ross hole diagrams hanging in the clubhouse… except for the 18th, which mysteriously vanished years ago. Local legend says someone "borrowed" it permanently, though nobody seems to know who or why. The recent management by FCG Associates has elevated conditions significantly, though weekend pace can still test your patience during peak season.
Getting the most from Triggs
Location-wise, you can't beat it. The course sits minutes from downtown Providence and just 15 minutes from the airport via I-95. If you're flying in for a long weekend, you could literally play here straight from the plane. The twilight walking rate of $22 after 5 PM might be golf's best bargain east of the Mississippi.
Don't skip the on-site restaurant, which serves surprisingly good food for a muni. The Triggs Players Club rewards program gives you 5% back on purchases, which adds up if you're planning multiple rounds. Pro tip: book the first tee time of the day to avoid the weekend warriors and enjoy the course at its dewiest best.
Meadow Brook: The modern monster
Ten years ago, Meadow Brook in Richmond was a forgettable nine-hole course that locals played when everywhere else was full. Then Roger Rulewich got his hands on it in 2010, and now Golf Magazine calls it the "Ocean State's hidden gem."
At 7,468 yards from the black tees, it's the longest public course in Rhode Island, featuring the state's longest hole… a 629-yard par-5 15th that seems to go on forever. But don't let the yardage scare you off. With five sets of tees ranging from 5,300 to 7,500 yards, there's a fair fight here for everyone.
The Hendricks family, who also run Exeter Country Club and Richmond Country Club, maintain the course in excellent condition. Peak season rates of $75 weekdays and $85 weekends reflect the quality, though early birds can save significantly with pre-7 AM tee times.
The 30-minute drive from Providence takes you through rural Rhode Island, past farms and forests that make you forget you're in the nation's most densely populated state. It's worth the journey for the large, contoured greens and fairway corridors that look like they belong at a private club charging three times the price.
Hidden gems worth seeking out
Not every round needs to break the bank or require a pilgrimage to the coast. Rhode Island's golf scene includes several under-the-radar tracks that deliver genuine enjoyment without the marquee prices.
Winnapaug Country Club in Westerly offers another accessible Donald Ross design from 1922, with four holes dancing along Winnapaug Pond. At $55-60 including a $5 dining credit, it's a bargain for Ross architecture with water views. The signature stretch from holes 10-13 hugs the pond shores, offering glimpses of nearby Misquamicut State Beach.
Exeter Country Club showcases Geoffrey Cornish's 1964 handiwork across 6,921 yards, including a signature hole featuring a covered wooden bridge that looks like something from a postcard. Part of the Hendricks family empire, it maintains the same high standards as Meadow Brook but at just $58 on weekends with cart. The location right off Route 95 makes it an easy addition to any itinerary.
For those seeking a Newport experience without private club connections, Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth offers semi-private access to its 6,830-yard championship layout. Ocean views and consistent conditions at around $70 make it an attractive alternative when Newport National's rates seem steep.
Planning your assault on Rhode Island golf
Here's how I'd structure the perfect Rhode Island golf trip, depending on your timeframe and budget:
The three-day sampler
- Day 1: Morning at Newport National, afternoon at Montaup
- Day 2: Early round at Triggs Memorial, afternoon at Meadow Brook
- Day 3: Winnapaug in the morning, Exeter after lunch
The weekend warrior special
- Saturday: Newport National early, explore Newport afterward
- Sunday: 36 holes split between Triggs and Meadow Brook
The budget conscious tour
- Focus on Triggs Memorial, Crystal Lake, and Jamestown
- Target weekday and twilight rates
- Still amazing golf under $60 per round
Accommodation depends on your priorities. Providence hotels near Triggs Memorial offer convenience and reasonable rates. Newport provides luxury options like the Harbor Island Resort and the newly renovated Marriott, both offering golf packages. For a more intimate experience, boutique inns throughout the state provide character and often better breakfast.
The non-golf stuff (for when you must)
Let's be honest… not everyone in your group will share your enthusiasm for discussing the break on Triggs' 7th green. Newport's Cliff Walk and Gilded Age mansions provide world-class sightseeing. The city's restaurant scene rivals anywhere in New England, and downtown Providence has developed into a legitimate culinary destination.
The beaches offer another diversion, particularly if you're visiting during summer. And if someone absolutely must see Boston, the MBTA train from T.F. Green Airport makes it an easy day trip. Though really, with this much good golf available, why would you leave?
Making it happen
Rhode Island golf rewards those who venture beyond the usual suspects. Yes, you could spend your golf budget at the same tired resort courses everyone plays. Or you could discover a state where Donald Ross designs sit next to modern monsters, where ocean views accompany your round without ocean-sized prices, and where everything's close enough that you're never more than 45 minutes from your next tee time.
The combination of history, variety, value, and sheer playability makes Rhode Island a destination that serious golfers should experience at least once. Book your flight into T.F. Green, rent a car, and prepare to discover why the Ocean State might just be New England's best-kept golf secret. Just don't blame me when you start planning your return trip before the plane home takes off.
