What is Rhode Island's best 9-hole golf course? Vote now to decide.
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Rhode Island isn’t a big state but it has earned a reputation as a place for some of the best golf in the country.
It doesn’t matter where you go in the state. Whether it’s north or south, private or public, 18 holes or just nine, you will find a golf course that offers something that fits your game.
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This summer, The Providence Journal wants to find out which courses are most beloved in all of Rhode Island. We plan to review select courses this summer as we have done the last three years, but we want to give the people of Rhode Island a chance to make their opinions heard as we try to find the best golf courses in Rhode Island.
What are the state's best golf courses?
We’ve divided the state’s golf courses into three categories — nine hole, public and private. The lists were derived from member clubs listed on the Rhode Island Golf Association website, as well as clubs The Journal were aware of that are not affiliated with the RIGA.
Those clubs are listed below, with a brief description of each course. We’ll start with the nine-hole courses, followed by the 18-hole public courses, before wrapping up with the private courses.
How to vote for the state’s best golf course?
It’s simple. Read the briefs on the courses below, then vote in the ballot at the bottom of the page. You can vote as many times as you’d like between now and when the poll closes.
Emailed submissions will not be accepted. Anyone who emails a ballot must also mail a dozen Pro V1 golf balls to the Providence Journal at 75 Fountain Street, Providence, RI 02902. (Obviously just kidding.)
That’s everything you need to know. Check out the nominees below, get those social media campaigns started and vote.
Rhode Island's best nine-hole golf courses
Bristol Golf Park
Once written about by The New York Times as a “bad course that edges into goodness,” Bristol Golf Park has undergone a transformation and has reinvented itself as the home to casual golf in the East Bay. The nine-hole, par-3 course has plenty of wedge shots but also two holes that measure over 200 yards.
Button Hole Golf Club
Located in Providence, Button Hole is home to the start of plenty of Rhode Islanders’ golf journeys. The course features a full driving range, a putting and chipping green and a nine-hole, par-3 course on which it’s impossible to have a bad time learning the game.
East Greenwich Country Club
Hidden on Division Street and a nine-iron from Route 95 where Warwick and East Greenwich meet, the nine-hole track offers both fun and challenging holes, including two par-3 holes that measure over 175 yards from the tips and a 500-plus-yard par-5 hole.
Goddard Memorial State Park Golf Course
The course has spawned more than a few golf careers, as its playability and price make it a must-play for beginners. There aren’t many places better for a casual nine holes and it’s one of the easiest courses to walk and enjoy a day.
Glocester Country Club
You’ll need an invitation to play the nine; it’s a small private club complete with a marina and beach area on Waterman Lake in Glocester, which requires some shapely shot-making on its dogleg holes, as well as a tunnel that runs under Route 44.
Harbor Lights
Known more as a picturesque spot for summer weddings on Warwick Neck than a golf course, this Geoffrey Cornish design offers a variety of holes where you can both score and drive yourself crazy for not doing so. It also boasts one of Rhode Island’s elite post-round dining and beverage experiences.
Jamestown Golf Course
Famous for its simplistic design and fantastic views of the Newport Bridge as you finish your round, Jamestown is the essence of what nine-hole courses can be. It measures more than 3,000 yards — including a 541-yard par 5 — and provides one of the most relaxed and enjoyable ambiances in all of Rhode Island golf.
Kings Crossing Golf Club
The facility calls itself “The Neighborhood Club” and boasts more than just a fun nine-hole golf experience. The North Kingstown club, located off Old Baptist Road, has four pickleball courts and a nine-hole golf course. Kings Crossing’s nine has three par 3s, two of which measure over 200 yards.
Lincoln Country Club
While you can’t play this nine-hole, 2,941-yard course without a membership, you can play it virtually as its design is offered on the video game "PGA Tour 2K21." Lincoln is known for exquisite conditions and has hosted several Rhode Island Golf Association qualifiers over the years.
Louisquisset Golf Club
Hidden in the rural section of North Providence — yes, one exists — Louisquiesset is nine holes of delight. The course uses the terrain beautifully, offering a variety of golf shots on one of the more fun tracks in the state. After the round, don’t forget to enjoy a truly terrific 19th, or in this case, 10th hole.
Met Links
The course will never replace Metacomet Country Club but it did a terrific job of keeping the spirit of the legendary East Providence golf course alive. Met Links is one of the most challenging nine-hole courses in Rhode Island and there aren’t many courses of any type that offer a tougher starter par 3 than Met Links.
Midville Golf Club
One of the state’s most well-known nine-hole courses, Midville offers a relaxing but challenging nine holes where accuracy trumps distance. Midville has two terrific par-3 holes and one par 5, with scoring holes built throughout that make it a West Warwick staple.
Newport National — The Vineyard Course
The newest addition to the Rhode Island golf scene only adds to the golf experience offered by Newport National. The nine-hole course measures as long as 3,563 yards from the tips, making it the most unique and challenging nine-hole layout in the state.
Pinecrest Golf Club
Hidden in Richmond, this nine-hole golf course prides itself on playability and fun, as well as a full-service bar and grill for all post-round needs. Pinecrest has playable par 4s and short par 3s, making it a great course for players of any level.
Rolling Greens Golf Course
Just off of Route 4 in North Kingstown, the course has new management that took over in 2019 and has made necessary improvements to make it a must-play in South County. Rolling Greens has some fun holes, including a driveable par 4, and its rolling terrain makes every shot different.
Rose Hill Golf Club
It’s impossible not to enjoy Rose Hill, a nine-hole, par-3 course in Kingston that is enjoyed by locals, University of Rhode Island students and summer vacationers alike. The 1,200-yard course offers holes from 74 to 178 yards, making it the perfect course for a variety of ages and experience to enjoy at once.
Silver Spring Golf Course
The only course on this list that does not feature nine holes, Silver Spring Golf Course is what community golf is all about. Run by volunteers, and complete with an honor box, this six-hole course located in the Riverside neighborhood of East Providence is the essence of what golf is all about.
South Shore Village Golf Club
Built among a senior housing development in South Kingstown, South Shore Village is one of the most unique nine-hole courses in the state. Featuring a full driving range as well, the course offers massive greens and multiple tee boxes that allow for a different experience each time you play.
Weekapaug Golf Club
Another private, nine-hole track, Weekapaug earned honors from Golf.com as one of the 30 best nine-hole courses in the country. The Westerly course offers quite a challenging layout made more difficult by winds coming off the ocean. There are also few courses in the state — nine or 18 holes —than can match Weekapaug’s scenic views.
West Warwick Golf Club
This nine-hole, par-35 course has hosted several Rhode Island Golf Association events over the years and it’s not hard to see why. There aren’t many handshake holes at West Warwick, as each requires precision, accuracy and a soft touch on the greens in order to score well.
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Which is the best 9-hole golf course in RI? VOTE Now!This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What is Rhode Island's best 9-hole golf course? Vote now to decide.