Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top public and private courses in Rhode Island

Rhode Island, the smallest state, packs a pretty oversized punch when it comes to golf courses, especially its lineup of private layouts. Four of the five highest-ranked private courses in the state rank among the top 100 on either Golfweek’s Best Modern or Classic lists of courses in the U.S.

Golfweek’s Best offers many lists of course rankings, with that of top public-access courses in each state among the most popular. All the courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.

Also popular are the Golfweek’s Best rankings of top private courses in each state, and that list for Rhode Island’s private offerings is likewise included below.

MORE: Best Modern | Best Classic | Top 200 Resort | Top 200 Residential | Top 100 Best You Can Play

(m): Modern course, built in or after 1960
(c): Classic course, built before 1960

Note: If there is a number in the parenthesis with the m or c, that indicates where that course ranks among Golfweek’s Best top 200 modern or classic courses. 

Best public-access courses in Rhode Island in 2022

Meadow Brook in Rhode Island (Courtesy of Meadow Brook)

1. Newport National
Newport (m)

2. Triggs Memorial
Providence (c)

3. Meadow Brook
Richmond (m)

4. Montaup
Portsmouth (c)

5. Exeter CC
Exeter (m)

Best private courses in Rhode Island in 2022

Annika Sorenstam putts on the ninth hole during the playoff of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)

1. Newport CC
Newport (T49c)

2. Wannamoisett
Rumford (53c)

3. Shelter Harbor
Westerly (T55m)

4. Misquamicut
Westerly (T88c)

5. Rhode Island CC
Barrington (c)