Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the United States, but it is home to some of the best golf courses in the country. As part of GOLF’s rigorous ratings process for the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. and Top 100 Courses You Can Play rankings, expert panelists identified the best golf courses in every state. The Newport club in Newport, Rhode Island, is one of the five founding clubs of what is now known as the United States Golf Association. This historic course has only improved over the years, with diverse bunkers and great architectural variety. Other top courses in Rhode Island include Wannamoisett in East Providence, Misquamicut in Watch Hill, Shelter Harbor in Charlestown, and Rhode Island CC in Barrington.
The rankings process for the Top 100 U.S. and Top 100 You Can Play lists involved a panel of 127 experts from 15 nations with experience playing courses all over the world. Panelists were provided with a ballot of 609 courses and asked to rank them in various “buckets” based on their opinions. Points were assigned to each bucket, and the courses were ranked based on their average scores. The key to the process is the diversity of panelists’ experiences and expertise in golf course architecture from different regions.
The GOLF panel’s aim is to create a meaningful consensus in ranking golf courses, incorporating the intense subjectivity of course rating into one comprehensive list. By considering the varying opinions and perspectives of the panelists, the rankings aim to provide a balanced and accurate representation of the best golf courses in the country. The simplicity and straightforwardness of the ranking process have historically produced widely acclaimed results, making it a trusted resource for golf enthusiasts looking to plan their next golf trip.
In addition to the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. and Top 100 Courses You Can Play rankings, GOLF also offers rankings for other categories such as the Top 100 Courses in the World, Top 100 Value Courses in the U.S., America’s Best Municipal Courses, and more. Golfers can use GOLF’s new Course Finder tool to search for courses near them and create their perfect golf trip itinerary by filtering courses based on price, location, and course type. The tool allows golfers to explore various course rankings and find hidden gems for their next golf adventure.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a beginner looking to explore the best golf courses in Rhode Island, GOLF’s rankings provide a valuable resource for planning your next golf outing. From historic clubs like Newport to hidden gems like Misquamicut, Rhode Island offers a diverse range of golfing experiences for players of all skill levels. With the expertise of GOLF’s panelists and the simplicity of the ranking process, you can trust that the courses listed in the rankings are among the best in the state and the country.
For golfers looking to improve their game, GOLF also offers custom Green Books from 8AM Golf affiliate GolfLogix to help you navigate the greens at your home course. Whether you’re tackling challenging bunkers at Newport or perfecting your swing at Wannamoisett, these Green Books provide valuable insights and strategies to enhance your golfing experience. With GOLF’s rankings and tools at your disposal, you can discover the top golf courses in Rhode Island and beyond, creating memorable experiences on the fairways and greens of some of the best courses in the country.
