Newport Country Club
Newport, RI • Private
Panelists
121 ReviewsPanelists
121 ReviewsCourtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Overview
History was made here in 1894 when the nine-hole Newport Country Club, one of five founding members of the USGA, became America’s first championship venue, hosting both the inaugural U.S. Amateur and, in the fall of 1895, the inaugural stroke-play U.S. Open Championship. In 1899, Davis added the club's second nine on the property's lower section, stretching it out to the Atlantic shoreline. A.W. Tillinghast remodeled the course in the 1920s, resulting in the most authentic links experience Tilly ever created, or perhaps, more accurately, co-created. Over the past 20 years, consulting architect Ron Forse has faithfully restored many Tillinghast greens and bunkers lost over time. Newport is the rare nationally-ranked course that’s never had a fairway irrigation system. Weather dictates how firm and fast it plays.
About
Awards
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2015.
2023-'24 ranking: 126th.
Previous ranking: 137th.
Highest ranking: 116th, 2017-'18
100 Greatest: Ranked 1966-1968 "America's 200 Toughest Courses."
Best in State: Ranked inside top 5 since 1977.
2023-'24 ranking: 1st.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Playing Newport is like stepping back in time. With a terrific historic clubhouse and old-school layout directly on the Atlantic Ocean, Newport is an easy course without wind but gets more difficult with gusty winds. The par 3 14th is one of my favorite holes anywhere and Newport is my pick for best course in Rhode Island."
Read More2022
Review
“The history just oozes here. The big clubhouse sits like a sentinel on the hill. Golf course is good with all of the history. #18 is an awesome finishing hole with a great false front. Firm and fast."
Read More2021
Review
“Great old links style club set right on the water. Incredible prestige and tradition surrounds everything at this club. Conditioning is off the charts."
Read More2018
Review
“Amazing course. Front nine is world class and holes #5 and #9 are all world par 4s. Back nine not quite as solid, but holes #11, #13, #14, #15, and #18 are all very, very good. Wonderful atmosphere and caddies. Fast, firm and fun!"
Read More2018
Review
“Great history, great ambiance, great clubhouse. A great lesson in the potential for minimum irrigation. Great golden summer hues and views of the ocean cap the experience."
Read More2018
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