Rhode Island, the Ocean State, or Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, as the state is formally known, has the city of Providence as the state capital. Providence was so named by religious exile Roger Williams because he considered the area a heavenly place to settle way back in the early 17th century. Rhode Island is not only New England’s smallest state but also the most diminutive of the USA’s fifty states.

But, considering its modest size and cold climate, Rhode Island packs a powerful golfing punch. With fifty-five clubs affiliated to the Rhode Island Golf Association and numerous Golden Age classics – many designed by Donald Ross – the travelling golf course aficionado should overlook Rhode Island at their peril.

In Rumford you’ll find one of Donald Ross’s favourite New England designs at Wannamoisett Country Club. Routed across a compact site with only one par five on the card, Wannamoisett is the quintessential classic. Arguably the best golf course Rhode Island can offer was inaugurated in 1894 at Newport. Newport Country Club was one of the original five founding member clubs of the United States Golf Association, but the modern upstart at Westerly, Shelter Harbor, takes our top honors.

Our Rhode Island Best In State Rankings were last updated in December 2020. Click the link to read the story.