The Must-Play List: Best Public Golf Courses in RI

Access to great golf is one of Rhode Island's biggest strengths. You don't need a private membership to experience world-class design and championship conditions. Our 2025 rankings highlighted the best of the best, but let's dive deeper into what makes the top public golf courses in RI so special.

1. Newport National Golf Club

It's the undisputed king for a reason. Newport National offers a genuine, windswept links experience that is unmatched in New England. The course is always in immaculate condition, and the layout by Arthur Hills and Drew Rogers is a strategic masterpiece. Every hole offers a different challenge, and the views of the Sakonnet Passage are simply breathtaking. It's a bucket-list course for any serious golfer.

2. Triggs Memorial Golf Course

For the purist, Triggs is a pilgrimage. This is a pure, unadulterated Donald Ross design that has remained largely untouched. It's a municipal course with the bones of a major championship venue. The green complexes are brilliant, demanding creative and precise approach shots. It's a challenging, historic, and incredibly affordable round of golf that showcases true architectural genius.

3. Meadow Brook Golf Course

Known for its consistently excellent conditions, Meadow Brook is a local favorite that deserves its spot among the state's elite. The layout is a fantastic mix of challenging and scoreable holes, winding through a beautiful, wooded landscape. It's a fair but firm test of golf that will have you using every club in your bag.

4. North Kingstown Golf Course

A model for what a municipal course can be. North Kingstown is fun, walkable, and always in great shape. It's a fantastic community asset that provides an enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. The friendly atmosphere and excellent value make it a must-play.