Trevor Ng
The Misquamicut Club in Westerly, Rhode Island, is a golfer's dream. With its seaside location, undulating terrain, and holes that wind through tidal inlets and marshlands, this course is a beautiful and unique challenge. Designed by the legendary Donald Ross, Misquamicut offers a variety of holes, from the hilly and adventurous front nine to the flatter, low-lying back nine. The course is known for its raised tee boxes, offering golfers a thrilling view of their ball's trajectory and the surrounding coastline. With a length of just over 6200 yards, Misquamicut proves that a great golf course doesn't need to be excessively long.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Westerly, Rhode Island, United States |
| Length | 6,214 yards |
| Par-4 1st hole | 382-yard |
| Par-3 18th hole | 215-yard |
| Design | Original by Tom Bendelow, later work by Seth Raynor, and redesigned by Donald Ross |
| Terrain | Undulating, hilly, and flat seaside land |
| Greens | Slow-ish |
| Tee boxes | Raised above the fairways |
| Water holes | Only a couple, including two in Rhode Island Golf |
| Course rating | Ranked as one of the best courses in Rhode Island |
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What You'll Learn
The unique 18th hole
The Misquamicut Club in Westerly, Rhode Island, is one of the best golf courses in the state. The course was designed by Donald Ross and is characterised by its compact routing, which makes great use of land movement and boasts challenging green complexes.
The 18th hole at The Misquamicut Club is a unique uphill par-3, which is rare in golf and especially in Rhode Island. It is 215 yards long and is even longer than it looks. The hole presents a challenge to golfers, testing their long-game acumen. Golfers are advised to stay on the left side to avoid bunkers, and the final climb to the green reveals a stunning view.
The 18th hole stands out for its dramatic shaping and extraordinary use of land. It is located on high ground, with the back nine holes situated literally on the beach, offering a strong variety of play. The front nine is set on undulating terrain, while most of the back nine occupy much flatter ground.
The Misquamicut Club is known for its raised tee boxes, which allow golfers to hit their ball and watch it soar above the fairways. The course is also unique in that it is right on the water, with only a couple of water holes. These water holes, weaving in and out of wetland areas, are considered among the coolest in Rhode Island Golf.
The 18th hole at The Misquamicut Club is a memorable and challenging conclusion to the course, offering a mix of stunning views, strategic challenges, and a variety of play options.
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Challenging green complexes
The Misquamicut Club in Westerly, Rhode Island, is a great classic hidden gem with an original design by Donald Ross and later work done by Seth Raynor. The course extends to a modest 6,214 yards from the back markers, so it can be described as short but sweet.
The front nine is set on undulating terrain, with most of the back nine occupying much flatter ground. The Misquamicut Club offers challenging green complexes, with the back nine playing in and around lowland marshy areas. The 18th hole is an uphill par-3, a unique feature in golf, especially in Rhode Island. It is a 215-yard par 3, with the left side offering a better angle to avoid bunkers. The final climb to the green provides a revitalizing view.
The course has a mix of styles as several architects have contributed to its design and modifications over the years. The first 11 holes feature wild fairway undulations and hilly terrain, with the back nine moving to flatter seaside land. The tee boxes at Misquamicut are raised above the fairways, offering a unique perspective on the course.
The 382-yard, par-4 1st hole is a great example of the course's forgiving nature, accommodating a variety of shots and abilities. The fairway buckles after about 200 yards, creating a challenging landscape that never plays the same way twice. The green is a punch bowl shape, with an opening on the left, providing a favourable angle for those who dare to venture close to the out-of-bounds area.
The Misquamicut Club is a course that brings players of all levels together, showcasing that golf is not just about power but also strategy and adaptability to different terrains.
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Raised tee boxes
The Misquamicut Club in Westerly, Rhode Island, is a golfer's dream. The course, designed by the legendary Donald Ross, is a short but sweet classic with a variety of holes that will challenge players of all skill levels.
One of the most distinctive features of the Misquamicut Club is its raised tee boxes. Many of the tee boxes are elevated high above the fairways, offering golfers a unique perspective on their shot. This feature is not only visually striking but also provides a strategic advantage, as golfers can get a better view of the hole and plan their shot accordingly.
The raised tee boxes at Misquamicut add a level of excitement and challenge to the game. Golfers can hit their ball from a higher point, watching it soar through the air and land on the fairway below. This can be a thrilling experience, especially for those who love the feeling of power and control that comes with a well-struck shot.
The elevated tees also offer a strategic advantage, as they provide a clearer view of the hole and the surrounding terrain. Golfers can better assess the distance, judge the wind, and plan their shot accordingly. This can be especially beneficial on holes with hazards or obstacles, as golfers can more easily avoid bunkers or navigate around water hazards.
In addition to the practical benefits, the raised tee boxes also enhance the visual appeal of the course. Golfers can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the picturesque Rhode Island coastline and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. This adds to the overall enjoyment of the game, making the experience of playing at Misquamicut truly memorable.
The Misquamicut Club is renowned for its challenging holes and stunning scenery, and the raised tee boxes only add to the course's allure. For golfers seeking a unique and exciting experience, Misquamicut is a must-play destination, offering a blend of beauty and strategy that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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The course's character and identity
The Misquamicut Club in Westerly, Rhode Island, is a classic golf course with a unique character and identity. The course is set along a beautiful stretch of the Atlantic coastline, with charming seaside cottages and glistening water. The founding members of the club engaged Tom Bendelow to design the original golf facility in 1895, with modifications made by Willie Anderson and Seth Reynor over the following decades. In 1923, Donald Ross completely redesigned the course, taking advantage of the additional land that had been purchased.
The front nine holes of the course are set on undulating terrain, with wild fairway undulations and hilly terrain, while most of the back nine occupy much flatter ground. The back nine starts off in the hills before coming down to the water, where golfers navigate in and around lowland marshy areas. The course boasts a mix of styles and a strong variety of holes, with the first ten holes on high ground and holes 11 to 17 literally on the beach.
The Misquamicut Club is known for its welcoming and democratic nature, accommodating golfers of all abilities and styles of play. The equal-opportunity par-4 1st hole is a great example of this, offering a forgiving tee shot and welcoming a variety of approaches. The course also features raised tee boxes, allowing golfers to hit their ball and watch it land, which is a unique and exciting feature.
The 18th hole at The Misquamicut Club is particularly notable, as it is an uphill par-3, a unique feature in golf and especially in Rhode Island. The long par 3 ends the round in an unconventional and challenging way, testing the long game acumen of the golfer. Overall, the course offers an eclectic array of design pedigrees, emphasising bold use of the terrain and providing a wealth of character.
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The equal-opportunity par-4 1st hole
The Misquamicut Club in Westerly, Rhode Island, is one of the best golf courses in the state. It was designed by Donald Ross and is known for its variety of holes and challenging terrain. The course is relatively short at 6,214 yards but offers a unique and engaging golfing experience.
The first hole at Misquamicut is a standout feature of the course. It is a 382-yard, par-4 hole that has been described as an "equal-opportunity" or "great equalizer" hole. This hole welcomes all kinds of shots and abilities, bringing golfers together and narrowing the gap between different skill levels and styles of play.
The tee shot on this hole is forgiving, with plenty of room to the right and no bunkers. Golfers can choose to play it safe by favouring the right side, or they can take on the more challenging left side, which offers a better angle to the green but comes with the risk of going out of bounds. The fairway starts to buckle around 200 yards out, creating a variety of lies and approaches to the green.
The green itself is a punch bowl shape, with an opening on the left. The farther right a golfer ventures, the more they will have to contend with steep terrain that blocks their view of the green. This hole truly offers something for everyone and is a testament to the design philosophy of the course, emphasising the beauty and strategy of the game.
The first hole at Misquamicut is a fantastic introduction to the course, offering a balance between challenge and accessibility. It sets the tone for the rest of the round, showcasing the variety and character that have made Misquamicut a beloved destination for golfers of all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
The Misquamicut Club is a golf course located in Westerly, Rhode Island, USA.
The course is 6,214 yards from the back markers, which can be described as short.
The front nine is set on undulating terrain, with most of the back nine occupying much flatter ground. The first 11 holes are described as very hilly, with the back nine moving to flat seaside land.
The holes offer a mix of styles and cater to a range of abilities. The 1st hole is described as a "great equalizer", accommodating different playing styles. The 18th hole is a unique, uphill par-3. The course features a variety of holes, including water holes, and holes in lowland marshy areas.
The course was originally designed by Tom Bendelow in 1895, with modifications made by Willie Anderson and Seth Raynor. The course was then completely redesigned by Donald Ross in 1923.
