Newport Country Club – Played July 2021
- Rankings: Golf Magazine #57
- Location: 280 Harrison Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island
- Year: 1894
- Original Architect: William Davis
- Additional Work By: A.W. Tillinghast, Ron Forse, & Jim Nagle
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 7,085 yards, Par 70, 75.5 Rating/135 Slope
- Red: 6,577 yards, Par 72, 72.5 Rating/128 Slope
- White: 6,194 yards, Par 72, 70.7 Rating/122 Slope (Men’s), 76.8 Rating/135 Slope (Women’s)
- Blue: 5,601 yards, Par 72, 67.4 Rating/118 Slope (Men’s), 73.0 Rating/127 Slope (Women’s)
I pinch myself on days like these. A random weekday on vacation, teeing it up at one of the country’s oldest courses. Add to that a nice day, some ocean views, a pleasant partner, and it’s a good day in my book.
Places like Newport Country Club are dripping with history. But this place has it all the more.
Newport is one of the five founding clubs of the USGA. It hosted the first US Amateur and Open. C.B. MacDonald won the Am and Horace Rawlins won the Open. You may have heard of that first guy if you are into golf architecture.
In 1995, 100 years later, the US Amateur returned. A guy named Tiger Woods won it this time. Not to be left out, the US Women’s Open visited in 2006 with Annika Sorenstam winning in a playoff.
Like many courses started so long ago, the current routing isn’t what was first laid out. William Davis designed nine holes first before adding another nine, all east of Harrison Avenue.
Over 20 years later, Tillinghast came in to add seven holes west of Harrison Avenue and complete the redesign. That is the routing played today.
The clubhouse is a big feature of the property. It was designed by Whitney Warren in 1895 and it underwent a major restoration in 2006.
After an impromptu tightening of my adjustable driver we were on to the first tee. All yardages are from the Red tees.
Hole 1 – 480 yards – Par 5 – The First
On most days you’ll get a taste of the coastal winds right from the start. The opener played straight into the wind for me. Keep the ball up the left side and you should start off well.
Hole 2 – 366 yards – Par 4 – The Cop
All the trouble is left on this hole. I tried to hit my drive up the right side but it blew 25+ yards into the left rough. The bunkers help frame the hole and guide your aiming.
Hole 3 – 328 yards – Par 4 – Ocean
Very similar, albeit shorter, hole as the previous one.
At this green you get the only ocean view on the course. It’s all about the golf at Newport.
Hole 4 – 220 yards – Par 3 – Graves Point
Big and brawny are the two best descriptors for this hole. The term “one-shotter” may not apply here depending on the wind.
Hole 5 – 422 yards – Par 4 – Polo Shed
Holes like these really emphasize the value of a caddy. I don’t remember the exact line to take, but he steered me in the right direction.
Once over the hill, your challenge comes into focus.
The internal contouring on the green is ever so subtle.
Hole 6 – 383 yards – Par 4 – Lookout
Six plays the opposite direction of five, so the wind will flip. The fairway is a generous target, so pull the driver.
If you’re far enough back the green can be obscured by the topography. It adds a challenge to the hole.
Hole 7 – 553 yards – Par 5 – Long Meadow
Some of tee shots at Newport require real focus since they are not framed by trees or other landmarks. This is a perfect example. The houses in the distance help with aiming.
Hole 8 – 177 yards – Par 3 – Willows
The sloping of the green is evident from the tee box on this hole. We were up a bit from the listed yardage as I think this only played about 150 yards. I hit my best shot of the day here for a kick-in birdie.
Hole 9 – 422 yards – Par 4 – Orchard
The ninth is no picnic as it turns right and uphill. The cross bunker complicates things, but it’s a different feature than you see on many modern courses.
Notice the almost fully blind second shot.
Hole 10 – 528 yards – Par 5 – Quarry
You can launch tee shots from this elevated tee. The entire hole is laid out in front of you. No tricks here.
A small green packs plenty of undulation.
Hole 11 – 298 yards – Par 4 – Harbour
Long hitters are forced into a decision on this tee box. Bomb or lay up? The green is very small target with a driver.
Hole 12 – 477 yards – Par 5 – Valley
This stretch from 10-12 is a good chance at some birdies. Good drives here can set you up to be putting for eagle.
Below is the view as the hole bends slightly left from the tee.
Hole 13 – 151 yards – Par 3 – Club
Club selection on this tee is predicated by the wind and elevation change. We ignored the yardage and played this a good 30 yards longer. You can see the blip of the flag over the center bunker.
Hole 14 – 189 yards – Par 3 – Plateau
Back to back difficult par threes occupy the area right around the clubhouse. Avoid missing left here at all costs.
Hole 15 – 411 yards – Par 4 – Brenton Reef
The wind will determine the overall difficulty of this hole. Whichever way it’s blowing, the large fairway is a welcome sight. The green is off to the right past the right-side fairway bunkers.
You get a break with one of the more understated green surfaces.
Hole 16 – 352 yards – Par 4 – Island
Don’t let the short length fool you here. There is water around the green that is hidden from view until you get close. Indifferent approaches will be adding a penalty shot to your score.
Hole 17 – 441 yards – Par 4 – Pond
You can probably tell where this hole gets its name. Beware though because there is hazard near the green as well.
Hole 18 – 379 yards – Par 4 – Home
The finish is not easy as you climb for home. Just like nine, the finisher plays longer than the scorecard. The collection of bunkers up to the left frame the green.
Note the pin position for your approach since you don’t want to be on the wrong tier.
Newport Country Club is full of old school charm. The clubhouse is an incredible landmark that you can see from many spots on the property. Seeing it on a quiet weekday was the perfect way to enjoy the course. Playing briskly, but not rushed is the way to go.