Best Golf Courses Near Westerly, RI

Westerly, one of Rhode Island’s prettiest towns, is also a great summer beach town that is an appealing southern New England alternative to Cape Cod. It comes as no surprise that this historic seaside town, located in the far southwest corner of the state—Connecticut lies just on the other side of the Pawcatuck River—is rich in golf, especially private golf. Two of Rhode Island’s top 18s–Misquamicut Club and Shelter Harbor Golf Club–are right at hand, and so is Weekapaug Golf Club, a jewel Golf Magazine rates as one of the top 50 9-hole layouts in the world. The private bounty extends across state lines, too. Fishers Island Golf Club in New York State draws raves as a US top 20 course. Though public-access courses may not be plentiful in southern Rhode Island, Westerly is well situated for anyone looking to make tee times on high quality courses. The Donald Ross-designed Winnapaug Golf Course presents a strategic challenge and features a back nine with holes by salt ponds that lie just off of the bay. New Hope, Rhode Island boasts two highly regarded public-access courses–Wood River Golf Club and Richmond Country Club. A couple of courses to consider in Connecticut are Elmridge Golf Club, a 27-hole layout that spreads out over an old dairy farm just across the river in Pawcatuck, and Pequot Golf Club in Stonington, a hilly, links-style layout with a lot of movement in the ground. The North Course at Lake of Isles is a bear of a challenge in North Stonington. After golf, you’ll likely still have time to hit the beach. Misquamicut, Watch Hill, and Atlantic Beach Park are Westerly’s most notable beaches. Watch Hill is also famous for the people who have had houses there, including Clark Cable back in the day and nowadays, Taylor Swift. There’s plenty of history throughout Westerly, as various villages within the town showcase architecture dating back to colonial days. Westerly’s revitalized downtown is dotted with historic buildings that house an intriguing array of galleries, bars, and restaurants. You’ll find plenty to do in nearby Mystic, Connecticut–it’s one of New England’s most charming towns. A couple of fancy casino resorts in Connecticut can also add some extra spice on a visit to Westerly.