You’re driving down Nayatt Road in Barrington, and the air starts to taste different. It’s saltier. That’s the first sign you’re getting close to one of the most storied patches of grass in New England. Rhode Island Country Club isn't just a place where people play golf; it's a topographical masterpiece that has survived over a century of Atlantic storms and shifting social tides. Honestly, if you haven't stood on the 17th tee with the wind whipping off Narragansett Bay, you haven't really experienced Rhode Island golf.
It's old. Founded in 1911. But "old" in the golf world usually implies stuffy, and while RICC definitely has that classic East Coast prestige, the vibe is surprisingly tied to the landscape rather than just the locker room. Donald Ross, the legendary architect who basically defined American golf course design, laid this place out. He had a knack for making land look like it was always meant to be a golf course, and at Rhode Island Country Club, he really leaned into the marshlands and the shoreline.
The Donald Ross DNA and the Barrington Layout
Most people think of Ross and immediately picture the turtleback greens of Pinehurst No. 2. Those diabolical, inverted-saucer surfaces that reject anything but a perfect shot. You’ll find some of that here, but the Barrington site offered Ross something different: a mix of parkland, woodland, and true seaside holes.
The routing is genius. It starts inland, weaving through these massive, mature trees that have seen a hundred years of Nor'easters. Then, right when you think you’ve figured out the rhythm, the course opens up. The final four holes are what everyone talks about. They are exposed. They are raw. They are essentially a love letter to the Scottish links style, played right on the edge of the bay.
I’ve talked to guys who have played the course hundreds of times, and they all say the same thing: the wind is the real architect. On a calm Tuesday morning, you might think you can overpower the par 4s. By Saturday afternoon, when the breeze kicks up off the water, those same holes turn into monsters. It’s a psychological grind. You’re hitting a 5-iron into a hole where you used a wedge the day before. That’s the beauty of it.
The CV Whitney Legacy and the Brad Faxon Connection
You can’t talk about Rhode Island Country Club without mentioning the CVS Charity Classic. For years, this was the spot. Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, local legends who grew up in the area, turned this tournament into a massive deal. It wasn't just a pro-am; it was a community event that brought the biggest names in the world to Barrington. We’re talking about Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, and Arnold Palmer walking these fairways.
There’s a specific kind of pride in Barrington regarding that history. It put the club on a national stage. Even though the tournament eventually evolved and moved, the DNA of those professional-grade expectations remains. The greens are kept at a speed that would make most casual golfers weep.
👉 See also: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
- The Greens: Typically rolling at speeds that require a "soft touch" usually reserved for surgery.
- The Fairways: Impeccably manicured bentgrass.
- The Rough: Often thick enough to swallow a Titleist whole if you're straying too far from the short grass.
What Most People Miss About the Club Experience
It’s easy to get hyper-focused on the 18 holes, but the social structure of Rhode Island Country Club is what keeps it tethered to the town of Barrington. It’s a family-centric place. While some elite clubs feel like museums where you’re afraid to touch the furniture, RICC has a lived-in quality.
The clubhouse is a classic white-shingle building that looks exactly like what you’d imagine for a coastal New England estate. It’s been renovated, sure, but it hasn't lost that 1920s soul. Inside, it's less about "looking wealthy" and more about that specific brand of "old money comfort" where the chairs are heavy, the drinks are stiff, and everyone knows everyone else's grandmother.
The "Back Four" Challenge
Let’s get technical for a second. Holes 15, 16, 17, and 18. This is the stretch that makes or breaks a scorecard.
The 17th is arguably the most photographed hole in the state. It’s a par 3. It’s short. On paper, it looks like a birdie opportunity. In reality, you’re hitting over the salt marsh with the Narragansett Bay framing the entire background. If the tide is in, the water feels like it's right under your feet. If the wind is coming off the left, you have to aim your ball out over the water and pray it hooks back in. It’s terrifying. It’s beautiful. It’s exactly why people pay the initiation fees.
The 18th brings you back toward the clubhouse, usually playing directly into the wind. It’s a long, tough par 4 that requires two of your best shots of the day just to sniff a par. Many a Great Round has died on the 18th at Barrington.
The Membership Reality
Let's be real: getting in isn't easy. Like most top-tier Ross courses in the Northeast, there’s a process. It’s a private, member-owned club. You generally need sponsors. You need a clean reputation. You need a healthy bank account. But unlike some of the hyper-exclusive "national" clubs where members fly in from across the country, RICC is deeply rooted in the local Barrington and Providence communities.
✨ Don't miss: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Is it worth it?
If you value history, you won't find many better spots. The club has hosted multiple USGA championships, including the U.S. Women’s Amateur. That kind of pedigree doesn't happen by accident. The USGA doesn't bring trophies to courses that can't handle the pressure.
The upkeep is also a massive factor. Maintaining a course that is literally touching the ocean is a nightmare. Salt spray kills grass. Coastal erosion is a constant threat. The grounds crew at Rhode Island Country Club basically performs a daily miracle keeping those seaside holes in "Tour" condition.
A Different Perspective on the "Stuffy" Reputation
Some critics argue that the club is a relic of a different era. And yeah, it’s traditional. There’s a dress code. There are rules about where you can use your phone. But in 2026, there’s something kind of refreshing about a place that demands you put your screen away and actually look at the horizon.
It’s one of the few places left where the pace of life actually slows down. You aren't rushing. You’re walking (it’s a great walking course, very flat) and you’re talking. It’s a sanctuary from the noise of the digital world.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Guest or New Member
If you ever get the "golden ticket" invite to play here as a guest, don't blow it. There are unwritten rules that matter just as much as the written ones.
🔗 Read more: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
First, show up early. The practice range is solid, but you really want time to hit a few putts on the practice green. The speed of the greens at RICC is significantly faster than your local municipal course. If you don't calibrate your hands before the first tee, you're going to three-putt the first three holes. Guaranteed.
Second, check the wind. Before you even leave your house, check the marine forecast for Narragansett Bay. If the gusts are over 20 mph, leave your ego in the car. You’ll need to play "boring" golf—low shots, playing for the front of the greens, and staying out of the deep bunkers.
Third, dress the part. This isn't the place for your "loud" hoodies or cargo shorts. Think classic. Tuck in the shirt. Wear a belt. It sounds trivial, but respect for the tradition of the club goes a long way with the membership.
Fourth, look at the architecture. Don't just swing. Look at how Donald Ross used the natural mounds. Notice how the bunkers are positioned to catch the "miss" that the wind creates. It’s a masterclass in design.
Finally, the 19th hole. The outdoor seating overlooking the bay is world-class. Even if you shot a 110, sitting there with a cold drink as the sun sets over the water makes the whole day a win.
Rhode Island Country Club remains the gold standard in the Ocean State for a reason. It’s not just the grass or the sand; it’s the fact that it feels like it belongs to the land. It’s a piece of Rhode Island history that you can actually walk on, provided you know someone with a bag tag and a spare afternoon.
Next Steps for Golf Enthusiasts:
To truly understand the design philosophy of the course, research Donald Ross’s "The Golf Courses of the Old World" to see how he translated Scottish links concepts to the Barrington shoreline. If you are looking to play, contact the Pro Shop regarding their guest policies or look into local charity tournaments that occasionally grant access to the public. For those interested in membership, start by engaging with the Barrington community; RICC is a "who-you-know" environment where local reputation is the primary currency. Don't just show up expecting a tour—this is a private sanctuary that guards its privacy as much as its greens.