Newport National Golf Club - Orchard Course

Newport is one of America's richest summer enclaves so it makes sense that it's only public course would charge a pretty penny to play. But there are times when Newport National doesn't live up to that expectation - there's no range, only a temporary clubhouse (although it does serve some good food), no views of the water anywhere and there's at least two funky holes out on the course. To be fair, it was in wonderful condition and definitely a strong contender to be ranked the No. 1 public courses in the state. The Arthur Hills team didn't do the site any justice with too many bunkers, too many forced carries and rough kept way too long for the windy conditions. With a few tweaks, this place could be awesome. For now, it's a diamond that needs more polish.

Really enjoyed playing this course. Kept the ball in the fairway most of the day and they were like carpet. Hit a couple of drives OB and it was punishing. A few players landed in some nasty fescue and ball disappeared. Stay on fairways. Greens were fast and rolled true. Some tricky pin placements. I would play this course every day if I could. The facilities were almost non-existent. Basically a double wide with a pro shop and snack bar. Didn’t really care. They were maintains the course constantly and unobtrusively. Went for an early morning round and cart girl was out by 9:30 am.

Ever since this course got new owners it’s just gotten more greedy and less friendly

150 green fee in April with top dressing and uncut ruff and absolutely ridiculous “rules”. It was none on the course. Our fourth was a late no show due to illness still charged us for him

Still no range or warm up area

No cart service either but no hesitation about charging full price and for the no show

With the options available in ct-ri-ma I will be avoiding this course

We played the Gold tees over 4th of July weekend with a big group. The first thing I'll address is the price; it's definitely not cheap and a somewhat minimalist clubhouse and no driving range is a bit disappointing for the green fees, but I will say that everyone was extremely attentive and friendly, from the clubhouse attendants to the rental club helpers to the food and drink staff. The starter had some helpful course tips and was nonjudgmental as we got off the first tee with a wide range of handicaps.

The course itself was delightful and extremely well kept. The greens rolled fast and true, and the rough was punitive but not overly so. It might prove tough for a beginner/high handicapper to get around here, as there are a few forced carries and it's easy to lose a lot of balls in the thick fescue. No two holes looked alike however, with a couple gettable par 4s and a good range of par 3s. In all, it was a tremendously fun experience and, while the price might make me consider some other options, I'd love to play here again.

150.00 for this course is a stretch even if greens are Prestine. Warning: they don’t care to tell you that they punch greens and fairways and charge same fee.

This course was as picturesque as any I've ever played. It was a challenge and made me think hard about my shots and club selection. The course set up was really nice and there was even a square cut green. However, I have some gripes.

1. Divot bottles on cart were empty.
2. Porta-shi**ers.
3. Cart girl would not take my card because "it's a hassle".
4. No water on the course.

Sorry, but for $125 ($150 in the morning) this stuff is unacceptable. Yes, my bad for not bringing cash. But I have never had the bev card not take my card and allow me to grab it from the bar when I finish. On top of that the bar and kitchen is nothing to write home about. Step up your game, Troon.

Nice course, not great. No range. Definitely not worth $150. I won't be back at that price.

This is a really fun links course. It is kind of hidden from the road---I drove right past it thinking that my GPS had to be wrong. The fairways and greens were spiked, but it was awhile ago and it did not impact play. The layout is good and well designed. It also seems to drain well. Carts are electric, which I prefer. Chilly Saturday morning in May with a very light drizzle, and I had a blast at this course. The entire staff--from the check-in at the clubhouse to the grill to the starter--were all very friendly and helpful. Excellent breakfast burrito from the grill. Note that the clubhouse is small with no indoor eating area (just a covered porch with a heater and clear plastic coverings that can be rolled down to keep out wind, rain and cold). In spite of this, the restrooms are good.

Had a great experience today playing at Newport National. Though they have recently aerated the greens and fairways, the course played smooth and fast. The greens had some difficulties but still were fast. The views were amazing. The clubhouse leaves some to be desired but the course itself couldn’t have been a better layout!

Played this course on a Thursday morning. Arrived early as I was a single to see if I could get out earlier then my scheduled tee time. There was no starter to be found. I saw groups of 2 and 3 go out but still no starter. My 4some we're finally able to find the starter and ask if we could go out early (since no groups had teed off for a good 20 minutes). When we finally teed off we found the course great. Nice doglegs and some interesting forced carrys. Fairways were in great shape. Greens were challenging but not tricked up. Really enjoyed the course and would come back. Overall course was challenging yet playable for a mid range handicapper like myself. Clubhouse was a trailer but they had all the basics. Found the price of $125 little high for whole experience but had a great time.

Excellent golf course, great layout, course conditions are generally above average to excellent. On a windy day, avoid it though or you will not enjoy it.

Staff and organization could be a little improved. It's overpriced at $150 on a weekend but they get the out of town Newport crowds for weddings, etc. so it's always jammed and pace of play is not monitored well enough to warrant the cost.

If you've never played, you have to try it out, but I wouldn't frequent regularly for the cost.

Being a NYC Golfer, my options are pretty limited and I tend to play where there is a deal. I'm a high handicapper and have only been playing for 3 years, but I'm absolutely addicted and cash in on every opportunity to hit golf balls.

When I found out I'd be in RI on work this week, I figured I'd treat myself and play their highest rated course. I made sure to get there for the twighlight rate and didn't expect much. I was in for a surprise.

The staff was amazing and very pleasant, and I couldn't believe how beautiful that course was. The tee boxes were immaculate, the greens were fast and the fairways were hard to hit. I didn't score well, but this was the first time I actually enjoyed the just being on the course. Even the gravel car paths were cool, I was pretty much drifting around the course.

I'm going to make it a point to get out and see more courses, this course has spoiled me.

Used to be able to play 45$ riding.. Now they want 80$ Feb,Mar,Apr.... They CRAZZZZY...!

Newport National is what I call a "gem of gems"! A little over an hours drive from Boston, this is track totally worth coming to! Layout and conditions are some of the best you'll find and for the value of your money. Some of the best views of Aquidneck Island with its links style play, I'm always excited when I get to tee of here.

The course is good but could be great! Fun course with good risk reward holes. The wind is the defense for this place, all the holes I thought were fair apart from the 10th with its second shot over the hazard way to long, other than that the layout was good with every hole being different and not just straight up and down. I've never seen a rectangular green (the 8th) with 90 degree corners until the day I played.

Fairways and greens were in very good condition, some of the best I've played this year. Greens were fast and consistent so no complaints with that, first cut was fair too.

Newport National is OK for its price point, could be an excellent course if the management got on top of the pace of play as everything is good to go. Layout of the course with 2 par 3's next to each other does not help pace neither does the lack of rangers or concern from the staff.

Newport National was going to be part of a grand plan a dozen years ago. The plan fizzled with the economy, leaving a really great 18 hole course, with no second course and a "clubhouse" that is still a temporary double wide trailer. That's all okay because the golf course IS the star of the show. It is a eclectic mixture of challenging golf holes, in and around natural marshes. The bulk of the challenge comes from the usual steady wind off the bay that affects most of your shots. You must control your ball flight or you will be in hazards, jungle rough or strategic bunkers all day. The 5th is a drivable par 4, but the wind may cause to rethink that and to play safely out to the right. The 17th is a beast of a par 4, that you must hit it down the right side off the tee to avoid the deadly fairway bunker on the left. NN has a wide variety of tee selections from 7000+ on down. Let the wind remind you to play it forward, as the back 2 sets of tees would crush most golfers. This course is fun to play and easy to appreciate it. Arthur Hills did a great job on this project and one can only imagine what the 36 hole concept, complete with clubhouse, would have been like. However if that did get built, we the golfing public would have never been able to play it. Check out NN if you are golfing your way through Rhode Island.

Newport National sits upon the highest point of Aquidneck Island, surrounded by the Sakonnet Passage, Narraganset Bay and the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, providing for beautiful views. The Arthur Hills and associate Drew Rogers designed course was not built to play like a links course, but sometimes golf courses have a way of writing their own story. Pristine seaside creeping bent from tee to green, the shale base and gentle slope of the land, augmented by fescue that dances in the ocean breezes like a horse’s mane, combine to confound your senses, having you believe you are on the far side of the Atlantic water hazard, perhaps someplace on the coast of Ireland? The downside is the course’s lack of a clubhouse (construction trailers serve the part) and practice facilities, however, as Newport National is perennially voted the “#1 Course You Can Play in New England,” and was named by PGA.com as #8 in it’s listing of the Best American Links, it is clear why golfers love it.