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LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of The Kittansett Club
LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of The Kittansett Club
LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of The Kittansett Club
LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of The Kittansett Club
Overview
Only recently, with the discovery of some original blueprints, has it been conclusively established that the ocean-side, links-like Kittansett, long thought to be the product of an amateur architect, Frederic Hood, was actually the work of well-known course architect William Flynn, who also designed Shinnecock and Cherry Hills. Credit that revelation to authors Wayne S. Morrison and Thomas E. Paul, who reveal that and much more in their massive 2,260-page biography of Flynn entitled The Nature Faker: William S. Flynn, Golf Architect. Credit Gil Hanse with restoring the bunkers without the aid of those Flynn plans. Instead, he used old aerial photographs.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1971.
2023-'24 ranking: 89th.
Previous ranking: 77th.
Highest ranking: No. 39, 1999-2000.
Best in State: Ranked second, 2011-'12. Ranked third, 2017-'18. Ranked fourth, 2013-'16, 2021-'22. Ranked fifth, 2019-'24. Ranked inside the top 5 since 1977.
Current ranking: 5th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A must play, so fun and hard and interesting. Lot’s of great holes including the famous #3, but that one isn’t close to the best on the card. A really interesting test that lets you (or makes you) hit all kinds of shots to and around the greens. And if the wind is blowing watch out!"
Read More2025
Review
“The wind and weather can make Kittansett play a few shots harder or easier on any given day, but the normal ocean "breeze" combined with some difficult green complexes can create quite a challenge. Greens and fairways play firm and fast. Like many courses, the significant reduction in trees has really opened up site lines and upgraded the overall aesthetics. I did find that shot options, while still in the top 200 category, were less than similarly ranked courses. I felt like most tee shots had a pretty clear, optimal line rather than a variety of ways to attack the hole."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the best."
Read More2024
Review
“If you get an opportunity to play this course, don't pass it up. Subtle changes made prior to the US Senior Amateur made a great golf course better. Windswept seaside course"
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent routing and playing conditions. Shot options off of the tee were particularly interesting."
Read More2024
Review
“Classic, excellent golf course. First three holes are quite difficult with prevailing wind. Course then goes into trees where wind dies down both because wind is less windy and because trees block the wind. Last three holes are links style near the first three holes. Green complexes and bunkering are all superb."
Read More2024
Review
“A sea side course that has many good holes but when the wind is up its a bear to play."
Read More2023
Review
“Beautiful links-like William Flynn design bordered by Buzzards Bay. Windy conditions can make this course play much longer and difficult. The 3rd hole is an iconic par 3 island green surrounded by sand. The staff is most welcoming. Don't pass up the opportunity to play here if you are offered the chance."
Read More2023
Review
“It's hard to image a remote location on the coastline of New England, but Kittansett has it. The course has a rugged, natural appeal. It has a wide variety of holes, ranging from oceanfront to sand dunes to trees, and that is its greatest appeal. When the wind blows, which is often, this course is all you can handle."
Read More2023
Review
“Interesting use of mounding, bunkering, and slopes to define corridors and lines of play. The upside down bowl surrounds of many holes provide challenge in a way you don't see at most courses. Unique micro climates where the weather changes seemingly hole to hole as the routing moves inland or closer to Buzzards Bay. Standout holes include the island green par 3 third hole surrounded by beach sand, the sharp dog leg par 4 fourth hole that wraps around both marsh and a wooded area, the long downhill par 3 eleventh hole that seemingly has both a reverse redan and double plateau feel to it"
Read More2023
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