The Kittansett Club

Marion, MA, United States • Private

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LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of The Kittansett Club

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LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of The Kittansett Club

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LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of The Kittansett Club

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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

Holes 18

Length 6811

Slope 140

Facility Type Private

Designer Frederick C. Hood/William Flynn

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

4.6

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

7.5534

Character

7.8689

Challenge

7.496

Layout Variety

7.5805

Fun

7.639

Aesthetics

7.845

Conditioning

7.5208

Reviews

1 / 10

Review

“A sea side course that has many good holes but when the wind is up its a bear to play."

2023

2 / 10

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."

2023

3 / 10

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"

2023

4 / 10

Review

“A beautiful, private sea side course situated at the end of Butler Point with views of Cape Cod Sound and Buzzards Bay in Marion, Massachusetts, designed by William S. Flynn and opened for play in 1922. Gil Hanse has been working on renovations since the late 90’s, removing hundreds of trees to open up the views to the Atlantic. The signature hole is the par 3, third hole which features an island green surrounded by beach. The 16th hole par 4 is also a signature hole with the Cape Cod Sound serving as the backdrop. The par 3’s are all good and varied, ranging in lengths from the picturesque 3rd hole playing 167yds to the 253 yd 11th hole, when playing from the blue tees."

2022

5 / 10

Review

“Kittansett is a quirky, old-school course in Southeastern Massachusetts that sits right on the water. While holes like the par 3 3rd that play on the Ocean draw most of the attention, about half the holes at Kittansett are flat and inland and wonderful in their own right. This is easily one of the best courses in Massachusetts and sits inside the impressive top 5. This is a course you could easily play everyday and enjoy."

2022

6 / 10

Review

“Kittansett Club strikes an even balance of fun and challenge. There are opportunities to take aggressive lines off tees and into greens with seemingly limited penalty but that is balanced with holes that require precision without the chance of a bailout. The coastal setting is also a peaceful one for golf, but it can bring in some significant wind gusts for an additional variable."

2022

7 / 10

Review

“One of the more aesthetically pleasing courses out there. It has everything from water views and links land like views to wonderful rugged New England terrain with outcroppings and all exposed. This also went into the variety of the course as it traverses so many different looks of holes it really made the holes standout because of the individuality of each of them."

2022

8 / 10

Review

“If you get an invite, make the effort to go! Recent tree work has made the incredible views even more prevalent. The course itself is well conditioned, and presents a stern test, and when you add the prevailing strong winds, you will have a near-perfect golf experience."

2018

9 / 10

Review

“Fabulous! Wonderful club and course in an amazing setting. Recent clearing work has brought the course to life. One of the absolute tops in Massachusetts. The third hole is truly unique in the world of golf, but far from the only outstanding hole on the course."

2018

10 / 10

Review

“Great William Flynn course from 1922. Designed to allow you to run shots onto the green which is necessary considering the amount of wind you can get. A bit hard to get to, but well worth the trip."

2018