Shelter Harbor Golf Club
Charlestown, RI • Private
LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of the club
LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of the club
LC Lambrecht/Courtesy of the club
LC Lambrecht
Overview
Though the late club founder and northeastern financier Finn Caspersen was not an avid golfer, he was intrigued by the idea of building a club near his summer home in Rhode Island. But the property he had was challenging and quite severe in places, strewn with wetlands and studded with huge boulders. He ultimately determined that Hurdzan/Fry was the firm that had the environmental chops and creative juice to make the most of it. Though the holes were limited in where they could go, they achieve a desired “old New England” flavor that mixes well with the more historic courses in the neighborhood and possess a dynamic range of strategic lines, carry options and green sizes. The early 1900s bunkering, crafted by Coore & Crenshaw shaper Jeff Bradley, is icing on the cake.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2019.
2023-'24 ranking: 156th.
Previous ranking: 170th.
Highest ranking: 156th, 2023-'24.
Best in State: Top 5 since 2007.
Previous ranking: 3rd.
2023-'24 ranking: 2nd.
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 very playable course that has all the characteristics of a top course."
Read More2023
Review
“The best modern course by far in Rhode Island, Shelter Harbor is a beautiful course from Hurdzan and Fry. The practice facilities here are some of the best I've seen and conditions are excellent with firm, fast surfaces and velvet smooth greens. The bunkering is also really pleasing to the eyes with whispy fescue lining it. There are a number of great holes here such as the wild par 3 4th with its giant green and gorgeous risk-reward par 5 9th leading back to the clubhouse. Packing plenty of punch from the back tees, this is a really strong test for good players as well. Easily one of the top 4 courses in the state and well-worth a play."
Read More2022
Review
“Incredible distinctiveness of the holes. Great variety with lengths of holes. #11 is a great par 3. The rocky terrain made it very aesthetic along with all the lakes and water features. Just a wonderful experience and #18 is a great finishing hole."
Read More2021
Review
“A relative newcomer on the Rhode Island golf scene, Shelter Harbor is an upscale private club located on the southern coastline. This Club features some of the best practice facilities I've seen and is home to a beautiful and tranquil course carved from the nature. The conditioning is impeccable and I especially enjoyed the unique Velvet Bentgrass greens which ran extremely smoothly. I preferred the Front 9, which features some very memorable holes including the uphill double-dogleg par 5 9th running towards the clubhouse, and the par 3 4th which features a Biarritz-like green that's the largest in the state. Rock walls throughout give the course some New England charm and Jeff Bradley's bunkering work here is stellar. This is certainly one of the best courses in Rhode Island and will only gain more recognition as it matures."
Read More2021
Review
“A really fun modern design with some outstanding green complexes. Excellent layout variety - the architects took advantage of this large site to route the course beautifully, constantly changing direction and forcing players to deal with different wind conditions from one hole to the next."
Read More2021
Review
“The premiere category of Shelter Harbor is the conditioning. The entire property is like a giant filter. Despite significant rain in the days leading up the water just flowed right through the sandy soil leaving a firm and fast playing surface in no time at all. The greens are velvet bentgrass and are fabulous. They provided some of the truest rolls I have experienced. Get the ball on line and you can walk after it because it will be in the hole. All this great conditioning would be for not if the course was not equally well designed. "
Read More2021
Review
“An immaculately conditioned, championship test of golf characterized by wide fairways and challenging undulating greens that place a priority on approach shots. A fantastic piece of land that the architects creatively crafted through marsh and rock ridges, results in a layout with tremendous variation. The various use of centerline bunkers makes for strategic decisions off the tee to set up the second shots. Visually stunning from the tee boxes as the architects used the natural terrain very effectively. Conditioning was impressive for early in the season, but I do wonder how the club is going to contend with the intrusion of poa on the greens. Holes to note include the fantastic par 5 9th, par 4 18th and the par 3 6th. "
Read More2021
Review
“A top conditioned course in New England; a massive property that not only has a championship level 18 hole course, a PGA ready driving range, but also has a members par 3 course as well. Fescue lined fairways shape each hole and provide for a very memorable experience. While the course may be difficult for the average player, i think the disctintiveness can be defined by the 4 very different par 5s. Right out of the gate on hole #1, it is a straight, slightly downhill hole with bunkers protecting the tee shot, the layup, and the green. Then the 9th is a double dogleg with a very small elevated, 2 tier green. 12 is a gentle dogleg right with bunkers protecting the tee shot, and a hazard that protects against going for it in 2 if you didnt hit it far enough. And finally 16 a gentle dogleg left with water left off the tee, bunkers right, but then a relatively docile layup and green complex."
Read More2020
Review
“Magnificent golf course and very friendly staff. Not an invitation to turn down. Play the Par 3 course if you can."
Read More2018
Review
“Excellent test of golf - usually in immaculate condition. Save time for the par 3 course too."
Read More2018
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