Worldgolfer's Golf Course Reviews

Designer: Unknown (1964)

Location: Bristol, Rhode Island

History: N/A

Conditions: 1/10, Conditions here are as bad as it gets. In particular, the 3rd hole’s green was unputtable while goose droppings are plentiful and fairways are extremely soggy. Bunkers are unplayable and green speeds themselves are very slow.

Value: 2/10, I think when I played it was $17 for 9 holes which is a rip-off, but now I’ve read that it is $12.

Scorecard:

Tee                     Par         Yardage         Rating          Slope

White                32           2097                N/A               N/A

Hole Descriptions: Bristol is quite frankly a course that should not have been built. It is in the middle of an industrial plant and the noises and scenery are ungodly. The opening hole is a short 130 yard par 3. The 2nd hole might be the worst hole in the state – a 250 yard par 4 with power lines and poles running down the fairway and an industrial park on your left. “Aim for the pole” should never be said on a golf course. The 3rd hole plays uphill at 145 yards, but this green was unplayable. The 4th hole is the best hole on the course – a downhill 130 yard par 3 in decent shape with water behind the green and an overhanging tree on the left. After another mundane par 3, the 6th hole is a 337 yard straightaway par 4 with water on the left and OB on the right side. The 7th is their “signature hole”, a 480 yard par 5 with an eyesore of an industrial park on the right. The obnoxious bright blue factories and constant drilling next to this hole ruin any fun it may have as a short par 5. The most difficult hole on the course is the 8th, a long downhill 220 yard par 3. The 9th is a confusing and poorly designed finishing par 4. At only 225 yards, this hole requires a mid-iron off the tee and a short approach over water to a back-to-front sloping green.

General Comments: Pace of play is generally decent, as golfers smartly avoid the course. I will also note that there are no practice facilities or yardage markers on the course.

Verdict: There are few absolutes on my blog, but here is one: If a course is featured in the New York Times for how bad it is, then it will be at the basement of my rankings. Bristol GC is only worth a play if you enjoy sarcasm or want to truly appreciate the good courses.