Worldgolfer's Golf Course Reviews

Course Name: Midville Golf Club

Designer: Carmine Lombardi (1962)

Location: West Warwick, Rhode Island

History: Designed on farmland by the Lombardi brothers in 1962, Midville is still a family-run operation. Famous for its fine conditioning, this course is rated as one of the top 9-hole courses in the state.

Conditions: 8/10, Midville is one of the best conditioned public courses in the state. The greens are fast, the fairways manicured, and the rough thick.

Value: 4/10, One of the biggest complaints about Midville from many people is that it’s not cheap. $25 to walk this short 9 hole course during the week is a tad bit overpriced.

Scorecard:

Tee                     Par         Yardage         Rating          Slope

Black                 35            2905              33.5               118

Yellow               35            2750              32.8               115

White                35            2540              32.5               116

Blue                   35            2190             32.2               106

Hole Descriptions: Midville is on the short side but it does not lack challenges. This is immediately evident on the 1st hole, a straightaway 355 yard par 4. Fences line OB on the left side and a huge tree blocks the middle of the fairway about 160 yards from the teebox. While the tree is aesthetically pleasing, it sometimes punishes good drives and shouldn’t be there.

The 2nd hole is one of my favorite short par fours in the state. At just 305 yards, this hole runs straight uphill with numerous fairway bunkers. A large pond flanks the right fairway and catches anything that slices. The green on this hole is also extremely tiny, with OB on the left and behind.

The 345 yard 3rd is a dogleg left with an elevated teebox and an exhilarating forced carry over a pond. Out of bounds lines the left side, and this two-tiered green is heavily undulating with a false front.

Another medium-length hole, the par 4 4th plays 380 yards as another dogleg left. This fairway is tight and the green once again is tiny and undulating. A pair of bunkers just short right leaves a very difficult up-and-down.

After a solid 165 yard par 3, the 6th hole is the only par 5 at Midville. At 535 yards, this long three-shotter plays downhill for its entire length. This elevated teebox features some surprisingly scenic views of central Rhode Island. Trees line the left while the right is more open but contains a hidden bunker at 245 yards.

My favorite hole on the course is the 7th, an 160 yard par 3 that requires a carry over a gully. This picturesque one-shotter features a shallow green with a bunker directly behind it. The designer Carmine Lombardi has an incredible seven holes-in-ones here.

The par 4 8th hole plays 332 yards and features a blind teeshot up a hill. The fairway narrows considerably as you near this green, and the entire fairway slopes right-to-left, yielding awkward lies.

At just 315 yards, the closing par 4 is a bit of a letdown after a strong stretch of holes. Relatively flat, this dogleg left features no bunkers but does contain OB on the left side. This green slopes generously back-to-front.

General Comments: There’s no driving range at Midville, and pace of play has varied quite considerably. Usually pretty empty, I made the mistake of getting stuck behind a league one time and waited on every tee.

Verdict: Centrally located in Rhode Island, the short but challenging Midville offers a fun round that I highly recommend. It is indeed one of the best 9 hole courses in the state.