Disc golf is one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, with new courses popping up all over the place. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, there are nearly 8,000 courses in the United States alone, although only four of them are located in Rhode Island. Fortunately, three of those courses are in South County, so you can play a round or two during your vacation.
There are more courses just over the Pawcatuck River in Connecticut, too, which might be closer to your vacation rental if you’re staying in Watch Hill or Misquamicut. No matter the courses you choose to play, you’re sure to enjoy their secluded, serene environments.
You don’t have to be an expert to try disc golf because these courses are very beginner-friendly. Here’s a look at the three disc golf courses in South County and another in Stonington, Connecticut.
Ninigret Park Disc Golf Course
Ninigret Park is an incredibly popular summertime destination in Charlestown, Rhode Island. It features access to Ninigret Pond, a national wildlife refuge, an observatory, and plenty of activities for the entire family. There’s also a disc golf course at the park, which you can check out during your stay.
The course is free to use and features 18 holes. It’s open year-round, so you can even try when visiting in the winter. You can play the course at varying lengths, depending on your skill level, as it has a total length of 3,463 feet from the red tees, 5,023 feet from the white tees, and 6,372 feet from the blues. You’ll play through a forested area at this facility, providing a calm yet beautiful background for your round.
South Kingstown Disc Golf Course
There’s another beautiful course through the woods at the South Kingstown Athletic Fields, just outside downtown Wakefield-Peacedale. Despite this course sitting in a populated area, you won’t feel crowded because you’ll be surrounded by forest. You’ll also play around a small pond, creating a scenic experience.
The South Kingstown Disc Golf Course is free, has 18 holes, and lots of on-site parking. It’s also easily accessible from most locations in South County, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding it when it’s time to play.
Willow Valley Disc Golf Course
The largest disc golf course in South County is Willow Valley in Richmond. This course is on private property, so you’ll have to pay to use it, but the rate is a reasonable $5 per day. You’ll find 27 holes meandering through the woods at this location, four of which are over 400 feet, offering a challenge to more experienced players.
Some holes at Willow Valley are designed around massive boulders, providing unique hazards as you make your shots. There are rock walls throughout the course, too, adding some character.
You’ve probably never played a course like this one before, so make sure you check it out while you’re in the area.
Spellman Park Disc Golf Course
If you’ve ever been to downtown Westerly, you know the Pawcatuck River Bridge takes you to Pawcatuck Village, Connecticut, which is part of the town of Stonington. The Spellman Park Disc Golf Course is just outside downtown Pawcatuck, and it might be the closest course to your vacation rental, depending on where you book.
This course is part of Stonington Town Park and is a new facility that opened in 2022. It’s a challenging course with dense foliage and plenty of trees, in addition to tall grass. There are only nine holes, but they’re all difficult, so you might want to play it a couple of times.
As a bonus, every hole at Spellman Park is illuminated with solar lights so you can play in the dark. If you pop into Connecticut for the day, finishing your evening with a quick round of disc golf could be in the cards.
Enjoy the Outdoors in South County
There’s no doubt you’ll get outside a lot during your vacation to South County, and these disc golf courses offer another way to do it. It doesn’t take much to pack a couple of discs in your bags when heading to coastal Rhode Island, and doing so allows you to get out and experience these courses.
While South County isn’t known for its disc golf scene, these courses are challenging enough for any player but have options for beginners, too. Give these facilities a try if you’re interested in learning one of the country’s most popular new sports.