The Kittansett Club - Marion, MA
As part of a broader trip that included some time spent in NYC, New Bedford, MA, and Acushnet, MA, a round at Kittansett needs to be on everyone’s must play list. Following the round, I made my way back to New Bedford where I explore the city a bit where I discovered a Cisco Brewers location. Hannah and I first visited Cisco Brewers at their original Nantucket location, and have loved their atmosphere and beer since. The following day was spent with Sugarloaf Social Club at the Titleist Performance Institue at Manchester Lane, Titleist Ball Plant III, and Marion Golf Club. We split in to groups and spent the time doing a comprehensive bag fitting for the new Titleist T series and GT clubs, learning more about the AIM golf ball products, touring the Ball Plant III that produces ProV1 and ProV1x golf balls, and testing various wedge grinds and bounces. After that concluded, the whole group made their way over to Marion Golf Club (affectionately known as Little Marion) in Marion, MA for a loop of their nine hole gem. More on the experience at Titliest and Marion experience here! For now, here is the recap of The Kittansett Club.
Perched at the edge of Buzzards Bay in Marion, Massachusetts, The Kittansett Club has long held its place among New England’s most revered seaside courses. Founded in 1922, the club emerged during a formative period in American golf, when the game was beginning to take firm root across the country. Course architect William Flynn and club founder Frederic Hood created a design that seamlessly blends the rugged, windswept character of the coastline with the subtler inland contours of the property. Flynn’s work is celebrated nationwide at courses such as Shinnecock Hills, Cherry Hills, and The Country Club at Brookline, and Kittansett stands as a clear reflection of his commitment to strategic, timeless design.
Kittansett’s architectural story is one of preservation and renewal. While its original vision set a strong foundation, the course has also been shaped by the forces of nature. Storms, hurricanes, and shifting shorelines have left lasting impressions on the land. A marker near the water documents the impact of major hurricanes in 1938, 1944, 1954, and 1991, serving as a reminder of the ongoing relationship between the course and the sea. In recent decades, architect Gil Hanse has worked closely with the club to restore many of Flynn’s original design elements. His efforts have included expanding greens, reimagining bunkers, and reopening long lost views to Buzzards Bay, allowing the course to remain faithful to its Golden Age origins while standing up to the demands of modern championship golf.
The routing offers a compelling mix of inland holes and exposed seaside stretches. Early holes wind through sheltered corridors before gradually opening to the bay, where wind and water become constant companions. The par three 3rd hole, set dramatically on a peninsula extending into Buzzards Bay, is as visually striking as it is demanding and perfectly captures the course’s balance of beauty and precision. Kittansett is one of the finest walks in golf that I have experienced, and the blend of inland and coastal holes gives the round a sense of adventure from start to finish. The prevailing southwest wind serves as the course’s primary defense, influencing shot selection throughout the round, though shifting conditions can alter the experience entirely, making the course feel different each time it is played.
Kittansett has also played host to some of golf’s most meaningful moments. In 1953, the club welcomed the Walker Cup, with Francis Ouimet captaining the victorious United States team. More recently, it has hosted U.S. Senior and Mid Amateur Championships, reinforcing its reputation as a demanding yet fair test of golf. Through generations of play and change, Kittansett has remained true to its identity. It is a place where history, architecture, and the natural landscape come together to create an experience that is both enduring and unforgettable.
