A Club Rediscovered
For years, Kittansett’s design was credited to a founding member until Flynn’s long-lost blueprints proved its true provenance. This transformed both club pride and the direction of its restoration.
The verdict
New England’s Restored Flynn Classic
Kittansett dazzles with ocean-edge setting, restored mounding, and eye-popping bunkers after its Hanse-led update. Expect a pure, wind-shaped test that celebrates links strategy and shotmaking in the hands of the ocean breeze.
Course DNA
Difficulty
85
Scenery90
Conditioning89
Shot Variety87
Walkability83
Green Complexity86
Wow Factor92
Design Quality91
At a glance
Quick facts
Signature Bunker Style
Iconic 'eyelash' bunkers restored by Hanse
Original Intent
Faithful to William Flynn’s 1920s design
USGA Championship Pedigree
Host of 1953 U.S. Amateur
Coastal Exposure
Constant Buzzards Bay wind
Walking Culture
Caddies and walking-only expected
Restoration Focus
Tree removal, expanded greens, mounding
Par 3 Strength
Four standout 3s shape the challenge
The design
The architecture
Kittansett is the consummate seaside Massachusetts course—a masterclass from William Flynn now stunningly restored by Gil Hanse. Routed across Butler Point’s peninsula, the course unfolds through open marsh, inland woodland, and wind-battered shoreline. Hanse’s restoration has revealed the sharply sculpted mounds and flashy ‘eyelash’ bunkers Flynn envisioned, while opening vistas and recapturing green edges brings players nose-to-nose with the course’s oceanic drama. Every hole offers a study in angle, wind, and visual deception, culminating in a strategic test that feels as fresh and immediate today as it did a century ago.
William Flynn, a master of subtle penalties and nuance, is now properly credited for Kittansett’s timeless design—amplified by Gil Hanse’s hands-on restoration and commitment to architectural honesty.
Defining features
- Signature ‘eyelash’ bunkering and mounding
- Restored and expanded green complexes
- Constant exposure to ocean winds
- Routing returns repeatedly to the shoreline
- Tree removal providing panoramic seaside views
- Firm, fast turf demanding trajectory control
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Opener by the Bay
PAR
4
YARDAGE
415 yds (White) / 450 yds (Blue)
A challenging opening hole hugging the coast, demanding a perfectly placed tee shot to set up an approach into a subtly contoured green.
Play it smart
Favor the left side off the tee for a better angle in and to avoid bunkers right.
Where it bites
Miss right and face a tough up-and-down from thick rough and sand.
Course management
Shots to think about
Club selection over water on 3
Trust the wind gauge and play one more club than you think—don’t flirt with the short carry.
Downwind approaches on exposed holes
Land it short and let the firm ground release; aerial shots can bound over greens quickly.
Navigating the ‘eyelash’ bunkers
Play to avoid fairway bunkers at all costs—recoveries require real craft or you’ll drop a shot.
Long par 3 tee shots
Aim for center-green targets, even with a long iron or hybrid, to avoid disaster in heavy wind.
Shaping shots into the wind
Keep your trajectory low and use the ground; flighting wedges high will expose you to the gusts.
Short-sided around restored greens
Always leave an uphill chip—downhill recoveries from expanded surrounds are treacherous.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Superbly maintained, fast-running, and firm, with true greens and maintained sandy waste areas.
Pace
Traditional private club pace—efficient rounds with caddie support, little waiting.
Vibe
Historic, understated New England exclusivity; etiquette and tradition reign.
Dress code
Collared shirts, tailored pants or shorts, and soft spikes required—no denim.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Tighten your trajectory control
Wind and firm ground make low, controlled ball flights paramount—practice stingers and knockdowns.
02
Short-game around deep bunkers
Work on creative escapes from sandy lips and recoveries to tight pin positions on expanded greens.
03
Leave the cart behind
Get ready for a pure walking experience—caddies are part of the culture and will add to your strategy.
04
Study Flynn’s shot values
Read up on Flynn’s approach to angle-driven golf—knowing where to miss is as crucial as aiming for pins.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1913
Site acquired by Beverly Yacht Club
- 1922
Club founded by Galen Stone and Frederic C. Hood
- 1923
Course opens, rock fields finally conquered
- 1953
Hosts U.S. Amateur Championship
- 1995
Gil Hanse begins long-term restoration
- 2021
Major phase of Hanse restoration completed
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Eyebrows in the Sand
The iconic ‘eyelash’ bunkers—scalloped lips of marram and sand—were once softened, but Gil Hanse’s meticulous restoration brought these tactical masterpieces roaring back to life.
Turning Back the Trees
Tree culling opened oceans of coastal views, returning Kittansett to its wind-swept, strategic roots. The course feels more like a true links—open, firm, and shaped by Buzzards Bay’s shifting moods.
A Testy U.S. Amateur
In 1953, the nation’s best amateurs faced wind, fescue, and tricky greens when Kittansett played host to the U.S. Amateur, burnishing its championship credentials.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Kittansett’s name means 'near the sea' in Native American Algonquin.
2
The 3rd hole is often called the most photogenic par 3 in New England.
3
Flynn’s original plans were lost for decades until rediscovered, rewriting the club’s history.
4
Golfers routinely face four different wind directions in a single round.
5
Distinctive 'eyelash' bunkers are a true original, restored to their 1920s glory by Gil Hanse.
Build the trip
If you’re planning a Southern New England golf trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Bay Pointe Club
Public
Enjoyable Cape-side public test, easy booking
Boston Golf Club
Private
Elite modern private layout for architecture buffs
Hyannisport Club
Private
Sweeping Cape Cod views and historic tradition
New Seabury Ocean Course
Semi-Private/Resort
True ocean golf flavor on the Cape
New Bedford or Dartmouth for convenience; Hyannis or Falmouth best if splitting time on Cape
Course DNA
If You Like The Kittansett Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match9.4
National Golf Links of America
Southampton, New YorkWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. National Golf Links of America a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to The Kittansett Club.
Strong DNA Match9.1
Barnbougle Dunes
Bridport, TasmaniaWhy it matches: Barnbougle Dunes is a natural next stop after The Kittansett Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.0
ArborLinks
Nebraska City, NebraskaWhy it matches: If The Kittansett Club is your kind of course, ArborLinks is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
The architect's other work
More from William Flynn
Shinnecock Hills
Southampton, NYUS Open host, classic championship links
Merion Golf Club (East)
Ardmore, PAIconic major venue, intricate greens
Cherry Hills Country Club
Cherry Hills Village, COMajor championship test, dramatic finishing holes
Philadelphia Cricket Club Wissahickon
Flourtown, PARestored Flynn gem, strategic brilliance
Community Sentiment
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