USA Today’s Golfweek just assessed Rhode Island, the golf courses in Rhode Island, and how the state ranks up overall.

The golf publication took every state in the Union and split their rankings into three categories: the quality of a state’s publicly accessible golf courses are, the strength of a state’s elite, private golf courses, and the caliber of the sport in the state with both public and private courses considered.

When it came to publicly available golf courses, Rhode Island placed at 46th place with a score of 5.62 out of 10.

But, they looked at private courses, Rhode Island did much better, landing at 20th place in the nation with a score of 7.24 out of 10.

When both were taken into account, the Ocean State tied at No. 36 with Kansas and Iowa with a score of 6.4.

Here are the five private golf courses that earned Rhode Island its highest placement from Golfweek.

Rhode Island’s best private golf courses

1. Newport Country Club

Newport (58c) — A classic course (defined by Golfweek as a course built before 1960), it placed 58th on Golfweek’s best lists for top 200 classic courses in the U.S.

“Newport Country Club, founded in 1893, is a historic private golf club located in Newport Rhode Island.  It has been recognized as one of the top courses in the United States,” the country club’s website said. “The club is one of the five founding member clubs of the United States Golf Association.”

Originally a nine-hole course, William F. Davis expanded to 18 holes around 1897, a common practice among golfing clubs at that time. Gil Hanes would make more changes in 2017, ultimately demonstrating the course’s enduring legacy.

2. Wannamoisett 

Rumford (T62c) —The classic course tied for 62nd place on Golfweek’s best lists for top 200 classic courses in the U.S.

“Wannamoisett has a rich history of competitive and social golf, including individual and team play, women’s golf leagues, mixed events, senior tournaments and one of the most active Junior programs in our region,” the Wannamoisett Country Club website said. Membership at Wannamoisett is limited to ensure an open play philosophy. Members play when they want and tee times are not necessary.”

The front nine and the back nine of Wannamoisett’s golf course has rolling hills of green for varying degrees of play.

“The course was designed by Donald Ross in 1914 and played host to the 1931 PGA Championship. The club hosts the prestigious Northeast Amateur Invitational every years” the website said. “This par 69 course plays 6,901 yards long from the black tees, 6,430 yards long from the blue tees, and 6132 from the white tees.”

3. Shelter Harbor

Westerly (T71m) — A modern course and was built in or after 1960 (defined by Golfweek as being built in or after 1960), it tied for 71st place on Golfweek’s best lists for top 200 modern courses in the U.S.

“The Shelter Harbor Golf Club, located on approximately 400 acres in Charlestown and Westerly, Rhode Island, was an outgrowth of a desire to protect and preserve the natural environment of this beautiful area,” the club’s website said.

The club’s 18-hole golf course is positioned on 400 acres of open land, according to their Course Tour webpage, with a low point of 102 feet and a high of 187 feet.

“Open vistas, native grasses, and large glacial boulders offer boundaries, definition, texture, and charm to the entire property,” the club said. “Two of the most distinctive features of the course are the rustic bunkers shrouded with native fescues and the velvet bentgrass greens.”

4. Misquamicut

Westerly (T88c) —A classic course in Westerly, it tied for 88th place on Golfweek’s best lists for top 200 classic courses in the U.S.

As another Ross creation, this course also boasts 18 holes and tranquil fields of green bordering Maschaug Pond. Multiple reports say three other designing greats have made their mark on Misquamicut’s prized course: Willie Park, Tom Bendelow, and Seth Raynor.

“It’s a marvelous course with interest, beauty and strategy, yet another fine example of engaging and thrilling golf within a shorter stated yardage,” Chris Mavros of Golfadelphia said. “Most importantly, Misquamicut has depth of character and identity, which won’t be encountered elsewhere, no matter how long the golfer searches.”

5. Sakonnet

Little Compton (c) — This classic Little Compton course is the fifth pick by Golfweek.

“Founded in 1899, Sakonnet Golf Club course was designed by famed golf architect, Donald Ross, who made Little Compton his summer home, and redesigned the course hole by hole over two decades,” the club’s website said.

This course is comprised of 18 holes and plays at 6,337 yards.

“The combination of sea views and stone walls make the course unforgettable,” the website said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: For private golfing, Golfweek gives these 5 RI courses top marks