Golf

Cape Cod’s top-rated golf courses attract many visitors. The Cape today offers some of the most scenic and diverse layouts found anywhere in the United States. There are no less than 46 courses scattered around this scenic peninsula and its neighboring islands.

You’ll encounter a full variety of conditions and hazards on the Cape. From the wide fairways of Falmouth Country Club to the tree-lined routing of Dennis Pines, and from the pot bunkers of Ocean Edge to the postage stamp greens of Bass River Golf Course, golf course architects seem to have thrown a bit of everything at the golfer. Water hazards may include Vineyard Sound, Bass River, or even the Atlantic Ocean. A hook may land you in a conservation area; a slice may send you into a pine forest. Of course the most prevalent hazard on the Cape is the wind. What might play as a seven-iron one day turns into a two-iron with a shift in the wind.

On paper, the back tees at Falmouth’s Ballymeade Country Club appear to be the toughest public layout on the Cape, but most local players consider New Seabury’s Ocean Course the Cape’s best challenge, in part because of the ocean wind on its back nine. Other courses that will satisfy golf masochists include Bayberry Hills, Quashnet Valley Country Club, Cranberry Valley, Dennis Pines, Ocean Edges, and the Captains’ Course. All these tracts have USGA slopes of about 130 from the back tees. (The slope system reflects a course’s difficulty, measuring from 55 for the easiest to 155 for the hardest, with a course of average difficulty scoring 113.) Most beginners and casual players won’t want to venture too far into the 120s. But that’s the beauty of Cape courses—they all offer tees of varying lengths and slope ratings. In many cases there are more than 1,200 yards (not to mention several slope rating points) difference between the front and back tees at these top-ranked tracts. No matter what your ability might be, both you and your playing partners can enjoy the same course.

The best season for Cape golf is the fall, when the crowds have cleared, leaving open tee times and uncrowded courses. Many layouts drop their rates after the summer season, and the temperatures dip to a more comfortable 60- to 70-degree range after the heat of summer. New England golfers also recognize that fall is the prime time for course conditions, as the turf springs back from the summer traffic. And don’t forget the foliage, too—inland courses, such as the Quashnet Valley Country Club, burst into color in mid- to late October.

Although the Cape might not enjoy the same reputation as the West Coast or the South, it nonetheless has made its mark on the golf world. Cape Codders Paul Harney, Carri Wood, Sally Quinlan, Jim Hallet, and John Curley have all played on the professional tours. The Cape is also home to some great local golf schools. The best time to take advantage of these packages is in the shoulder season, especially in the spring, when the courses and resorts are looking for business and you’ll be looking to get your game in shape.

Driving ranges can be found at about half the Cape’s courses and at dedicated facilities such as the Longest Drive in Dennis or T-Time in Eastham. Town-owned courses such as Cranberry Valley in Harwich and Bass River and Bayberry Hills in Yarmouth offer relatively inexpensive memberships to town residents, and many courses feature free or inexpensive golf clinics during the summer. Nearly all of the courses charge reduced greens fees if you sign up for a “twilight” tee time (after 2, 3, or 4 p.m., depending on the course).

And, if you yearn for a view of the first tee from your own backyard, the Cape is home to several golfing communities where luxury homes and condominiums line the fairways and greens (see our Relocation chapter).

One thing we can’t overlook: Though we have done our best to give you the most up-to-date greens fees for 18 holes, 9 holes, and the charge for a cart, fees are subject to change. Confirm the fee when making the reservation.