Planning Your Cape
Crusade
So how do you get the best Cape golf for your buck? First, plan ahead. Whether you are on a tight budget or you're looking to pamper your golf ego, in-season tee times are a tough commodity. As such, many courses only take tee times a few days in advance, but if you are willing to prepay, several courses will take tee times many months ahead.
One number to remember for Cape golf is 1-800 TEE TIME. From this one number you can book tee times at many courses, find nearby accommodations and find lots of other information about Cape golf and instruction.
To help you plan your Cape vacation, we've constructed a sample itinerary for every budget.
The Deluxe Package: You can spend as much on greens fees as you would on a weeklong rental with this package. There are three golf resorts on Cape Cod: New Seabury, Ocean Edge and Cape Cod National Golf Club at the Wequassett Inn. All three offer great golf. New Seabury could be a two-nighter for you. As Mashpee is one of the first stops on the Cape, it only makes sense to play here first. Open your vacation with the Green Course, a good layout that will help you shake off the rust. The next day, attack the Blue Course, one of the toughest on the Cape. That night, move to the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster. The following morning, play on one of the best-maintained courses on the Cape and have fun trying to avoid the 64 treacherous pot bunkers throughout the course. Next move into your accommodations at the Wequassett Inn.
The
oldest course on the Cape, Highland Links in Truro is a short, rustic course
with a breathtaking view and a links-style feel. Photo:
Joe Peters
Now, even Cape regulars will be a little baffled to hear Wequassett has a course. Well, it does: The exclusive Cape Cod National Golf Club offers what is expected to become a landmark layout. Let's put it this way: The cart paths here put Boston's central artery project to shame; you can just imagine the quality of the rest of the course. Here's the Insider scoop: Wequassett has access to a limited number of tee times at Cape Cod National for its guests. This may be the most expensive greens fee you'll face on the Cape, but this club is first-class all the way. While in the Brewster-Harwich area, be sure to tag on a trip to The Captain's in Brewster. For a casual warm-down, make the drive to Wellfleet and Truro to play Chequessett and Highland Links. These are expensive nine-hole courses, but they offer the view and charm that make Cape golf unique.
The Priced-Right Package: Most Cape golf vacations are built around one of six public courses: Ballymeade, Bayberry Hills, Quashnet Valley, Cranberry Valley, Dennis Pines and Captain's. These are some of most challenging courses on the Cape, and they don't require the expense of a resort stay to guarantee a tee time. Still, they aren't cheap; expect to spend $45 to $110 on greens fees alone. However, you can't go wrong at any of these courses. Beginners will want to avoid Ballymeade; and Quashnet Valley is a water hazard haven. A good supporting cast for this package includes Hyannis Golf Club, Dennis Highlands, Falmouth Country Club, and Cape Cod Country Club. To balance the load on your wallet, try a few late afternoon rounds, as many of these courses offer a discount after 3 or 4 PM. If you play in the shoulder season of spring or fall, you can squeeze in an affordable round at New Seabury's Blue Course, too. For an inexpensive warm-up or warm-down, pencil in Cotuit High Ground Golf Course, right around the corner from New Seabury.
On the Cheap: Some of the best deals going are the weekday twilight rates at Dennis Pines ($25 after 3 PM for nine holes), Blue Rock ($24 after 4 PM) and the Sandwich Hollows (play after 5 PM for $12). With a little luck, you can make 18 holes. If you seek a kinder course that is gentler on your wallet, the smaller venues offer some great deals. At $15 for nine and $24 for 18, Chatham Seaside Links is one of the most affordable deals around. Make Chatham your weekend warm-up and then hit the afternoon deals during the weekdays. Cotuit High Ground is also priced right, making it a great stop for those who just want to take a few swings in a relaxed Cape atmosphere. If you hope to play a lot of golf, consider staying in the mid-Cape area. Past Brewster, courses are hard to come by, and the traffic may be too much if you try to make it out to Brewster from Falmouth. Tee times are difficult to come by; you wouldn't want to miss one.
The beauty of a Cape golf vacation is its diversity. Off-season rates make most courses affordable for any budget, and in season, you can always find something that will fit your wallet and your golf ego. Enjoy yourself and never forget the fundamental rule of a golf vacation: A lousy day of golf is always better than a great day at work!