Cape Cod

[Gary Daughters]

What are the best courses on Cape Cod?

I may fly up for a few days next month, and as long as I'm there...

As far as public/private, if it's private please let me know how/if I might find my way on.

Thanks,
Gary

[ed_getka]

Highland Links in Truro is the one I believe usually pops up for these discussions. Look back a few pages, because in the last few weeks I know I read some recommendations for that area from Mark Arata.

[Mark Arata]

My personal favorite is Cranberry Valley in Harwich, followed by the Captains in Brewster, and Hyannis Golf Club off of exit 6 on the mid cape highway.... These are all public, Cranberry Valley is a terrific course, and the Captains has 36 there, I really loved the original 18, the new 18 is intermixed with the old to create the 2 courses. I liked the new holes, but I really liked the old course the way it was, just my opinion, I played it for 15 years the old way.........

If you have connections and can get on, cant go wrong with Hyannisport or Eastward Ho! both private...There is also a decent public course in West Yarmouth called Bayberry Hills or something like that. It was a bear when it first opened, havent played it since 1999, but it was pretty nice, hard though.

The is a 9 hole course in Chatham, Chatham seaside links, that I think is public....looks pretty wild, but I havent played it.

Hope this helps.....I would tell you to go to a Cape League game, but they dont start until the middle of June.

[Dave_Miller]

What are the best courses on Cape Cod?

I may fly up for a few days next month, and as long as I'm there...

As far as public/private, if it's private please let me know how/if I might find my way on.

Thanks,
Gary

Gary:
Hyannisport, Eastward Ho, Wianno, Oyster Harbors, Willowbend, Cape Cod National.  All are private and very hard to get access to.  Must be with a member.
Cranberry Valley is the best of the Publics.
Fairways and Greens,
Dave

[Tim Pitner]

Eckstein,

I think it's rather rude to presume that a poster is "trolling for access."  I don't see what's wrong with attempting to gain some first-hand information about regional golf courses, rather than simply relying on course reviews and other literature that might not use the same sort of criteria that many GCAers use.

[Gary Daughters]

Eckstein,

Sorry my post offends you.  

Generally speaking there are teachers on this site and there are learners.  I am a learner.  I am NOT a troller.

I am personally offended that you would insinuate such in a public forum.

[Gary Daughters]

And...

Since you have chosen to cast an unfounded and malicious aspersion at me, why don't you do as the rest of us do and tell us your name?

[Gary Daughters]

You want to know what's disgusting?

Disgusting is making slanderous claims behind a veil of anonymity.  And that's you.

[Jon Wiggett]

Hey Eckstein,

if you are so a know it all why don't you tell it all!!!!! Or are you just one of those who need to to compensate???

[Voytek Wilczak]

As far as public/private, if it's private please let me know how/if I might find my way on.

Thanks,
Gary

Gary:

Here's a suggestion on how to get on a private golf course:

Find out the name of the Head Pro, or (even better), the Club Chairman (do the search on your own).

Write them a nice letter telling them about yourself, and explaining your love for the game and golf course architecture.

If your letter is persuasive enough, and reflects your love and respect of the game, and makes a good case that you will be a good company when you are on the club grounds, someone will get back to you.

This has worked for me on several occasions.

But I would never publicly ask on GCA.com: "if it's private please let me know how/if I might find my way on".

Why?

Because the answer is obvious: unless you are seeking an invite or a club contact, you either got to do your own research and write a letter or pay to play in a charity event to get on. That's about it.

[Gary Daughters]

V--

Thanks very much for your suggestion, as well as for your gentle admonition.  Perhaps you should know that I made a very general enquiry along these lines to a contributor recently, but I did so off board, which is perhaps how I should have handled that aspect of my original post.

If any well meaning posters were offended, then I apologize.

Eckstein --

When will you tell us your name?

[Sean Leary]

Gary,

You also may want to check out the courses in Plymouth, just north of Cape Cod, depending on where you are flying into.  Plymouth CC, Waverly Oaks, and the two Pinehills courses are all public..

[Bill_McBride]

The 9 holer in Chatham is on the grounds of the old Chatham Bars hotel, and is really fun to take your kids out to play.  It is very short, "wild" as described, and was the scene of a great father-son match many years ago when my son was 12.  I have no idea if it's accessible or even open, but in the middle '80s it was fun.

Gary, here's a suggestion on how to get to play some great golf courses, with no guarantee attached:

Attend as many of the unofficial or official GCA outings as you are able -- the annual Kings Putter in California, the annual Dixie Cup in the Southeast, or one of Ran's official outings such Black Mesa, Banff/Jasper or Casa de Campo. Occasionally an ad hoc event could occur in your neighborhood like the recent gathering of GCA regulars in Portland.   You will meet some great guys (and the occasional gal) who share your passion and enthusiasm for classic golf designs, both antique and modern, and who knows?  Somebody might invite you to play somewhere nice!  Especially if you don't wear your cap backwards, or, heaven forbid, in the clubhouse!  

I have to agree your question in the initial post of this thread was a bit indiscreet, it might make you the target of some flaming!  

[Gary Daughters]

Bill --

Thanks.  And I renew my earlier apology.  Message received.  

Ed, Mark, Dave, Sean, Voytek --  Thanks all for the fine suggestions.  

[Jay Cox]

As to Gary's original question, I haven't played most of the Cape Cod privates.  I actually enjoyed The Captains and New Seabury Blue more than Cranberry Valley.  All three are very good public courses; none of them are anything unique to the world of golf.  Highland Links is a fantastic atmosphere and has the mindset of a great course, but the holes just aren't that good in my opinion.  

I'd second Sean Leary's recommondations regarding Plymouth, however. I think the public golf there is better than most of the public golf on the Cape, and it's quite close to the Cape unless you have to fight through Sunday afternoon traffic going there, or Friday afternoon traffic going back; I liked Plymouth CC (semi-private) better than anything I've played on the Cape itself (again, with the caveat that I haven't played any of the exciting private courses).

Among the "big three" new Plymouth public courses - Pinehills Jones (Rees), Pinehills Nicklaus, and Waverly Oaks - I think the Nicklaus course is the best, largely because it's the only with consistent strategic interest and because it has the best greens of the three.  Waverly's my second choice: some very interesting and exciting holes, but some clunkers too.  I didn't like the Jones course much:  it's got a nice look to it, but seemed pretty vapid to me (it reminded of Tom Doak's confidential guide description of White Columns in Georgia as a "gut course").

Finally, I see no problem with Gary's original question.  It just isn't true that "private clubs are private clubs."  Lots of courses will respond favorably to any well-thought-out letter asking for a chance to play; some other courses will throw such letters directly into the trash, unless there's some personal connection to get them looked at.  It makes perfect sense for someone to want to figure out what courses fit into which category, so they don't waste their time.

[Dave_Miller]

As to Gary's original question, I haven't played most of the Cape Cod privates.  I actually enjoyed The Captains and New Seabury Blue more than Cranberry Valley.  All three are very good public courses; none of them are anything unique to the world of golf.  Highland Links is a fantastic atmosphere and has the mindset of a great course, but the holes just aren't that good in my opinion.  

   

Jay:
I odn't think you can get on New Seabury very easily now without a member.  The Club has been moving more and more in the direction of being private.
If you rent a place there you may still be able to play.
Best
Dave

[Mike_Sweeney]

In reference to Cape Cod National which I have not played, guest of Wequassett Inn are allowed to play.

http://www.wequassett.com/

[Walt Cutshall]

So if I read this correctly, you can't ask for course recommendations on this site? Wow. So with all of the so-called experts on course design, you can't ask for opinions about which courses might be fun to play in a given area?

This is one weird web site.

FWIW, Cranberry Valley and the original Captains Course have been two of my favorites on CC, but I haven't played there in 15 years, so my suggestions are probably way out of date.

[Joe Hancock]

Now Walt.....

Don't make blanket statements like that. One anonymous, inflammatory poster doesn't constitute a majority.

There are so-called experts here, and there are experts. Some teach, some learn. I see you have only eleven posts, but I can't assume you're a so-called expert. Perhaps you will become one of the teachers as your posts accumulate?

You are correct in one thing...this is one weird website. One of which I have met many great people, learned a lot and actually have improved my abilities as a superintendent, golf course owner and golf course architect's associate. Weird indeed!

Joe

[Bob_Huntley]

In reference to Cape Cod National which I have not played, guest of Wequassett Inn are allowed to play.

http://www.wequassett.com/

My last visit to the Weqasstett was just that, my last. The public rooms, bar and restaurants were very good. My room was a monumental disaster, peeling wooden floor slats in the bathroom, dirty carpets and the place could have done with a severe scrub.  After a complaint there was no apology and no rebate. Frankly they could give a shit.

We moved over to the Chatham Bars Inn and rented a suite in the cottages. Superb in every respect, highly recommended. The course on the grounds is a hoot, even my wife who takes to the links infrequently loved it.  

Bob

[cary lichtenstein]

Here's my take:

I have asked for the "must plays and/or best courses about 3 to 5 months before planning a trip. Anyone who doesn't like your posts regarding this, should just ignore them.

I have 5 trips planned for this summer, one already taken.

The information I have learned on GCA is priceless. It usually goes well beyond just golf courses.

 I usually start with the publications.

I look in GD, GM and GW for the best courses in each state I want to hit. That is my starting point. If it is a top 100, I will generally try to play it, be it public or private.

I have made some excellent friends along the way who have made my golf games wonderful. I appreciate all of you who have taken the time and energy to put up with me and Bette. Bette is much cuter than me.

I will generally host any of the GCA posters at my home clubs, and am only too happy to do so. I know that access can be difficult, so I go out of my way.

[Gary Daughters]

All of you well meaning and knowledgeable contributors have managed to pull this thread back up from the sewer, and for that I thank you.  I am honored to be among you.

But.. Ekstein..

Was it you who removed your post expressing "disgust" with Tim Pitner and myself?  

I suspect that to be the case, because it would be fully consistent with what you are, and now we all know exactly what that is.

It must be a drag to have exposed yourself.

[Tim Pitner]

All of you well meaning and knowledgeable contributors have managed to pull this thread back up from the sewer, and for that I thank you.  I am honored to be among you.

But.. Ekstein..

Was it you who removed your post expressing "disgust" with Tim Pitner and myself?  

Wait a minute, I was called disgusting? (I never saw the offending post).  Well, that changes everything.  Count me in on the anti-Eckstein rhetoric.  

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Dave Miller knows of what he says. I also enjoyed Highland Links in a GCA sort of way. Bob H. The Chatham Inn is very nice for the traveling golfer who likes the finer things in life. The bar there provided a wonderful transition from golf at Eastward Ho to dinner. I was almost a born again yankee until I came to grips with just how cold it was there in June.

[Mike Hendren]

I was almost a born again yankee until I came to grips with just how cold it was there in June.

Huh?

Reminds me of the old joke:

What do you get when you cross a yankee with an LSU Tiger?  Nothing - there's some things a yankee just won't touch.

Mike