Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Robert Trent Jones Jr. design (1979) on Martha's Vineyard in Oak Bluffs — the marquee round in the broader Cape region and a regular stop for visiting dignitaries (Obama plays here when he summers on the island). Semi-private with visitor access, sweeping ocean views, and the kind of round that becomes its own day. Note: requires a ferry from Falmouth/Woods Hole or Hyannis (about 45 minutes) — plan it as a dedicated day, not a slot between other rounds.

Public-access course on Nantucket Island in Madaket — Howard Maurer original with a Brian Silva renovation. The only true public golf on Nantucket; modern conditioning, ocean breezes, and the kind of round that pairs naturally with a day in Nantucket town. Note: requires a ferry from Hyannis (about 1 hour on the fast ferry) — plan it as a dedicated day, like Farm Neck.

Brian Silva-renovated layout at Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster — primarily a members' club, but accessible to overnight resort guests (you need to be staying at Ocean Edge to play). Strong conditioning, classic Cape parkland.

Geoffrey Cornish municipal in Harwich — one of the best-conditioned munis in the country and an absolute value play.

Cornish & Mungeam municipal in West Yarmouth — well-conditioned, fair test, and a great rotation-filler when the marquee courses are booked.

Brian Silva's 36-hole municipal in Brewster — the Port nine plays slightly more open. Some of the best-conditioned, fairly-priced public golf in New England.

The sister nine at Brewster's Captains — tighter, more tree-lined than the Port. Combined with Port, one of the best 36-hole municipal experiences in the Northeast.

Donald Ross original from 1900 — one of the oldest courses on Cape Cod and a true historic walking round. South Yarmouth muni pricing for what is genuinely a piece of American golf architecture history.

Nine-hole links-style course inside Cape Cod National Seashore in Truro — the oldest course on the Cape (1892). Genuinely links-influenced with Atlantic Ocean views; nothing else like it in New England. Only 9 holes, but you'll want to play it twice — it's that fun and picturesque. Worth the drive to the Outer Cape just for this round.

Henry Mitchell design in East Dennis — one of the most popular Mid-Cape town courses. Tight tree-lined corridors through Cape pines, well-conditioned, and a fair test that rewards positioning over power.

Honest take: pure budget play in East Sandwich. Well-priced and walkable, but you get what you pay for — conditions can be middling and the layout is nothing fancy. A useful cheap 18 if you need to round out the trip, not a destination round.

Public course in Hatchville on the Upper Cape (Falmouth area) — quieter, walkable, and a useful Upper-Cape option in the rotation. Solid budget pricing, decent conditioning, and the kind of relaxed round that fits a longer trip.