Best Public Golf Courses on the Cape and Islands

We always get asked where the best public golf courses are on the Cape and Islands, so we decided to put together a list of some of our favorites! Did we miss any? Leave a comment below! 

1) The Brookside Club (Bourne) - located within an hour of both Boston and Providence, this public course is a destination with a luxurious private feeling. Their picturesque course was originally designed in 1986 and later refined in 1996. It includes varying tee lengths to accommodate players of all ages and skills. Grab a bite to eat at The Bog Tavern after playing a round of golf! From the championship golf to a critically acclaimed chef, to a gorgeous sunset, experience "an oasis" on the Upper Cape at The Brookside Club! Reserve a public tee time online. 

Photo by @par4ike

2) The Captains Golf Course (Brewster) - two championship golf courses at one location! Together, the par-72 Port Course and the par-72 Starboard Course deliver 36 holes of enjoyment. Located right off the Mid-Cape Highway, their course is within easy driving distance of both Providence and Boston. After a round of golf, enjoy Freemans Grill; a casual restaurant and fully stocked bar with views of the 1st tees on both the Port and Starboard courses. Book a public tee time online! 

Photo by @captainsgolfcoursebrewster

3) Dennis Highlands (Dennis) - situated on 175 acres of pine and oak-covered rolling ground, in the village of Dennis. Opened for play in 1984, Dennis Highlands may be the "Crown Jewel" of all Cape and Islands golf courses. The course is marked by an impressive entranceway among wildflowers and trees, with eighteen of the most spectacular golf holes. The par 71 course is welcoming to all levels of golfers. The Eagles Nest offers delicious food with views of the driving range! Call or visit their website to book a public tee time. 

Photo by @knockdowngolf

4) Cranberry Valley Golf Course (Harwich) - Cranberry Valley Golf Course is a Cape Cod favorite and an award-winning 18-hole, par 71 championship course in Harwich. Designed by noted architects Geoffrey Cornish and William Robinson, the course offers a classic Cape Cod setting with a challenging yet enjoyable layout. Cranberry Valley has earned recognition from Golf Digest and Zagat Golf Guide and is known for its excellent course conditions. In addition to the championship course, golfers can take advantage of a recently redesigned driving range, bunker, and practice area, as well as PGA instruction and junior golf programs. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or looking to enjoy a round during your Cape Cod vacation, Cranberry Valley is a must-play public course. Book your tee time through their website. 

Photo by @capecodgolfguys

5) Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds (Marstons Mills) - Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds was formerly home to the Barnstable County fair, which is what gives it its name. The course first opened in 1992 and quickly became one of the most popular in the area. This walkable layout features 4 sets of tees, ample landing areas, and large receptive, well-bunked greens. It continues to be on the "must play" list of avid golfers year after year. End your round at Tavern the Green, which serves tasty burgers and sandwiches, a full bar with local beers and handcrafted cocktails while overlooking the golf course, as well as, beautiful sunsets over the Marstons Mills Airfield. Book a public tee time through their website. 

Photo by @_beers_n_birdies_

6) Bayberry Hills Golf Course (West Yarmouth) - a 27-hole public golf course in West Yarmouth, offering a scenic and enjoyable round for golfers of all skill levels. The course winds through Cape Cod’s natural landscape, with tree-lined fairways, open greens, and a variety of challenging holes. With its beautiful surroundings and welcoming atmosphere, the facility offers the ultimate golfing experience and practice facility. Book your tee time through their website or on their app!

Photo by @golf_yarmouth

7) Highland Links (North Truro) - one of Cape Cod's oldest golf courses, and perhaps its most scenic, Highland Links is one of the Cape's golf treasures, perched high along windswept bluffs overlooking the Atlantic next to Highland Lighthouse. It is as close to the Scottish tradition found anywhere in the eastern United States, with deep natural rough, Scotch broom, heath, and spectacular ocean views. The Lighthouse Cafe offers breakfast and lunch sandwiches, thin-crust pizza, and grilled hot dogs. Book a public tee time online to golf their unique course with breathtaking views throughout!  

Photo by @btgolfphotos

8) Cape Cod Country Club (East Falmouth) - on the borders of Coonamessett Pond, Cape Cod Country Club offers an 18-hole championship course with an interesting layout including a variety of undulating fairways and subtly-sloped greens. The course wanders through a series of charming vistas of water and woods. The layout is wonderfully enjoyed by golfers of all skill levels. After your round, relax at the Coonamessett Cafe. The cafe offers a variety of specialty sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and a very good chicken salad that keeps 'em coming back! Book your tee time on their website.

Photo by @capecodcountryclub

9) Farm Neck (Oak Bluffs) - experience a true test of golf nestles in the idyllic setting of Martha's Vineyard. The course was built into a beautiful peninsula of farmland abutting Vineyard Sound. As you play, you will find yourself traversing a striking variation of topography and vegetation - from woodlands, to open meadows, to salt marshes, and overlooks brushing the ocean's edge. Stop by the Farm Neck Cafe after your round of golf for a hidden gem not far from the bustle of the Island's downtowns. To book a public tee time, visit their website or call their Golf Shop.  

Photo by @farmneckgolfclub1979

10) Chequessett Club (Wellfleet) - Chequessett's nine-hole course is one of the hidden gems of Cape Cod, tucked on a bluff overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Multiple sets of tees provide 18 different looks at deceptively demanding greens. When the wind shifts with the changing tide, the course has even more looks, requiring challenging shot-making decisions. Water hazards, small undulating greens, and strategically placed bunkers add to the fun and challenge of this unique semi-links course. Wednesday through Sunday, stop by the 349 cafe from 12-4 for delicious food and a beautiful view of the golf course and water! All public tee times must be made online. 

Photo by @chequessettclub

11) Bass River Golf Course (South Yarmouth) - a scenic 18-hole layout featuring wide fairways, small greens, and views of Bass River. Founded in 1900, the course was redesigned and expanded by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross in 1914. It is a fun and enjoyable course for golfers at all skill levels! Book your tee time on their website or on their app.

Photo by @golf_yarmouth

12) Miacomet Golf Course (Nantucket) - whether you are a golf veteran or a newcomer to the game, you are sure to find that playing at Miacomet Golf Course is an experience worth repeating. Miacomet gets its name from the land it is now on once inhabited by the Wampanoag tribes, who called it "Miacomet" or "The Meeting Place". The course is complete with four tee options, challenging holes, and scenic island views. The course is challenging yet very playable, allowing for equal opportunity by all. It is Nantucket Island's only 18-hole public golf facility. Reservations are required for dining at the Miacomet Restaurant. Reserve a public tee time through their website. 

Photo by @miacometgolfcourse