Sconset Golf Course, Nantucket, MA

Playing this course is like stepping backward in time. A bit of background on this course. Siasconset Golf Course has a wonderful, historic feel as it’s the oldest golf course on Nantucket Island (out of 3 available courses.) It was established in 1889 on what used to be a dairy farm called Bloomingdale Farm. The original course was 18 holes, and now it’s a 9-hole regulation course.

The course is on an area of the island called “Miacomet,” which means “meeting place” in the language of the Wampanoag Tribe. Siasconset won a National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) regional award in 2020.

You won’t find manicured Kentucky Blue Grass on this rustic, historic course on Nantucket Island, MA. You can expect lots of long beach grass. Make sure you’re reading lies correctly. Just because the grass is long doesn’t mean it’s thick, so use a lofted club or a wedge for greenside shots.

The lies can be difficult to read, since the sun is bright coming off the ocean and the grass is more of a yellow color than bright green. Take your time planning your shots, and use a rangefinder if you want to improve your accuracy. The course is generally flat and none of the holes are too long. Wind and turf are the biggest challenges.

Some of the other challenges of playing this course are an abundance of sand traps and strong winds that come off the ocean. I recommend using a less lofted club on windy days to prevent hook and draw shots.

Now, a unique experience like this DOES come at a price. In peak season, you can expect to pay $45 for a 9-hole round (roughly double what you would pay at most other public courses in the United States.) Cart and club rentals are both available.

I recommend walking the course with a cart trolley (available to rent for $7) to take in the natural beauty of Siasconset Golf Course. For the full experience, you can even meet with a personal shopper in the pro shop, take a lesson or stop for lunch or dinner in the clubhouse (which has been updated, but still has its original charm.)

You have your choice of a putting green or driving range to warm up on. I also recommend taking your time with club selection and reading lies to avoid frustration, since there is a thick tree line that surrounds the golf course. Keep your eye out for the frequent out-of-bound markers as well. Enjoy this unique step back in time.

What a treat to play this course! It harkens back to the beginning of golf- follow what the landscape gives you for fairways and pluck a green down here and there. It's flat with thick rough ( be mindful of the deer ticks) and no long holes. The wind was ferocious the day I played which added to the excitement and challenge. You can't compare this course to our modern courses. If you love golf and want to experience the origins of the game here in the US you must play here.
The staff is terrific and the clubhouse has been renovated but retains the look and feel of the it's origins.