How 27 Became 18
Originally envisioned as a sprawling 27-hole site, Bayberry Hills settled as a roomy 18 when plans adjusted to fit the land and community needs. The result: generous playing corridors and a championship canvas.
The verdict
Cape Cod’s Modern Public Gem
Bayberry Hills delivers a championship-scale municipal test that feels big, fair, and thoughtfully upgraded. The major renovation has given it strategic teeth and broader playability, making it a Cape favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Course DNA
Difficulty
77
Scenery68
Conditioning74
Shot Variety75
Walkability70
Green Complexity72
Wow Factor70
Design Quality71
Don't miss
Check out the companion Links at Bayberry Hills 9-hole course—a rare landfill transformation worth a side trek during your visit.
At a glance
Quick facts
Architects
Geoffrey Cornish, Brian Silva, Tim Gerrish (renovation)
Course Opened
1988
Latest Major Renovation
2018
Grass Type
Bentgrass fairways and greens
Course Elevation
Sea level – gentle Cape terrain
Most Notorious Hole
#17, 241-yard par 3
9-Hole Links Course
Companion Links at Bayberry Hills available
Town Ownership
Owned and operated by Town of Yarmouth
The design
The architecture
Bayberry Hills stands at the intersection of thoughtful municipal design and modern renovation—a course that shuns out-and-back monotony for winding corridors, varied challenges, and big, playable features. Cornish and Silva’s original vision brought generous fairways and strategic greens; Tim Gerrish’s renovation upped the ante, removing trees, expanding playable space, and replacing sand with short grass and width. The result is a lively Cape Cod test: open enough to enjoy, tough enough to test your game, and cleverly refined for a fresh era of public golf.
Tim Gerrish’s 2018 renovation opened up more angles and ground game options, letting Cornish and Silva’s original strategic intent shine for public golfers.
Defining features
- Expansive bentgrass fairways and true-rolling greens
- Challenging, long par threes with dynamic green surrounds
- Renovated bunkering offering strategic layup and risk/reward angles
- Wide corridors with reduced tree lines for multiple playing options
- Grassy collection areas replacing penal sand traps
- Mix of subtle doglegs and air/ground approach options
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 7
Cape Cod Marquee Par 5
PAR
5
YARDAGE
588
The longest hole on the course, this sweeping par 5 tempts you with width and distance—but the true challenge is stringing together three precise shots. Play for position on your layup, as a bold approach can reward or punish in equal measure.
Play it smart
A good drive buys extra yards on rollout; pick your second-shot line carefully to set up a manageable third with the best angle to the green.
Where it bites
Greed off the tee or a heroic second risks running into trouble; bunkers and subtle fairway twists punish overambition.
Course management
Shots to think about
Tee shot on hole 1
Favor placement over length and play to a comfortable approach distance to set your round up with confidence.
Second shot on hole 2
Be deliberate—don’t force a risky carry over bunkers; laying up to your favorite wedge yardage can save bogey or worse.
Approach on hole 11
Have a specific yardage to the center and pick a committed line—false fronts and runoffs lurk.
Tee shot on hole 17
Accept the challenge, but play the club for a full, controlled carry—par is a great result.
Pitching around renovated greens
Use the mowing lines and collection areas to your advantage; putter or bump-and-run is often safer than loft.
Wind reading on long par 3s
Check the flag, trees, and even high clouds—Cape wind can turn a stock shot into a nervy carry.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Consistent municipal-quality turf, improved greens, and playable rough, especially after the 2018 renovation.
Pace
Pace of play is actively managed—expect roughly 4 to 4.5 hours for 18 holes but check for daily rates.
Vibe
Sociable, welcoming, and pure Cape Cod public golf—no private pretensions.
Dress code
Standard golf attire expected; relaxed municipal standards—check ahead for formal events.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Scout the wind
Cape Cod breezes shift quickly—bring extra golf balls and brush up on wind play before your round.
02
Book early
Advance tee times can go quickly mid-season. Secure your spot, especially for prime tee times and weekends.
03
Bring layers
Cool mornings and breezy afternoons are classic Cape weather; be ready to adjust your game and comfort.
04
Warm up
Utilize the range and practice greens—first tee requires focus, with a challenging par four out of the gate.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1986
Construction begins on new municipal 18-hole course
- 1988
Championship course opens, designed by Cornish and Silva
- 1999
Links at Bayberry Hills 9-hole course opens on former landfill
- 2016
Start of $2M full renovation led by Tim Gerrish
- 2018
Major renovation completed: bunkers, greens surrounds, tree removal, sustainability
- 2024
Links at Bayberry Hills undergoes further renovation and upgrades
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Modern Muni Reinvented
The 2018 renovation wasn’t just cosmetic—it stripped out thousands of trees, widened fairways, and reimagined strategy with new bunkering and grassy collection areas. The goal: a friendlier, more dynamic muni for all.
Golf Over a Landfill
With environmental vision, the Town of Yarmouth’s 9-hole Links at Bayberry Hills transformed a capped landfill into playable, creative golf terrain—now a model of land reuse for the community.
The 241-Yard Brute
Bayberry’s par-3 17th has humbled more than a few would-be heroes, demanding a pure strike to carry its full length regardless of wind or pressure—a rite of passage on your Cape round.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The championship course was once imagined as a 27-hole layout before settling at 18.
2
Over 3,000 trees were removed in the 2018 renovation to enhance strategy and turf health.
3
The Links 9-hole course sits atop a reclaimed landfill, a rare land reuse success in Massachusetts golf.
4
Bayberry Hills is municipally owned and has long been a Cape favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Build the trip
The perfect Cape golf home base
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
The Captains Golf Course
Public
Two 18s, among the Cape's best public layouts—diverse challenge
Cranberry Valley Golf Course
Public
Great conditioning, fun for all skill levels
Dennis Highlands Golf Course
Public
Local favorite with walkable routing
Hyannisport Club
Private
Classic Cape design (if you have connections!)
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Resort
Stay-and-play luxury option nearby
Hyannis or West Yarmouth for quick access to Bayberry Hills and other region favorites
Course DNA
If You Like Bayberry Hills Golf Course
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Conewango Valley Country Club
Warren, PennsylvaniaWhy it matches: If Bayberry Hills Golf Course is your kind of course, Conewango Valley Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Capital City Country Club
Tallahassee, FloridaWhy it matches: Capital City Country Club is a natural next stop after Bayberry Hills Golf Course: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.1
Windham Country Club
Windham, New HampshireWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Windham Country Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?