Stone Walls and Sandy Roots
When Cummaquid was first built, early fairways were literally walled off by chunky stone boundary lines that still peek through parts of the property today, adding a distinct sense of Cape Cod history beneath your feet.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Cummaquid Golf Club
Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts
Established
1895
Architect
Herbert C. Leeds, Joe Lloyd (original 9); Henry C. Mitchell (1970 expansion); Tim Gerrish (2026 master plan, ongoing)
Access
Private
Par
Par 71
Length
4,800 – 6,355 yds
The verdict
Cape Cod Classic, Pure Ross DNA
Cummaquid Golf Club is Cape Cod’s oldest and most storied private course, blending timeless routing with classic shotmaking demands. The nuanced greens and diverse par-3s emphasize placement and creativity over brute length. If you crave understated tradition and old-school club charm, this is the Cape’s hidden gem.
Course DNA
Difficulty
71
Scenery78
Conditioning81
Shot Variety75
Walkability82
Green Complexity86
Wow Factor74
Design Quality77
Don't miss
Keep an eye out for the historic stone walls—original boundaries from Cummaquid’s 19th-century beginnings still mark several holes and tell the story of Cape Cod’s first golf course.
At a glance
Quick facts
First Cape Cod golf club
Founded in 1895
Ross-style architecture
Donald Ross and Leeds/Lloyd influence
Current layout debut
18 holes since 1970 expansion
Recent master plan
Tim Gerrish hired in 2026
Notable events hosted
MA Women's Stroke Play, Super Senior Amateur
Clubhouse rebuilt
Modern facility opened in 2015
Stone-wall boundaries
Historic course remains visible
The design
The architecture
Cummaquid blends historic Cape Cod character with the exacting demands of golden-age American course design. The routing stays true to its origins, weaving through subtle undulations and marked by the natural stone walls typical of the region. The greens, while fair, are richly contoured in classic Ross fashion—demanding deft touch and careful placement, especially when wind comes into play. The short par-4s tempt aggression, but always threaten with cunning angles and penal miss-zones, while the par-3s steal the spotlight with their variety and strategic intrigue.
While Donald Ross’s direct involvement is part of the club’s identity, the tangible design dates to Leeds, Lloyd, and Henry Mitchell—preserving the Golden Age Cape Cod flavor.
Defining features
- Natural, softly rolling Cape terrain
- Strategic short par-4s with risk/reward options
- Contoured Ross-style greens prioritizing angles
- Historic stone wall boundary features
- Mix of reachable and three-shot par 5s
- Master plan underway for future restoration/refinement
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 5
Wind-Tested Plateau
PAR
3
YARDAGE
170
A mid-iron par 3 playing slightly uphill and fully exposed to the Cape winds. The green is subtly canted, and approaches left short will tumble away into understated trouble.
Play it smart
Favor the middle and account for swirling wind; distance control is crucial here.
Where it bites
Short or right finds run-off; over-clubbing risks a tough chip from behind.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening tee shot on 1
Favor placement over length—short right sets up the best approach angle and avoids early trouble.
Approach to 3rd green
Play for the fat side; anything short or right will test your short game with Ross's classic run-offs.
Tee shot on par-3 13th
Play a full club and trust your line—the green looks welcoming but slopes away quickly.
Second shot on short par-4 12th
Resist trying to overpower it; a layup yields a better scoring opportunity.
Approach to 18th green
Club up for the subtle rise and play for the heart of the green to avoid a stonewall-flanked miss.
Club selection in Cape wind
Factor in wind direction and play one club more than you think when in doubt.
Short game around Ross greens
Err short with your chips rather than risking the back slopes; leaving an uphill putt is key.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Expect well-groomed fairways and true, undulating greens in the private-club tradition.
Pace
Traditionally steady, unhurried members’ pace—plan for a relaxed rhythm, not a rushed round.
Vibe
Classic New England private-club ambiance—understated history, knowledgeable regulars, and a culture of courtesy.
Dress code
Standard private-club dress—collared shirts, no denim, soft spikes.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Greenside Touch
Spend extra time on the practice green to get a feel for Ross’s subtle contours and speed—these greens sneak up on everyone.
02
Read the Wind
Check the forecast and bring your full range of mid- to long-irons; the Cape wind can shift direction and intensity even within a round.
03
Short Game Readiness
Bring versatile wedges and be ready for tight lies around the greens, especially on approach shots that miss into collection areas.
04
Pace Yourself
Plan for a walking round—enjoy the steady flow and soak in the Cape landscape.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1895
Club founded; Cape Cod’s first golf club
- 1897
Original nine holes finalized by Leeds & Lloyd
- 1945
Original clubhouse constructed
- 1970
18-hole expansion designed by Henry C. Mitchell
- 2015
New 14,200 sq ft clubhouse opened
- 2016
Hosted Mass Super Senior Amateur
- 2024
Hosted Massachusetts Women’s Stroke Play
- 2026
Tim Gerrish master planning announced
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Ross Contours, Cape Wind
The course is neither a bombers’ paradise nor a target-golf outpost—Ross-style subtle green contours and unforced routing mean each approach brings its own puzzle, especially when the famous Cape wind picks up late in the round.
Clubhouse, Reborn
The club’s 14,200-square-foot clubhouse, completed in 2015, stands as a modern hub perched above the classic landscape—a compelling blend of new and old visible from the 18th green.
Birthplace of Cape Golf
Cummaquid proudly traces its name and identity to the earliest Wampanoag heritage of the region, symbolizing 'land on the other side'—a perfect moniker for the Cape’s true first golf address.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Cummaquid’s name is derived from an early Wampanoag word meaning 'land on the other side.'
2
The club’s original stone walls remain on property—nearly 130 years after opening.
3
Famed Donald Ross is closely associated, but the course’s earliest design traces to Herbert C. Leeds and 1897 U.S. Open winner Joe Lloyd.
4
The current 18-hole routing was finalized only in 1970, making it both ancient and modern in flavor.
5
The club built a new, award-winning 14,200-square-foot clubhouse in 2015.
Build the trip
Build a Cape Cod golf week around it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Hyannisport Club
Private
Historic Cape Cod rival—private, wind-battered, and revered by club players.
The Club at New Seabury, Ocean Course
Resort/Semi-Private
True Cape resort-golf flavors and broad Atlantic vistas.
Bayberry Hills Golf Course
Public
Fun, walkable public course with flexible tee times in West Yarmouth.
Cape Cod National Golf Club
Semi-Private
Modern, championship-caliber test—often available to outside play.
Plymouth Country Club
Public
Not far off-Cape; traditional New England parkland for lineup diversity.
Hyannis or Yarmouth Port for easy access, great local dining, and Cape golf culture.
Course DNA
If You Like Cummaquid Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.1
Portland Country Club
Falmouth, MaineWhy it matches: Portland Country Club is a natural next stop after Cummaquid Golf Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.7
Brunswick Country Club
Brunswick, GeorgiaGreen Complexity
Why it matches: Brunswick Country Club is a natural next stop after Cummaquid Golf Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.7
World Woods Rolling Oaks
Brooksville, FloridaWhy it matches: If Cummaquid Golf Club is your kind of course, World Woods Rolling Oaks is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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