Dye’s Final Act
As the final course completed by Pete Dye before his retirement and passing, The Links at Perry Cabin stands as a living monument to his design philosophy and capstone vision—fun, beautiful, and dynamic.
The verdict
Pete Dye’s Final Masterpiece
Dye’s last completed course, The Links at Perry Cabin is a strategic modern resort test built on fun, beauty, and momentum. Its Biarritz seventh and island-green seventeenth anchor a closing stretch that guarantees stories. A must-play for architecture nerds and Eastern Shore explorers alike.
Course DNA
Difficulty
80
Scenery77
Conditioning86
Shot Variety85
Walkability71
Green Complexity88
Wow Factor78
Design Quality90
At a glance
Quick facts
Architect
Pete Dye (final project)
Signature Feature
Island-green par-3 17th
Notable Green
Biarritz-style 7th
Course Slope (Back Tees)
148
Best Access
Stay at Inn at Perry Cabin
Reputation
Golf Digest Best in State #14 (2023–26)
Setting
Scenic Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay area
First Opening
June 2018
The design
The architecture
This is Pete Dye’s last great statement: a living laboratory of his favorite tricks, quirks, and philosophies. Routed through Maryland’s serene Eastern Shore topography, the course mixes classic Dye sightlines, gnarly bunkering, bold green contours, and constant strategic tension. The Biarritz 7th delivers an unforgettable long-iron test, the island 17th jangles nerves, and the closing holes combine risk and reward with masterful pacing. Few courses debut with this much architectural gravity and personality—every round feels designed both for stories and shot-making.
Pete Dye’s hand—alongside Alice and P.B. Dye—delivered his final complete vision here: inventive green sites, heroic visuals, and a course pulsing with his architecture’s mischievous energy.
Defining features
- Biarritz-style par-3 with dramatic tiers
- True island-green par-3 17th evoking TPC Sawgrass
- Shaped mounding and gaping Dye bunkers
- Risk-reward angles and strategic forced carries
- Green complexes demanding precise approach control
- Clever routing for continuous engagement
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 7
The Biarritz Barricade
PAR
3
YARDAGE
245
This daunting par-3 stretches to a full Biarritz, bringing a huge, two-tiered green and dramatic contouring. Long-iron or hybrid required; choosing the right tier is everything.
Play it smart
Aim for the correct tier based on pin position and distance—left or right is far better than being long or short on the wrong level.
Where it bites
Miss on the wrong plateau or over the green and you’ll face one of the toughest recoveries on the course, with the chance of bogey or worse.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approach to the Biarritz 7th
Club for the correct tier—short or long by just a few yards means putting nightmares.
Tee shot on the island-green 17th
Don’t overthink; focus on the center, trust your number, and commit—fear is the enemy.
Second shot on #14 (529-yard par-4)
Play for the fat side and accept bogey from trouble; don’t chase a miracle if out of position.
Tee shot on #16 (short par-4)
Risk-reward: lay up for a comfortable wedge, unless you have the confidence and game to chase the green.
Second shot on #18 (par-5 finisher)
Aggressive play can deliver eagle, but a layup and precise wedge often wins—assess match/play context.
Escaping Dye bunkering
Take your medicine—recovery is easier if you play sideways first and avoid compounding mistakes.
Exit from tree-lined rough
Pitch out to fairway and live to attack the green—don’t stretch Dye’s angles when obstructed.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Pristine, lush, and consistently well-groomed with true putting surfaces year-round.
Pace
Steady, typically 4.5 hours; some waits possible on busy resort weekends.
Vibe
Relaxed but energized; resort crowd and golf groups create a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
Dress code
Golf attire required—collared shirt, soft spikes, no denim; standard for upscale resort golf.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial In Long-Iron Control
Several par-3s demand well-struck hybrids or long irons, especially the Biarritz seventh—practice trajectory and landing control.
02
Perfect Your Approach Wedges
Success comes down to approach shot accuracy given Dye’s green contours; sharpen that 100-yard-and-in game.
03
Study the Wind Forecast
Chesapeake shore breezes shift across the round and amplify challenge on the island 17th—review wind patterns before play.
04
Brush Up On Recovery Shots
Preparation for tough lies and creative escapes from trouble is critical on a design that punishes missed angles.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2015
Pete Dye begins redesign for new ownership
- 2018
Course officially opens to play, marking Dye’s final full design
- 2019
Recognized in Golf Digest’s Best in State list
- 2020
Major golf media celebrate Dye’s legacy with features on Perry Cabin
- 2023
Ranks #14 in Maryland by Golf Digest
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Tale of Two Par Threes
The Biarritz-style 7th and island-green 17th bookend the round’s narrative, asking players for courage and precision in two wholly distinct Dye spectacles. Each has inspired boasting and heartbreak in equal measure.
Shaping a Modern Classic
The course’s creation began with a bold redesign, with Dye and family transforming flat land into a visually vibrant, strategic challenge that rivals his most famous layouts for drama and shot-making variety.
Finish With a Rush
Perry Cabin’s finishing stretch—culminating in the 17th and 18th—has quickly built a reputation for late-round volatility, with birdies, big numbers, and memories almost guaranteed over the final holes.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The 17th is an homage to TPC Sawgrass’s legendary island-green par-3—a direct nod from Dye to Dye.
2
Dye approved the final green contours shortly before his retirement, making every putt a piece of history.
3
The Biarritz-shaped 7th is among the boldest par-3s on the East Coast, delighting hole architecture enthusiasts.
4
Slope from the tournament tees is a stern 148, outpunching its resort setting.
5
Golfers who stay on property at the Inn at Perry Cabin have privileged tee access, letting you roll out of bed and onto the first tee.
Build the trip
If you’re building an Eastern Shore golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Queenstown Harbor Golf Links
Public
Fun, accessible Chesapeake Bay golf, two strong public options just off Route 50.
Bulle Rock
Public
Arguably Maryland’s best public championship test—well worth a drive for serious players.
Baywood Greens
Resort
Lush, photogenic, and player-friendly; a favorite among vacationers.
Worthington Manor
Public
High marks for conditioning and layout, offering another strong public option without a resort stay.
The Inn at Perry Cabin (on-site) or St. Michaels for walkable dining and small-town bayfront charm.
Course DNA
If You Like The Links at Perry Cabin
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Siwanoy Country Club
Bronxville, New YorkWhy it matches: Siwanoy Country Club is a natural next stop after The Links at Perry Cabin: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.7
Seattle Golf Club
Shoreline, WashingtonWhy it matches: Seattle Golf Club is a natural next stop after The Links at Perry Cabin: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.8
Miakka Golf Club
Myakka City, FloridaWhy it matches: Miakka Golf Club is a natural next stop after The Links at Perry Cabin: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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