City: Cape Cod, MA

Category: Golf

Telephone: (508) 487-9201

Description: This is the granddaddy of all Cape courses, where winds offer as much challenge as the wild rough that accents the fairways. Founded in 1892, Highland is the oldest course on the Cape and one of the oldest in America. It takes 5,299 yards to go around this 9-hole layout twice from the back set of tees. Highland has a modest difficulty rating with a slope of 103. But it’s not the challenge that has earned this course a spot on golf itineraries for more than a century—it’s the appeal of playing one of the few courses in this country that mirrors the rustic charm of the great links of Great Britain. Perched high along windswept bluffs overlooking the Atlantic, Highland is as natural as golf gets on this side of the ocean. The open fairways, deep natural rough and moorlands, wild cranberry, beach plum, and thicket are reminiscent of the unkempt look of the Scottish links. At this truly special course, it is not uncommon to spot whales spouting in the Atlantic or fishing vessels fighting the waves as they make their way up and down the coast. It’s almost impossible to walk onto the course in the summer, so call to reserve a tee time up to a week in advance, Greens fees in season are $33 for 9 holes and $55 for 18 holes. Carts are $8 per person per nine holes. Highland is open year-round, weather permitting, and club rentals are available. Annual memberships are $575.