Bayberry Hills Golf Course

I play this course 4-5 times a year, and have been for 15 years now. This is my favorite course on the Cape - not by a lot, but given one public course to play, I'll take this one. I've played all the others down here - plenty of good ones, I'll take Bayberry Hills.

Maybe it's just that the routing fits my eye, don't know. No stupid holes, holes are separated enough to where you don't have the shooting range effect, Pace of play isn't memorable for me - seems pretty normal. I like the range and practice green. Conditions are usually good to very good. Greens are challenging when they're rolling.

I will say they were overpricing it pre-Covid, but at least in 2020-2021 they charged less than they had been. Golf on the Cape is expensive in the summer, and was glad to see this course show some common sense and come down to where they're about the same as Olde Barnstable, Cranberry Valley, and Captains.

If I had to use one word to accurately describe my golfing experience at Bayberry Hills Golf Course, that word would be “despicable.”

Let me paint a picture for you.

June 22nd, 2021. It’s Tuesday morning. I had a 7:07 am tee time with my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and my 14 year old nephew. My father-in-law, who is a well respected local figure, is physically disabled. Because of his condition, he uses a rolling walker for his mobility.

After entering the Pro Shop at Bayberry Hills Golf Course to check-in, we informed the receptionist that three of us would play golf, and that my father-in-law would drive the cart to watch us play. The receptionist proceeded to tell us that my father-in-law would not be able to participate because he didn’t have a bag of clubs with him. We explained to the receptionist that he is incapable of playing, however we would have no problem paying the additional green fees so that he can enjoy watching his family play golf. With a smarmy look that only the dregs of a soulless witch could possibly contain, she told us “That’s the rule. He can’t play.”

That was red flag #1.

After convincing the (not-so pleasant) dead-eyed entity AND paying the additional green fees, she allowed the four of us to proceed with our scheduled tee time. When we walked down to pick up our golf cart, we were met by the starter named Ken.

I have an unusual last name. So do my in-laws. And we’ve heard them pronounced every possible way. It happens, and that’s ok. When you hear someone berate your name in a condescending way, that’s a different story. That is how Ken greeted us which was immediately followed with him informing us that we’re late. Keep in mind, we arrived with time to spare, however the unpleasant interaction with the “I’m completely dead inside” receptionist in the pro shop delayed us by a few minutes. If we’re late, then we’re late. I’m fine with that. I appreciate that you have a business to run. But don’t insult me or my family’s name. That was a big mistake.

That was red flag #2.

So our golf experience was off to a rocky start. It can only get better from this point. Oh, was I wrong.

Now, I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a professional golfer. I’m not even an amateur golfer. In fact, I’m awful at golf. But I do enjoy playing it with my family. As a paying patron, I have every right to play the sport with my family and we proceeded to do so playing in a Best Ball format so that we can keep things moving along.

As we got to hole #4, we noticed that the group of golfers behind us caught up to us, and had to wait for us to complete our round of play. At the rate of play that they were performing, the logical thing for us to do was to let them play through so that we wouldn’t hold them up. It seems like the right thing to do.

As the group approached us, the class acts in the first golf cart drive by my father-in-law giving him the stink eye while another fellow gives him the middle finger. A second golf cart drives by where a middle aged man with a white mustache (who looked very much like the Lorax) decides to drop a few f-bombs and some other obscenities in front of all of us.

That was red flag #3.

At this point, we figured this much is true:
1. We’re already here, and we wanted this to be a special family experience.
2. Let’s finish the game, and choose not to ever return so we can at least get our money’s worth.
3. Let’s make sure that everyone/anyone who even considers to attend the Bayberry Hills Golf Course to play golf has an opportunity to read about our experience.

So in a nutshell, it was despicable.

If poor customer service, rude patrons, and the complete opposite of a professionally run establishment is your thing, then you’ll love it.

Honestly, take your money somewhere else and spend it on anything…ANYTHING else, and it will be money well spent.

If you do decide to play golf at Bayberry Hills, then you might as well take bags of cash, and toss them out your car window while driving down the highway. Because that’s exactly how you’ll feel afterwards:

Money wasted.

We teed off at 1:15 and finished our round in the dark at 6:45. After the first hole, we walked up to the second tee and there was a group on the green, one in the fairway and now, 2 groups on the tee. It never opened up. We waited on every single shot. The two groups in front of the group that was dircectly ahead of us decided they were going to play a scramble and the club let them. I thought this was the only reason it was slow and that this was abnormal. I spoke with a couple other folks the next day on another course on the Cape. Neither of them will play that course due to slow play. There is no ranger and not monitoring of course play. After a 3 hour front nine (no joke, 3 hours) We called the clubhouse as did the group in front of us. They were nice enough to offer us a raincheck for 9 but quite honestly, I wasn't looking forward to playing there again so we suffered through. It was a nice course and could have been fun. The woods are kept up nicely so if you do go into the woods the ball is easy to find. But you have all day to look as well because you aren't going anywhere. We played with a member and he indicated that it was a bit unusual to be that slow. Anyway, you decide. There are so many nice courses on the Cape that I probably won't play this one again.

When asked to list the top public courses on the cape, you’ll usually hear someone start with The Captains in Brewster, or Pinehills (which really isn’t on the Cape, but I digress) or maybe someone will recommend their new “life hack” of extending your trip by a day and staying a night at Ocean Edge resort just to play the course. These are all great courses, to be sure. Pinehills is tough to beat. But with all the work (money) that Bayberry has put In over the last 5 years I’d argue there’s not a better public course on the cape. Cranberry valley in Harwich is great, but formulaic and has not been maintained to the level Bayberry has been in recent years. From course design, to its perfectly manicured greens and extensive bunker renovations, it’s one of the most picturesque courses you will find anywhere on the Cape. If you’re looking for a challenge - this course simply cannot be beat. The tips measure 7172, and the blues are an extremely challenging 6523 with only one of the par 5s being genuinely reachable in two. The par 5 15th is a dramatic dog leg left from the tee box but allows for a short cut over the waste bunker if you keep your tee shot on the left side of the fairway. I’ve been playing this course for nearly 10 years now, and I can honestly say that since the renovations, I have not played a better conditioned nor more challenging course on the cape.

I was pleasantly surprised how nice the course was since I hadn't played it in years. I was also very surprised how fast they got us back out there after a tornado had came through the mid cape but thank goodness for Barnstable Brewery's Blueberry Ale to pass the time.

In previous years, the Town of Yarmouth golf courses (Bayberry and Bass River) did not have a stellar reputation when it came to course conditions and staff attitude/responsiveness. Things are changing! The condtion of the courses has improved significantly and it is evident the grounds keeping crew is constantly working to further enhance the physical condition. We have had very little rain in the past month and all the fairways and greens are still looking as good as any private course. Bass River needs to move the geese off a few holes. The staff is helpful and responsive to questions and concerns. Pace of play is decent and could be improved with increased staff presence out on the courses. Overall, the golf experience has improved greatly this year and it looks like it will continue in a positive direction. You have to give it a try when heading to the Cape!

Before I caution you, the course was in very good condition and obvious improvements are underway.
The card boasts of 2 hour nine hole play, however, after teeing off close to on time, the round lasted 5 1/2 hours and we did not experience the site of either a ranger or a beverage cart. in fact, at the turn around 2:45, there was no starter present to address the situation with. Perfect example of take your money and leave you to the mercy of the slowest playing partiers on the course. Sad considering the conditions.

This course is a must! Play!! Great conditions all 3 nine hole layouts. Links side actually has 7 holes that plays true open links. After the par 3 first hole drive thru a tunnel to the remaining holes Such a fun different way to play golf if wind blows. Short holes on card but plays a lot longer in wind. Almost impossible to lose ur ball unless you are in heather. Will definitely recommend!! Enjoy this place!! Clubhouse has burger and beer specials. Outdoor patio.

Very nice course. The $90 fee is a bit steep when compared to the limited amenities. Snack bar is fine, but it is not, not a restaurant. The staff and the members are very friendly. I played three rounds over two years while visiting The Cape, and had a great group each time. Also played the Very Nice links 9.
Always played on weekdays so pace of play was nonissue. Greens have good pace (8?,9?) solid layout. Scoring holes balanced by more challenging ones. I have played the blue, white and grey tees.
Overall, this is a sweet facility. You would not leave disappointed. And if the price is dictated by the location and time of season, that makes it more acceptable. I will play it again.

I spend 3-4 days a year on the Cape playing golf with my buddies. I know golf is getting expensive but we paid $95.50 w/cart. The course was in good shape however, It wasn't worth nearly $100. We have played a lot nicer courses for a lot less. The 'Restaurant' was totally inadequate with no a/c.

Red & White nines make-up the Championship course. It can be played over 7,000 yards, but blue tees are between 6,500 & 6,600. The course moves very well with gradual elevation changes. Well bunkered with large greens. Can hit driver on all par 4s & 5s. Holes are tree-lined, but plenty wide. Great for the average player, but challenging enough for scratch players. One of the best public courses on the Cape.

Great layout. Rating similar to home course. Fairways and greens well maintained. Will go back when in the area.

Lots of sand and I found much of it but enjoyable day if it wasn't for slow play

first time playing this course. painfully slow. blocked by two foresomes in front of us. took over 5 hrs and 40 minutes to play.

a ranger would have made this day a truly outstanding one. no momentum because of pace!!!!!

Much more hilly than I anticipated. Good assortment of hole layouts makes for an interesting and challenging round. Course condition was excellent.

Being an extreme-novice, these comments may not mean much by most.
The course is an open, 9 hole course; No trees in play, and the rough is thin straw-like grass that seem to grow from a mound at the base. Further, at ground level, there exists bladed-grass that just filled-in any bare spots. Fairway and green soil was sand-based, dry (and well drained), evidenced by a puff of 'dust' as the ball landed. The greens had been recently airrated and, therefore, caused great difficulty in putting.
Had a great time!