What You Should Know About the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course

There's something for everyone on Cape Cod, as the region has evolved from a beach community to an all-inclusive recreational area for the entire family. 

The abundance of golf courses is yet another reason why you'll love living on the Cape, as it's full of various options for all skill levels.

Of course, if you're a regular golfer, you'll likely choose a home course close to your newly-purchased property.

In Sandwich, you'll have Holly Ridge and Sandwich Hollows, while Mashpee is home to Quashnet Valley and Southport. There's also Hyannisport Club in Hyannis, Wianno Golf Club in Osterville, and Cummaquid in Yarmouth, to name a few.

If you buy a home in the Marston Mills area, the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course is a top choice because its easy to reach since it sits along Route 149. It also enjoys a scenic atmosphere near a conservation area.

There's golf everywhere on Cape Cod, and the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course is an excellent choice if you plan to spend most of your days hitting the links in this golfers' paradise on the East Coast.

The Course

The Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course is a par-71 designed by Mark Mungeam that first opened in 1992. Every hole has four tee boxes, making it accessible for both experienced golfers and beginners, and features a walkable layout with bunkered greens and large landing areas. There's plenty of tree cover throughout the course, making it a challenge if you can't stay on the fairways. 

The holes also vary greatly. The longest is the par-5 18th at 560 yards from the blue tees. The shortest hole is the par-3 second at 140 yards from the blues. You can also shorten the 12th hole to 99 yards from the red tees.

Overall, there are five par-3s, nine par 4s, and four par 5s, allowing you to break out every club in your bag as you enjoy the scenery that only Cape Cod can provide.

Practice Facilities and Lessons

When signing up for a membership, you'll surely want some practice facilities available, and the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course has you covered with its 23-bay driving range, chipping green, putting green, and practice bunker.

These facilities allow you to work on every aspect of your game at your own pace and are reasons why this course is so popular. You can even grab an annual range pass for $235 if you're a course member, giving you unlimited time on the driving range all year long.

Those who'd like a bit more help working on their game can sign up for lessons with Merry Holway or David Donnellan, both of whom are certified PGA professional instructors. Working with either of these highly-skilled golf pros ensures getting your game on track and melting strokes from your score.

Functions and Events

A source of pride for many members of this course is that it hosts the Cape Cod Open every spring. The Open has both professional and amateur brackets and has significant cash prizes for the winner.

Other tournaments also take place throughout the year, and you can even organize your own event if you want to get the family or a group of employees together to play. The course can accommodate these gatherings of up to 144 people, or you can organize a smaller event if it better suits your needs.

There's a function room at the course, as well, which has capacity for 48 people. You can book this room for weddings, parties, and other events, and the process is as simple as filling out a form and waiting to hear back.

The Pub

You don't have to book the function room if you want to gather with friends, however, because there's an on-site tavern and restaurant that's calling your name.

Tavern on the Green at Olde Barnstable is known for its burgers and sandwiches, but also has local favorites like crab cakes, stuffed quahogs, and clam chowder. They fire up the barbecue for ribs, pulled pork, and other items every Thursday throughout the summer, too, and have a breakfast menu.

If you're only looking for a drink, you'll find a wide selection of local beers and craft cocktails at the pub, and there are enough TVs that you can catch the game after you play the course.

Your Home Course

Memberships at the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course are surprisingly affordable, as residents of any of Barnstable's seven villages can grab one for under $1,200. The membership also allows you to play the Hyannis Golf Course for free, making you a member at two courses for the price of one.

Family passes are available for $2,000, which includes two adults and all juniors 17 and under. All of these passes are valid until the end of March in the following year, so, weather permitting, you can get out there early in the season before you renew.

Non-resident passes are available, too, for an additional fee.

If you've bought a home in Barnstable and wish to get out there to enjoy some golf, you can't beat the value and the variety at the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course in Marston Mills, Massachusetts.