Representative image Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand · CC BY 2.0
Old Sandwich Golf Club
Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
18 Holes · Private club — no published green fee; play is by member invitation · Links
— About
About Old Sandwich Golf Club
Old Sandwich Golf Club is a private course in Plymouth, Massachusetts, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in the mid-2000s. The ground is sandy and rolling, with heavy changes of elevation, and the holes run through pine, fescue and blueberry undergrowth. Fairways are huge and undulating, so golfers have room off the tee, but the contours and the firm, fast conditions make position matter once the ball is in play. Greens carry plenty of undulation, with tiers and internal movement that reward careful reading. Membership is required to play, and the club supports the course with a clubhouse and a teaching center on the property.
- Old Sandwich appears on Golf Digest's list of the 100 greatest courses in America.
- The club has teaching professionals and a teaching center on the property.
- The bunkers have jagged, gnarly edges, in keeping with the Coore and Crenshaw style.
- Cottages on the property give members and guests a place to stay on site.
History of Old Sandwich Golf Club
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Old Sandwich, which opened in the mid-2000s in Plymouth. They took a minimalist approach on sandy, pine-covered ground, moving little earth and leaning on the natural contours and existing trees. The result is a course that reviewers describe as firm and wide, with a sandy base that gives it a links-like character. Critics have compared it with Baltusrol, Pine Valley and Pinehurst No. 2, and it has held a place among the country's best-ranked courses since its early years. The club remains private, with membership required.
Signature holes at Old Sandwich Golf Club
The 5th is a short par 4 in the cape style, played over a rumpled, elevated fairway, and it is widely treated as the course's signature hole. The 7th is a 391-yard par 4 whose green sits like an island in a sea of sand, so the approach has to find a small, exposed target. Sand, not water, is the hazard on both holes.
When to play Old Sandwich Golf Club
Old Sandwich is private, so the practical answer is whenever a member invites you. The sandy base keeps conditions firm and fast, and the Atlantic breezes that reach Plymouth play a part in how the holes are played, so expect to adapt to the wind whichever season you visit.
Playing Old Sandwich Golf Club: tips
Caddies are available and walking is encouraged, so plan on covering the ground on foot with a caddie at your side. Because Old Sandwich is private with membership required, ask your host about guest arrangements, clubhouse facilities and any stay in the on-property cottages before you travel.
Visit Old Sandwich Golf Club
247 Old Sandwich Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Sandwich Golf Club
How many holes does Old Sandwich have?
Old Sandwich has 18 holes plus a bonus par 3, which is sometimes played as a nineteenth hole at the end of the round.
Does Old Sandwich have water hazards?
No. The course was built without water hazards, even though the property has a pond. Sandy waste areas and bunkers provide the trouble instead.
Who designed Old Sandwich Golf Club?
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed it on sandy ground in Plymouth, taking a minimalist approach that moved little earth.