Dennis, Massachusetts boasts two championship-caliber courses that will challenge your game and your mental toughness. The Pines and The Highlands are more than just fairways and greens; they’re experiences crafted for golfers of all levels.
Both courses are meticulously manicured by a dedicated team. From the moment you tee off, you’ll be immersed in lush fairways that cradle your drives. The greens are cut tight, ensuring a consistent roll on every putt. And let’s not forget the breathtaking Cape Cod scenery that serves as the ultimate backdrop to your round at both courses.
The Pines is a true test of accuracy. Towering pines guard its narrow fairways, demanding precision from tee to green. There are a lot of trees but they are spread out so you can find your wayward tee shot and still be able to put it back in play. The front-9 has some subtle doglegs that create the need for some shot-shaping off the tee. The par-3s on the front are basic layouts with greens guarded by bunkers.
Hole-18
The back-9 is where legends are made – prepare to navigate treacherous doglegs and a monster par-5 that will test your nerves. Their version of the ‘Amen Corner’ is holes 10, 11, and 12. These three holes can make or break your round if you’re not careful. Holes 10 and 11 are both doglegs right that form a ying-yang layout around a pond. Tee shots need to avoid the water on the right side of the fairways to have a chance at par. Hole 10 has a wide downhill fairway, but an uphill approach shot to the green. Hole 11 is the opposite as you make your way around the pond. This fairway is a little narrower and plays uphill so you need to give it some muscle. Then you have a downhill shot to the green. After those you get to #12. This is a boomerang shaped hole where the ideal landing area from the tee is around 180 yards. Oh ya…and the fairway is very narrow with a huge ridge running down the middle of it that tilts from right to left.The people in the pro shop told me to play this hole backwards. Hit iron off the tee then hybrid/wood for your second shot. If you make it through these three holes without ripping up your scorecard then you will coast to the finish line.
Hole-9
The Highlands offers a more open layout but don’t be fooled – its subtle slopes and elevation changes will keep you on your toes. Most of the fairways have undulations and tiers that can roll your ball right or left. What sets this course apart from others on the Cape is the greens. There are a variety of false-fronts, slopes, and tiers you must deal with once you make it on the dance floor so it’s tough to two-putt here confidently.
Hole 6 is the #1 handicap, and for good reason. You hit your tee shot uphill to a bulge in the fairway at about 220 yards. Your approach shot is then 185 yards even more uphill to the green. The hill is so steep you can’t see the surface of the green and have to hope you hit it the right distance. Hole 7 is a nice par-3 after the treacherous 6th, but it has a steep ridge running through the middle of it, severing the green into two tiers. If you are not on the same tier as the pin you will have trouble making par. Hole 13 was a real challenge because the green slopes from back to front with a huge hump in the middle. It is also a false front so if you hit it short or put spin on it, it’s rolling back towards the fairway.
Hole 5
Both courses run by the town of Dennis are amazing. It is worth the trip to these beauties in the middle of the Cape. I would recommend staying the night and playing them both, or get crazy and play them on the same day. They are only 2 miles apart so it is possible. Besides the fantastic quality of the courses, both have great practice areas with putting greens and driving ranges. Each has a snack shack at the 10th tee to stock up on food and beverages…one of the most underrated parts of a course is having easy access at the turn instead of having to go into the restaurant. My advice would be to take the drive to Dennis and enjoy two of the best municipal courses in the state.
FOOD
After conquering the course, reward yourself at the Par Bar (Pines) or The Eagles Nest (Highlands). Enjoy savory sandwiches and ice-cold beverages inside near the bar or outside on the patios. The restaurants are both run by Joel Finne, and offer similar menus with many high quality options for breakfast and lunch.
Joel focuses on using quality ingredients that are served with consistency. He employs a loyal, hardworking staff to provide an enjoyable experience before or after your round. I was encouraged to try the most popular item on the menu, the Sandwedge, and I was not disappointed. It is a mouthwatering club sandwich filled with thinly sliced turkey on top of bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
During my rounds at these courses I have enjoyed the house favorite, the BLT, the Hot Pastrami Reuben, and the Tuna Melt. What sets apart the sandwiches from other restaurants is the sourdough bread. Every sandwich has a buttered, crispy crust with a slightly tangy dough – they are incredible. The restaurants have full bars with all the options you could want, including local breweries like Barnstable Brewing, Castle Island, and Devil’s Purse.
If you’re short on time, no worries – both restaurants offer take-out options, so you can grab a bite to go whether you just played a round or want to stop by on your way home from work.
These aren’t just golf courses with restaurants; they’re community hubs. They do special events, tournaments, and community-based projects.
