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There are a handful of golf courses on Nantucket where either visitors or locals can play a round. Choose from 9 holes or 18, public or private courses, all with the stunning backdrop of Nantucket island.
If you’re visiting Nantucket just once, there are two public course options you can take advantage of during your vacation.
If you’re a summer resident or year-round resident, you might enjoy a Nantucket golf course membership instead; there are two private golf clubs on the island.
Whatever your preference or plans, pack accordingly so you can hit the links in style!
You might also like our guide to the best beaches on Nantucket to enjoy the sea after you perfect your swing.
If you’re an island lover, check out our guide to the best things to do on Martha’s Vineyard and a complete guide to the island towns for another local getaway.
Nantucket Golf Courses
There are four golf courses on Nantucket, which we detail below so you know who can golf there, how to reserve a tee time, and other course-specific rules and insights.
We start with the public golf courses for visitors who may not be interested in a private Nantucket golf club membership.
Miacomet Golf Course
Miacomet Golf Course (12 W Miacomet Rd) is Nantucket’s only 18-hole course.
Situated just about three miles from downtown, Miacomet is on the island’s southwestern side near Cisco Brewers.
With its link style featuring a sandy base, short grass, and an obstacle-course style layout, you might mistake Miacomet for an old course in Scotland.
Miacomet is designed to be enjoyed by golfers at multiple skill levels; you’ll find tees for amateurs and professionals alike.
Note that there are three holes that are near Environmentally Sensitive Areas that must be avoided; entry is prohibited in these zones.
Officially opened in 1963 for year-round use, the land for the course had been purchased back in 1956 — originally intended for a cow pasture.
It was quickly decided the land would be well-suited to a golf course, especially since Tuppancy Links had recently closed in 1953.
In the 1980s, the course and land were sold to the Nantucket Island Land Bank in an effort to preserve the natural surrounding area as much as possible.
Since then, the original 9-hole course was expanded to 18 holes in 2003 and renovations led to awards and accolades, making it one of the top golf courses in all of New England.
Miacomet Golf Course has served as a hub for locals and visitors alike for decades, making it one of the best golf courses on Nantucket to enjoy local history and true community.
Interested parties can easily book a tee time on the Miacomet Golf Course website.
Note that golf carts are available to anyone with a valid driver’s license.
Groups of four are permitted up to 4.5 hours to play all 18 holes.
Every player must have their own full set of clubs and must adhere to the dress code: wear a collar, no jeans, cut-off shorts, or t-shirts.
Contact the Miacomet Golf Club to find out more about membership and the application process if you’re interested in joining.
Siasconset Golf Course
Siasconset Golf Course (260 Milestone Rd), or Sconset Golf, is another Nantucket public golf course you won’t want to miss.
Locally, it’s called Skinners Golf Course for the long-time superintendent and former co-owner of the course, Robert “Skinner” Coffin.
Designed by John Grout in 1894 and opened in 1899, Sconset Golf is actually one of the oldest golf courses in the whole United States that is open to the public.
When the course was still a Bloomingdale Farm in the late 1800s, Nantucket residents saw potential in the fields and meadows as a place for a beautiful public course and turned it into the space it is today.
In 2012, the Nantucket Land Bank purchased the course, conserving it as a natural area as much as possible.
The club’s owners consider the game on this course an “old-world golf experience” that’s fun for the whole family, making this a perfect and memorable activity for your whole group to enjoy.
Sconset is a seasonal course that is perfectly suited for players of every skill level.
The course is open seven days a week and features the smallest, no-frills Nantucket country club on the island, but it has everything you need to enjoy your afternoon playing golf.
You can double down on the 9-hole course to play 18 holes if you’d like.
You won’t find a driving range, but there is a putting green on-site, and you can rent clubs if you need them.
This is a walking-only course; golf carts are not allowed but pull carts are available to rent from the clubhouse.
The dress code is described as golf casual, so avoid jeans, t-shirts, or open-toed shoes; shoes with metal spikes are strictly prohibited.
There are helpful discounts for players 18 and under, as well as a discount for members of the Miacomet Golf Club.
Book your desired tee time up to one week in advance online.
If you want to check the availability of tee times on the same day you want to play, call the Pro Shop for more information.
Note that Miacomet Golf Course and Siasconset Golf Course are connected under the same management.
You may also want to check out our list of all things to do in Nantucket featuring Siasconset
Sankaty Head Golf Club
If you’re interested in becoming a member of a private Nantucket golf club, check out Sankaty Head Golf Club (100 Sankaty Rd).
Golfweek Magazine has named Sankaty Golf Club in Nantucket one of the top 100 Classic Courses.
The club is perfect for whole families, thanks to its many opportunities and facilities beyond a simple golf course.
Not only does this club feature 18 holes, but it also boasts some of the best beach and tennis access on the island.
Located on the easternmost shore of the island, most members of this club are either summer or full-time residents of Nantucket.
The Sankaty Head golf course is designed in the link style and is well-known for its gorgeous natural beauty and views of the iconic Sankaty Head Light.
You will also find that Sankaty Head is financially affordable compared to other clubs of a similar status.
Besides top-notch golf facilities, Sankaty Head Golf Club founded Caddy Camp, one of the last Caddy Camps that still exist in the world.
Aspiring caddies come from around the world to learn the tricks of the trade, work as caddies to some of the best players in the region, and enjoy the Nantucket lifestyle for a summer.
When you golf the course, you’ll find that the best view of Sankaty Head is at the 9th hole, where you can see the ocean from the bluff that borders the course.
In the spirit of tradition, the club is proud that it does not inhibit its members with excessive rules and regulations.
Instead, they hope to maintain the best parts of historic golf traditions while continuing to update as needed to uphold modernity.
Unfortunately, membership at the Sankaty Golf Course on Nantucket is very limited due to the capacity of its facilities.
To gain membership, the club maintains an open admission policy for those who are qualified and sponsored.
Legacy-sponsored new applicants are prioritized, but the club encourages a regular flow of new members across backgrounds.
You can also shop at the Sankaty Head Golf Club for all your golf gear and clothing needs.
Nantucket Golf Club
The most exclusive golf course on Nantucket is the Nantucket Golf Club (250 Milestone Rd), which is available to members only.
Designed by Rees Jones in 1998, the course has won various awards, including being named one of the Top 100 Courses in the World and U.S.
The Nantucket Golf Club membership cost is among the highest price points for a golf course anywhere in the world, so this is unlikely to be a course most visitors play.
If you aren’t a member yourself, you can join as a guest of a member; there is no public access to this course otherwise.
Celebrities, politicians, professional athletes, and coaches are among the members of the elite Nantucket Golf Club.
Whether you count yourself part of this group or not, you might be on the island during the annual Nantucket Golf Club Foundation’s Children’s Charity Classic.
Over more than 20 years, the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation has raised over $44M for the local community.
Each year, they award 4-year scholarships to cover all tuition and fees for local Nantucket high school students to attend the college of their choice.
The Children’s Charity Classic takes place in August each year.
Final Words
Are you ready to hit the links now? We hope this guide has helped you learn more about the golf courses on Nantucket and your options as a visitor or local.
Share your Nantucket golf experiences in the comments below.