SIASCONSET, Mass. — You don’t have to be Luke Donald trying to get to No. 1 in the world with a win at this week’s PGA Tour Heritage event to play ocean-side golf under the spell of an iconic lighthouse. Indeed, while Donald and the guys may enjoy the nearby beacon as they play their way down the 18th fairway of Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C., the red-and-white banded Sankaty Head Lighthouse looms over almost every shot on the front nine at Sankaty Head Golf Club on Nantucket.
A private club during the high season, this exquisite links-style course 24 miles out to sea opens its links-style fairways to the hoi polloi only in May and October. Located at the eastern end of the island in Siasconset (pronounced Scon-set), Sankaty Head was built in 1923. Ranked No. 89 on Golfweek’s 2010 roster of Top 100 classic courses, it is as laid-back an atmosphere as you’ll find at an exclusive golf enclave.
From the weathered shingles of the clubhouse and no-frills Yankee decor of the dining area and bar, to the walkers-welcome policy, Sankaty Head is no swanky country club. It’s not even the most challenging course you’ll play. The greens are relatively slow, there is only one water hole, and the fairways are wide open. The rating and slope are 72.9 and 130 from the tips and 72.7 and 124 from the front tees.
But, you’ll want to return to the par-72, 18-hole track for its impeccable fairways and greens, breathtaking surroundings, and the profound tranquility it inspires. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the course takes advantage of its seaside environment from nearly every scenic view.
The layout’s most unusual aspect is its proximity to the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, a 70-foot, quintessentially New England structure with a black top whose lantern flashes every 7.5 seconds. The historic watchtower soars over almost every shot on the front nine, which makes for a unique round of golf.
“There’s a frickin’ lighthouse on the golf course!” exclaimed a delighted Meg Watson, a low-handicapper from New Hampshire who played the course last May for the first time.
Indeed, the fifth hole’s vicinity to the 160-year-old working beacon makes the 423-yard par-4 (362 yards from the forward tees) the club’s signature hole. Be sure to scarf a up a few of the coordinated black, white, and red tees on your way to the first hole.
Sankaty Head neophytes may also discover they need more club on many shots, because, despite the generous fairways, there’s plenty of trouble lurking at the ocean-side layout. The prevailing sea breezes and tall fescue grasses can wreak havoc with your round, which plays at 6,711 yards from the tips and 5,584 yards from the front tees.
Oh, and be sure to keep your shots below the holes.
“The greens at Sankaty Head have a great deal of slope on them,” cautioned head pro Mark Heartfield. “They are extremely fast if you are above the pin, and very difficult to read when you are on the side of the pin.”
Call 508-257-6655 a day in advance to book a tee time.
(Emily Kay is a regular contributor to New England Golf Monthly. Check her out on the Waggle Room, Boston Golf Examiner, National Golf Examiner, and GottaGoGolf websites. You may also follow Kay on Twitter @golfexaminer.)
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