Golfing at The Ridge Club in Sandwich, Massachusetts

A vacation to Cape Cod is all about enjoying the finer things in life, from some of the country’s most beautiful beaches to gourmet restaurants offering the East Coast’s freshest seafood. One issue is that every visitor to the Cape is looking for these same things, so you might find yourself fighting the crowds for access to the most popular locations.

If exclusivity is what you’re after, The Ridge Club in Sandwich could be an option. This private, members-only club features one of the Cape’s most scenic golf courses, in addition to a clubhouse that has everything you could ever want on your vacation.

The catch is that The Ridge Club isn’t open to the public, but there are ways for visitors to gain access.

Here’s some information on The Ridge Club, along with how non-members can spend part of their vacations experiencing its amenities.

About the Course

The course at The Ridge Club is immaculate, as the groundskeepers do an excellent job of maintaining it throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

The Ridge Club is a relatively new course, at least by Cape Cod standards, opening in 1989. The course is a par 71 with 6,557 yards of length from the gold tees. You can shorten the course to 4,840 yards from the red tees, as well.

There are two par 5s at The Ridge Club, including the 472-yard first hole and the 555-yard 16th hole. There are four par 3s, with the rest of the course featuring par 4s of varying lengths.

The club also has tennis courts, a swimming pool, and two restaurants that you can dine at if you’re lucky enough to spend the day at the venue.

Playing as a Guest

It is possible to play The Ridge Club as a guest, provided you have the sponsorship of a current member. If you have a friend with club membership, make the necessary arrangements, and you can visit the course.

The process for playing the course as a guest begins with the member putting your name on the guest list and booking a tee time for you.

Upon arrival, you’ll check-in at the Gatehouse, as the club is located within a gated residential community. The attendant will then direct you toward the bag drop area, where a staff member will greet you and load your clubs onto a cart.

There’s a locker room inside the clubhouse where you can change your shoes before your round. From there, you’ll check-in at the pro shop before moving to the practice facilities that are next to the course.

Before playing, it’s good to learn the club’s rules, as you’ll have to follow them as a guest. There’s a dress code at The Ridge Club that prohibits jeans, cargo shorts, gym shorts, tennis shorts, t-shirts, and halter tops. You can wear Bermuda shorts or slacks, along with a collared shirt that must remain tucked at all times.

Cellphones are not permitted on the course unless you’re using them for texting or the internet. If you have to make a phone call, you must do so in the parking lot.

As long as you follow the rules, you should have a good time during your round at The Ridge Club.

My Community and My World Memberships

Even if you don’t have a sponsor, there is a way to play The Ridge Club during your Cape Cod vacation. If you’re an avid golfer and love to travel, this option is worth considering.

The Ridge Club is part of the ClubCorp Network, which provides My World members with access to every club within the network. With the membership, you’ll have access to over 300 venues for free. There’s also a My Community membership that includes multiple country clubs in Massachusetts.

Even if you don’t have a designated ClubCorp Network membership, there’s a chance that your home country club is part of the network, which provides you with the same benefits.

Check on your ClubCorp status before arriving on the Cape because The Ridge Club is well worth playing during your vacation. Your membership includes free club rentals, too.

Sandwich’s Most Exclusive Club

No matter where your vacation rental is situated, you can head to The Ridge Club and spend your time on a scenic course with access to a pool, tennis, and fine dining.

Whether you have friends or family with memberships or you’re a part of the ClubCorp Network, The Ridge Club provides an inviting atmosphere and is a great way to escape the Cape’s crowds.