Vineyard Golf Club

A glimpse behind the gates…

Vineyard Golf Club is one of the most exclusive courses on our list. As such, there’s a lot of mystery and a bit of mythology surrounding what happens behind the gates.

Based on the reputation and rumors alone, one might expect to step onto a perfectly coiffed course somewhat akin to Augusta. While VGC and Augusta may share some members, this course is actually much different.

In reality, the course has a natural wildness about it that showcases golf course purity over golf course perfection.

The Gil Hanse influence is obvious and occasionally had us forgetting we were on the Vineyard and thinking about the sandy tracks of Pinehurst.

The wide open course allows you to scan almost the entire property at any given time and like Pinehurst, the bunkers are the stars of the show. The bunkers are everywhere! In fact, one of us hit three consecutive bunker shots on one hole - out of three entirely different bunkers.

But, it’s not just the amount of bunkers, it’s the wild edges and wild shapes and wild placements that will get your attention on the course and stay with you after you leave.

The layout is ideal for walking. There’s very little distance between any green and following tee and you’ll appreciate the fairway undulations, the fescue, and of course the omni-present sand more if you follow your ball on foot.

Caddies are required most of the time - we played with a member who served as our course advisor - as local knowledge of where best to aim can certainly help.

VGC is one of the few courses in the world that is committed to being 100% organic - meaning no chemicals are used.

At times, you may feel like you are on the Vineyard, at times like the dunes of North Carolina, and when the sun is setting just right, like you are on another planet.

Having seen behind the gates, the reputation and mythology is justified. VGC is an incredible place, showcasing how natural elements can create a magical playscape that chemicals could not. Sure, it may be 100% natural, but it’s hard to believe a special place like this is actually real.