Sankaty Head at Sankaty Head Golf Club

Sankaty Head Golf Club occupies a dramatic bluff on the eastern shore of Nantucket, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean near the village of Siasconset. Phil Wogan designed the course in 1922, routing it across rolling terrain that features the island's characteristic moorland vegetation, coastal winds, and elevation changes uncommon for the region. The property sits approximately ninety feet above sea level at its highest points, providing expansive ocean views and exposing the layout to persistent maritime breezes that significantly influence play.

The course measures relatively modest by contemporary standards but presents a stern test through its wind exposure, firm turf conditions, and strategic bunkering. Several holes play directly along or toward the ocean, with the clifftop setting creating both visual drama and tactical complexity. The layout incorporates natural contours and native grasses, maintaining a links-like character that reflects its coastal New England setting. Greens tend to be small and subtly contoured, rewarding precision in approach play.

Sankaty Head operates as a private club with a membership drawn largely from seasonal residents and families with long ties to Nantucket. The club maintains traditional caddie programs and walking-only policies during peak periods, preserving the original character of Wogan's design. The clubhouse and facilities reflect the understated aesthetic common to established New England golf clubs, emphasizing the golf experience over elaborate amenities. The course has undergone periodic restoration work to address coastal erosion and maintain playing surfaces suited to the exposed seaside environment.