Cape May National Golf Club

We have a group of guys who have been doing a golf trip to the Cape May area for 30 years and we've played CMN every year. The course layout itself is fantastic and that's what has kept us coming back despite conditions that have been up and down through the years, sometimes verging on unplayable, and a course staff that often hasn't been the most pleasant to deal with.

But we were back last week with 16 players, hoping we'd get the good CMN. No such luck. When we arrived we were told by the starter that they were in the process of aerating the greens and that two holes would be closed. When I complained he told me to talk to the woman in the pro shop and she told us they would only charge us $79 for the round instead of $89 (for shoulder season!). At that point, she also told me that I wouldn't be allowed to play because I wasn't wearing a collared shirt. First of all, there was no dress code posted on the course's website, and I was wearing what I would consider to be a dressy black t-shirt of the type commonly worn on the course these days, not much different than the mock turtleneck style that Tiger Woods and other pros often wear. I could understand if CMN was a private course or a fancy resort course, but it's far from it. When I told the woman I didn't have a collared shirt with me she insisted that I'd have to buy one or I couldn't play. When I told her I felt that was unreasonable, she responded "then don't play." Having no other choice, I reluctantly bought a shirt. The tiny pro shop had only about a dozen men's shirts available and only two or three in my size. The cheapest shirt was $65 and not something that I would have purchased if I didn't have to. It seems to me that a simple warning to make sure I wore a collar next time I played there would have been sufficient, but apparently the course needs the money.

After paying for my greens fees and shirt I left the pro shop to get ready for my round. I then checked my receipt and saw that the woman had charged me the full $89 without the promised discount. I returned to the pro shop and told her about the overcharge. Despite showing her my receipt, she insisted that she had only charged me $79 and that the receipt must be wrong, essentially accusing me of lying! She finally checked her computer which showed that she had charged me $89 and she refunded the $10. At this point I wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind to play golf, and the course conditions didn't make me feel any better. Most of the tee boxes were in rough shape with divots and not much grass, the greens were bumpy, and the rough looked like it hadn't been mowed for a week.

Needless to say, our 30 year run at CMN is over and we won't be going back any time soon.

We've played most of the Jersey shore courses for many years but never Cape May National until yesterday. The reviews suggest a good course but not one of the best at the shore. After playing yesterday, I can tell you clearly that Cape May National is a fabulous test of golf.
When driving up to the clubhouse, you get the impression that things could be outdated. The course is far different. The conditions and maintenance of the course is quite good. We played the blue tees at 6500 and the difference between them and the black tees is very small. The breeze was strong so wind is a huge factor when playing here.
Some holes play far longer than the listed yardage. Wind has something to do with that, but not everything. The first hole is a 370 yd dogleg left that requires a long tee shot into the wind to allow a clear shot to the green. The hole plays like a 435 yd hole from the blues and is real tough start. The 2nd hole is a long par 4 into the wind and plays like a Par 5. The par 3 third hole is 190yds entirely over wetlands. Your score can get away from you on these first 3 holes very easily.
You need to drive the ball through chutes off many of the holes. Really puts an extreme focus on hitting it straight with minimal curve.
The greens putt well and are good speed. You can get up and down when missing the green as pins give you room no matter where you miss.
There are plenty of water hazards on the course and the last 2 holes feature them. The 18th hole is quite a test and a par there will be extremely well earned.
Go play Cape May if you are looking for a real test of great golf!

Excellent layout and course was in very good shape. Greens were a bit slow, but normal for a public course. Lots of trees and water comes into play on a few holes. Parking area and clubhouse are tired looking and could use some work. Price is average for decent courses at the Shore. Will definitely come again.

I played a round while
Visiting Cape May and enjoyed it immensely. Very challenging greens but a good solid and pretty layout. Only issue was I started at 430 and due to slow pace of play only completed 16 holes.

I have been playing this course for 20 years, and I never get tired of it. The co-architect also designed Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, where I was also a member from 2005 to 2010; and there are unique similarities with that world famous course.

I am always excited to play at Cape May National. We go down at least 2 times a year and we just love it. Great course, great town! The City of Cape May is the best kept guys getaway going. Great Fall rates in town and on the courses.

Change the name to crabgrass national. Greens heavily marked with unattended divots. Fairways with many divots. No sand in carts to fill divots. This is a course we played once and will not return unless the conditions get much better.

A nice course that has many challenging holes. It IS NOT an easy course to walk. The distance from #9 green to #10 Tee is ridiculous. Not much of a dining area and pro shop is small. BUT if you are looking for a good track this is a nice one, however they tend to be a little pricey.

I love getting out to play Cape May National. The course was in beautiful shape. Really looked natural, greens were rolling smoothly and everyone was very welcoming. Cant wait till next time.

This is still one of my favorite courses down the shore. I try to play here a couple time a month during the summer. With all of the traffic this course has during the summer I think they keep it in good shape. It's a shame kids beat up the 15th green a little a night though. One of my favorite course layouts down the shore. Will definitely play a few more rounds before summer is over here.

We called the day before for a tee time and were not informed that the greens had been punched recently. For $89 plus $6 for balls that was aggravating.
Bag drop gentleman and woman in pro shop less than friendly bordering on rude. We definitely didn't feel welcomed.
Pro shop and facility is run down. Bring your own coffee and food.
Also bring bug spray you will be eaten alive without it.

As for the course it's clear this is a great design and layout. Very interesting layout lots of fun holes. It's also clear that this course condition is not what it most likely once was. Lots of crabgrass and an unkept look.

It rained 2 days before we played. This course has terrible drainage. Bunkers filled with water and mud and puddles everywhere.

This place has great potential but it's clear the folks that work here could care less. It's a shame. I probably would try other courses in the area before returning.

Great day, perfect weather. Course was in great shape getting ready for the full season. Will be back again.

Great morning AM at the Cape. I don't mind driving the full hour and a half to play this beauty. For me personally I love the layout hole after hole. More then a few holes here I can actually say would be up there on my favorite holes list I'v played in our state.

Really a beautiful day all the way around. Course was in very nice condition, greens were rolling quickly and true. The effort of the maintenance staff was easy to see. Natural beauty is everywhere here. If even remotely interested in birds its a real treat. Staff was friendly- bag drop was friendly, to the point, good info, beverage cart girl was fun and nice. Overall fun, friendly atmosphere with a great golf course & great weather. Whats not to love?

I love this course. I play here at least once a year. 3 times this year. I like to play different courses. When I got there was told front 9 was closed and would have 2 play back 9 twice because of aeration. Took about 2 hours to play first 9, by the time I hit the turn they reopened front 9. Great I flew through first 6 holes then caught up with group. I love the layout, each hole is different and course is well kept. Everybody is always courteous each time I play. Never get tired of this course.

Tees plugged today;greens spiked recently;FEES NOT DISCOUNTED nor was told of conditions at signing in; that's not v.g. PR!!
will not play there again w/o a GOLF NOW rate that's reasonable
chas6567

You want to stay out of trouble if possible. I hit it long and tried to cut the corner on a couple of holes only to remember they dont allow it as I turned the corner to find hazard. lol Play what the course gives you and you should have fun. Excellent layout

Course was very good , front being aerifed, played back 9 twice.

2 of us played 18, the day after alot of rain. The course was soggy and still had some debris, but not bad. Greens were in good condition and fairways were fine. Cloudy with A few big wind gusts and lots of breezes made for a few lost balls. But all in all it was a good value, we had a fun round and our scores werent too bad. I'd go again.

After fees we paid almost $45 to play after 3:00. Let's star by saying we barely finished in the dark. A 5 hour round. Began when we drove to the tee box and 2 "members" had jumped in front of us saying the clubhouse told them to squeeze them in. We were now delayed 15 minutes to start. We made the staff aware of the very slow play at the turn but nothing was done. We watched several times as the foursome ahead hit multiple balls from the same spot. When we arrived at the clubhouse after
18 it was dark and locked. They closed before we even finished our round. No drink, no bathroom, no food available. Now on to the course. Not terrible but just not worth the price. Greens were bumpy and could not get a true roll. Rough was bad but with the dry weather I can excuse that. The fatwa it's had several spots where repairs were needed. Again not very true. Hole number 4 is a joke. For a first timer on the course it was unfair. Hit a perfect drive over trees that drew towards the green. I learn as I get to the ball that there is only a 20 yard landing area before a pond. The only other option was an iron off the tee but how can you be forced to play an iron on a par 5? This was not the only time it happened. 3 of the 4 par 5's made you lay up on the tee. I could get over the course of the other factors were not there. The slow pace and member issue is inexcusable. Closing before the customer finishes is plain unprofessional.