SCORE: 7.3
Mink Meadow Video Review Here
Value : 7.5
Mink is definitely viewed as "inexpensive" on the island, as Farm Neck will cost you well over $300 at the end of the day, most people aren't sniffing Vineyard Golf or Edgartown, and Chappy is a rather difficult (although extremely fun) endeavor.
Priced $160 for a summer round of 18 (remember this is a 9 hole track), you can find prices that fly between $60-$100 if you go in off peak hours.
Generally we would give $160 a bottom of the barrel score for a repeat rate of 9 holes, but remember you're in one of the primetime vacation destinations in all of the U.S. If Farm Neck is going for $320, nearly half the price for a solid round of 18 is truly not that bad if you already coughed up the money to come over and bring your clubs.
Condition : 8.5
Mink is a fun course IMO. It's generally kept in solid shape (maybe runs a little on the furry/unkempt side but still lush), it's the woodsy Cape track that doesn't have superb water views but does still give a very nice run of holes.
The layout features very attractive shots that can get you in trouble (ripping drivers and going for shots that you don't necessarily need), and is appealing to the eye. For example #1 is a tighter shot than you'd think, same as #2/#9, etc., but all feel like you want to gain the advantage with using your driver off the tee.
I'd state that the bunkers can be hard/rocky, the greens may run a tad slow, but overall it is kept in shape that warrants a price big enough to make you double take, but I never feel bad for spending the money.
Atmosphere : 6
This is where the place get's killed. A spot that could overtake Farm Neck as the more low key spot to hangout, there is no F&B offering. Kind of gives me 9 hole vibes of Butterbrook up in Westford. If it had more of a dining/drinking option (there are tricky F&B laws in Vineyard Haven that have been updated and we should DEFINITELY double check all of this), this would be a supremely underrated spot. More of the gritty blue collar brother to the white collar brother Farm Neck.
-Cam