What if a round of golf could be totally chill: Easy to book, a snap to arrive and depart from, casual but not run down and most of all affordable?

And what if all those benefits came with a fun and challenging course setup, excellent service and even a breathtaking ocean view?

Welcome to Chatham Seaside Links (https://www.chathamseasidelinks.com) a hilly, comfortable, interesting and laid-back community owned and operated nine-hole course that sits smack in the middle of the Chatham Bars Inn property. It’s one of the Cape’s, if not the world’s, most sought-after locales.

I signed on to play a quick nine holes on a bright spring Sunday, having spent a weekend at the Inn and wanting to get in a tiny golf fix.

From the start, I could tell this place is beloved. Our starter didn’t just fit us in a few minutes early, he pointed ahead and gave us tips for a few of the upcoming holes. Blind spots are a regular occurrence on this super hilly course, a fun challenge that keeps you on your toes. Other players didn’t just wait to tee off; they noticed we were new and said hello.

The nine-hole par 34 over 2,249-yard course (bigger than an executive course but easily walkable and quick to play) has played nearly the same since its inception in 1893, making it one of the oldest courses on the Cape.

A local named Steve who volunteers to keep the place running well told me that other than some moved, removed and changed sand traps, it has remained the same all those years.

That means some smaller greens, tricky traps and a little bit of target golf here and there – in other words: Fun.

Right away, I liked the way the course played. CSL is super hilly; so hilly that you wonder if you really are on the Cape. That sets up interesting holes; ones that offer up motivating challenges. Can you drive it far enough to reach that hill? If yes, extra roll is your reward.

With two par 3 holes and the remaining par 4’s, I found myself facing more chances for getting on in regulation – and what’s wrong with an ego boost like that? You will find yourself hearing (and yelling) “Fore!” a bit more that usual – there are quite a few blind spots. But any time I was confused, a golfer noticed and pointed me to where I was to hit or at times – hide.

At the end of our first nine, my husband looked at me, pointed out how quickly our round had taken and said, “Seems like a good spot to take another try at it.” We meandered into the tiny clubhouse and they fit us in, pairing us up with Steve.

The second time through, equipped now with familiarity and tips from Steve, we loved the vibe and play even more.

Understanding the layout, I improved on some holes and savored some moments a second time.

Like the sign at the third hole that warns you to avoid hard left – there are folks enjoying the Inn’s spa right there. The houses lining the fairway are fun to ogle too: beautiful and classic Cape up close (but not too close; signs ask you not to search for balls on private property).

The real payoff, though, comes at the tee box of the eighth hole, where the green fairway dips down and stretches below you, Cape houses dot the land around you and straight ahead –  wide open and beautiful –  sits Pleasant Bay, the sparkling white sands of the beach at its eastern end and beyond it, the deep blue Atlantic.

There’s no on-site restaurant, but right across the way is the Chatham Bars Inn, the perfect upscale Ying for the casual Yang of the golf round. Or meander about a mile down the road and savor one of the many Chatham dining establishments.

For $22 for nine holes or $34 for 18, Chatham Seaside Links is the perfect golf fix to weave into your Cape vacation or just to head down and take on. Sure, it’s not Augusta National. But it’s pretty, accessible, affordable and super fun. What more is golf about?