Maine is considered a prime golfing destination with more than 130 fantastic courses to choose from. We’ve picked out the best golf destinations in Maine.
The state is known for its gorgeous coastlines, which paint the perfect backdrop to electrify the entire golf experience.
Plus, it’s a natural paradise and golf is an excellent way to spend the maximum amount of time outside, so stick around for a list of nine of the state’s best golf destinations.
1. Samoset Resort, Rockport
Samoset Resort is an Opal Collection property on the gorgeous coast of Maine. The resort is home to the legendary championship course, Samoset Golf Course.
The course boasts seven oceanside holes and a total of 14 holes that feature gorgeous Atlantic views. Plus, the course is home to one of New England’s most challenging 18th holes.
In 2023, the Samoset Golf Course was named Pebble Beach of the East by Golf Digest. In addition to 18 holes of spectacular views and legendary golf, the resort is also home to a clubhouse with a golf range and practice green.
What’s more, they also have a great short-game facility with bunkers, a fantastic pro shop, and a vibrant restaurant known as the Clubhouse Grille.
2. Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort, Boothbay
This resort is situated right on the water’s edge at Boothbay Harbor. In addition to the beautiful waterfront accommodation that the Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort boasts, the resort is also home to the award-winning Boothbay Harbor Country Club.
The club was established in 1921 and they have been reaping awards from golf’s biggest names ever since.
The course was named Best Clubhouse by Architectural Digest and Best Private Club in Maine by Northeast Golf.
Also home to the Over the Ledge restaurant, it was also named one of the 2021 Best Courses You Can Play by Golfweek. Their most recent accolades include making Golfweek’s list of Top 100 Best Resort Courses in 2022 and 2023.
3. Sugarloaf Golf Club & Resort, Carrabassett Valley
Sugarloaf Golf Club & Resort is one of Maine’s most popular winter paradises. The resort’s main feature is the 4,237-foot Sugarloaf Mountain, which attracts many avid skiers every year.
Once people realize that the resort is home to an 18-hole premier Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, they tend to return for the golf.
The course, which boasts panoramic mountain views from the first hole to the last, was named in Golfweek’s list of America’s 100 Best Resort Courses in 2007, 2009 and 2016.
Golf Digest also named the course in their list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses in 2003, 2005, and 2007. However, the course’s biggest and proudest accomplishment is being named the #1 course in Maine by Golf Digest for a total of 28 times since 1985.
4. Sebasco Harbor Resort, Phippsburg
Sebasco Harbor Resort is a charming and secluded establishment in Phippsburg, perfect for a relaxing retreat.
The resort sits on 450 acres of waterfront property, which features both golf and tennis courts. The golf course, The Links at Sebasco Harbor Resort, is a nine-hole course that overlooks the harbor.
There are many tee locations, so you can choose your own level of challenge according to your skill level. However, this short course still provides a challenge, regardless of the tee location that you choose.
There are two holes that people often look back to after a good game. These include the par-3 second hole, which requires you to change your approach according to the tide, and the very challenging par 5 finishing hole.
5. The Bethel Inn Resort & Suites, Bethel
If there’s one place that’s perfect for a golf trip, it’s The Bethel Inn Resort & Suites. This premier destination in Maine was named “Among the 25 best places in the United States to host an unforgettable family gathering” by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
The resort, which opened back in 1913, is home to a par 72 championship 18-hole golf course and the state-of-the-art Guaranteed Performance School of Golf.
The resort started as a nine-hole course and you can still see some hints of the old layout, like the 154-year-old Millbrook dam on the 12th hole.
The course spans over 6,663 yards of natural landscape and topography, incorporating tree-lined fairways and natural hazards.
What’s more, the renowned designer of the course, Geoffrey Cornish, named the 6th hole as one of his “Dream 18” holes.
6. Poland Spring Resort, Poland
Poland Spring Resort prides itself in being a ‘stress-free zone,” which is exactly what you can expect from this establishment.
The resort, which is on the National Register of Historic Sites is a tranquil home-away-from-home with beautiful scenery and fantastic facilities.
One of those facilities is the championship par 71 Donald Ross design, known as the Poland Spring Golf Course.
The course, with its slope of 125, spans over 6,178 yards of velvet bent grass greens and bright green fairways.
There are tees for players of all skill levels and various practice facilities, including a practice putting green, a golf school, and a driving range.
7. Rockland Golf Club, Rockland
The story behind this championship course is almost as impressive as the course itself. Gerry Chamberland was tired of the fact that he had to take a ferry to get to the nearest golf club, so he dreamt of building his own accessible course.
So, he bought a piece of land for $5000 and a book with the title ‘How to Build a Golf Course’ and he built a nine-hole course.
After acquiring more land over the years, the club expanded to the 27 holes that are available to play today. The course features bent grass greens and fairways, with a slope of 118 and 6,041 yards of play.
8. Martindale Country Club, Auburn
This popular country club in Auburn used to be private. As a matter of fact, it was a private club for the first 88 years of its existence.
Today, it’s a semi-private club with some dedicated tee times that are available to the public. You can choose to take on 18 holes of championship golf at Martindale or opt for indoor golf, which is perfect for rainy days.
The club has three golf simulators and various PGA professionals are available for golf lessons, which means that even those friends who don’t know how to play can join you on a trip. Plus, Grille19, the club’s restaurant, is available for functions and events.
9. Sunday River Golf Club, Newry
Last but certainly not least, there’s the premier Sunday River, which frequently walks away with the title of the best course in Maine.
Some of the course’s accolades include #1 Course in Maine by Golf Digest, Top 100 Courses You Can Play by Golf Magazine, Best Courses You Can Play in Maine by Golfweek Magazine, and Top 10 Upscale Public Courses by Golf Digest.
Once you step onto the course, you’ll immediately understand the reasoning behind these awards. Robert Trent Jones Jr. Incorporated the natural topography and Maine Woods to create one of the most spectacular 18-hole championship courses in New England.
The course, which overlooks the Sunday River, is surrounded by the Mahoosuc range, and also features a restaurant, pro shop, and practice range.