Planning a trip to Maine or simply on the hunt for a new golf course to conquer? Look no further! We’ve teed up a selection of premier golf courses just a short drive from Portland. These courses promise an unforgettable experience, leaving you hooked and ready to play another round!
We’ve also gone the extra yardage by including the distance of each golf course from the heart of Portland, the Old Port!
5.9 Miles from the Old Port
Riverside Golf Course stands out as the only course on this list located within Portland’s city limits. Owned and operated by the City of Portland, this beloved public golf facility first opened its doors in 1932. It boasts an 18-hole course, a 9-hole course, and a 3-hole practice course. With its classic layout featuring rolling hills and tree-lined fairways along the Presumpscot River, it offers a scenic and enjoyable golfing experience. In 2023, the USGA ranked Riverside as the third most-played course in the United States, with an impressive 7,545 rounds posted. The only courses with more rounds were Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California, and St. Clair Country Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tee times at Riverside fill up quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as possible if you want to play. A bonus benefit is the abundance of nearby breweries you can enjoy after your round at Riverside!
North Course • 18 Holes – 1158 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103
South Course • 9 Holes – 1010 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103
12 Miles from the Old Port by Boat
The Great Chebeague Golf Club offers a unique and enjoyable golfing experience. Located on an island, it is one of only five island golf courses in Maine, accessible only by boat. Founded nearly 100 years ago by two seasonal residents who envisioned a course while picking blueberries, the club started with six holes and has grown to a nine-hole course. Notably, the signature seventh hole, a 110-yard par three, requires a challenging shot over Casco Bay from the Stone Wharf to the course’s toughest green. Despite its difficulty, this hole provides the best chance for a hole-in-one. The best way to experience playing this course is by renting a golf cart from Dyl’s Carts, ensuring a comfortable and convenient round of golf.
28 Miles from the Old Port
Considered one of Maine’s premier golf courses, Point Sebago‘s 18-hole Championship course provides an exceptional day of golf. Nestled on 500 acres of stunning white birch forest adjacent to Sebago Lake, this par 72 course accommodates all skill levels. It stretches from a challenging 7,002 yards from the back tees to a more forgiving 3,200 yards from the forward tees. Point Sebago also features an excellent practice area for honing both your long and short game before you tee off. This is a must-play course for anyone looking to experience the best of Maine golf.
34 Miles from the Old Port
Fox Ridge Golf Club is a challenging course that will test every skill imaginable. It features right and left doglegs, uphill and downhill holes, optional water crossings and approaches, wide and narrow fairways, playable rough, and diverse yet fair greens, including Maine’s only island green. Most holes present a choice between taking on longer, stroke-reducing challenges or opting for the traditionally safer middle-of-the-fairway approaches. This course never gets boring and demands constant strategic thinking. Since its opening in 2001, Fox Ridge has consistently been ranked among the top 10 golf courses in Maine.
38 Miles from the Old Port
Old Marsh Country Club, located in Wells, is an 18-hole championship golf course built in 2008 as a tribute to the golden age designs of C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. In its inaugural year, GOLF Magazine ranked Old Marsh CC among the “Top 10 Best in America,” and it consistently appears in the Top 25 Courses in New England according to New England Golf Monthly. In 2017, the club introduced a world-class practice facility, providing players with even more opportunities to refine their skills.
13 Miles from the Old Port
Val Halla Golf Course, situated in Cumberland Center, is a renowned public golf course celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere and impeccably maintained greens. Established in 1965, this 18-hole, par-72 course stretches across 6,567 yards, featuring a blend of open fairways and strategically placed hazards, offering a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all abilities. Serving as the home base for the Maine State Golf Association, Val Halla frequently hosts many of Maine’s amateur tournaments, further cementing its status as a central hub for the state’s golfing community.
19 Miles from the Old Port
Since the early 1920s, Biddeford-Saco Country Club, a semi-private club with public tee times, has been one of Maine’s most popular golf clubs. Situated in Saco and Old Orchard Beach, the club features an 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross. From its inception, Biddeford-Saco has been known for its welcoming atmosphere, a tradition that continues today. Its close proximity to Old Orchard Beach makes it a prime vacation destination for golfers visiting Maine.
26 Miles from the Old Port
Situated in the heart of midcoast Maine, Brunswick Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course with a history dating back to the late 1800s. Known for its standout holes, such as the picturesque par-5 9th and the challenging par-4 6th, Brunswick features tree-lined fairways and pristine greens. As one of the founding clubs of the Maine State Golf Association in 1917, Brunswick Golf Club ensures that tee times and golf carts are always available. Additionally, it is celebrated as one of the most walkable courses in the state.
19 Miles from the Old Port
Located right next to the beach, Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach is a premier golf course that consistently offers a rewarding round of golf. Crafted on Maine’s coastal terrain and sculpted into a golf design masterpiece, Dunegrass combines challenging play with pristine conditions. The course preserves natural features such as streams, hillsides, undulations, and rock outcroppings, creating a stunning visual experience for golfers. Spanning over 300 acres of wooded back dunes, Dunegrass Golf Club offers 18 holes of premier golfing in southern Maine.
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65 Wild Dunes Way, Old Orchard Beach ME 04064
30 Miles from the Old Port
Designed by Arthur Fenn in 1896 and redesigned by Donald Ross in 1915, Poland Spring Golf Course is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. This 18-hole, par 71 championship course, measuring 6,178 yards, offers a classic links-style golfing experience. The course features velvet bent grass greens, well-maintained fairways, and tees suitable for all skill levels. Additionally, Poland Spring Golf Course offers a driving range, practice putting green, and a golf school with options for daily or multi-day lessons.
8.2 Miles from the Old Port
Nonesuch River Golf Club is a 203-acre facility in Scarborough, featuring a meticulously maintained 18-hole public golf course, a full-size practice range, and two putting greens. The club also boasts a golf academy with professional PGA instruction. The Nonesuch River, which runs directly through the property, creates wetland areas that support a variety of plant and animal species. Unique to Nonesuch is the lack of development on the golf course, aside from the clubhouse and golf-related amenities. Known for its strategic layout, this course challenges golfers to use every club in their bag. During the season, the club’s tee sheet fills up quickly, so booking tee times in advance is highly recommended to enjoy this southern Maine golf gem.
Already played these courses and looking for new options? Here are a few more to consider: Willowdale Golf Club, Spring Meadows Golf Club, Cape Arundel Golf Club, Dutch Elm Golf Club, Toddy Brook Golf Course, and Fairlawn Golf Course. Did we miss one that you think should be on this list? Send us a message and we’ll look into it!