Trail 05 · Donald Ross Golf Trail

Maine Coastal

From York County's seaside fairways through America's oldest resort course to Penobscot Valley's championship links — four Ross designs along Maine's iconic coastline.

Courses

2–3

Days

~250

Miles

$50–110

Green Fees

Maine Coastal

The Maine Trail

Four Ross courses, from the southern coast to Downeast Maine.

Maine's Donald Ross legacy stretches from the southern coast to the heart of the state. Beginning near the New Hampshire border at Cape Neddick — where Ross laid out 18 holes along Shore Road in 1919 — the loop continues north through Biddeford-Saco's classic 1922 layout near Old Orchard Beach, then inland to Poland Spring Resort, home to America's oldest resort golf course (Ross redesign, ~1913). The route culminates at Orono's Penobscot Valley, one of the most acclaimed public-access Ross courses in New England. Along the way: lighthouses, lobster shacks, Portland's world-class food scene, and four distinct expressions of Ross's genius shaped by Maine's rugged landscape.

The Courses

Four Ross designs along the Maine coast.

Coastal gems, a historic resort, and a championship layout — presented in recommended play order from south to north.

1 Semi-Private

Course 01 · Cape Neddick

Cape Neddick Country Club

650 Shore Road, Cape Neddick, ME 03902 (207) 361-2011

Nestled along scenic Shore Road between York and Ogunquit, Cape Neddick traces its roots to 1919 when Donald Ross designed the original 18 holes for the Pickering family's Cliff Country Club. After nine holes were lost during World War II, the club operated as a 9-hole course for fifty years. In 1999, architect Brian Silva — an avid Ross student who played the course as a boy — designed nine new holes to complement the surviving Ross originals. The result is a seamless 18-hole layout where ocean breezes, coastal woodlands, and Ross's trademark ground game combine for an unforgettable round.

Par: 70
Yards: 6,257
Year: 1919
Green Fee: ~$110

Original Donald Ross design from 1919
Brian Silva expansion preserving Ross's style
Coastal setting with ocean breezes
Under 4-hour rounds — highly walkable
Public tee times available 7 days in advance

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2 Semi-Private

Course 02 · Saco

Biddeford-Saco Country Club

101 Old Orchard Road, Saco, ME 04072 (207) 282-5883

One of southern Maine's most popular clubs since the early 1920s, Biddeford-Saco features a front nine designed by Donald Ross in 1922 that remains a true test of golf. Ross's trademark carved-out swales, false fronts, and depth-perception tricks are on full display. The back nine, completed in 1991 by Brian Silva and Geoffrey Cornish, complements the original routing beautifully. Near Old Orchard Beach, the course offers ample water hazards, strategic bunkering, four sets of tees, and generous landing areas that make it enjoyable for all skill levels. Host of the annual Maine Qualifier.

Par: 71
Yards: 6,333
Year: 1922
Green Fee: $65–110

Original Ross front nine with classic design elements
Silva & Cornish back nine (1991) complements Ross
Host of annual Maine Qualifier
One of Maine's best practice facilities & ranges
Walkable layout, under 4.5 hours typical round

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3 Resort

Course 03 · Poland Spring

Poland Spring Resort Golf Course

41 Ricker Road, Poland Spring, ME 04274 (207) 998-6002

America's oldest resort golf course. Originally designed by Arthur Fenn in 1896 and redesigned by Donald Ross around 1913, Poland Spring is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Babe Ruth, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, and President Taft all played this layout, which retains Ross's original routing to this day. Fifteen of eighteen holes offer views of the White Mountains or nearby lakes, and the fall foliage is spectacular. Located just 30 minutes north of Portland, the resort offers lodging, dining, and a driving range — making it an ideal overnight stop on the Maine loop.

Par: 71
Yards: 6,178
Year: 1896/1913
Green Fee: $50–60

America's oldest resort golf course
National Register of Historic Sites
Played by Babe Ruth, Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen
15 of 18 holes with mountain or lake views
Outstanding value — under $60 for championship Ross

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4 Semi-Private

Course 04 · Orono

Penobscot Valley Country Club

366 Main Street, Orono, ME 04473 (207) 866-2423

Widely considered the finest public-access Donald Ross course in Maine, "Penoby" has been a Maine tradition since Ross personally designed and oversaw construction in 1924. The layout features an open, links-style feel with nearly every hole visible across the rolling property along the Penobscot River. Deep bunkers, daunting Ross greens, and a strong set of par 3s defend a layout that has hosted Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Patty Berg, and more than ten Maine Amateur Championships. A comprehensive restoration by Ron Forse in 2009 ensured this masterpiece will endure for generations.

Par: 72
Yards: 6,445
Year: 1924
Green Fee: $50–75

10+ Maine Amateur Championships hosted
Ron Forse restoration (2009) — virtually unchanged layout
Hosted Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Patty Berg
Links-style open feel with Penobscot River views
Outstanding value — championship Ross under $75

Book Tee Time Directions

Trail Map

The Maine Trail, mapped.

Click any marker to view that course. Greyed markers show additional Ross courses in Maine under consideration for trail expansion.

Plan your trip

Suggested Itineraries

Two ways to play the Maine Coastal loop — a focused southern sampler or the full three-day drive.

Option 01

Southern Maine Sampler (1 Day)

1 Day2 Courses

Morning

Cape Neddick Country Club — Cape Neddick

Start early at the southernmost course on the loop. Play Ross's coastal original and Silva's seamless expansion, then grab coffee in Ogunquit village before heading north.

Afternoon

Biddeford-Saco Country Club — Saco

Just 35 minutes north along Route 1. Experience Ross's front nine with its classic swales and false fronts, then the Silva-Cornish back nine. Walk Old Orchard Beach pier for sunset and lobster.

Option 02

The Full Loop (3 Days)

3 Days4 Courses

Day 01

Cape Neddick (AM) + Biddeford-Saco (PM)

Two Ross rounds in southern Maine. Start at Cape Neddick's seaside layout, then drive 35 minutes to Biddeford-Saco for an afternoon round. Stay in Kennebunkport or Old Orchard Beach — excellent dining and coastal charm.

Day 02

Poland Spring Resort — Poland Spring

Drive 45 minutes north to America's oldest resort course. Play Ross's historic layout with White Mountain views on 15 holes, then enjoy the resort's dining and lodging. Stay overnight at the resort or in nearby Auburn/Lewiston.

Day 03

Penobscot Valley CC — Orono

Drive 1.5 hours north on I-95 to the crown jewel of the loop. Penobscot Valley's championship Ross layout rewards patient play — save energy for those notoriously challenging greens. Optional: add Lucerne Golf Club in Dedham or visit Acadia National Park on the way home.

Local intel

Local Tips & Recommendations

What we've learned from playing the loop.

⏰

Best Time to Play

June through October for prime conditions. September and early October offer spectacular foliage and fewer crowds. Cape Neddick and Biddeford-Saco book up quickly in peak summer — reserve early. Penobscot Valley is less crowded and offers great value.

🚗

Getting There

Cape Neddick is 75 minutes north of Boston, just across the NH border. I-95 connects all three courses efficiently. The scenic US-1 coastal route between Saco and Orono adds time but passes through Camden, Rockland, and Belfast — worth the detour.

🏨

Where to Stay

Southern loop: Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, or Old Orchard Beach. Mid-coast: Camden or Rockland if driving the scenic route. Northern loop: Bangor or Orono near Penobscot Valley. Budget-friendly chain hotels cluster near I-95 exits.

🦞

Beyond Golf

This is Maine — lobster rolls are mandatory. Try The Lobster Shack at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth), Eventide Oyster Co. (Portland), or any roadside pound north of Bath. Acadia National Park is 45 minutes from Penobscot Valley. Portland's food scene rivals any city in New England.

Trail Expansion

Downeast & Inland — more Ross courses.

Maine has several additional Donald Ross courses we're actively researching for trail inclusion. Some have limited public access or are undergoing changes, but they're worth noting for dedicated Ross collectors.

PublicDedham, ME

Lucerne Golf Club

Central Maine · Est. early 1900s

A classic Donald Ross layout in central Maine, Lucerne is a public course listed by Golf Digest as a noteworthy Ross design. Now under the same ownership as Penobscot Valley, it could serve as a connector stop between Orono and Acadia National Park.

Visit Lucerne Golf

9 HolesDexter, ME

Dexter Municipal Golf Club

Par 35 · Municipal

A charming 9-hole municipal designed by Ross, featuring gently rolling terrain and a signature par-3 7th over water. Affordable and welcoming — a worthwhile detour for Ross completists heading inland from Bangor.

Know a Ross course we're missing? We're actively researching Donald Ross designs across Maine — from Kittery to Aroostook County. If you know of a course we should include, let us know.

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