Donald Ross Golf Trail
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
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.
📍 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.
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📍 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.
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📍 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.
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📍 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.
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.
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 GolfA 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We're always expanding the trail. If you know a public-access Donald Ross course in New England, let us know.