Weekly Golf Events in Maine

Whether you live in Maine or plan on taking a trip to Vacationland, you'll have plenty of opportunities to break out the sticks for a few rounds of golf between April and November. The Golf Maine Association says three of the state's public courses -- Sugarloaf, Belgrade Lakes and Sunday River -- made the list of the top 100 public courses nationally, and Province Lake landed in the top 50 for women.

  1. The Facts

    • According to the Maine Office of Tourism, more than 140 golf courses dot the state, with nearly 40 offering nine holes, allowing you to get in a round of golf and during the same vacation participate in the abundant non-golf activities in Maine. The Golf Maine Association's website lists resources that help you plan a combined trip, such as a golf and rafting or golf and sailing vacation.

    Planning

    • The Maine Office of Tourism identifies eight distinct regions of the state -- Southern Maine Coast, Greater Portland, Mid-Coast, lakes and mountains, Downeast and Acadia, Maine Highlands, Kennebec and Moose River Valley and Aroostook County -- and its Visit Maine website allows you to search for golf options by region. You can also customize your search by price per round, lodging options, stay and play packages or by courses with rental equipment or lessons.

    Weekly Tournaments

    • During the golf season, the Maine State Golf Association offers weekly tournaments throughout the state for amateur golfers. Scheduled for amateurs, senior amateurs and juniors, the tourneys are open to players who meet minimum requirements, including membership status in a MSGA club or associate club. The association offers information and membership forms on its website, and the tournaments vary from one-day mid-week events to two- or three-day events on weekends.

    Considerations

    • If you seek golfing options that don't require driving all over the Pine Tree State, some 25 golf courses, both nine and 18 holes, exist within 25 miles of Portland -- including courses in Falmouth, Scarbourgh, Old Orchard and several other communities in the Greater Portland/Casco Bay region. As of 2011, according to the PGA, Westbrook offers the most golfing options in the state with four courses, while Auburn, Falmouth, Orrington, Rockport, Scarborough and York each have three courses.