A Bath golfer teeing up

A Bath golfer teeing up


While the quaint, riverfront city of Bath, Maine, is known for its shipbuilding prowess and historic ironworks facilities, it isn’t exactly famous for being a noted hotbed of championship golf courses.

But don’t leave your clubs at home when traveling to this area, all you golf fanatics. Not only is Bath home to its own noteworthy, semi-private (open to the public, but offers memberships for priority tee times and other benefits) golf club, but there are numerous facilities, both public and private, that are less than a 35-minute commute from the city’s center—a fair tradeoff for a glorious day on the fairways in Vacationland, wouldn’t you say?

Map of Bath Golf Courses

Check out this map of Bath golf courses to beeline your way to your next hole-in-one.

The Bath Golf Club

Offering 18 holes over 6,301 yards with a par of 70, the semi-private, seasonal Bath Golf Club was designed by Wayne Stiles and Geoffrey Cornish in 1932 as a 9-hole course; the back 9 were not added until 1994.

You’ll encounter tricky, terraced elevation changes and rolling greens here along with craftily-placed bunkers, and—in a nod to Bath’s lifeblood—each of the 18 holes is named after well-known (to locals, anyway) ships.

Carts and clubs are available to rent at the refurbished 18th-century clubhouse and pro shop, and while there is no driving range, there is a putting green, a pitching/chipping zone, and an in-house teaching pro.

You’ll also have your choice of two dining options; for a more traditional experience, head to Merrymeeting Hall, which overlooks the 9th green.

If you’re looking for beer and pub fare, the more casual Grill Room is ideal.

Location: 387 Whiskeag Rd, Bath, ME 04530
Website: The Bath Golf Club

Highland Green Golf Club

Just 12 minutes from downtown Bath, the seasonal Highland Green Golf Club offers semi-private play on a Scottish links-style course in a 55+ community.

Featuring 9 holes of par 35 golf on 2,910 yards, this course was built in 2004 and creatively uses the existing topography (ledges, ridgelines, water hazards, trees) to add a bit more challenge to your game.

Facilities and services include a putting green, an on-site golf pro, a clubhouse—where you can rent clubs and carts—as well as a bar and restaurant; appropriate golf attire is required.

Location: 114 Village Dr, Topsham, ME 04086
Website: Highland Green Golf Club

Brunswick Golf Club

Offering 18 holes of 72-par play over 6,543 yards, the semi-private Brunswick Golf Club was established in 1898 and is just over 12 minutes from the center of Bath.

Originally designed by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek, this scrupulously maintained, championship course offers rolling, tree-lined fairways and four sets of tees at each hole for all levels of play.

You can rent both clubs and carts here, and there is a golf academy as well as an on-site teaching pro available.

There currently is no driving range—but you’ll have access to a pitching/chipping area and putting green; you can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cocktails at Brunswick Golf Club’s pub.

Location: 165 River Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011
Website: Brunswick Golf Club

Mere Creek Golf Club

You’ll find this semi-private, 9-hole course at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, just a hop, skip, and jump from Bowdoin College and less than 15 minutes from Bath.

Offering affordable, 35-par play over 3,163 yards, the Mere Creek course is described by players as being a great practice course while still providing an enjoyable level of challenges with its elevation changes and long holes.

Built in 1958, Mere Creek features a teaching pro, club rentals (cart rentals are included in your greens fee), a clubhouse, a well-stocked pro shop, a driving range, and a putting green.

Location: 41 Merriconeag Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011
Website: Mere Creek Golf Club

Shore Acres Golf Course at Sebasco Harbor Resort

If you are staying at the Sebasco Harbor Resort—or know someone who is—then you’re good to go at this private, 9-hole course, which is just under 20 minutes from the center of Bath.

Established in 1926, this seasonal 36-par option features 3,046 yards of challenging, scenic play; in addition to the rest of the resort’s facilities (spa, pool, tennis, fitness room), you’ll also have access to the clubhouse, bar, dining options, putting green, pitching/chipping area, and teaching pro.

And if you’re a guest at the resort but forgot your clubs, don’t fret; you can rent those, as well as ride-on or push carts.

Location: 29 Kenyon Rd, Phippsburg, ME 04562
Website: Sebasco Harbor Resort

Maine Golf Center Freeport

This public course, which was formerly the Freeport Country Club, is only 25 minutes from Bath and offers 9 holes of 36-par play over 2,939 yards.

While closely following the lay of the land, the gently undulating fairways and greens are meticulously kept despite the maintenance challenges the rugged terrain sometimes provides.

Originally built in 1965, this seasonal (the rest of the facility is year-round) course is reasonably priced and offers club/cart rentals, bunkers, water features, a driving range, a golf pro and teaching academy, a putting green, and a chipping/pitching area.

Location: 2 Old County Rd, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Maine Golf Center Freeport

Apple Valley Golf Course

Just over half an hour’s drive from the center of Bath, you’ll find the Apple Valley Golf Course—a 9-hole hidden gem designed in 1960 by Arthur “Stubby” Chapman.

Perfect for all skill levels, each tee has four positions, and players will encounter 6 bunkers along the 5,048 yards of 70-par play. The 200-year-old building that houses the clubhouse—where you can rent clubs and carts—also features a pro shop, spacious lounge, and snack bar.

And while there are no extra services or facilities such as a driving range, putting green, or pitching/chipping zone, the affordable rates reflect this.

Location: 316 Pinewoods Rd, Lewiston, ME 04240
Website: Apple Valley Golf Course

The Meadows Golf Club

The Meadows Golf Club is semi-private and features an 18-hole course designed by William Bradley Booth in 1998. This 58-par, 6,814-yard course offers players of all skill levels a challenging and scenic golf experience, with its rolling, beautifully-kept fairways bordered by mature Maine forest and dotted with bunkers and tricky water hazards.

The Meadows Golf Club features an academy, teaching pro, pitching/chipping area, and putting green—and while the course itself may be seasonal, The Meadows can keep you busy all year long with their state-of-the-art, Full Swing golf simulator.

Oh, and the club’s restaurant is open year-round, as well.

Location: 495 Huntington Hill Rd, Litchfield, ME 04350
Website: The Meadows Golf Club

Boothbay Harbor Country Club

Just over a half-hour from Bath’s center, the private Boothbay Harbor Country Club first opened in 1921, featuring a Stiles and Van Kleek-designed 9-hole course.

Expanded to 18 holes in 1999, the course underwent a complete redesign by Bruce Hepner starting in 2013 and reopened in 2016.

These days, you’ll enjoy a 6,655-yard, 71-par championship course, complete with all of the amenities, services, and features you would expect from a top-notch, upscale, private club: Immaculate greens and beautifully landscaped, challenging fairways; four climate-controlled bathrooms on the course, each with water bottle-stocked refrigerators; cart, club, and GPS rentals; a putting green, driving range, chipping pitching area, bunkers, golf pro, and teaching academy; a fully-stocked pro shop; three restaurants; and tennis courts, a pool, and a fitness/wellness center, which includes a spa.

Location: 50 Sugar Maple Lane, Boothbay, ME 04537
Website: Boothbay Harbor Country Club