Camden golfing on the coast of Maine
Surprisingly, the tony seaside resort town of Camden, Maine, does not have a golf course of its own. But fear not, intrepid golfers.

There are a fair few courses less than a half-hour’s drive from downtown Camden—and if you are willing to travel a bit further, you’ll have even more options. Almost all of the courses on this list are public or semi-private; the private club is noted, and to play there, you’ll need to either join or go with a member.

And if you enjoy having a beautiful view while waiting your turn to make par, you’ve come to the right state. Some of these locations have breathtaking ocean panoramas from many tees—so be sure to have your phone handy for pics to post to your social media (unless you’re supposed to be at work, of course).

Map of Camden Area Golf Courses

These Camden area golf courses are well worth the drive.

Goose River Golf Course

Just a hop, skip, and jump from Camden’s center, the folks that run Goose River consider it to be “one of mid-coast Maine’s hidden gems.” This seasonal, par-35 public course was built in 1965 and offers 3,049 yards of play.

Each of Goose River’s 9 holes features multiple tee positions for players of all ages and skill levels; the wide fairways are tree-lined and well-tended, making for fast, enjoyable play. There is a clubhouse where snacks are available, and a teaching pro is also on-site. Goose River also offers a putting green, pitching/chipping zone, and driving range.

Location: 50 Park St, Rockport, ME 04856 (4 minutes)
Website: Goose River Golf Course

Megunticook Golf Club

It’s worth your while to try and track down a member to get you in the door to this private club, which is located just over five minutes from Camden. The meticulous grounds and stately buildings were established in 1899 as a golf and tennis club and appear on the National Register of Historic Places.

The 9-hole, 34-par, seasonal golf course runs 2,709 yards from the longest tee placements, and the club is extremely family-friendly, offering other activities for members like pickleball and tennis. There is a full-service café on the property, and a golf professional is also available for instruction and pointers.

Location: 1 Calderwood Ln, Rockport, ME 04856 (6 minutes)
Website: Megunticook Golf Club

Rockland Golf Club

Open from when the snow melts until early November, the Rockland Golf Club was built in 1916 and is under 15 minutes from Camden. Recently rated the #2 course in the state and #20 in New England by Golf Advisor, this 18-hole, par-70 course is open to the public and features 6,041 yards of play from the longest tees.

Carts, clubs, and pull-carts are available for rent at the clubhouse, and there is both a teaching pro and a golf academy on-site; a putting green and pitching/chipping area are also on offer. Note that there is a dress code for players; there is also a clubhouse and restaurant at the Rockland Golf Club.

Location: 606 Old County Rd, Rockland, ME 04841 (14 minutes)
Website: Rockland Golf Club

Samoset Golf Course

Located at the oceanfront Samoset Resort just over 15 minutes from Camden, the championship golf course here offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic from almost every one of the 18 holes.

The property’s golf campus features both practice and putting greens, a short-game area including bunkers, a well-stocked pro shop, and the Clubhouse Grille Restaurant. Built in 1902, The Samoset Golf Course offers 6,548 yards of par-70 play from the longest tees at each of the 18 holes.

The “home of New England’s premier championship course,” Samoset started as a 9-hole course; it wasn’t until renowned architect Robert Elder rebuilt it in 1974 that it expanded to its current size.

Location: 220 Warrenton St, Rockport, ME 04856 (17 minutes)
Website: Samoset Golf Course

Northport Golf Club

Featuring a traditional, 9-hole, 36-par course offering 3,055 yards of play, the Northport Golf Club is only 20 minutes away from Camden. Winning “Best of the Best” in Waldo county golf for over ten years in a row, this well-tended public course has two practice putting greens, a driving range, secondary teeing spots for 18-hole games, and a chipping green.

You’ll also find a well-staffed pro shop on-site, stocked with golf equipment, apparel, snacks, and beverages; there is a PGA professional available for private lessons, or just to discuss the finer points of the game with you.

Location: 581 Bluff Rd, Northport, ME 04849 (20 minutes)
Website: Northport Golf Club

West Appleton Country Club

Less than half an hour from Camden, this public, 9-hole, 2,950-yard course offers 36-par play and opened in 2013. The neat, manicured greens and fairways are treelined and rolling, following the lay of the land, and there are amazing views on offer throughout this affordable course.

“Relaxed,” “laid-back,” and “friendly” are common adjectives you’ll often hear from players when describing West Appleton; the owners are very community-minded and welcome everyone to their course like family.

Location: 2306 W Appleton Rd, Appleton, ME 04862 (25 minutes)
Website: West Appleton Country Club

Country View Golf Club

Located 40 minutes from Camden and dubbed “Maine’s most scenic golf course,” Country View lives up to its name, offering 9 holes of family-friendly, 36-par golf.

This public country club features 2,885 yards of play from the longest tees, and there is a putting green and driving range available, as well. Country View also has a small pro shop and café, and there is an on-site teaching pro; gas-powered golf carts are also available to rent if you’re not feeling very walk-ish.

Location: 178 Moosehead Trail Hwy, Brooks, ME 04921 (40 minutes)
Website: Country View Golf Club

Sheepscot Links Golf Course

Built in 2001, the fairways on this par-35, 9-hole public course are wide and tree-lined, offering 2,837 yards of play for all skill levels. Located 45 minutes from Camden, there is a lounge on the property, and while there isn’t a driving range or putting green, there are three different tee placements at every hole, allowing players to choose the level of difficulty for every shot.

Carts, pull-carts, and clubs are available to rent, and private lessons as well as frequent clinics are available with the club’s PGA pro.

Location: 822 Town House Rd, Whitefield, ME 04353 (45 minutes)
Website: Sheepscot Links Golf Course

Wawenock Golf Club

Established in 1928, this 9-hole public golf course is just over 45 minutes from Camden and offers alternate tees for 18-hole games. Featuring expansive, open fairways, bunkers, and minimal trees, Wawenock is a traditional Scottish-links-style, 6,041-yard course and offers par-70 play.

The pro shop is in the clubhouse and is stocked with brand-name equipment and apparel; this is also where you can rent carts and clubs. There are food and beverage options at Wawenock, as well, including a bar/grille and a full-service restaurant.

Location: 685 ME-129, Walpole, ME 04573 (48 minutes)
Website: Wawenock Golf Club