The state of Maine is placing golf centre stage in 2026, celebrating its storied fairways, historic clubs and dramatic natural landscapes after being recognised as the “Golfiest” State in the Northeast.
In its 2025 Golf Scorecard, the United States Golf Association awarded Maine the title, highlighting the state’s deep-rooted enthusiasm for the sport and the strength of its public and resort courses.
The accolade underscores Maine’s growing appeal as a golf-led travel destination, particularly for visitors seeking a blend of championship play, coastal scenery and mountain backdrops.
Golf has been embedded in Maine’s culture since the 1880s. Maine Historical Society is marking that legacy with a new exhibition, The Early Days of Maine Golf: A Visual History, 1888–1940, tracing the evolution of clubs, players and courses across the state.
Several of Maine’s layouts rank among the longest-surviving courses in the United States, reinforcing the state’s historic contribution to the American golf landscape.
Today, Maine boasts more than 130 courses stretching from the Atlantic coastline to its inland mountains — offering a distinctive combination of heritage and natural drama.
Among the standout venues, Belgrade Lakes Country Club has been ranked by Golf Digest among the top 100 public golf courses in the United States.
Meanwhile, Lucerne Golf Club — overlooking Phillips Lake and framed by mountain peaks, has been recognised as one of America’s finest nine-hole courses.
In the western mountains, both Sunday River Golf Club and Sugarloaf Golf Club feature courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, combining elevation shifts with panoramic vistas.
For more unusual experiences, Mount Kineo Golf Course is accessible only by ferry shuttle across Moosehead Lake, while Aroostook Valley Country Club features three holes that border Canada.
Maine’s midcoast region also offers luxury resort golf with oceanfront settings.
The Samoset Resort pairs seaside fairways with access to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, while Sebasco Harbor Resort combines golf with marina access and watersports.
At the Boothbay Harbor Country Club, named one of the top resort golf courses in 2026 by Golfweek, players enjoy a refined coastal experience alongside boutique cottage accommodation.
Maine’s golfing culture is not limited to elite players. Courses such as Hermon Meadow Golf Club and Bangor Municipal Golf Course emphasise accessibility and family-friendly play, while PGA youth camps in Freeport introduce younger generations to the sport.
As Maine celebrates its golfing distinction in 2026, the state is positioning itself not only as the Northeast’s most passionate golf destination but as one of America’s most scenically diverse places to tee off.
From oceanfront greens and lighthouse views to mountain summits and historic fairways, Maine’s claim to being the “Golfiest” State reflects more than course numbers — it captures a culture where sport, landscape and heritage meet in every round.
