Great Chebeague Golf Club
Chebeague Island, Maine
“Once you have played golf on an island, you’ll never be quite the same.”
A public ferry (20 mins north of Portland) across Casco Bay takes you to Chebeague Island, home to a 9-hole golf course over 100 years old. We were told they do not take reservations but rather give them a call when we were on our way.
Great Chebeague Golf Club embodies all the quirkiness and fun we look for in golf. The 7th-hole tee box sits on the same dock your boat arrives on. Before heading out, you’ll receive some lay of the land, including a few unique local rules. For example, a 160-yard (max) layup is required off the first hole tee box, as a road is lined with parked cars cutting through the hole. Players who cross the road off the tee can expect a 1-shot penalty.
Quirky as it is charming, the course blends naturally with the islands’ landscape. The bay is visible from just about everywhere on the course, and several of the walks from green to tee include meandering paths carved through the woods.
As it was Lady’s Day, we were free to play as much golf as we’d like but were asked to always allow the large group to play through. Women have played a significant role here since the course’s inception. At the time of our visit, we learned that the leadership team was mostly made up of women. The folks at Great Cheabauge are responsible for creating one of golf’s most welcoming environments.
A big reason why we play golf is for the travel, adventure, and people we meet along the way. Spots like Great Chebeague, an unforgettable golf experience for locals and the few outsiders who find it, make the journey worth it.
Public: Course Website | Opened: 1920
