Best Golf Courses Near Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Packing the clubs for a Maine beach vacation sounds simple, until the search starts and most “best of” lists never actually say which courses are close to the sand. Golfers planning a coastal trip often end up with a dozen open browser tabs and still no clear answer.

Maine’s own golf industry data explains why so many people search this way in the first place. An estimated 76,000 overnight visitor trips were built around golf in Maine in a single year, according to Maine Golf’s 2023 economic impact research. Visiting golfers spend real money chasing the right course, which raises an obvious question: what are the best golf courses near Old Orchard Beach Maine, and how do you fit a round into a beach vacation without losing a morning to guesswork?

Best Golf Courses Near Old Orchard Beach

Only one course sits inside Old Orchard Beach itself; the rest are a short drive away in Saco, Scarborough, or Wells. Based on course design pedigree, local rankings, and value, these are the courses that consistently come up as the top golf courses Old Orchard Beach Maine has to offer.

Dunegrass Golf Club (Old Orchard Beach)

The only golf course physically inside town limits, and the closest option for anyone staying near the beach at 65 Wild Dunes Way. Designed by Dan Maples across 300 acres of wooded back dunes, it plays to a par 72 across 6,644 yards from the back tees, with four sets of tees so the layout stays fair for beginners and low handicappers alike. Natural streams, hillsides, and rock outcroppings were preserved during construction, which gives the front nine a rougher, more rugged feel than most public courses in the area. 

Grill65 serves lunch and dinner with views across the golf course. During winter, indoor golf simulators keep guests playing year round. Green fees run around $57, and the course stays busy on weekend mornings, so booking a few days ahead is worth it.

Biddeford-Saco Country Club (Saco)

A semi-private club with public tee times at 101 Old Orchard Rd, designed by Donald Ross and operating continuously since the early 1920s. Tree-lined fairways and fast bentgrass greens make this one of the area’s most historic golf courses. Accurate iron play matters more than distance, creating a rewarding challenge for skilled golfers.

The club has kept much of its original routing intact, which golf history fans tend to appreciate, and the welcoming atmosphere has been part of its reputation since it first opened. It’s roughly a ten-minute drive from the beach, making it an easy add-on for a half-day round before heading back to the sand.

Nonesuch River Golf Club (Scarborough)

Designed by Tom Walker, this riverside course follows the Nonesuch River with Pete Dye-inspired bunkers. Elevation changes add challenge across its par 72 layout, stretching up to 7,000 yards from the tips. The back nine follows the river closely, with water and rough terrain shaping every shot. As a result, each hole offers a fresh challenge that rewards smart club selection.

Renting a GPS cart is worth considering here, since yardages shift more than at a typical flat course. Green fees sit around $36, making it a solid mid-level pick for golfers who want scenery without a premium price tag.

Willowdale Golf Club (Scarborough)

One of the most budget-friendly Old Orchard Beach golf courses, founded in 1940 with green fees around $29. Wide fairways and forgiving greens create a low pressure round for golfers of all skill levels. Plus, the practice range is ideal before tee time.

The course has remained a popular public option for more than eighty years. As a result, locals often recommend it alongside Dunegrass to visiting golfers looking for an affordable round.

Deep Brook Golf Course (Saco)

A casual, well-maintained public course known for its afternoon value, with rates around $35 including cart after 3pm. Reviewers consistently mention the terrific views and well-groomed fairways and greens, which keep the course challenging without feeling unfair to less experienced players. It’s a favorite for visitors who want a quick, relaxed round without booking weeks in advance. Plus, the shorter course leaves plenty of time to enjoy the beach afterward.

Many guests staying in our spacious first floor King Suites use them as a convenient base between golf rounds. With extra room for larger groups, there’s plenty of space to store clubs and gear.

How to Plan a Golf Day Near Old Orchard Beach in 5 Steps

Golf near Old Orchard Beach becomes much easier when you book early and plan ahead. Staying close to your chosen courses helps every round run more smoothly.

1.     Pick a course by drive time first. Dunegrass is the only in-town option, while Biddeford-Saco Country Club, Nonesuch River Golf Club, and Willowdale Golf Club all sit under twenty minutes away.
2.     Book the tee time five to seven days ahead through GolfNow or the course directly, especially for weekend mornings in July and August.
3.     Check the green fee range before committing. Peak-season pricing across the top golf courses Old Orchard Beach Maine offers runs from about twenty nine dollars at value courses up to around one hundred twenty dollars for premium tee times.
4.     Build beach time into the same day, since most courses sit close enough to fit both a round and an afternoon on the sand.
5.     Confirm parking and check-in the night before, and leave the clubs at the hotel rather than the car. Seagrass Inn’s complimentary parking makes early tee times easier to manage.

Comparing the Top Golf Courses Near Old Orchard Beach Maine

Knowing the names is only half the job. The biggest mistake visitors make is picking a course by name recognition instead of matching it to their skill level and budget, since the details that decide a good round, like pace of play and distance from Old Orchard Beach, rarely show up in a star rating. A few common missteps worth avoiding before booking a tee time:

•   Assuming every course is walkable from the beach. Only Dunegrass sits inside Old Orchard Beach; the rest require a short drive.
•   Booking a championship-style course for a beginner group. Willowdale and Deep Brook offer wide fairways and lower fees better suited to casual play.
•   Underestimating coastal wind. Maine coast golf courses see steady ocean breezes that change club selection, especially in the afternoon.
•   Skipping the tee time confirmation call during the busy July and August stretch, when courses fill faster than the app shows.

Golfing groups traveling together often book the Two Full-Sized Beds room. It gives friends a comfortable place to stay while splitting accommodation costs.

Which Old Orchard Beach Golf Courses Fit Your Trip?

The right golf course depends on your group and the experience you want. Couples often prefer Nonesuch River Golf Club, while larger groups usually choose Dunegrass for its practice facilities and Grill65. Families newer to the game do best at Willowdale or Deep Brook, where the pace is slower and the cost per round stays low. Solo travelers often prefer a quick nine holes before returning to the beach. As a result, many choose Dunegrass because it is located in Old Orchard Beach.

For anyone comparing golf courses near Old Orchard Beach Maine against courses further up the coast, the real draw is convenience. Few other stretches of Maine coast golf courses put a beach, a historic pier, and four or five playable courses inside a twenty minute radius. Visitors who want to unwind with an ocean view after eighteen holes often choose the King-Sized Bed Ocean View room at Seagrass Inn, where the second floor puts the Atlantic right outside the window.

The Fairway Is Closer Than You Think

One practical habit separates smooth golf trips from frustrating ones: call the course directly, not just the booking app, when confirming an early tee time in peak season. Maine’s smaller public courses often hold back a few walk-on slots that never show up online, and that one phone call can save an entire wasted morning. It also helps to ask about cart availability on the same call, since some of the smaller courses near the coast run out of carts before nine in the morning during the busiest weeks of summer.

For a trip built around golf near Old Orchard Beach, Seagrass Inn sits within easy reach of every course on this list and just seventy five yards from the beach for the hours in between rounds. Groups can book the King Suites for extra space, while couples chasing a sunrise view can request the second-floor King-Sized Bed Ocean View room. Anyone still comparing the top golf courses Old Orchard Beach Maine has to offer can use this list as the starting point and book the stay that fits the group. Reserve your room before the summer tee sheets fill up.

Frequently Asked Questions for Golf Courses Near Old Orchard Beach

What is the best golf course near Old Orchard Beach, Maine?

Dunegrass Golf Club is the closest and most well-known option, since it sits inside Old Orchard Beach itself with 18 holes, four tee sets, and an on-site restaurant. Biddeford-Saco Country Club and Nonesuch River Golf Club are worth the short drive from Old Orchard Beach. Both rank among the area’s top golf courses thanks to their historic designs and scenic layouts.

How much does it cost to golf near Old Orchard Beach?

Green fees near Old Orchard Beach generally range from about $29 at value courses like Willowdale up to $120 or more for premium tee times during peak summer weekends. Dunegrass runs around $57 for a standard round. Booking on weekday mornings or after 3pm, when several courses drop their rates, is the most reliable way to golf near Old Orchard Beach without paying peak pricing.

Is there a golf course inside Old Orchard Beach itself?

Yes, Dunegrass Golf Club is the only golf course physically located within Old Orchard Beach town limits. Designed by Dan Maples, the course spans 300 wooded acres with 18 holes and a par of 72. Nearby options include Biddeford-Saco, Nonesuch River, and Willowdale, each a short drive away.

Where should golfers stay when visiting Old Orchard Beach?

A hotel close to both the beach and the surrounding courses cuts down on drive time between rounds and sand time. Seagrass Inn sits 75 yards from the beach and a short drive from every course in this guide. Choose King Suites for groups or Ocean View rooms for couples, creating a practical base for your golf trip.