Portland Country Club – Played July 2023
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 11 Foreside Drive, Falmouth, Maine
- Year: 1921
- Architect: Donald Ross
- Additional Work By: Robert Trent Jones, Ron Prichard, & Tyler Rae
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Green: 6,466 yards, Par 70, 71.5 Rating/134 Slope
- Black: 6,229 yards, Par 70, 70.7 Rating/131 Slope
- White: 5,777 yards, Par 70, 68.3 Rating/129 Slope (Men’s), 73.9 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- White/Gold: 5,416 yards, Par 70, 66.5 Rating/125 Slope (Men’s), 71.8 Rating/126 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,110 yards, Par 70, 65.1 Rating/120 Slope (Men’s), 70.0 Rating/123 Slope (Women’s)
Portland Country Club has been around since 1895, but it moved to its present location around 1914. From there Donald Ross laid out the course in 1921. Fast forward to 2017 and the club undertook a restoration that included expanding the greens and removing trees.
The front side has views of downtown Portland and Casco Bay while the back nine starts more in the trees. The club was the first private course to be designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in Maine.
Let’s get into the tour!
Hole 1 – 291 yards – Par 4
Much like Bald Peak, Portland Country Club begins with a short par four and what should be a birdie opportunity. You catch a glimpse of Casco Bay from this tee. Bunkers guard the green.
This is a pretty generous target if you are going for it from the tee.
Hole 2 – 360 yards – Par 4
It’s best to stay away from the bunkers on the right side and the rough that surrounds them. Good drives favor the left side to give you the best angle into this perched and sloping green.
Be wary of too much spin around this green.
Hole 3 – 371 yards – Par 4
A generous fairway here means that you shouldn’t flirt with the bunker and trees on the right.
Take note of the green mounding on the back side. It adds a little flourish to the view.
Hole 4 – 145 yards – Par 3
This green is two-tiered and has short grass runoffs in front and to the left.
Quick interruption of the tour for story time…
The older gentleman pictured here was paired with us and did something I’ve never seen. He played only a three-wood! He’s in his late 80s or early 90s and he knocked it around pretty good. I always enjoy pairings like this.
It has two main tiers, but look at all that rippling in the putting surface.
Hole 5 – 355 yards – Par 4
Finding the fairway is paramount on this hole. If you do, it’s time to attack.
The green has a spine running through the middle so you’ll need to be on the correct side to have an easier putt.
Hole 6 – 574 yards – Par 5
This hole is a beast and a true three-shotter for most golfers. It bends right and downhill before reversing course and continuing on to the green.
Still a ways to go…
Hole 7 – 177 yards – Par 3
Casco Bay cuts in front of this green as well as to the right. Favoring the left side is a prudent play. Up and downs from short left are much easier than the bunkers.
Hole 8 – 365 yards – Par 4
Water runs all up the right side here but a bunker on the left makes you be precise. Once you get to the green there is trouble over the back, so don’t be too aggressive.
Hole 9 – 374 yards – Par 4
We’ve got some elevation change on this hole that climbs back to the clubhouse to round out the front nine. Playing a draw through these trees and indside the bunker is a good strategy.
The green is the flattest part of this hole but it still has some undulation.
Hole 10 – 343 yards – Par 4
The back nine ventures into the wooded area of the property and demands precision on this tee shot. With the length, driver is not a necessity. The hole doglegs left slightly.
You can see the green mounding from all the way out in the fairway.
Hole 11 – 419 yards – Par 4
Make sure your host tells you about the cross bunker like mine did. It sits about 250 yards out and will be in play for many.
If you miss the sand, you can take aim at the very undulating green.
Hole 12 – 377 yards – Par 4
This hole is a slight dogleg left with out of bounds over the green. Some bunkering guards the green but nothing more is stopping you from birdie.
Hole 13 – 386 yards – Par 4
The tee shot on this dogleg right plays to a blind landing area. Take care to favor the right side because if you go too far left your approach shot will be blocked.
You can see from my angle how your approach shot be obscured very easily.
The green has wide slopes that can definitely make for interesting putts if you find yourself on the outer perimeter.
Hole 14 – 185 yards – Par 3
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, nothing says New England golf like a big rock feature. Portland Country Club has its version sitting back and to the right of this green.
Be aware of the pin position because you’ll want to be on the proper level.
Hole 15 – 382 yards – Par 4
The bunker provides a good aiming line unless you are trying to cut the corner. As the hole progresses it climbs up the hill to an obscured green.
Control your spin into this sloping green!
Hole 16 – 496 yards – Par 5
Here you emerge from the forest into the open section of the course again and are greeted with an elevated tee shot. Everything is out in front of you on this par five.
There is more of the outer perimeter mounding on this green.
Hole 17 – 187 yards – Par 3
Bunkers catch your eye but the closest three are all well short of the green. The ones you have to worry about are are on the left side of the green.
This is just another wonderfully undulating green.
Hole 18 – 442 yards – Par 4
The final hole at Portland Country Club is one of the toughest in the entire routing. Avoiding the bunkers is key if you want a decent shot at the green.
With all the slope and a false front, make sure your approach carries far enough onto the green.
Portland Country Club is New England golf in a nutshell. You can some coastal/bay holes, wooded holes, and parkland holes. I can see why it has stood the test of time in the region!