Golf in Maine
Overview
Golf in Maine
What golf looks like for retirement in Maine: where to do it, what the state costs, and the towns that fit.
Golf in Maine
Maine's coastal geography and short summer season concentrate golfing into roughly May through October, though the state has more than 140 courses including many affordable public layouts along the mid-coast and in the greater Portland area. Coastal courses around Kennebunk and Bar Harbor are known for scenic ocean-adjacent terrain.
Published local price
South Portland Municipal Golf Course (9-hole par 33 public municipal course); 18-hole equivalent fee weekdays $18, weekends/holidays $20; Riverside Golf Course (Portland area) 2026 weekday rate $48 for 18 holes; rates vary by season and tee time
Published range: $18 to $53.
South Portland Municipal Golf Course · as of 2026Where to go
What Maine costs
Cost of living
97
BEA index, U.S. = 100
State income tax
~4.5% state income-tax planning rate
Social Security
Not taxed
How people start
- 1
Map the public and municipal courses nearby
Most metros list city-run courses with published fee schedules. Those set the affordable floor before any private club enters the picture.
- 2
Ask about senior and resident rates
Many courses post a reduced weekday senior rate and a season pass. The difference between pay-per-round and a pass is the number that usually drives the yearly cost.
- 3
Price the season, not the round
In warm states the season runs most of the year; in cold ones it is a few months. The yearly cost is rounds-per-year times rate, plus cart and equipment.
Common questions
Is Maine a good place to retire for golf?
Maine's coastal geography and short summer season concentrate golfing into roughly May through October, though the state has more than 140 courses including many affordable public layouts along the mid-coast and in the greater Portland area. Coastal courses around Kennebunk and Bar Harbor are known for scenic ocean-adjacent terrain.
What does it cost to retire in Maine?
Maine has a cost-of-living index near 97 (U.S. = 100), about a 4.5% state income-tax planning rate, and does not tax Social Security. The full state guide breaks down property tax, sales tax, and long-term-care costs, each sourced.
Sources