Maine Golf Economic Impact Study 2023 | Page 14

68 9-Hole Facilities
58 18-Hole Facilities
1 27-Hole Facility
1 36-Hole Facility
Golf in The State of Maine
Golf is an increasingly important component of the overall Maine experience . Once representing the bridge from fishing to hunting seasons , golf is now much more , with increasing participation at both green grass and off-course venues , like simulator facilities . The golf courses in the state are predominantly open to the public and affordable , and there are a disproportionately high number of 9-hole courses .
Maine Golf Market 4
³ Maine ’ s public access golf facilities represent a mix of affordability with roughly 69 % of all ME ( 88 of the 128 ) golf facilities as either “ Value ” or “ Standard ” facilities , meaning peak season weekend green fees with cart are under $ 80 .
³ There are 6 golf facilities connected to residential real estate and / or resorts in the state , including 9 golf facilities in Maine with some form of resort component ( Point Sebago Resort also features residential real estate .
In 2023 , there are 116 public golf facilities and 12 private golf clubs in operation in Maine , for a total of 128 facilities . In addition , there were 6 stand-alone driving ranges in the State and an additional 13 off-course specialty golf entertainment establishment with some type of golf simulator technology , though most of these are smaller operations .
New golf course construction has come in several “ waves ” of development in the state ’ s history , with 50 courses ( 38 % of the total inventory in the state ) developed before 1939 , 33 developed in the 1960s and 1970s ( 25.2 %), and 28 ( 21.4 %) built between 1990 and 2009 . The last new golf courses added in Maine were three daily fee nine-holers , Lebanon Pines GC , West Appleton CC , and Diadema GG - opened in 2012 , 2013 , and 2014 , respectively . The newest 18-hole track is also daily fee – Ole Marsh Country Club , opened in 2008 . Of note is that only 6 golf facilities in Maine are associated with a real estate development , so growth in golf course supply was not driven by the desire to sell real estate , a dynamic that fueled a glut in the overall national golf course supply , especially in the 1980s and 1990s .
GOLF FACILITY INVENTORY – STATE OF MAINE
68 9-Hole Facilities

128 Total Golf Facility

58 18-Hole Facilities

+

6 Stand-Alone Driving Ranges

4 State of Maine Golf Facility Operators Survey . ( 2024 , March ). ( National Golf Foundation )

13

Off-Course Specialty Golf Entertainment Establishments ( simulators )
1 27-Hole Facility
1 36-Hole Facility

29

Public Premium : Peak Green Fee with a cart = $ 80 +

33

Public Standard : Peak Green Fee with a cart = $ 50- $ 79

55

Public Value : Peak Green Fee with a cart = <$ 50

12 Private

The Contributions of Golf to the State of Maine | 2023 Impact Report 14