Review: The Brunswick Golf Club

The Brunswick Golf Club

Brunswick, ME

(207) 725-8224

The Brunswick Golf Club is just minutes from Interstate 295 (Exit 28) and US Route 1. A challenging, well-conditioned 18-hole gem, it is considered by many to be the best course in Midcoast Maine. You’ll find Brunswick to be a pleasant golfing experience at a very reasonable price ($35-40.

The front and back nines offer contrasting styles and dimensions. The front side, designed by Geoffrey Cornish in the 1960's, is the longer of the two. At par 37 it will test every club in your bag with its three par 5s and our signature par 3 fourth hole with water along the entire right-hand side!

The back nine, originally built in 1898 was re-designed by Stiles/Van Cleek in the 1920's, is shorter and more open. At par 35 it offers plenty of birdie opportunities. Both nines are very “playable” from the championship, regular, women’s or senior tees.

The course has once again been selected as a qualifying location for the 2008 Maine Amateur Golf Tournament thanks to its reputation of being a challenging but fair venue.


There is no better spot to relax, and reminisce about your round, than on the club’s restaurant patio overlooking the 9th green. The restaurant offers excellent pub fare and has a great assortment of soft drinks, beer, wine, and mixed drinks.

The course is managed by PGA Pro, Patrick Badcock. He offers individual and group lessons. The club also maintains a well-stocked pro shop with the latest equipment to improve your game.

Rental Properties: Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park Region

There is something for everyone in the Bar Harbor Acadia National Park Region.

One of the best ways to experience the best of this area is to rent a vacation home for a week or two. Renting has become a popular alternative to hotels in the area, especially for traveling families that need the extra space.

For about the same price of a week stay in one of the areas many hotels, you can rent out a larger more intimate vacation home from which to stage your family vacation. There are a wide variety of homes in the area to meet every taste and budget. From budget minded cabins to large ocean front estates. Weekly rentals start around $1,000 and rise rapidly to over $10,000 for more luxurious properties.

There are a variety of local and national rental companies that service the area.

Cyberrentals currently has 309 properties listed around the Mount Desert Island Area.

LS Robinson is a local company that also offers spectacular rental properties. They are an excellent source if you are not sure which area is best for you. Their brokers will give you expert local opinions you won't get off larger corporate internet sites.

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Review: Kebo Valley Golf Club

Overview
Arguably the most popular course in the area, Kebo Valley is a traditional links style course and has the distinction of being the 8th oldest course in the country. The course is in pristine condition in the summer months and features undulating fairways with medium sized greens. The signature characteristic of this course is it's stunning scenery as it winds through the Kebo Mountain Valley. Don't expect any ocean views on this course, but be prepared to be equally fascinated by beautiful mountains in nearly every direction. Green fees approach $100 in the summertime for 18 holes so be prepared to spend some cash.

Is this Course for You?
If you have the room in your travel budget, and don't mind an occasion wait, Kebo's advantages of excellent conditions, premier facilities, and historic character make it an ideal choice for the avid golfer looking to experience a great Maine golf course. The course has an upscale feel and as such, appropriate dress is required (no jeans, cut-offs, or t-shirts).

Alternatives
If you are just looking for a less expensive place with the same quality level of golf but a more laid back atmosphere check out the Bar Harbor Golf Course in Trenton. The course is equally challenging but offers green fees less than half of what Kebo charges.

Tee Times
Kebo is a very popular course in the summertime. Preferred tee-times (8am-12am) should be made two weeks in advance at a minimum especially if there is more than two of you in your group. You have a decent chance of getting on the course with little wait after noon time if you're a single.

Review: The Bar Harbor Golf Course

The Bar Harbor Golf Course

Trenton, ME
(207) 667-7505

Overview
Originally named Tidewater, the Bar Harbor Golf Course is actually in Trenton, ME along the tidal Jordan Bay (about 20 minutes from Bar Harbor). It is a long course with open fairways and large greens. One unique characteristic of this course is that it is one of the very few in the world where you can see the ocean from every tee box. The course is one of the best values in the area (Greenfees are $35-55 in the summer months). Tee times are not taken, golfers start on a first come first serve basis.

Facilities
There is a bar serving softdrinks, draft beer and mixed drinks, as well as hotdogs, sandwiches, chips, and crackers. Their is also a fully stocked proshop to assist with any equipment needs you may have. The club recently expanded their patio area offering a fantastic vantage point of the golf course, and Cadillac Mountain Range. It is a good place to kick back with a frosty beverage while reminiscing about the day's round with your playing buddies. The course has a laid back feel and is a pleasant contrast from the sometimes "stuffier" island courses.

Hole by Hole

1st
The first hole is a long 420 yard par 4 that is straight away with a pond on the right hand side. I typically aim for the fairway bunker on the left side in hopes that a wayward tee shot doesn't find it's way into the pond. There is nothing worse than starting your day out with a penalty stroke! Like most of the greens at BHGC the green is slightly elevated with bunkers protecting either side.

2nd
The second hole is a nifty dog leg right. There is plenty of room on the left hand side of the fairway, and you'll want to take advantage of it to avoid getting too close to the trees on the right. Big hitters will want to avoid hitting driver or 3 wood here as any shot over 250 yards risks reaching the stream on the left side of the fairway that begins after the dogleg straightens out. This is one of the few holes on the course where you'll actually be hitting slightly down to the green on your second shot. It is better to be short on your approach shot to avoid the hedges surrounding the backside of the green.

3rd
The Par 5 3rd runs along the shore of Jordan Bay and stretches to a length of about 510 yards. The hole has a welcoming feel and can offer you a chance at birdie if you don’t get to aggressive with your drive and second shot. The fairway is wide but you have to be careful not to spray one off into the ocean on the right. Like the first two holes, I try to line up down the left of the fairway to protect my drive from the hazards on the right. If you’re a short or medium length hitter you’ll have a tough decision on your second shot. There is an inlet from the bay that cuts across the fairway. If you’re hesitant with your lie you may want to take a medium iron and lay up short of the hazard and set up a 180yd approach to the green. Any drive past the fairway bunkers gives you a chance to clear the this inlet. The green is slightly elevated and has bunkers protecting either side.

4th
This Par 3 is about 160 yards from tee to an elevated green that slopes away from the center. Bunkers protect either side of the green and collect many balls that land on the green only to roll back down the sloping apron. It is better to be long on your tee shot with little trouble on the backside of the green.

5th
The Par 4 5th is the second most difficult hole on the course. Your drive requires an accurate shot over a gully that is protected on either side by towering oak and maple trees. Two fairway bunkers guard the narrow fairway. If you manage to find the fairway here on your second shot you still may find yourself with a long second shot to an elevated green. The apron slopes dramatically away from the green and poor shots will end up away from the green and may found themselves on the hardpan between the green and 6t tee. The green has a “valley” that runs down the center that can create some precarious putts.

6th
The fairway on the Par 4 6th is wide and there is trouble on either side (look for the old gravestones on the right hand side from the early 1800’s). The hole is straightforward but don’t expect and easy birdies here. The fairway goes down a hill and then back up to a flat landing area surrounding the green that is protected by bunkers on both sides.

7th
This is one of my favorite holes on the course. The hole is a slight dogleg left over a gully that cuts across the hole before the fairway. It is only 130 yards to clear the gully with your tee shot but it can still be intimidating much like your tee shot on #5. I aim for the single tree on edge of the right hand side of the fairway to take advantage of the holes gentle slope to the left. Once you make it out to the fairway you have a beautiful second shot into a large green surrounded by towering pine, maple, and birch trees.

8th
This Par 3 is similar to #4 but is slightly longer. Being long on your tee shot is better than being short here. If you find yourself in the right hand bunker your in for a challenging up and down, the bunker is notorious for damaging players’ rounds and is not unlike the deep pot bunkers that you find in Scotland.

9th
Line up down the left hand side of this short Par 4 and let her rip. There are two fairway bunkers but if you hit a good shot down the left you’ll clear them easily. The fairway is wide and there are no hazards on either side unless you are LONG right where you may catch the hedges beside the green. The valley green has a tendency to “trap” balls and it pays to be aggressive here.

10th
The 10th is a long par 4 that is straightaway downhill. Aim just left of the right hand fairway bunker and your drive should set up nicely down the sloping fairway. If you can catch the downhill slope that starts about 230 yards from the tee box you’ll be in excellent shape. Beware, red stakes line the left hand side of the hole.

11th
A short Par 3 occupying a peninsula on Jordan Bay. There is a greenside bunker that protects the front right of the green. Be careful not to be long or you’ll catch the back edge of the elevated green and bounce into the hazard surrounding the green.

12th
This is another one of my favorite holes. When you're standing on the tee you are faced with a 150 yard carry over a man made lake (built for irrigation purposes). The hole is a short 300 yard Par 4 with a an elevated green that is concave in shape. Be careful of the bunker in front of the green. You can see it from the fairway and the green is further away than it appears when your standing 80 yards out in the fairway. Being long on your approach here is better than being short. You have a good opportunity for a birdie if you don't get intimidated by the water in front of the tee box.

13th
13 is one of two long Par 5's on the back 9. From the elevated tea your drive carries over a hilltop to a blind fairway. If you look straight ahead you'll see a line of fir trees that separates the 13th and 16th fairways. This line of trees is a good target especially with the lake running down the right hand side of the fairway. There is a small brook that runs across the middle of the fairway about 320 yards out. If you're a long hitter you may want to back off your drive a little bit to avoid this hazard. Spanning this brook is the "Bridge of Champions" were name plates of previous club champions are hung (No, you won't find my name there).

14th
Probably the most straight forward Par 4 on the course, the 14th is about 400 yards long with an elevated green and two greenside bunkers. The hole runs along the Jordan River Bay back towards the club house and offers some great views during hightide.

15th
This hole is another great birdie chance. Protected by two small fairway bunkers this short hole (315 yards) has narrow fairways but has a wide expanse of rough that is playable on either side. Like most BNGC holes, this green is slightly elevated and is protected by a front right greenside bunker that will suck your ball in if you are short on your approach.

16th
The 16th hole is the most difficult hole on the course. It is only about 400 yards long but you are forced to lay up on your drive to avoid reaching the brook that runs across the fairway at the bottom of a hill. Don't leave your ball to short or you will have a large maple tree that will restrict your second shot to the green. Take your 210 yard club and favor the left hand side of the fairway to avoid the tree, stream, and out of bound stakes on the right hand side.

17th
The 17th hole is a downhill 160 yard Par 3 to a two-tiered green. If you end up on the wrong tier you will have to negotiate a 3-4 ft ridge to get your ball to the hole. One of the most famous hole-in-ones on this hole was by a gentleman named Ed Kaminski who's ball bounced off the embankment of the 18th tee box and rolled over onto the green and into the hole.

18th
The signature hole is the challenging 620 yard par 5th 18th. A few years back the hole was billed as one of the 20 most "unreachable" par 5's in the country by a major golf magazine. The legend still lives on to this day. The tee shot landing area was widened within the last few years allowing you to be a little more aggressive with your drive. You want to be careful to to hit your ball to the right with out of bounds lining the first half of the fairway. Many balls have been hit over the road onto the neighbors lawns.

Your Maine Vacation Starts Here!

Maine Vacation Tips is dedicated to being the premier online destination for people planning a vacation in the State of Maine. We strive to find the very best that Maine has to offer and present it to you with honest reviews and fun stories of our own personal experiences.

If you've never been to Maine, you're in for the time of your life. Find out why so many people return to our state year after year to indulge in the many great things that Maine has to offer.

Maine has some of the most beautiful camping and hiking trails in the world. Experience the leisure of coastal Maine living in one of the State's famous Bed and Breakfasts. Play a round of Golf on some of the most challenging and visually stunning courses in the country. Hit the high seas on a historic coastal schooner and experience Maine's legendary maritime heritage first hand. Then, after a fun filled day, kick back with some Fresh Maine Lobster, Blueberry Pie, and some of the finest micro brewed beer you'll find anywhere.

Over the next few months we will attempt to cover as much as we can as the 2008 tourist season gets into full swing. Check back often and tell your friends and family about our site. If there is anything that you would like to know about Maine, or if you have any suggestions for fun activities, email us or leave a comment below. Also be sure to check out our sponsors below for great deals on places to stay and things to do in Maine.

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Review: Northeast Harbor Golf Club

Northeast Harbor Golf Club

Mount Desert, ME

If you are fortunate enough to get a tee time to this semi-private club you're in for a special treat. The fairways are tight, and the greens are small, but the course is amazing with it's own unique character and beauty. It is maintained to the highest standards, and will test every facet of your games from "tournament speed" greens to tight approach shots. Bring your "A" game when you come to play this course. The facilities are limited, but this is true golf at it's best. Greenfees are $80-120 in the summertime and tee-times are recommended.