Courtesy of the club
Cape Arundel Golf Club
Cape Arundel Golf Club
19 River Rd
Kennebunkport, ME 04046-5819
United States
Telephone
Overview
Despite a length of just 5,859 yards, Cape Arundel packs plenty of punch to both challenge and engage golfers of all skill levels. Designed by Walter Travis in 1921, Cape Arundel is at its best around the greens. The green complexes are small, yet undulating, and provide plenty of opportunities to putt off them. Golfers must be precise with their wedges to have an opportunity to get close to the flag. The pin locations dictate the strategy from the tee, as different pins may demand different strategies, meaning the course doesn’t play the same from one day to the next. Low-handicappers who are looking to score are not granted the luxury of hitting driver on every hole, as they must think their way around the golf course. While many courses that were built in the Golden Age of course design have been forced to become bigger and longer to adapt to the modern game, Cape Arundel has stayed true to itself and has remained one of the most unique and enjoyable courses in golf.
About
Awards
ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked first, 2023-'24. Ranked second, 2021-'22, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 1st.
2025-'26 ranking: 2nd.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Cape Arundel is all about the approach into the greens. Tipping out around the 6,000 yard marker - you can't rely on length to overpower this golf course. Walter Travis has molded some of the most complex and undulating green sites you can find. A true gem to play any chance you get the opportunity."
Read More2025
Review
“What a wonderful place. Might be the best par 69 in the world. Short but those greens were so challenging. Pins cut super hard too. I thought the first 13 holes were so good. 17 and 18 very good as well. 14-16 the least inspired holes on a fantastic golf course."
Read More2025
Review
“Very interesting set of Walter Travis green complexes...especially holes 6, 8, 10, 11, 15, and 17. Design at a par of 69 packs a fair amount of challenge despite being under 5,900 yards from the tips. Was the home course of Presidents George H. Bush and George W. Bush."
Read More2025
Review
“Very interesting set of Walter Travis green complexes...especially holes 6, 8, 10, 11, 15, and 17. Design at a par of 69 packs a fair amount of challenge despite being under 5,900 yards from the tips. Was the home course of Presidents George H. Bush and George W. Bush."
Read More2025
Review
“Pure fun and a club with great character. Humps and bumps keep you thinking and having fun. A little pricey for what you get, but definitely a great option if you don’t want to head to the mountains."
Read More2024
Review
“A very interesting short course with wild, sloping Walter Travis greens. A must play on any golf trip to Maine."
Read More2023
Review
“Wonderful old Walter Travis design near the Maine coast situated on the Kennebunk River. Summer golf club of former President's Bush. Short course on a small parcel of land that plays longer than the yardage indicates due to only one Par 5. Green complexes and the Par 3's are the highlights here. Former private course that now takes limited outside play. You'll be treated like a member by their staff. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area."
Read More2023
Review
“Very fun golf course. Short but you will enjoy every hole."
Read More2023
Review
“A semi-private Walter Travis design on the Maine shoreline, Cape Arundel is well-known for being the Bush's course. It is among the best courses in Maine and features a wonderful set of greens in a beautiful setting, with rivers running throughout. This is a very fun par 69 course for all players, tipping out at just 5900 yards from the back tees."
Read More2022
Review
“Cape Arundel is a time capsule of what golf was probably like in the early parts of the previous century. The property is small and compressed, leading to modern equipment making a lot of the challenge of this course obsolete. But players could make a case study of the green complexes and make it worth the trip alone. They are bold and unique, and having slightly slower green speeds allows for very fun pin locations to vary the play."
Read More2021
