Overview
Established in 1888 with play starting 1891, Kebo Valley is one of the oldest golf clubs in the country. The course is situated on Mount Desert Island, bordering Acadia National Park and just five minutes from downtown Bar Harbor. Throughout its long history, notable names including Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen and President Willliam Taft have all played the track. In 1911, President Taft played Kebo and carded a 27 on the 17th hole, which is now affectionately known as the "Taft" hole. In 1922, Walter Hagen played Kebo twice, first carding an even-par 70 before firing a three-under 67, which stood as the course record for 50 years. By modern standards, Kebo is a short course, but it is protected by very small, undulating greens that often roll true and fast. With beautiful views of nearby Cadillac and Dorr Mountain, Kebo is an enjoyable walk and pairs well with a visit to Acadia National Park.
About
Awards
100 Greatest: The course was part of Golf Digest's original 200 Toughest Courses list from 1966-'68.
Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2017-'18. Ranked fifth, 2019-'20. Ranked inside the top 5, 1977-'89, 1999-2001, 2005. Ranked sixth, 2013-'16 & 2023-'24.
Current Ranking: 6th.
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
“8 oldest course in US. If visiting Bar Harbor a good place to play. Greens are exception."
Read More2023
Review
“If you are going to Acadia, bring your clubs! A course rich with history and a really good layout with a lot of variety and gorgeous views. Great looks at Cadillac & Dorr Mountains (and if you drive up the Cadillac mountain you'll get a great view of the course from a couple viewpoints and the top). Only 6,100 from the back tees but because the greens are small-ish and the use of the terrain, it seems to play a bit longer than that. Well placed shots are more important that just long ones."
Read More2023
Review
“This course is rich with character dating back to 1888 and has greens as pure and challenging as anything on the East Coast. The raised, and tilted, putting surfaces on holes 3, 6, 17 & 18 challenge players to strike approach irons with trajectory precision and fade/draw creativity. Hole 8 is one of the finest dog leg left par fours in existence followed by #9 green which is an exquisite test of the flat stick."
Read More2022
Review
“Classic architecture style. Conditioning is o.k. but not to private club type level. Pace of play can be painfully slow at times. Definitely worth playing especially if you have a keen eye for golf course architecture."
Read More2022
Review
“This course is rich with character dating back to 1888 and has greens as pure and challenging as anything on the East Coast. The raised, and tilted, putting surfaces on holes 3, 6, 17 "
Read More2020
Review
“Old, Funky, love it!"
Read More2018
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