1. Sable Oaks Golf Club
City: South Portland, ME
Category: Golf
Telephone: (207) 775-6257
Address: 505 Country Club Dr.
Description: A public course, Sable Oaks has a reputation for being challenging—both the 18 holes themselves and getting tee time. Calling ahead is required to get onto the well-loved, par 70 greens here (a week in advance would help your cause). Golf Digest called it Maine’s eighth best public course in 1996; Travel Golf Maine magazine says it’s “certainly the Portland area’s premier daily fee layout,” and people do indeed line up to play these tight fairways and fast greens. The course is hilly and woodsy, ably masking the fact that the Maine Mall and the Portland International Jetport are scant minutes up the road, and water comes into play on seven holes. The facilities are first-class, with a beautiful banquet room, a fully outfitted pro shop, a locker room, rentals, and more.
2. South Portland Municipal Golf Course
City: South Portland, ME
Category: Golf
Telephone: (207) 775-0005
Address: 155 Wescott Rd.
Description: The short nine-hole course run by the city of South Portland is known for being a good place to learn golfing. It’s only 2,285 yards long, so you don’t have to be Tiger Woods to be successful, and there are few hazards to worry about, just hills and trees, and pleasant ones at that. Par is 33, and you can get going early in the morning if you like. Club and pulled cart rental are available, and you can munch on goodies from the snack bar. Tee times are not necessary.