Cape Arundel Course
Kennebunkport, ME, USA


Cape Arundel stands as a monument to presidential leisure and seaside golf, forever linked to the Bush family's legacy in Kennebunkport. Carved into the rugged Maine coastline, the course is a classic example of early 20th-century design, favoring strategic shot-making over sheer distance. The ocean breeze dictates play, with closely mown fairways demanding controlled approaches and a keen awareness of the wind. Originally crafted by Walter Travis, Cape Arundel has seen the hands of Donald Ross, resulting in a layout of subtly contoured greens and strategically placed bunkers that reward intelligent play. While not a venue for major championships, the course’s charm lies in its understated elegance and the authentic character of its golfing experience. The club fosters a relaxed atmosphere where the traditions of the game are deeply respected, with a membership drawn to its unpretentious nature and proximity to the Atlantic. Stories abound of presidents teeing off alongside locals, further embedding Cape Arundel in the fabric of the community. The famed Clam Bake remains a club staple, providing a taste of local flavor as integral to the Cape Arundel experience as the challenging par-3 eleventh.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Public: #98
Best in USA
Public: #38
Best in ME
Public: #1
Golfers say Cape Arundel is a quirky, fun course that rewards strategic play over distance, with several holes where driver isn't the right choice off the tee. Most praise the consistently excellent greens and the course's unique, memorable character, with one reviewer calling it potentially the best hickory course around and another declaring it worthy of exclusive, lifelong play. Some find the layout doesn't quite match up to higher-ranked courses they've experienced, placing it more in the solid-to-very-good range rather than elite tier. Reviewers note the enjoyable routing and the course's charm, though opinions vary on whether its distinctiveness translates to top-tier status.
8.7
74 players
Incredible. Fairly short golf course. Amazing greens. Love this place. My son‘s first time on a real golf course during a summer vacation. Very special.
Shorter course. Lots of open play. Driver is not the answer off a handful of tee’s. The greens are always in great condition and give the course an edge. Nice spot.
Played the day after Bush family outing, really fun pin placements and passed 4 blacked out suburbans with flags on my way off property.
I mean, let's get this out of the way...There's a tiny cemetery adjacent to the course and I'm pretty sure the ghost of a child wanders around here. So there's that. Spent a long weekend playing CA. 4 rounds in 3 days, which was plenty. Quirky. Fun. Unique. REally cool place. Not sure I could jsutify ranking it in the 8s, definitely not 9s, because it simply doesn't stand up side-by-side with other courses I have in that range. Clsing note: this might be the best hickory course around.
If I was forced to spend all my golfing days at one single course then it would be Cape Arundel.
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Cape Arundel has a Course Vaults score of 8.7 out of 10 based on 47 explicit golfer ratings.
Cape Arundel was designed by Walter Travis, Bruce Hepner, and Tyler Rae.
Yes. Cape Arundel is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Cape Arundel is 69.
Cape Arundel plays 5,881 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Cape Arundel is 124.