Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Samoset Resort Golf Course

Rockport, Maine

ME #9

Established

1902

Architect

Robert Elder (expansion, 1974); Geoffrey Cornish (early 1990s); Bradley Booth (2000s redesign)

Access

Resort

Par

Par 70

Length

5,083 – 6,548 yds

Green Fees

The verdict

Coastal Maine’s Trophy Resort Layout

Samoset Resort Golf Course delivers a bold taste of Maine with championship challenge and dramatic oceanfront holes. While not a bucket-list national icon, its historic vibe and bay-side action make it a must-play for regional golf travelers.

Course DNA

Difficulty

Scenery

Conditioning

Shot Variety

Walkability

Green Complexity

Wow Factor

Design Quality

At a glance

Quick facts

Setting

Penobscot Bay coastline with rocky headlands

Most recent major redesign

Bradley Booth (early 2000s)

Ownership

Historic Maine resort since 1880s

Notable par

Now finishes on a par 5 at 18

Practice facilities

Enhanced by Booth renovation

Clubhouse access

Adjacent to Samoset Resort hotel

Longest hole

Par-5 14th, 507 yards (Gold)

Unique feature

Dramatic waterside double green

The design

The architecture

Samoset Resort Golf Course marries classic resort architecture with panoramic Penobscot Bay scenery. The routing is designed to showcase the water, mixing exposed headland holes with protected inland corridors—a blend that delivers both drama and variety. Multiple architectural eras intersect: Elder’s expansion created the original championship spine; Cornish’s improvements in the 1990s brought stronger play on the back; Booth’s early 2000s revisions sharpened strategic interest, especially on risk-reward holes and around the greens.

Robert Elder established the modern 18, Cornish reimagined key holes, and Bradley Booth stamped his vision on the finishing stretch and greens.

Defining features

Double green perched by the bay
Risk-reward finishing par 5
Mix of exposed and sheltered holes
Championship contouring in places
Broad range of tee options
Lively mix of short par 4s and stout par 5s

Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 4

Penobscot Gamble

PAR

YARDAGE

449

This short, visually stunning par 5 turns directly toward Penobscot Bay, forcing players to weigh aggressive second shots against tricky green contours and swirling coastal winds.

Play it smart

Finesse your drive for position; lay up or attack depending on wind. Second shots bring double bogey into play if not precise.

Where it bites

Anything errant can find deep bunkers or tricky rough, and overaggressive play courts bay winds and difficult recoveries.

Course management

Shots to think about

Wind howling off Penobscot Bay

Club up and play lower trajectory—trust your adjustments, especially on the short par 3s.

Risk-reward second on 18

Weigh the drama—lay up safe for par, or try for eagle if the wind is right; trouble lurks if greedy.

Uphill approach to double green

Err to the wide side; short is safer than over the back into trouble.

Back nine tight drive

Favor position over length—better to lay back and ensure the fairway on these narrower corridors.

Tricky downhill putt on coastal green

Stay conservative—greens can be quick and rolls unpredictable, especially with coastal grain.

Par 5—reachable but bunkered

Think wedge layup if hazards or rough make the direct route dicey; birdie is still in play with smart tactics.

On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Good resort turf with some inconsistencies on the greens.

Pace

Moderate—expect a classic 4–4.5 hour resort round.

Vibe

Relaxed, upscale, and friendly—pure Maine hospitality.

Dress code

Standard resort golf attire; collared shirt and soft spikes recommended.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

Prepare for wind

Pack an extra club and practice low punch shots—the bay breeze can be no-joke, even in summer.

Arrive early for putting practice

Greens can vary—get a feel before your tee time to adjust to pace and break.

Layer for coastal weather

Conditions shift fast by the water; bring a pullover or windbreaker for comfort.

The lore

How it came to be

1902
Samoset's original 9-hole golf course constructed
1974
Robert Elder expands and remodels to 18 holes
2001
Hosts New England PGA Section Championship
2002
Centennial year marked at Samoset

Stories & legends

What makes it special

Redesign Drama

How the 18th Became a Closer

The 18th hole, once a long and punishing par 4, was reborn as a risk-reward par 5 under Bradley Booth’s guidance, providing a dramatic possible swing for matches coming down the stretch.

Nature’s Test

Where the Bay Shapes the Game

A handful of holes run so close to Penobscot Bay that the ever-changing wind, salt air, and rocky shoreline become true collaborators—or adversaries, depending on your luck—for your round.

Legend & Legacy

A Maine Resort With Centennial Heritage

Golf at Samoset has welcomed players for over 120 years, surviving fires, renovations, and generational change—all while keeping Maine hospitality and views at the core.

For the group chat

Fun facts

Named for the legendary Abenaki leader Samoset.

Hosts one of Maine’s most photogenic double greens by the bay.

The 18th once played as a brute par 4 before being remade into today’s drivable par 5 finisher.

See historic Penobscot Bay schooners sailing past from several holes.

The original resort hotel welcomed golf travelers in the Gilded Age.

Build the trip

If You're Making a Coastal Maine Golf Trip

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip

Belgrade Lakes Golf Club

Public

Arguably Maine’s best inland course; worth the drive for varied, praised design.

Sweetgrass Golf Club

Resort

Playable public resort at the casino—solid complement to coastal golf.

Stay in Rockport or Camden for lodging, restaurants, and effortless access to Samoset.

Course DNA

If You Like Samoset Resort Golf Course

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

Strong DNA Match8.5

Gamble Sands

Brewster, Washington

Scenery

Why it matches: If Samoset Resort Golf Course is your kind of course, Gamble Sands is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.

Strong DNA Match8.2

Sankaty Head Golf Club

Siasconset, Massachusetts

Scenery

Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in Sankaty Head Golf Club's own setting.

Very Similar DNA7.7

Anchorage Golf Course

Anchorage, Alaska

Scenery

Why it matches: If Samoset Resort Golf Course is your kind of course, Anchorage Golf Course is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.

From the community

Community Sentiment

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