Riverside Golf Course
Riverside Golf Course is a scenic, municipally operated 18-hole layout in Portland, Maine, featuring varied elevation and engaging greens that present a fair but rewarding test for players of all abilities. Its inviting parkland setting and convenient amenities provide an enjoyable golf experience close to the city.
Course Overview
Riverside Golf Course, located on the outskirts of Portland, Maine, offers a refreshing challenge for golfers seeking a municipally operated layout that combines natural beauty with thoughtful design. This 18-hole course sprawls across varied terrain, featuring notable elevation changes and multiple holes that unfold with subtle blind shots. These elements keep players alert from the first tee, rewarding precision while welcoming a wide spectrum of skill levels. Its parkland style intertwines gently rolling fairways with well-maintained rough, which is forgiving enough to keep the game moving but firm enough to encourage strategic play.
The course’s greens stand out as a highlight, presenting a mix of large, flat putting surfaces alongside those with subtle false fronts that test approach shots and short-game finesse. Early-season conditions have seen slightly slower greens, yet consistent upkeep and attention from course staff promise improving roll and responsiveness as the season progresses. Elevation shifts add texture to each round and require thoughtful club selection, while the surrounding foliage frames the course throughout the year, especially vibrant during autumn imaging opportunities.
Riverside Golf Course succeeds in balancing accessibility with engaging challenges. Walkers find the course comfortably navigable despite its hills, and many players opt for pull carts to enjoy the fresh air while conserving energy. Golf carts with GPS are also available, providing convenience on busy days. The clubhouse perches near the course’s highest point, housing a pro shop and a restaurant boasting a spacious deck with panoramic views of the fairways – a perfect spot to unwind and reflect on each shot.
Reservations are recommended due to the course’s popularity among locals and visitors alike. The friendly staff enhances the welcoming atmosphere that defines Riverside. Whether you’re a seasoned shot-maker or a newcomer to the game, the course offers a reliably well-maintained, scenic, and engaging golf experience that captures the spirit of Portland’s outdoor offerings without pretense.
Course Highlights
Riverside Golf Course offers a dynamic parkland layout with significant elevation changes and greens featuring false fronts that add challenge to approach shots. Well-kept fairways and rough provide a balanced test for players of varying skill levels. The course’s hilltop clubhouse offers panoramic views and includes a restaurant and pro shop. The layout emphasizes playability while integrating natural features, creating a municipal course that rivals many private facilities in quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
WD Thompson
This municipal course is an absolute gem. It has a great layout with a lot of elevation changes and some blind shots. I like that the rough isn't exactly punitive. You can usually find your ball. Because of the layout, if you spray tee shots, you're not gonna find your ball. But you are gonna find a whole bunch of balls that aren't yours. Most of the municipal courses that I play have a hard time keeping the greens consistent. The greens at riverside are fantastic. But I did give them some feedback. They need to roll the greens so that they aren't so slow. I know that it's early in the season and if I'm understanding correctly, they've only been open for about a month. Still, the speed of the greens certainly feeds a great deal of emotion into a round of golf. A little more about those greens. There's a few that are big and flat. There are also some that have false fronts. And if they rolled those greens, the false fronts would be penalizing players who come in short on their approach shots. This is a very big municipal golf course. I only played one part of it. I'm probably gonna head back. I tee'd off at 740a and the course was full. Nevertheless, we finished eighteen holes of golf by 1215p. I had a tucson, spicy chicken sandwich and a soft drink from the restaurant bar area. They've got a huge deck. That you can sit on and see a lot of the course. The pro shop on the restaurant are on the top of a hill. I can't say enough good things about this course. The starter, paired me with a member and two other guys. I had a great round of golf today at a really good price. I would say about 50% of the players were walking and using pull carts. That's a heck of a walk for some of those elevation changes.
Rachelle Brown
Came here just for foliage pictures and they did not disappoint. I usually see quite a few golfers in the area using this course,seems popular. The course was clean and also excellent views for patrons!
Steven Richard
Course in good condition.
Don L.
This course for being a municipal, it's a very well played course and in the best condition than most courses around. to bad alot of players don't have the respect to repair divots on greens. not only I repair mine I do repair others too. great staff and great course.
Geoffrey Hatch
First time playing golf here. Our friend from S. Portland Tom has played here quite often. Plenty of on site parking. Definitely you need reservations as it gets used quite a bit. Popular course. The staff at the Pro Shop were terrific Gary Laflamme with acquiring a cart, paying, and good prices to play there. The course for a 9 hole was challenging and well kept for a municipal course. It was fun and very scenic to play here. Highly recommend.
Tee 3 Woods
This course was better than I expected it to be. Very hilly with a fun layout.
Chris
I've played my share of public courses and this one is near the top. Beautiful scenery. GPS on the carts, great people and great staff. My wife and I chose it for our one round during vacation and weren't disappointed in the least. If I'm ever up in the area, definitely playing again. Hopefully I do better on the front 9.
Ryan Burley
WD Thompson
This municipal course is an absolute gem. It has a great layout with a lot of elevation changes and some blind shots. I like that the rough isn't exactly punitive. You can usually find your ball. Because of the layout, if you spray tee shots, you're not gonna find your ball. But you are gonna find a whole bunch of balls that aren't yours. Most of the municipal courses that I play have a hard time keeping the greens consistent. The greens at riverside are fantastic. But I did give them some feedback. They need to roll the greens so that they aren't so slow. I know that it's early in the season and if I'm understanding correctly, they've only been open for about a month. Still, the speed of the greens certainly feeds a great deal of emotion into a round of golf. A little more about those greens. There's a few that are big and flat. There are also some that have false fronts. And if they rolled those greens, the false fronts would be penalizing players who come in short on their approach shots. This is a very big municipal golf course. I only played one part of it. I'm probably gonna head back. I tee'd off at 740a and the course was full. Nevertheless, we finished eighteen holes of golf by 1215p. I had a tucson, spicy chicken sandwich and a soft drink from the restaurant bar area. They've got a huge deck. That you can sit on and see a lot of the course. The pro shop on the restaurant are on the top of a hill. I can't say enough good things about this course. The starter, paired me with a member and two other guys. I had a great round of golf today at a really good price. I would say about 50% of the players were walking and using pull carts. That's a heck of a walk for some of those elevation changes.
Don L.
This course for being a municipal, it's a very well played course and in the best condition than most courses around. to bad alot of players don't have the respect to repair divots on greens. not only I repair mine I do repair others too. great staff and great course.
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Course Details
Access & Location
1158 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103, USA
Riverside Golf Course Clubhouse with pro shop and restaurant featuring deck views
Walking is encouraged; terrain includes elevation changes so sturdy footwear is advised. Pull carts are widely used and available on-site.
Reservations recommended, especially on weekends; walk-ins accepted based on availability.
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