Riverside Golf Course
Riverside Golf Course in Portland, Maine, offers a challenging 18-hole municipal layout shaped by natural elevation shifts and thoughtful design. Combining approachable playability with scenic varieties of greens and fairways, it provides an inviting golf experience for players of all levels.
Course Overview
Riverside Golf Course, located in Portland, Maine, presents a compelling test across its 18-hole layout that engages both aspiring golfers and experienced players. This public municipal course is defined by its blend of substantial elevation changes and strategic design elements that reward thoughtful shot-making. The routing incorporates natural undulations of the land, encouraging a dynamic rhythm to the round, where players must adjust to blind shots and subtle breaks rather than simply hit long or straight.
The course’s setting offers outstanding views typical of southern Maine’s green landscapes, with ample tree-lined fairways and well-maintained greens that feature a variety of contours, including flat surfaces and challenging false fronts. These greens, often cited by visitors for their quality and consistency, demand precision, especially on approach shots. Early season pacing has occasionally slowed the roll, but this adds a layer of strategy in gauging distances and judging break.
Riverside’s design welcomes players of diverse skill levels. The approachable rough allows for recovery, avoiding overly punitive penalties for the occasional errant shot. However, the topography and strategic bunker placements keep the challenge alive for mid to low handicappers. The frequent shifts in elevation require sturdy footing and can influence club selection, lending a mountain-like character without the high-altitude climate.
Amenities include a spacious clubhouse perched on a hill with sweeping views of the course, a well-stocked pro shop, and a restaurant with a large deck perfect for post-round relaxation and socializing. The course supports walking and pull carts are popular, though the terrain rewards those prepared for a healthy cardiovascular workout with appropriate golf shoes.
Reservations are recommended given Riverside’s popularity, especially during peak seasons. The staff are known for their friendly professionalism and efficiency, contributing to a memorable round whether you are local or visiting. Riverside Golf Course captures the spirit of accessible, quality golf in Portland, inviting all players to engage with its blend of landscape, layout, and hospitality.
Course Highlights
Distinct elevation changes create memorable holes requiring strategic decisions; well-conditioned greens with a range of contours, including flat surfaces and penal false fronts; a spacious clubhouse and dining area offering panoramic views; terrain that challenges both distance control and shot placement without punishing less precise players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Ryan Burley
Steven Richard
Course in good condition.
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.
Book Your Round
Experience one of golf's most legendary courses
Direct booking • No commissions
Course Details
Access & Location
1158 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103, USA
Riverside Golf Clubhouse featuring pro shop and restaurant with outdoor deck overlooking the course
Walking is common and encouraged; the course has moderate elevation changes so comfortable walking shoes are advised
Reservations recommended during busy periods; walk-ins accepted but expect wait times on weekends
Nearby Courses
