Arundel, Maine is a funny place. Most people just drive through it on Route 1, heading toward the beaches of Kennebunkport or the shops in Biddeford. They miss the turn. But if you take that right off the main drag and wind through the trees, you find Dutch Elm Golf Course. It isn't a country club. It doesn't have a valet. What it does have is some of the most consistent, honest golf in Southern Maine.
I’ve seen a lot of courses try to be something they aren't. They add fancy fountains or charge $150 for a weekend tee time just because they’re near the coast. Dutch Elm feels different. It feels like Maine.
What Makes Dutch Elm Golf Course Actually Work
It's the layout. Seriously.
The course was designed back in the mid-60s by a guy named Pietro "Pete" DiPietro. He wasn't some celebrity architect trying to make a "signature statement." He just built a golf course. It’s an 18-hole, par 72 track that stretches out to about 6,300 yards from the back tees. That might sound short to the big hitters who grew up on modern power-game courses, but don't let the scorecard fool you.
The fairways are narrow. You're constantly playing through corridors of towering pines and, unsurprisingly, elms. If you can’t hit it straight, you’re going to spend your afternoon punching out from underneath branches. It’s a shot-maker’s course.
Honestly, the conditions are usually what surprise people the most. For a public course with very reasonable greens fees, the greens are often faster than the high-end resorts down the road. They’re small, too. You have to be precise.
The Front Nine vs. The Back Nine
The front nine is a bit more open, giving you some room to breathe before things get tight.
Then you hit the back.
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The back nine at Dutch Elm Golf Course is where the "woods" part of the Maine woods really starts to matter. You’ll find yourself navigating elevation changes that require an extra club or two. The par 3s aren't just "gimmies." They require real club selection. Hole 14, for example, forces you to think about the wind more than you’d expect for a course tucked away from the ocean.
Why the "Public" Label Matters Here
People get snobby about public golf. It’s a weird thing in the sports world. At Dutch Elm, the "public" vibe is its greatest strength.
You see everyone here. You’ve got the retirees who have played the same 7:00 AM tee time for thirty years. You’ve got the college kids from UNE trying to find their swing. You’ve got the construction crews blowing off steam on a Thursday afternoon. It’s a community.
The clubhouse isn't a palace. It’s a functional space where you can grab a burger and a cold drink after your round. The staff—many of whom have been there for ages—actually know the regulars by name. That kind of institutional knowledge is rare now. Everything is being bought up by management corporations these days, but Dutch Elm still feels like a family operation.
Prices stay fair. In an era where a round of golf can cost as much as a car payment, you can still play here without feeling like you’re being robbed. They offer memberships that actually make sense for locals.
The Challenges You Aren't Expecting
Let's talk about the rough.
It’s not just grass. It’s "Maine rough." It’s thick, it’s grabby, and if it’s been raining, it’s going to eat your golf ball. Most newcomers try to muscle through it with a long iron. Don't do that. Take your wedge, get it back in the fairway, and move on.
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Another thing is the drainage.
Maine springs are wet. Everyone knows that. While the course has seen significant irrigation and drainage improvements over the decades, early season play can be a bit soft. If you’re playing in late April or early May, wear waterproof shoes. By July, though? The course firms up and plays beautifully.
- The Signature Feel: It’s quiet. No highway noise. Just the sound of the wind in the pines.
- The Difficulty: It’s a slope rating of around 123 from the blues. Challenging enough for the 5-handicap but manageable for a beginner.
- The Amenities: A solid practice putting green and a chipping area. The driving range is functional—nothing fancy, but it gets the job done for a warm-up.
Dealing With the "Old School" Layout
Modern golf is obsessed with "risk-reward" par 4s. Dutch Elm is more about "stay out of trouble" par 4s.
You’ll notice that several holes dogleg significantly. If you try to cut the corner, you’re gambling with a lost ball. The smarter play is almost always to hit a hybrid or a long iron to the turn and leave yourself a 130-yard shot in.
I’ve seen guys pull driver on every hole and end up shooting a 95. Then I’ve seen an old-timer with a 5-wood and a 7-iron shoot a 78. That’s the beauty of Dutch Elm Golf Course. It rewards patience over power.
Planning Your Visit: What to Know
If you’re coming from Portland or Portsmouth, it’s a quick trip up or down I-95.
- Book Ahead: Even though it’s a local favorite, the secret is out. Weekend mornings fill up fast. Use their online booking system or just call the pro shop.
- Check the Weather: Being slightly inland from the Kennebunks, it can be a few degrees warmer in the summer and a bit buggier in the evenings. Bring some spray.
- The Grill: Don't skip the food. It’s classic "golf course fare" done right. The Italian sandwiches are a local staple.
- Dress Code: It’s relaxed. Don’t show up in a tuxedo, obviously, but you don't need to look like you're heading to the Masters. Just keep it respectful.
One misconception is that you need a cart. You don't. Dutch Elm is actually a very walkable course. There are some hills on the back, sure, but if you’re looking to get your steps in, it’s one of the better walks in the area. Most of the tees are close to the previous greens.
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The Evolution of the Course
Courses aren't static. They breathe.
Over the last few years, the maintenance team has done a hell of a job with bunker consistency. Bunkers used to be the bane of public courses—either too much rocks or too little sand. Here, they’ve found a balance. They’ve also cleared out some of the underbrush in the wooded areas. This doesn't make the course "easy," but it makes it "fair." You can at least find your ball now, even if you’re staring at a tree trunk.
Comparing Dutch Elm to other Arundel-area options, like Cape Arundel or Webhannet, is a bit like comparing a reliable pickup truck to a luxury sedan. Those other courses have the history and the ocean breeze, but Dutch Elm has the grit and the accessibility. It’s where people actually learn to play the game.
Final Practical Insights for Your Round
To score well at Dutch Elm Golf Course, you have to master the "bump and run." The green complexes don't always require a high, spinning flop shot. In fact, because the greens are often firm and the aprons are well-mowed, a low-running 8-iron is your best friend.
Focus on your lag putting. Because the greens have subtle breaks that are hard to read under the shadows of the trees, you'll likely face a lot of 4-footers for par. Don't rush them.
The best time to play is actually September. The humidity of the Maine summer has broken, the bugs are gone, and the foliage starts to turn. The contrast of the red maples against the dark green pines makes for some incredible views on the back nine.
Ultimately, this course succeeds because it knows exactly what it is. It’s a place for people who love the game, not the status. It’s a place where you can lose three balls in the woods and still have the time of your life because the sun is out and the beer is cold.
If you want to improve your game, stop hitting buckets at a flat range. Go to Dutch Elm. Play the back nine. Learn how to hit off an uneven lie and how to punch a ball under a limb. That’s where real golf happens.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Verify Tee Times: Call the pro shop at least 48 hours in advance for weekend play.
- Equipment Check: Bring an extra sleeve of balls; the woods are unforgiving to a slice.
- Route Planning: If coming from the South, take the Arundel exit to avoid the summer traffic congestion on Route 1.
- Post-Round: Check out the local Arundel flea markets or the nearby craft breweries to round out the day.