Martindale - Maine - USA

Think of all of the negative connotations associated with the game of golf today: a sport for the wealthy; slow, six hour rounds; stuffy clubhouse environments.

Martindale Country Club in Auburn, Maine breaks every single one of these stereotypes. On a recent visit during a Wednesday (!!) afternoon, I encountered a course that was full of energy. The tee sheet was packed, yet our group took less than four hours to get around; people from all walks of life and of all skill levels were taking advantage of the club’s golf amenities; and, even the restaurant had a line out the door of patrons trying to grab a delicious bite to eat. I knew I was in for a special round before I even got out of my car.

This type of inviting environment is rare, and it is therefore no surprise that the club’s leaders deeply care about culture. My praise to owner Nick Glicos and fellow professional Chris Carrier cannot be overstated. In my opinion, they should be writing the modern day manual on golf course management.

The golf itself at Martindale is as equally compelling as the dynamic community experience. As one would expect, with two nines built decades apart, the front and back sides vary in their style, though both present a plethora of challenges.

The front nine is routed over a steep, crowned hill which provides loads of memorable full shots. These include the thrilling blind approach at the 2nd which allows players who land the ball 30 yards short to funnel balls down onto the putting surface, the naturally tilted fairway at the 3rd, the wild crowned landing zone at the 7th, the infinity green 8th followed, and the plummeting par three 9th to finish the roller coaster.

On the back nine, the main storyline is the absolutely terrifying green complexes. Each seems to slide away in all directions. Even along the gentler topography of the Little Androscoggin River, golfers can use knobs and speed slots to keep their ball in play through the tighter, forested corridors. A wise player can utilize the options available even when at first glance, the playing field seems narrow.

It is no surprise that Martindale has such a dedicated membership. The entire property – in its ruggedness, simplicity, and accessibility – captures the true spirit of Maine golf. It is a delightful facility for any golfer whether they are visiting the area for the first time, or experiencing the course as a regular local patron.