If you call the Pacific Northwest home, you already know that rain and wet course conditions are part of the package.
Well, while the region has its reputation of cold and wet winters, there are a fair number of days when outdoor recreation reigns supreme.
That said, any enthusiastic golfer considering moving to the state of Washington will want to know if the region is really a golfer’s paradise.
In this regard, Can You Golf Year Round In Washington?
Short answer: Yes. The state of Washington experiences relatively mild weather and snow is infrequent, which makes it an ideal destination for golfers. Regardless of the season, there is always an abundance of golf courses and resorts in Washington where you can play golf year-round with desirable challenges on the green.
As you would expect, there are some golf courses that stand up better than others to mother nature and her soaking rains.
This article will discuss some of the top golf courses in Washington state to help you head to the best places once you are there. Keep reading.
Top Golf Courses in Washington
Talking about golf courses, the most northwesterly state has a lot of options from which golf enthusiasts can choose.
Here is a selection of golf courses that will treat you to challenging holes with lush fairways and greens framed by native grasses, sweeping water views, and rolling dunes.
1. Gamble Sands Golf Club
200 Sands Trail Rd, Brewster, WA 98812
+1 509-436-8323
Opens: Every day, 7 am – 7 pm
Gamble Sands is a true masterpiece designed by renowned golf course architect David McLay Kidd.
It is located on the banks of the Columbia River just outside Brewster, about 35 minutes north of Chelan and four hours east of Seattle.
This 18-hole, 7,169-yard sand golf course features broad fairways bordered by natural grass, conventional sand bunkers, desert brush, and sage.
Thanks to Gamble Sands’s natural setting, golfers can enjoy the feeling of pure golf with scenic vistas and beautiful views out across the Columbia River.
2. Chambers Bay Golf Course
6320 Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98467
+1 877-295-4657, +1 253-460-4653
Email address: info@chambersbaygolf.com
Opens: 11 am – 8 pm, Monday – Friday, 9 am- 8 pm on weekends
Opened in June 2007, Chambers Bay golf course is one of Washington’s newest public golf courses.
This stunning 18-hole course was designed by architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr.
It is among the few linksland courses in the US – its layout was inspired by the classic links golf courses of Scotland and Ireland.
Chambers Bay is located just outside Tacoma and less than an hour from Seattle, where it sits over a stretch of rolling, sandy land along the shores of the Puget Sound.
The course has a natural feel to it with enormous dunes, native grass, and significant elevation changes.
You will feel as though you have been transported to the British Isles, thanks to its challenging links. Chambers has a rugged, beautiful landscape and remains a local favorite.
3. Wine Valley Golf Club
176 Wine Valley Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362
+1 509-525-4653
Email address: mail@winevalleygolfclub.com
Opens: 6:30 am – 8:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, 6 am – 8:30 pm, Friday, 6 am – 9 pm, weekends and holidays
The self-taught architect Dan Hixson laid out the Wine Valley golf club to fit beautifully with its surroundings and offer a links-like golfing experience.
The course is very playable and provides a satisfying round to casual golfers, but it can also challenge the best players.
Wine valley sits over rolling, dunes-like land with mountains in the background.
If you are a high handicapper, you will enjoy the generous fairways bordered by tall prairie grass as you play this 18-hole course – the broad fairways offer multiple lines of play.
4. Salish Cliffs Golf Club
91 WA-108, Shelton, WA 98584
+1 360-462-3673
Email address: golfshop@salishcliffs.com
Opens: 7:30 am to 5 pm, Year-round
Opened in 2011, Salish Cliffs is an 18-hole secluded championship golf course laid out by award-winning architect Gene Bates.
The course is located in a scenic setting in the Kamilche Valley, 20 minutes from Olympia and about 70 minutes from Seattle.
Salish Cliffs golf club is surrounded by dense forestry, where the par 72 layout offers world-class golf, over 600 feet of elevation changes, unique rock facing, and stunning 360-degrees Pacific Northwest views.
Besides the surrounding beauty, the course is also very well maintained, and the facilities are top-notch.
5. Tumble Creek Golf Course
770 Suncadia Trail, Cle Elum, WA 98922
+1 509-649-6000
Located 80 miles southeast of Seattle, Suncadia is the home to three golf courses: Prospector, Rope Rider, and Tumble Creek.
While the first two are public, the latter is private and stands out as one of the best golf courses you can Play in Washington state.
The 18-hole Tumble Creek is laid on high ground above the Cle Elum River and is reserved exclusively for Tumble Creek members.
It was laid out by Tom Doak, and only very little earth was moved during its construction.
Tumble Creek Club members and guests enjoy privileged access to the course and the Suncadia Resort’s 36-hole golf complex.
6. White Horse Golf Club
22795 Three Lions Pl NE, Kingston, WA 98346
+1 360-297-4468
Opens: Monday – Sunday, 7:30 am to 5 pm
Considered one of the toughest golf courses in the Northwest, White Horse golf club is situated on the Kitsap Peninsula, just five minutes south of the Kingston ferry terminal and a short ride from the Seattle metro area.
The course sits in Puget Sound between the Cascade Mountains and Olympic, where each hole offers panoramic views.
John Harbottle curved the 18-hole White Horse’s layout through the wooded area and along isolated corridors while leaving more generous fairways and landing areas.
He also took out nearly half of the bunkers, which opened up the greens, keeping them approachable.
7. Gold Mountain Golf Course
7263 W Belfair Valley Rd, Bremerton, WA 98310
+1 360-415-5432
Opens: Every day 6:30 am to 6 pm
The 36-hole golf complex at Gold Mountains features two 18-hole layouts: The Cascade and The Olympic.
The Cascade course was designed by Ken Tyson and opened its doors to the golfing public in 1971.
Later in 1996, John Harbottle III laid out the Olympic course, which has also been received by golfers of all abilities.
The gem here is the Olympic, which features rolling terrain and generous fairways. It also offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
8. Palouse Ridge Golf Club
1260 Palouse Ridge Dr, Pullman, WA 99164
+1 509-335-4342
Palouse Ridge golf club is an 18-hole championship-level golf course set within the rolling hills of Washington State University.
The course was designed by architect John Harbottle III, replacing the old 9-hole layout. This new trail opened in 2008 and offers a satisfying challenge to golfers of all abilities.
9. Indian Canyon Golf Course
1001 S Assembly Rd, Spokane, WA 99224
+1 509-747-5353
Every day, 5 am to 9:30 pm
This great golf course was designed in 1930 by H. Chandler Egan. It is a municipal golf course and from the back tees plays to 6,255 yards.
Besides, Indian Canyon has hosted the U.S.G.A. severally, which is probably why Golf Digest has been picking it among the top 25 golf courses in the US. Overall, it offers a very diverse and unique environment to play the game of golf.
10. Aldarra Golf Club
29125 SE Duthie Hill Rd, Sammamish, WA 98075
+1 425-222-7828
Opens: 7 am – 7 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
Aldarra offers a challenging par 71 layout that meanders through rolling terrain with stunning views of Mt. Si and the Cascade Mountain range.
The course is 20 miles east of Seattle, and it represents the first project by world-renowned architect Tom Fazio.
Fazio routed the fairways through a heavily forested, secluded landscape with significant elevation changes that allow for the views.
Conclusion
Talking about playing the game of golf, the state of Washington has a lot to offer to enthusiastic players.
It is one of the states with great golf courses where you can play year-round.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it should help you set for some the golf courses that are not only playable but also offer a desirable challenge on the greens.
References
Best Public Golf Courses in Washington
2021 Best Washington Golf Courses List
10 Best Public Golf Courses – Washington State
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