With over 250 golf courses on offer in the state of Washington, making the decision where to play is the problem!
Magnificent golf courses that will challenge every skill level.
Selecting the 10 best golf courses in Washington is a headache.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 10
- TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge
- Gamble Sands Golf Course
- Chambers Bay Golf Course
- Gold Mountain Golf Course | Olympic
- Salish Cliffs Golf Club
- Palouse Ridge Golf Club
- Wine Valley Golf Club
- Bear Creek Country Club
- Apple Tree Golf Course
- Bear Mountain Ranch
1. TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge
- Site Link
- Location: Snoqualmie, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,640 meters off the Tips and 4,878 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tees options available.
Signature Hole – The 410-meter par 4 14th is the signature hole.
A risk and reward hole at its best.
It plays downhill to a semi-circle dogleg left.
Inside the dogleg is a crevasse covered by trees.
Take it on!
A classic Jack Nicklaus design.
107 deep bunkers lurk throughout the course strategically placed in landing areas and around the green complexes.
Elevation changes, playing both uphill and downhill shots and doglegs both ways calls for strategy golf to keep a decent scorecard.
There are no easy pickings for birdies so bring the best game you have!
2. Gamble Sands Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Brewster, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,553 meters off the Tips and 4,385 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – the 275-meter par 4 2nd is the signature hole.
It plays steeply downhill with the Columbia River in the background.
A risk and reward hole, but the bunker in the middle of the fairway is trouble.
2 bunkers protect the green.
Take it on and then take in the stunning view.
Gamble Sands is a non-coastal links with wide fairways that roll out.
Cut in the natural terrain high above the Columbia River, the views are stunning.
The course was designed to allow the average golfer to experience links golf without being beaten up.
Wind and plenty of bunkers protect the course which offers a stern test from the tips.
The undulating greens are not severe and can be navigated by all skill levels.
A fun course for all.
3. Chambers Bay Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: University Place, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,933 meters off the Tips and 5,498 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 225-meter par 3 15th is the signature hole.
It is a stunning downhill hole over a continuous bunker from tee to green.
A small pot-bunker on the left front of the green should be avoided.
Puget Sound and a tall tree form a magnificent backdrop.
Chambers Bay is a true links course without water hazards and only a single tree throughout the layout.
The fairways are wide, fast, and firm.
A walking-only course that will be enjoyed by all skill levels.
Taking in the views and difficulty of the final holes on the back 9 will bring you back to this course.
A must-play track.
4. Gold Mountain Golf Course | Olympic
- Site Link
- Location: Bremerton, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,494 meters off the Tips and 5,125 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 172-meter par 3 17th is the signature.
It is a real “knee-knocker” as it plays over water to a dome-type green which runs off on all sides.
Play to the middle of the green.
The Gold Mountain Olympic course was cut out of the forest and presents a fun and challenging layout.
The wide rolling fairways move through the track creating a variety of interesting holes.
A beautiful couple of par 3’s will get the attention during the round.
The final 4-holes are scorecard busters and are exciting to play.
Playing the final hole drivable par 4 with water and bunkers protecting the green is risk and reward at its best.
5. Salish Cliffs Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Shelton, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,644 meters off the Tips and 5,770 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 486-meter par 5 1st is the signature hole.
It plays from an elevated tee down to a dogleg right sloping fairway.
Bunkers protect the corner on both sides.
The approach shot to a sloping green requires precision to avoid the surrounding bunkers.
The course is laid out on Squaxin Island Indian Reserve.
Natural undulating terrain with dramatic elevation changes makes for some exciting holes.
Generous landing areas become narrower as the round progresses, and the doglegs are protected by superb bunkering on the corners.
Enjoyable spectacular par 3’s with huge drops from the tee create excitement.
Undulating green complexes are challenging with plenty of superbly-shaped bunkers providing protection.
6. Palouse Ridge Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Pullman, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,680 meters off the Tips and 5,827 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 572-meter par 5 10th is the signature hole.
It plays downhill to a mound-filled fairway that doglegs right.
Two bunkers lurk on the right corner of the fairway which continues down to the green.
A large bunker protects the right side, but don’t over-club or face losing the ball.
A college-owned links-style golf course that is highly rated.
It rolls through the undulating terrain and challenges the skills for playing golf on the ground and not through the air.
Doglegs, bunkers, risk and reward holes, wetlands, and fescue grass are ever-present.
Bring the best short-game you have to score well.
7. Wine Valley Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Walla Walla, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,728 meters off the Tips and 5,343 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 535-meter par 5 18th is the signature hole.
It plays from the highest point on the course offering views of the entire layout.
A steep downhill tee shot that rolls to within a distance of attacking the green for 2.
Fescue protects the left side and the better miss-option is the collection chipping area right.
A fun links-style golf course for all skill levels.
Fast, firm, wide fairways encourage the use of the “big dog” off the tees.
Typical links shots with low-rolling approaches and de-lofted punches will be well rewarded and keep the ball out the fescue.
The wind whistles through the track and the very undulating greens, surrounded by bunkers and tightly-mown chipping areas, are a great challenge.
Playing in the wind requires strategy.
8. Bear Creek Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Woodinville, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,422 meters off the Tips and 5,322 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 226-meter par 3 9th is the signature hole.
The tee shot is all carry over a lake.
A well-bunkered green awaits those who make the carry.
Good club selection keeps the card intact.
A 9-hole layout that is both challenging and fun to play.
The fair variety of holes and the second time around off different tees creates different angles.
A bit of accuracy will help.
Great views and wildlife roam freely during play.
A great course for the family outing.
9. Apple Tree Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Yakima, Washington.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,300 meters off the Tips and 5,354 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 165-meter par 3 17th is the signature hole.
The apple-shaped island green is very different.
A leaf-shaped bunker at the rear, with the bridge onto the green creating a stem -shape.
Ever played for an apple!
The course is cut through an apple orchard.
Going with its name, even the bunkers are apple-shaped, and the signature hole island green likewise.
It is a good layout with plenty of water in the form of lakes, ponds, and creeks.
Undulating fairways and greens, doglegs, risk, and reward holes, false fronts, and shared greens make up the challenge.
A fun track for all skill levels.
10. Bear Mountain Ranch
- Site Link
- Location: Chelan, Washington.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,481 meters off the Tips and 4,492 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 186-meter par 3 3rd is the signature hole.
The stunning views from the tee can be a distraction before playing the shot.
It plays downhill to an undulating, large green with a single bunker front left.
Fescue grass lurks for the stray shot.
The course is set in the mountains with fantastic views of the surrounding terrain.
A good variety of holes, with elevation changes and blind shots the order of the day.
Playing from the tips is better suited to the good golfer but forward tees keep all in the game.
Quick greens need a good understanding to avoid 3-putts.
Other courses outside the top 10
1. Suncadia Resort | Prospector
- Site Link
- Location: Cle Elum, Washington.
PLAYER RATING
The Prospector course is a mountain-style layout.
It weaves through fir and pine forests and water in the form of lakes and ponds adds to the challenge.
Different, but good.
2. White Horse Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Kingston, Washington.
PLAYER RATING
Located in the high ground between the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, this layout is user-friendly.
Wide fairways and landing areas allow all skill levels to enjoy the course and the views.
Feed the “big dog”.
3. Canyon Lakes Golf Course | Canyon Lakes
- Site Link
- Location: Kennewick, Washington.
PLAYER RATING
Canyon Lakes golf course winds its way through a housing development.
Water lurks everywhere, but the generous fairways allow everyone to participate and have fun.
Final Thoughts
Washington DC will not disappoint when it comes to a selection of world-class courses to play.
Some of the top courses in the USA fall into this territory and the variety on offer “boggles the mind”.
Don’t miss out!
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
