The 10 Best Golf Courses in Washington You Can Play (2026)

The best golf courses in Washington you can play are Chambers Bay near Tacoma, Gamble Sands in Brewster and Wine Valley in Walla Walla. Chambers Bay hosted the 2015 U.S. Open. For value, Spokane's city-owned Indian Canyon is a 1930 H. Chandler Egan design that has hosted three USGA championships.

The list at a glance

| # | Course | Location | Access | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | Chambers Bay | University Place | Public | U.S. Open links golf on foot | | 2 | Gamble Sands | Brewster | Resort (public tee times) | A multi-day golf trip | | 3 | Wine Valley Golf Club | Walla Walla | Public | Golf in wine country | | 4 | Gold Mountain Golf Club (Olympic Course) | Bremerton | Municipal | Championship golf at a muni | | 5 | Palouse Ridge Golf Club | Pullman | Public | A college-town test | | 6 | Salish Cliffs Golf Club | Shelton | Public | Tree-lined golf near Olympia | | 7 | Suncadia Resort (Prospector Course) | Cle Elum | Resort (public tee times) | A mountain weekend | | 8 | Indian Canyon Golf Course | Spokane | Municipal | A classic at a city price | | 9 | Washington National Golf Club | Auburn | Public | Long hitters near Seattle | | 10 | The Home Course | DuPont | Public | Tees for every level |

How we chose

Every course here takes public tee times. We ranked them on quality, Golf Digest's 2025-26 and GOLF's 2024-25 state rankings, design pedigree, and a spread of regions and prices. Facts were checked against course websites and golf media in October 2026, and private clubs are listed separately.

1. Chambers Bay

Location: University Place, WA · Access: Public (owned by Pierce County) · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr. (2007) · Region: South Puget Sound

Chambers Bay is No. 1 in Golf Digest's 2025-26 Washington ranking. GOLF's Top 100 Courses You Can Play (2024-25) puts it at No. 31. It hosted the 2015 U.S. Open, won by Jordan Spieth, and the USGA returns for the 2027 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2033 U.S. Amateur.

The course was built in a former sand and gravel mine on Puget Sound. It's walking-only, with push carts included and caddies available by reservation.

Around the greens: The greens are poa annua, and the course is walking-only on open ground. A putter or low bump-and-run from off the green is often the safest play.

2. Gamble Sands

Location: Brewster, WA · Access: Resort (day guests can book) · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: David McLay Kidd (2014) · Region: North Central Washington

Gamble Sands tops GOLF's 2024-25 Washington list and sits No. 18 on its Top 100 Courses You Can Play. Golf Digest ranks it No. 3 in the state for 2025-26. The original course sits on a treeless sandy plateau above the Columbia River, with very wide fairways, large greens and no rough.

Kidd's second course, Scarecrow, opened on August 1, 2025, and Golf Digest named it Best New Public Course of 2025. The resort also has Quicksands, a 14-hole short course, a large putting course and a 77-room inn. Day guests can book up to 120 days ahead; inn guests get a longer booking window.

Around the greens: Fine fescue plays firm and fast here. Land the ball well short of the hole and let the slopes feed it, or putt from off the green.

3. Wine Valley Golf Club

Location: Walla Walla, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 · Designer: Dan Hixson · Region: Southeast Washington

Wine Valley was one of Dan Hixson's first original designs. Golf Digest ranks it No. 6 in Washington (2025-26), and it made GOLF's Top 100 Courses You Can Play (2024-25) at No. 100.

The course's own hole guide notes how the wind plays on each hole. Pair a round with a Walla Walla wine trip.

Around the greens: Wind is part of nearly every round here. Keep chips low and pick your landing spot carefully.

4. Gold Mountain Golf Club (Olympic Course)

Location: Bremerton, WA · Access: Municipal (owned by the City of Bremerton) · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: John Harbottle III (1996) · Region: Kitsap Peninsula

The Olympic Course ranks No. 11 in Washington in Golf Digest's 2025-26 list. GOLF's 2024-25 state list flags it as a Top 100 Value course. It hosted the 2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links and the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur, won by Jordan Spieth.

It's a hilly layout. The 36-hole facility also has the Cascade Course, so it's easy to make a full day of it.

Around the greens: Greens fall off into collection areas. From a tight lie below the green, carry the ball onto the putting surface instead of into the bank.

5. Palouse Ridge Golf Club

Location: Pullman, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: John Harbottle III (2008) · Region: The Palouse, southeast Washington

Palouse Ridge sits on the Washington State University campus and is home to the Cougar golf teams. Golf Digest ranks it No. 12 in Washington (2025-26). Travel + Leisure Golf named it the ninth-best new course in the world for 2008.

Harbottle routed the course across a highly contoured site in the rolling Palouse hills, and it stretches past 7,300 yards. Golf Digest notes tee-time packages on Cougar football weekends. Spokane golfers can pair it with our list of the best golf courses near Spokane.

Around the greens: GolfPass lists T-1 bentgrass greens set on rolling ground. Read the slope around the green before you choose where to land the ball.

6. Salish Cliffs Golf Club

Location: Shelton, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Gene Bates (2011) · Region: Mason County, South Puget Sound

Salish Cliffs is owned by the Squaxin Island Tribe and shares its property with Little Creek Casino Resort. Golf Digest ranks it No. 13 in Washington (2025-26). The course says it is about 70 minutes from Seattle.

Tall trees frame most holes, so driving accuracy matters most. GolfPass lists bentgrass turf and large greens. The resort next door makes an overnight trip easy.

Around the greens: Big greens leave long chips. Pick a landing zone based on the day's speed and let the ball run out.

7. Suncadia Resort (Prospector Course)

Location: Cle Elum, WA · Access: Resort (public tee times) · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Palmer Course Design Company (2005) · Region: Central Cascades

Prospector ranks No. 15 in Washington in Golf Digest's 2025-26 list. It runs through pine and fir forest on the dry side of the Cascades, with several lakes and ponds. The course plays to about 7,100 yards from the back.

Resort guests can book up to a year ahead, while the public can book up to 14 days out. Suncadia's Tumble Creek course is private for members.

Around the greens: GolfPass lists bentgrass greens. When you're short-sided over a bunker, take a lofted club and carry the ball to a safe landing spot.

8. Indian Canyon Golf Course

Location: Spokane, WA · Access: Municipal (City of Spokane) · Holes: 18 (par 71) · Designer: H. Chandler Egan (1930) · Region: Spokane, eastern Washington

Indian Canyon has hosted three USGA championships, including the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1941 and 1984. The course sits on a canyon wall above Spokane, with a 240-foot vertical drop. The City of Spokane opened it for the 2026 season on March 12.

At about 6,255 yards it isn't long. It's the value pick on this list for a historic, tournament-tested course.

Around the greens: Greens are undulating and many lies are sloped. See our notes on uphill and downhill chips before you play.

9. Washington National Golf Club

Location: Auburn, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: John Fought (2000) · Region: South King County, Seattle area

Washington National is the home course of the University of Washington men's and women's golf teams. The Seattle Times reported in 1999 that Fought designed it with big championships in mind. It stretches past 7,300 yards from the back tees.

Forward tees start near 5,100 yards, so it works for a mixed group. Weekday winter passes cover November 2026 through February 2027.

Around the greens: GolfPass lists bentgrass greens. Check the speed in the shop, then use one landing zone and one club for most chips.

10. The Home Course

Location: DuPont, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Mike Asmundson (2007) · Region: South Puget Sound

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association and Washington Golf own The Home Course. It was the companion course for the 2010 U.S. Amateur and hosted the 2014 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links.

Tees range from a 2,239-yard beginner setup to 7,424 yards. That makes it easy to bring players of every level.

Around the greens: GolfPass describes the greens as fast and true. Land chips a little shorter than you would on slower home greens.

Private clubs worth knowing

• Aldarra Golf Club (Sammamish): a Tom Fazio design ranked No. 2 in Washington by Golf Digest (2025-26). Member invitation required.
• Sahalee Country Club (Sammamish): hosted the 1998 PGA Championship and the 2010 U.S. Senior Open. Member invitation required.
• Tumble Creek (Cle Elum): a Tom Doak design and Suncadia's private member course. Member invitation required.
• Seattle Golf Club (Shoreline): founded in 1900, host of the 1961 Walker Cup and the 2027 U.S. Senior Amateur. Member invitation required.
• Royal Oaks Country Club (Vancouver): ranked No. 7 in Washington by Golf Digest (2025-26). Member invitation required.

Tips for playing golf in Washington

• Know the two climates. West of the Cascades, golf runs year-round on softer winter turf. East of the mountains it's seasonal, and Gamble Sands publishes rates for April through October.
• Book destination tee times early. Gamble Sands opens day-guest tee times up to 120 days ahead. Suncadia opens public times 14 days out.
• Plan for wind on the dry side. Gamble Sands sits on a treeless plateau, and Wine Valley's hole guide flags the wind. Keep chips low on breezy days.
• Expect different grasses. Gamble Sands plays on fine fescue, Chambers Bay has poa annua greens, and Palouse Ridge and Washington National list bentgrass. A 15-minute pre-round routine helps you learn each speed.
• Bring walking legs. Chambers Bay is walking-only, and both it and Indian Canyon have big elevation changes.
• Staying near Seattle? See our guide to the best golf courses near Seattle for more Puget Sound options.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best public golf course in Washington?

Chambers Bay is the top-ranked public course in Washington, at No. 1 in Golf Digest's 2025-26 state list. It hosted the 2015 U.S. Open and is owned by Pierce County. Gamble Sands in Brewster is a close second and ranks No. 1 on GOLF's 2024-25 Washington list.

What is the best value golf course in Washington?

Two city-owned courses stand out. Indian Canyon in Spokane is a 1930 H. Chandler Egan design that has hosted three USGA championships. Bremerton's Gold Mountain hosted the 2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links and is a Top 100 Value pick in GOLF's 2024-25 state ranking.

Can the public play Gamble Sands?

Yes, Gamble Sands sells daily-fee tee times to day guests on the Gamble Sands course, Scarecrow and the Quicksands short course. Day guests can book up to 120 days ahead, while inn guests can book further out. The 2026 rate tables cover April through October.

When is golf season in Washington?

Western Washington courses stay open year-round, with softer turf in the wet months. East of the Cascades, golf is mostly spring through fall. Spokane's Indian Canyon opened for 2026 on March 12, and Gamble Sands publishes rates for April through October.

How do I handle unfamiliar green speeds on a new course?

Ask the pro shop for the day's stimp reading, then hit a few chips and putts on the practice green. Firm fescue and fast bentgrass need a shorter landing zone than soft winter greens. Our green speed guide explains how to adjust.

Find your landing zone on every green

From firm fescue at Gamble Sands to bentgrass at Palouse Ridge and poa annua at Chambers Bay, Washington's greens roll at different speeds. Green speed changes where every chip should land, and it changes from course to course. ELZS (Essential Landing Zone Systems) turns three inputs, your distance to the hole, your club and the green speed, into the number of paces to land the ball so it rolls out to the hole. It was built by former teaching pro Chaz H. Smith and comes as an app for iOS and Android and as a waterproof pocket chartbook. Before your next round, ask the pro shop how fast the greens are running, then look up your landing zone and chip with a plan.

Download ELZS for iPhone · Get ELZS on Android · Learn how landing zones work