The 10 Best Golf Courses Near Seattle (2026 Guide)

The best golf courses near Seattle are Chambers Bay in University Place, Gold Mountain's Olympic Course in Bremerton, and Salish Cliffs in Shelton. Chambers Bay hosted the 2015 U.S. Open, and all three take public tee times. For value, West Seattle Golf Course is a city-owned H. Chandler Egan design about 5 miles from downtown.

The list at a glance

| # | Course | Location | Distance | Access | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | Chambers Bay | University Place | about 40 mi | Public | U.S. Open links golf on foot | | 2 | Gold Mountain (Olympic) | Bremerton | about 65 mi | Municipal | Championship golf at a muni | | 3 | Salish Cliffs | Shelton | about 75 mi | Public | A full-day trip into the trees | | 4 | Washington National | Auburn | about 30 mi | Public | Long hitters and college-golf fans | | 5 | The Home Course | DuPont | about 50 mi | Public | A long, USGA-tested layout | | 6 | The Golf Club at Newcastle | Newcastle | about 15 mi | Public | Two courses with skyline views | | 7 | Harbour Pointe | Mukilteo | about 25 mi | Public | Target golf north of the city | | 8 | Trophy Lake | Port Orchard | about 60 mi | Public | A quiet day on the Kitsap side | | 9 | West Seattle | Seattle | about 5 mi | Municipal | A classic layout inside city limits | | 10 | Jefferson Park | Seattle | about 5 mi | Municipal | Quick rounds and practice in town |

How we chose

Every course in the top 10 takes public tee times. We ranked them on course quality, published rankings, design pedigree, and a spread of styles and prices. Facts were checked against course websites and golf media in October 2026. Distances are road miles, 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) · From downtown: about 40 miles

Chambers Bay was built on a former sand and gravel mine above Puget Sound. It hosted the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open, the first U.S. Open in the Pacific Northwest, won by Jordan Spieth. Golf Digest ranks it No. 1 in Washington in its 2025-26 list.

The USGA returns for the 2027 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2033 U.S. Amateur. The course is walking-only, with push carts included and caddies available by reservation. In 2026 it added an optional weather guarantee for tee times.

Around the greens: Fescue fairways run into poa annua greens. You can often putt or bump the ball from well off the surface, so land it short and let it release.

2. 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) · From downtown: about 65 miles by road

The Olympic is the championship course at Gold Mountain, a 36-hole facility owned by the City of Bremerton. It hosted the 2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links and the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur, which Jordan Spieth won. Golf Digest ranks it No. 11 in Washington (2025-26), and GOLF's 2024-25 state list flags it as a Top 100 Value course.

Golf Digest describes a hilly layout. It suits golfers who want a tournament-tested course with municipal access. The second course, the Cascade, makes it easy to stay for 36.

Around the greens: Greens fall away into collection areas, so missed approaches often leave a chip from a tight lie below the surface. Carry the ball onto the green rather than into the slope.

3. Salish Cliffs Golf Club

Location: Shelton, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Gene Bates (2011) · From downtown: about 75 miles

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) and notes tall trees framing the holes. The course puts the drive at about 70 minutes from Seattle.

It sits past our 60-mile radius but makes a good day trip. GolfPass lists bentgrass turf and large greens.

Around the greens: Large greens leave long chips, where landing-zone discipline matters more than technique. Commit to a spot, then let the ball roll the rest of the way.

4. Washington National Golf Club

Location: Auburn, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: John Fought (2000) · From downtown: about 30 miles

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.

Tees run from about 5,100 to more than 7,300 yards, so it works for a mixed group. A winter pass makes it a dependable off-season option.

Around the greens: GolfPass lists bentgrass greens here. A consistent landing spot pays off with predictable release, so check the day's speed in the shop first.

5. The Home Course

Location: DuPont, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Mike Asmundson (2007) · From downtown: about 50 miles

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

The back tees stretch to 7,424 yards, so strong players get a full test. The shop also offers alerts when a wanted tee time opens up.

Around the greens: GolfPass describes the greens as fast and true. Land chips a little shorter than you would at home, and ask the shop for the speed before your first chip.

6. The Golf Club at Newcastle

Location: Newcastle, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 36 (Coal Creek par 72, China Creek par 71) · Designer: Bob Cupp, Fred Couples and David Johnson (1999 and 2000) · From downtown: about 15 miles

Newcastle sits east of Lake Washington, with views of the lake, Mount Rainier, the Olympics, the Cascades and the Seattle skyline. Coal Creek opened in 1999 and China Creek followed in 2000. The same design team, including Fred Couples, worked on both.

Coal Creek is the longer test at just over 7,000 yards. Outside the city munis, it's the closest course on this list to downtown.

Around the greens: GolfPass lists bentgrass greens on China Creek. Two courses on one property can still roll at different speeds, so ask which is quicker that day and adjust your landing zones.

7. Harbour Pointe Golf Club

Location: Mukilteo, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: Arthur Hills · From downtown: about 25 miles

Harbour Pointe has two distinct nines: a flatter front through wetlands and a back nine over rolling, tree-lined ground.

The course says the layout asks you to use every club in the bag. It's a good fit for golfers north of the city who value accuracy over raw distance.

Around the greens: Where wetlands guard a green, a short-sided miss leaves little room. Aim at the fat side, then pick a landing spot that keeps the chip on short grass.

8. Trophy Lake Golf & Casting

Location: Port Orchard, WA · Access: Public · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: John Fought with Todd Schoeder (1999) · From downtown: about 60 miles by road

Trophy Lake was cut through dense Northwest woodland on the Kitsap Peninsula in the late 1990s. It plays to about 7,200 yards from the back tees. The course says it sits about 15 minutes from the Seattle ferry landing, so a boat ride can replace much of the drive.

Fought also designed Washington National, so you can compare his work on both sides of the Sound.

Around the greens: Woodland courses can keep greens shaded and soft on cool mornings. Use one reliable chipping club, test the release on the practice green and adjust your landing spot. Our guide to choosing a chipping club covers the trade-offs.

9. West Seattle Golf Course

Location: Seattle, WA · Access: Municipal · Holes: 18 (par 72) · Designer: H. Chandler Egan (1940) · From downtown: about 5 miles

The City of Seattle owns West Seattle, and Premier Golf Centers manages it. The course opened in May 1940 as a federal works project. Its designer, H. Chandler Egan, also worked on the redesign of Pebble Beach.

Longfellow Creek runs through the property. At about 6,800 yards from the back, it is a full-length test inside city limits.

Around the greens: In the wet months, city greens play softer and slower. Land chips closer to the hole and expect less roll.

10. Jefferson Park Golf Course

Location: Seattle, WA · Access: Municipal · Holes: 18 (par 69) · Designer: Tom Bendelow (1915) · From downtown: about 5 miles

The course sits within the Bill Wright Golf Complex at Jefferson Park, maintained by the City of Seattle and managed by Premier Golf Centers. The main course measures just over 5,900 yards. The complex adds a nine-hole executive course and a Toptracer driving range.

It's the fastest trip on this list from downtown. The modest length suits newer golfers and anyone short on time.

Around the greens: Use the executive course to practice partial wedges and chips. Then take those same landing spots to the big course.

Private clubs worth knowing

• Sahalee Country Club (Sammamish): hosted the 1998 PGA Championship, won by Vijay Singh. Member invitation required.
• Aldarra Golf Club (Sammamish): a Tom Fazio design ranked No. 2 in Washington by Golf Digest (2025-26). Member invitation required.
• Seattle Golf Club (Shoreline): founded in 1900 and host of the 1961 Walker Cup. Member invitation required.
• The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge (Snoqualmie): a 1999 Jack Nicklaus design ranked No. 8 in Washington by Golf Digest. Member invitation required.

Tips for playing golf near Seattle

• Golf runs year-round. Washington National, Harbour Pointe and Trophy Lake all sell winter passes. Expect softer turf and less roll in the wet months.
• Know the walking rules. Chambers Bay is walking-only, with push carts included. Bring a light carry bag if you don't want a caddie.
• Plan the Kitsap trip. Gold Mountain and Trophy Lake are each about 60 miles or more by road around the south Sound. A ferry can shorten the trip, so check schedules before you book an early tee time.
• Expect different grasses. Chambers Bay and Gold Mountain have poa annua greens, while Washington National has bentgrass. Run through a 15-minute pre-round routine to learn the speed before you tee off.
• Book weekend mornings early, and use a course's tee-time alert tool when it offers one.
• Going farther? Our guide to the best golf courses in Washington covers Gamble Sands, Wine Valley and more.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best public golf course near Seattle?

Chambers Bay in University Place is the top public course near Seattle, and Golf Digest ranks it No. 1 in Washington for 2025-26. It hosted the 2015 U.S. Open and sits about 40 miles south of downtown. Gold Mountain's Olympic Course in Bremerton is a strong second choice.

What is the best value golf course in Seattle?

The City of Seattle's own courses are the best value close to downtown. West Seattle Golf Course is a full-length 1940 H. Chandler Egan design, and Jefferson Park adds a nine-hole executive course and a driving range. Farther out, Bremerton's city-owned Gold Mountain is flagged as a Top 100 Value course in GOLF's 2024-25 state ranking.

Can the public play Chambers Bay?

Yes, Chambers Bay is owned by Pierce County and takes public tee times through its website. The course is walking-only, with push carts included and caddies available if you reserve at least 48 hours ahead. The USGA returns for the 2027 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2033 U.S. Amateur.

When is golf season in Seattle?

Golf near Seattle runs all year, and Washington National, Harbour Pointe and Trophy Lake sell winter passes. Expect softer, slower conditions in the wet months and firmer turf in summer. Book weekend mornings early in peak season.

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

Ask the pro shop for the day's stimp reading, then roll a few putts and chips on the practice green before you play. Faster greens need a shorter landing zone; slower greens need one closer to the hole. Our green speed guide explains how much to adjust.

Find your landing zone on every green

From fescue and poa annua at Chambers Bay to bentgrass at Washington National, the courses on this list roll at very 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