Golf in Washington State
Washington has quietly become one of America's best modern golf road trips. A US Open links beside Puget Sound, a David McLay Kidd resort on the high desert above the Columbia, a treeless Dan Hixson gem in wine country and a major championship forest near Seattle. Two distinct golf regions, one tank of fuel, and almost no crowds.
Photo: Chambers Bay Golf Course via Google.
Why golf in Washington State
Washington splits cleanly in two, and so does its golf. West of the Cascades, around Seattle and Tacoma, the climate is mild and green, the courses run through tall evergreen forest or along the saltwater of Puget Sound, and the headliner is Chambers Bay, the firm, treeless links that hosted the 2015 US Open. East of the mountains the land turns to high desert and sagebrush, the sun comes out, and the modern destination courses thrive: Gamble Sands above the Columbia River and Wine Valley near Walla Walla.
The pitch for a traveling golfer is variety and value. You can pair a genuine US Open venue with one of the most acclaimed new resort courses in the country, throw in a championship forest layout and a wine country links, and still pay a fraction of what California or Arizona command. The drives are scenic, the courses are uncrowded outside high summer, and the food and wine scene around Walla Walla and Seattle gives the non golfers plenty to do.
The courses that matter
Chambers Bay · Robert Trent Jones Jr, 2007
The state's most famous course, a bold, fescue links built in an old sand and gravel quarry above Puget Sound at University Place. Host of the 2015 US Open, walking only, with huge dunes and a single lone fir. Public and bookable, a must play.
Gamble Sands · David McLay Kidd, 2014
A David McLay Kidd design on a high desert mesa above the Columbia River near Brewster, named Golf Digest Best New Course of 2014. Wide, friendly fairways and giant greens make it as fun as it is acclaimed, now joined by the newer Scarecrow course and the Quicksands short course.
Wine Valley Golf Club · Dan Hixson, 2009
A treeless Dan Hixson links in the rolling wheat and wine country near Walla Walla, with massive bunkering, generous lines off the tee and a stern, breezy back nine. A regular on best public lists and the natural pairing with Walla Walla's wineries.
Sahalee Country Club · Ted Robinson, 1969
A tight, tree lined championship course at Sammamish east of Seattle, designed by Ted Robinson and later refined by Rees Jones. It hosted the 1998 PGA Championship and the 2024 KPMG Women's PGA. Private, with access by member introduction.
Palouse Ridge Golf Club · John Harbottle III, 2008
A muscular John Harbottle III design draped over the rolling Palouse hills on the Washington State University campus in Pullman. Public, big and breezy, and one of the best collegiate courses in the country, ideal on a swing through the east of the state.
Designers, opening years and championship history verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized course databases. Chambers Bay is a Robert Trent Jones Jr design that hosted the 2015 US Open; Gamble Sands and its newer Scarecrow course are by David McLay Kidd; Wine Valley is by Dan Hixson; Sahalee was designed by Ted Robinson and hosted the 1998 PGA Championship; Palouse Ridge is by John Harbottle III. Access and conditioning change, so confirm with each club before planning.
When to go: the Washington golf season
| Window | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May to Jun | Excellent: long days, firm turf and settled weather across both sides of the state, with green courses west and dry desert east |
| Jul to Aug | Peak season, warm and reliable; the east can be hot, so play Gamble Sands and Wine Valley early. Book ahead at the resorts |
| Sep to Oct | The connoisseur's window: golden Palouse and wine country, firm and fast conditions and thinner crowds before the rain returns |
| Nov to Apr | Wet and cool west of the Cascades; the desert courses close or go quiet. Best avoided for a dedicated golf trip |
May to October is the season. Green fees and resort rates change by season and year; always confirm directly before booking.
Getting there, costs and where to stay
Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) is the gateway and puts you within 40 minutes of Chambers Bay and Sahalee. From there the state is a road trip: Gamble Sands is about three and a half hours east near Brewster, Wine Valley around four hours southeast at Walla Walla, and Palouse Ridge five hours out at Pullman. Many golfers fly into Seattle for the western courses, then either drive east or take a short hop to the desert. A hire car is essential.
Green fees are reasonable for the quality, with the destination courses well below California or Bandon prices. For lodging, base around Tacoma or Seattle for the west, stay on site in the Inn and cottages at Gamble Sands for the desert, and use Walla Walla's wine country hotels for Wine Valley. We can route the whole loop, pair the right lodging with the courses and arrange the tee times as one package.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts in Washington, or read the wider United States golf hub.
Plan a Washington golf trip
Tell us roughly when you want to travel and who is in the group, and a concierge will build a Washington itinerary around Chambers Bay, Gamble Sands and Wine Valley, costed to the head, with no obligation.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, opening years and the state season verified June 2026; green fees indicative for the 2026 season. Last reviewed June 2026.