Washington is two golf states in one: the cool, green Puget Sound coast with the US Open links of Chambers Bay, and the sunny high desert east of the Cascades, where Gamble Sands rides the bluffs above the Columbia River. Touring both is one of the most underrated golf weeks in America. Here is who it suits, the courses to build around, a sample week and indicative 2026 package ranges.
Photograph: Chambers Bay Golf Course, Washington, via Google
A Washington golf holiday suits the golfer who wants modern, big scenery golf without the crowds or the prices of the famous destinations. The state splits cleanly in two. West of the Cascades, around Seattle and Tacoma on Puget Sound, the climate is cool and green and the headline act is Chambers Bay, the Robert Trent Jones Jr links municipal that hosted the 2015 US Open. East of the mountains, the rain shadow opens into warm, dry high desert, and there sits Gamble Sands, the David McLay Kidd masterpiece above the Columbia River that ranks among the best public courses in the country. It works for a buddies four ball chasing two contrasting worlds, for the architecture enthusiast and for anyone happy to drive for their golf.
Build the trip as a tour rather than a single base, because the great courses are spread across the state and the drive over the Cascades is part of the pleasure. Fly into Seattle, play the Puget Sound side, then cross the mountains to the desert for Gamble Sands and, with more time, the links of Wine Valley in the Walla Walla wine country to the southeast. The one fixed point is the season: this is summer and early autumn golf, when the coast dries out and the desert is reliably warm, so plan the trip and lock the Gamble Sands lodging well ahead.
The most famous golf in Washington, a dramatic links municipal built on a former gravel quarry along Puget Sound near Tacoma, with vast elevation changes, fescue turf and big water views. It hosted the 2015 US Open and the firm, fast, walking links style is rare in the rainy Pacific Northwest. A genuine public US Open course and the natural anchor of a trip.
A modern masterpiece of minimalist design by David McLay Kidd, set high on sandy bluffs above the Columbia River in the warm, dry desert near Brewster. The wide, fast fescue fairways are forgiving off the tee yet endlessly strategic around the greens, and the sunsets are extraordinary. Regularly rated among the best public courses in America and the reason to cross the Cascades.
A links inspired Dan Hixson design spread across open country below the Blue Mountains in the Walla Walla wine country of the southeast. Expansive fairways, bold bunkering and a serene, rolling landscape dotted with vineyards make it a favorite for golfers pairing their rounds with the celebrated local wine. Excellent value and a relaxed, scenic finish to a Washington tour.
Designers, years and tournament history verified June 2026. Green fees and packages are indicative third party figures for the 2026 season and change with demand. Always confirm directly before booking.
Fly into Seattle Tacoma, collect the hire car and base on the south Sound near Tacoma. An evening on the water, and a first look at the Cascades you cross later in the week.
The US Open links along Puget Sound, walked firm and fast with the big elevation changes and water views. The grand statement round of the trip, with The Home Course nearby for a value second eighteen.
Drive east over the mountains to the high desert near Brewster, a scenic three and a half to four hour crossing into the sun. Settle in at Gamble Sands for two nights on site.
The David McLay Kidd course on the bluffs above the Columbia, wide and fast and joyous, with the short course and putting course to fill the day. The round you crossed the state for.
Add the links of Wine Valley and the Walla Walla wine country to the southeast, play a second loop at Gamble Sands, or make the drive back to Seattle and fly home.
The crossing from Puget Sound to Gamble Sands is roughly three and a half to four hours; Walla Walla is a further drive southeast. The trip rewards a car and a touring pace.
| Style | Per person, 2026 | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Puget Sound short break | From around 600 to 1,200 dollars | 2 to 3 nights, Chambers Bay and The Home Course, Tacoma lodging |
| Two sides tour | From around 1,600 to 2,600 dollars | 4 to 5 nights, Chambers Bay and Gamble Sands, touring lodging |
| Full state and wine country | From around 2,600 dollars upward | 7 plus nights, the headliners plus Wine Valley and Walla Walla |
Indicative third party operator ranges for the 2026 season, excluding flights, shown to set expectations only. We are a guide, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Always confirm directly before booking. Find a Washington base.
Washington golf is at its best in summer and early autumn, roughly June to early October, when the famous Pacific Northwest rain eases on the Puget Sound side and the high desert east of the Cascades is warm, dry and dependable. The two halves of the state complement each other: the coast is greener and cooler, the desert hotter and sunnier, so a summer trip gets the best of both. The shoulder months bring lower rates and quieter tee sheets but a higher chance of rain on the coast. The binding constraint is the Gamble Sands lodging, which is limited and sells out for peak summer well ahead, so start planning a Washington trip in good time.
We route the two sides of the state from Seattle, hold the Chambers Bay and Gamble Sands tee times, and build in the Cascade crossing and the Walla Walla wine country without the wasted miles. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge costs it to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
The classic Washington golf holiday pairs the state's two golf worlds: the cool, green Puget Sound side around Seattle and Tacoma, home to the links municipal Chambers Bay that hosted the 2015 US Open, and the sunny high desert east of the Cascades, home to the celebrated David McLay Kidd course at Gamble Sands above the Columbia River and the links of Wine Valley in Walla Walla wine country. Fly into Seattle, hire a car and tour both sides, and you have one of the most underrated golf weeks in America. Always confirm current rates directly before booking.
Washington is good value for the quality. Public green fees run from an indicative 35 to 65 dollars at The Home Course near Tacoma and around 100 dollars at Wine Valley, up to roughly 200 to 275 dollars in peak season at Gamble Sands, with Chambers Bay in between, all indicative for 2026. A four or five night tour of both sides with lodging and several rounds is competitive with the better known coasts. These are indicative third party figures, so always confirm directly before booking.
Summer and early autumn are the window, roughly June to early October, when the famous Pacific Northwest rain eases and the high desert east of the Cascades is warm, dry and reliable. The west side around Puget Sound is greener and cooler, the east side hotter and sunnier, so a summer trip gets the best of both. The shoulder months bring lower rates and quieter tee sheets but a higher chance of rain on the coast.
Seattle Tacoma International is the natural gateway, close to Chambers Bay and The Home Course on the Puget Sound side. From there it is a scenic drive of roughly three and a half to four hours east over the Cascades to Gamble Sands above the Columbia River, with Walla Walla and Wine Valley further southeast. A hire car is essential to link the two sides of the state. Always confirm flights and car hire ahead of a peak summer trip.
Tee time releases, new openings and the booking windows worth moving on first. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Indicative fees and package ranges verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.