Best Golf Courses in Seattle, Washington
Seattle's golf scene thrives in the shadow of the Cascades and the shores of Puget Sound. Lush evergreen corridors, dramatic mountain backdrops, and the legendary Chambers Bay — host of the 2015 U.S. Open — make the Emerald City a quietly world-class golf destination.
University Place, Washington · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (2007) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,585 yards
Host of the 2015 U.S. Open, Chambers Bay is a links-style municipal course built on a former gravel quarry along Puget Sound. The fescue-covered layout features dramatic elevation changes, panoramic water views, and firm-and-fast conditions rare in the Pacific Northwest.
Sammamish, Washington · Ted Robinson (1969) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,895 yards
Carved through towering Douglas firs and Western red cedars in the Pacific Northwest forest, Sahalee hosted the 1998 PGA Championship and 2010 U.S. Senior Open. The tree-lined corridors create an intimate, cathedral-like setting demanding accuracy off every tee.
Newcastle, Washington · Robert Cupp & Fred Couples (1999) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,024 yards
Co-designed by Seattle native Fred Couples, China Creek sits on a forested ridge between Lake Washington and the Cascades. On clear days, golfers enjoy views of Mount Rainier, the Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains from multiple holes.
Auburn, Washington · John Fought (2000) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,304 yards
A John Fought design built on rolling terrain in Auburn, Washington National features wide fairways, bold bunkering, and panoramic views of Mount Rainier. The championship layout consistently ranks among the top public courses in the Pacific Northwest.
Fall City, Washington · Tom Fazio (2001) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,320 yards
An ultra-exclusive Tom Fazio design in the Cascade foothills east of Seattle, Aldarra features dramatic elevation changes through old-growth forest with Snoqualmie Valley views. The walking-only policy and limited membership create an intimate, unhurried atmosphere.
Port Orchard, Washington · John Fought (2005) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,206 yards
A John Fought design on the Kitsap Peninsula, Trophy Lake combines championship golf with a fly-fishing lake and outdoor recreation. The layout rolls through native Pacific Northwest terrain with wetlands, mature evergreens, and Olympic Mountain views.
DuPont, Washington · Mike Asmundson (2007) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,208 yards
Built as the home of Washington junior golf, The Home Course in DuPont offers championship-caliber golf at accessible pricing. The layout winds through native prairie grasses with Puget Sound and Mount Rainier views, hosting numerous USGA and Washington State Golf Association events.
Shelton, Washington · Gene Bates (2011) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,269 yards
Part of the Little Creek Casino Resort on the Squaxin Island Tribe reservation, Salish Cliffs winds through dense Pacific Northwest forest with towering evergreens, native ferns, and moss-covered rock outcroppings. The Gene Bates design has earned numerous best-in-state accolades.
DuPont, Washington · Mike Asmundson (2007) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,208 yards
Home of the Washington State Golf Association, The Home Course in DuPont delivers championship-caliber public golf south of Seattle. The links-influenced layout through Puget Sound lowland features firm fescue fairways, strategic bunkering, and views of Mount Rainier on clear days at outstanding value.
Auburn, Washington · John Fought (2000) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,304 yards
A John Fought design south of Seattle in Auburn, Washington National features a dramatic routing through the Green River Valley with views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades. The 7,304-yard championship layout has hosted U.S. Open qualifiers and provides one of the strongest public golf tests in the Seattle metro area.
Sammamish, Washington · Ted Robinson (1969) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,928 yards
Host of the 1998 PGA Championship and the 2010 U.S. Senior Open, Sahalee is the Pacific Northwest's most decorated championship venue. The tight, tree-lined layout through towering Douglas fir and western red cedar creates a cathedral-like atmosphere that demands precision on every shot.
Public Courses in Seattle
Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Seattle .
Overview
The greater Seattle area offers an impressive range of golf experiences, from classic parkland courses framed by towering Douglas firs to the windswept links-style terrain at Chambers Bay. The Pacific Northwest climate keeps courses emerald green nearly year-round, and long summer days mean tee times stretching past 8 PM. Private clubs like Sahalee and Aldarra complement a strong public roster that punches well above its weight.
Best Time to Play
June through September is prime golf season in Seattle, with warm temperatures, minimal rain, and daylight lasting until nearly 9:30 PM. May and October can be excellent if you catch dry stretches. Winter golf is possible but expect frequent rain and temperatures in the 40s.
Travel Tips & Getting There
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is centrally located between Seattle and Tacoma. Chambers Bay is 40 minutes south near Tacoma. Sahalee and the Eastside courses are 20-30 minutes east. Pair your golf trip with the city's legendary coffee, seafood, and craft beer scenes.
Nearest Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Frequently Asked Questions
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