The 10 Best Golf Courses in the Pacific Northwest to Play in 2027
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateDirect Answer
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon, Oregon) takes the #1 spot as the best overall golf destination in the Pacific Northwest for 2027, offering four world-class courses (including the new Sheep Ranch) on a rugged, walk-only coastline. The runner-up is Chambers Bay (University Place, Washington), a public links-style course that hosted the 2015 U.S.
Open and delivers a championship test with sweeping Puget Sound views. This list is for serious golfers planning a dedicated trip—whether you want a bucket-list resort, a hidden gem, or a budget-friendly municipal course that still delivers top-tier conditions.
How We Ranked These
We evaluated every course against five weighted criteria: course design and routing (30%)—architectural merit, variety of shots, and memorability; conditioning and maintenance (25%)—fairway health, green speed, and bunker quality for 2027 play; accessibility and value (20%)—green fees, tee time availability, and reservation ease for non-members; setting and scenery (15%)—natural beauty, Pacific Northwest character, and views; and overall experience (10%)—clubhouse, practice facilities, caddie programs, and pace of play.
We excluded private clubs unless they offer limited public access, and prioritized courses that are open for booking in 2027.
1. 🏆 BEST OVERALL: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon, Oregon)
Bandon Dunes is the undisputed king of Pacific Northwest golf, a walking-only resort with four 18-hole courses—Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Sheep Ranch—plus the 13-hole Bandon Preserve. The resort sits on 2,000 acres of coastal dunes and cliffs, with every hole framed by native fescue, gorse, and the Pacific Ocean.
In 2027, the resort continues its policy of no golf carts (pull carts and caddies are available), which forces you to experience the land at a walking pace. Green fees range from $150–$300 per round depending on season, with replay rates as low as $50 after 2 PM. The Sheep Ranch, which opened in 2020, features nine holes directly on the ocean—more than any other course on the property—and is a must-play for 2027 visitors.
Book tee times up to one year in advance; summer slots sell out within hours of release.
2. Chambers Bay (University Place, Washington)
Chambers Bay is a public links course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., built on a former sand and gravel mine overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. It hosted the 2015 U.S. Open (won by Jordan Spieth) and remains one of the most challenging and visually striking courses in the country.
The course features firm, fast fescue fairways, massive undulating greens, and no rough—the ball runs into native sandy areas. In 2027, the course continues its walking-only policy (caddies available) with green fees of $150–$250 for Washington residents and $200–$350 for non-residents.
The 18th hole is a 605-yard par 5 that plays uphill to a green perched above the sound, often with ferries and container ships in the background. Book 60 days in advance; twilight rates drop to $100 after 4 PM.
3. Gamble Sands (Brewster, Washington)
Gamble Sands is a David McLay Kidd design located in north-central Washington’s Okanogan Valley, about 3.5 hours east of Seattle. The course is built on a 1,200-acre sagebrush plateau with views of the Columbia River and the Cascade Range. The design is wide-open and playable—fairways average 60–80 yards wide, with no forced carries and massive greens that roll at 11–12 on the Stimpmeter.
In 2027, the resort opens its second course, The Quarry, a 12-hole reversible layout designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, adding even more variety. Green fees for the main course are $85–$135 (walking included), making it one of the best values in the region. The on-site Sands Course also offers a 9-hole short course and a 18-hole putting course called the Giant’s Graveyard.
Book 90 days in advance; stay-and-play packages start at $199 per night.
4. 💎 BEST VALUE: Gold Mountain Golf Club (Bremerton, Washington)
Gold Mountain’s Olympic Course is a municipal facility that consistently ranks among the top public courses in Washington. Designed by John Harbottle III, the course winds through old-growth Douglas fir forest with elevation changes, forced carries over wetlands, and views of the Olympic Mountains from the back nine.
Green fees are $55–$80 (walking) for non-residents, with a senior rate of $40 on weekdays. The course is known for its impeccable conditioning—fairways are bentgrass, greens run 10–11 on the Stimpmeter, and bunkers are filled with white silica sand. The Cascade Course (the second 18) is a shorter, more forgiving layout at $45–$65.
Gold Mountain is a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle, making it an easy day trip. Book 30 days in advance; twilight rates drop to $35 after 3 PM.
5. Salish Cliffs Golf Club (Shelton, Washington)
Salish Cliffs is a Gene Bates design carved through a 700-year-old cedar and fir forest on the Little Creek Casino Resort property. The course is known for its seclusion—there are no homes or roads visible, only towering trees, creeks, and native ferns. The routing uses natural elevation changes, with four par 3s over 200 yards and a 590-yard par 5 (the 8th) that plays downhill to a green guarded by a creek.
Green fees are $75–$120 (walking or riding), with a military discount of 15%. The practice facility includes a double-ended driving range with grass tees and a 4,000-square-foot putting green. The course is open year-round, but winter conditions can be wet—call ahead for cart-path-only restrictions.
Book 45 days in advance; stay-and-play packages at the casino start at $149 per night.
6. Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (North Plains, Oregon)
Pumpkin Ridge’s Ghost Creek course is a public 18-hole layout designed by Bob Cupp, located 20 minutes west of Portland. The course is famous for hosting the 1997 U.S. Women’s Open (won by Alison Nicholas) and the **2003 U.S.
Amateur (won by Nick Flanagan). The routing plays through wetlands, oak groves, and rolling farmland, with water in play on 12 holes. The signature 12th hole** is a 175-yard par 3 over a lake to a green backed by a stone wall.
Green fees are $80–$140 (walking or riding), with a twilight rate of $60 after 3 PM. The course is known for its fast, undulating greens that run 11–12 on the Stimpmeter in summer. The Witch Hollow course (private) is adjacent but not open to the public.
Book 30 days in advance; online reservations require a credit card.
7. Wine Valley Golf Club (Walla Walla, Washington)
Wine Valley is a Dan Hixson design that opened in 2009, built on a 300-acre former wheat field in southeastern Washington’s wine country. The course is a links-style layout with rolling fairways, deep pot bunkers, and fescue rough, all set against the Blue Mountains.
The design is walkable and strategic—the greens are large and undulating, with false fronts and run-off areas that reward accurate approaches. Green fees are $65–$95 (walking), with a replay rate of $40 the same day. The course is part of the Walla Walla wine region, with over 100 wineries within a 20-minute drive.
The clubhouse features a full-service bar and restaurant with local wine flights. Book 60 days in advance; spring and fall are the best seasons for firm conditions.
8. The Home Course (DuPont, Washington)
The Home Course is a public facility owned by the Washington State Golf Association, designed by Mike Gorman and Dana Fry. It opened in 2007 and has hosted the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and **U.S.
Women’s Amateur Four-Ball championships. The course sits on a former military base with views of Mount Rainier to the east and the Puget Sound to the west. The routing features wide fairways, large greens, and strategic bunkering, with a links-style feel** but more forgiving than Chambers Bay.
Green fees are $65–$100 (walking), with a junior rate of $25 and a military discount of 10%. The practice facility includes a 10-acre driving range with target greens and a short-game area with bunkers. Book 14 days in advance; online booking is available 24/7.
9. Tokatee Golf Club (Blue River, Oregon)
Tokatee is a Robert Muir Graves design located in the McKenzie River Valley, about 45 minutes east of Eugene. The course is known for its scenic mountain setting—holes are framed by Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock, with the McKenzie River running along several fairways.
The routing is walkable and gentle, with minimal elevation change and wide fairways that suit all skill levels. Green fees are $45–$70 (walking), making it one of the most affordable options on this list. The course is open March through November (closed in winter due to snow).
The signature 17th hole is a 145-yard par 3 over a pond to a green backed by a waterfall. Book 30 days in advance; twilight rates are $35 after 2 PM.
10. Loomis Trails Golf Club (Loomis, Washington)
Loomis Trails is a 9-hole, par-3 and par-4 course located in the Okanogan Highlands, about 20 miles north of Oroville near the Canadian border. It’s a hidden gem for golfers seeking a remote, no-frills experience. The course is carved through pine forest and sagebrush, with elevation changes, forced carries over ravines, and views of the Similkameen River.
Green fees are $20–$30 (walking only), with a pull cart rental of $5. The course is walkable in under 2 hours and ideal for a quick round or a warm-up before heading to nearby Gamble Sands (45 minutes south). The clubhouse is a small log cabin with basic snacks and drinks.
Open April through October; no tee times required—first come, first served.
FAQ
Q: What is the best time of year to play golf in the Pacific Northwest? A: May through October offers the most reliable weather, with daytime temperatures of 60–80°F and minimal rain. July and August are peak season for coastal courses like Bandon Dunes; book 6–12 months ahead.
Q: Are any of these courses walkable for seniors or beginners? A: Yes—Gold Mountain’s Cascade Course, Tokatee, and Loomis Trails are all flat and walkable. Bandon Dunes is walking-only but offers caddies and pull carts; the terrain is strenuous with significant elevation changes.
Q: How much should I budget for a 2027 PNW golf trip? A: A four-day trip to Bandon Dunes (lodging + 4 rounds) runs $1,500–$2,500 per person. A budget trip to Gold Mountain or Tokatee (3 rounds + hotel) can be $300–$600. Always book tee times online and check for replay rates.
Q: Can I play Chambers Bay without a caddie? A: Yes, caddies are optional at Chambers Bay, but walking is mandatory (no carts). The course is 7,500 yards from the tips, so a pull cart is recommended. Forecaddies are available for groups at $50 per bag.
Q: Which course has the best practice facility? A: Salish Cliffs has a double-ended driving range with grass tees, a 4,000-square-foot putting green, and a short-game area with bunkers. Gamble Sands also has a large practice area and the Giant’s Graveyard putting course.
Q: Are there any new courses opening in the PNW for 2027? A: Gamble Sands’ The Quarry (12-hole reversible layout by Coore & Crenshaw) is expected to open in 2027. Bandon Dunes has no new courses planned, but Sheep Ranch remains the newest addition (2020).
Q: Do any of these courses offer stay-and-play packages? A: Yes—Bandon Dunes (on-site lodging), Salish Cliffs (Little Creek Casino), Gamble Sands (on-site hotel), and The Home Course (partner hotels in DuPont). Gold Mountain and Tokatee are day-play only.
Sources
- Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – Official Site
- Chambers Bay – Pierce County Parks
- Gamble Sands – Official Site
- Gold Mountain Golf Club – Official Site
- Salish Cliffs Golf Club – Official Site
- Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club – Official Site
- Wine Valley Golf Club – Official Site
- The Home Course – Official Site
- Tokatee Golf Club – Official Site
- Loomis Trails Golf Club – Facebook/Official Info
Bottom Line
The Pacific Northwest in 2027 offers an unmatched variety of golf experiences—from the bucket-list dunes of Bandon Dunes to the budget-friendly forests of Tokatee and the hidden 9-hole charm of Loomis Trails. Whether you prioritize championship pedigree, value, or scenery, this list covers the best public-access courses for every type of golfer.
Book early, walk when you can, and bring layers.
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