Seattle Golf Guide

We’d all love to play empty golf courses with pristine greens and unblemished fairways, but not all of us are dot com millionaires. The Mizuno-blade and Pro-V1 crowd should look elsewhere for their highfalutin brethren—this is a course for the proletariat. For those happy to shoot in the nineties. For those craving tallboys and hotdogs at the turn. For us hacks.

West Seattle is the best of the three Seattle municipals. Measuring in at 6,700 yards from the tips and boasting unparalleled views of the Seattle skyline, there’s really no argument disputing its superiority. The signature #12 is case and point. An aspiring sports cameraman would do well to start here; the elevated tee-box looks across a sharp, lateral valley to the green looming precipitously atop the other side. The tranquil Sound and downtown cityscape provide backdrop, while large cranes in the foreground frame the southern edge of the picturesque mise en scène. A proper tee shot is to drive the ball just north of the Columbia Tower—how sweet is that?

H. Chandler Egan designed the course, the acclaimed player and architect also responsible for the most recent Pebble Beach redesign. So you pick—Pebble for $450 or West Seattle for $35. Happily, the course isn’t as prone to overcrowding as the more centrally located options, though a Saturday round on a nice day will still easily take five hours. Call the clubhouse, make a tee-time and show up ready for some public golf at its finest.

Seattle

Jackson Park Golf Club $$ 1000 N.E. 135th Seattle WA 98125 206.301.0472 If you can get over the ubiquitous growl of semi-trucks and speeding commuters on I-5, there are some beauties to be found. Jefferson Park Golf Club $$ 4101 Beacon Ave. S. Seattle WA 98108 206.301.0472 Fred Couples got his start at this Beacon Hill classic. Unlike West Seattle and Jackson, the course has a driving range for pre-round warm-up or post-work cool-down.

West Seattle Golf Club $$ 4470 35th S.W. Seattle WA 98126 206.935.5187

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North of Seattle

Battle Creek Golf Course 38 miles away $ 6006 Meridian Ave. N. Marysville WA 98271 800.655.7931 360.659.7931 Signature hole is dubbed “The Rock,” due to the imposing boulder that guards the par 3’s green. Par 3 course also available. Gleneagle Golf Course 44 miles away $ 7619 Country Club Dr. Arlington WA 98223 360.435.6713 Harbour Pointe Golf Club 23 miles away $$$$ 11817 Harbour Point Blvd. Mukilteo WA 98275 425.355.6060 800.233.3128 Pretentious spelling = expensive. Twilight deals makes it reasonable. Kayak Point Golf Course 47 miles away $$$ 15711 Marine Dr. Stanwood WA 98292 360.652.9676 800.562.3094 The 14th, with its dual fairways, is worth a look.

Legion Memorial Golf Course 32 miles away $$ 144 W. Marine View Dr. Everett WA 98201 425.259.4653 Lynnwood Municipal Golf Course 16 miles away $$ 20200 68th Avenue W. Lynnwood WA 98036 425.672.4653 Nile Golf & Country Club 13 miles away $$ 6601 244th Ave. S.W. Mountlake Terrace WA 98043 425.776.5154 This Country Club is open to the public. There is a dress code. Walter Hall Golf Course 26 miles away $ 1226 W. Casino Rd. Everett WA 98204 425.353.4653

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East of Seattle

Bellevue Municipal Golf Course 15 miles away $$ 5500 140th N.E. Bellevue WA 98005 425.452.7250 Range facility with lessons onsite. Short course overall (6,000 from the tips). Carnation Golf Course 27 miles away, $$ 1810 West Snoqualmie River Rd. Carnation WA 98014 425.333.4151 Echo Falls Country Club 27 miles away $$ 20414 121st Ave. S.E. Snohomish WA 98296 206.362.3000 360.668.3030 Par 70, but 17 is one of the hardest par 4’s in the state. At 6,100 yards, the tips still manage to challenge. The 18th boasts an island green that is as beautiful as it is intimidating. Mount Si Golf Course 30 miles away $$$ 9010 Boalch Ave. S.E. Snoqualmie WA 98065 425.391.4926 425.888.1541 The Golf Club at Newcastle 14 miles away $$$$ 15500 Six Penny Lane Newcastle WA 98059 425-793-GOLF Two Paul Oki courses: Coal Creek and China Creek. Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course 27 miles away $$ 35109 S.E. Fish Hatchery Road Fall City WA 98024 425.222.5244 425.392.1276

Tall Chief Golf Course 25 miles away $ 1313 West Snoqualmie River Rd. S.E. Fall City WA 98024 425.222.5911 Tall Chief is currently 12 holes. The back 6 have closed for development. Trilogy Golf Club 21 miles away, $$$$ 11825 Trilogy Parkway Redmond WA 98053 866.305.1857 Twin Rivers Golf Course 26 miles away $$ 4446 Preston-Fall City Rd. S.E. Fall City WA 98024 425.222.7575 Wayne Golf Course 16 miles away $ 16721 96th Ave. N.E. Bothell WA 98011 425.486.4714 Par 65, 4,300 yards. Willows Run Golf Club 18 miles away $$$$ 10442 Willows Rd. N.E. Redmond WA 98052 800.833.4787 425.883.1200 36 total holes.

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South of Seattle

Auburn Golf Course 24 miles away $$ 29630 Green River Rd. S.E. 253.833.2350 The city is constantly improving this above-average municipal. The extremely entertaining “cliff hole” 15th follows directly into the signature 16th—a par 3 complete with a 150 yard carry over a pond and waterfall backdrop. Capitol City Golf Club 61 miles away $ 5225 Yelm Hwy. S.E. Lacey WA 98513 360.491.5111 Classic Golf Club 49 miles away $$ 4908 208th St. E. Spanaway WA 98387 253.847.4440 Ryan Moore’s home course. Druids Glen Golf Club 30 miles away $$$$ 29925 207th Ave. S.E. Kent WA 98042 253.638.1200 Steep green fees on the weekend, but grab a buddy and play this course for $52 with cart after 4pm—one of the best twilight specials around. Fort Lewis Golf Course 46 miles away $ I-5, Exit 116 Fort Lewis WA 98433 253.967.6522 This is a military course with big discounts if you enlist. Three sets of 9 holes. Foster Golf Links 11 miles away $$ 13500 Interurban Ave Tukwila WA 98168 206.242.4221 This 4,800 yard par 68 is a great place to brag about your score and not mention that you shot it here. High Cedars Golf Course 41 miles away $$$ 14604 149th St. Ct. E. Orting WA 98360 253.845.1853 This course in the volcanic flats or Orting keeps it interesting with strategically placed water and trees. Lake Wilderness Golf Course 28 miles away $ 25400 Witte Rd. S.E. Maple Valley WA 98038 425.432.9405 Stay in the fairway—there is OB everywhere.

Madrona Links Golf Course 44 miles away $ 3604 22nd Ave. N.W. Gig Harbor WA 98335 253.851.5193 Maplewood Golf Course 18 miles away $$ 4050 S.E. Maple Valley Hwy Renton WA 98058 425.430.6800 Superior front 9 was added to what is now the back 9. You’ll notice a significant difference in length and quality. Meadow Park Golf Course 39 miles away $ 7108 Lakewood Dr. W. Lakewood WA 98499 253.473.3033 North Shore Golf & Country Club 30 miles away $$$ 4101 North Shore Blvd. N.E. Tacoma WA 98422 800.447.1375 Riverbend Golf Complex 19 miles away $ 2019 W. Meeker Kent WA 98032 253.854.3673 877.224.3250 Sumner Meadows Golf Links 32 miles away, $$ 14802 8th St. E. Sumner WA 98390 888.25.TEE.IT 253.863.8198 Tyee Valley Golf Course 15 miles away $ 2401 South 192nd SeaTac WA 98188 206.878.3540 Directly next to SeaTac airport. Third runway has dropped the yardage to 4,500 and the par to 65. Luckily, there’s even more airplanes now. Washington National Golf Club 33 miles away $$$$ 14330 S.E. Husky Way Auburn WA 98092 253.333.5000 UW Husky’s home course. Challenging layout with tees up to 7,100 yards.

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West of Seattle

Horseshoe Lake Golf Course 52 miles away $$$ 1250 S.W. Clubhouse Ct. Port Orchard WA 98367 253.857.3326 There’s a dress code.

Trophy Lake Golf & Casting 60 miles away $$$$ 3900 S.W. Lake Flora Rd. Port Orchard WA 98366 360.874.8337

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